11 replies to this topic

[solartic]

Hi guys,

I have this idea about creating a web interface for an operating system. Possibly something along the lines of Google OS except it is for native apps. Basically it would just be a file manager in the web browser that interface with some native layer that acts like a web service for the operating system functionality. Honestly I'm not sure there is really much point to this, but it seems like a kinda cool idea and I was wondering what other though of it. So please let me hear your opinions. No need to hold back.

[Skippy]

When you say native apps what kind of apps are we talking about?
For all that I remember about ChromeOS, it was literally just a browser with some plugins for a word editor suite and media player.

If you are trying to make more programs for Chrome, look into plugins.

If you are trying to make a "chrome like program" for computers, you are trying to make a web browser with lots of features.

I'm having a hard time understanding what you are trying to do.

[solartic]

Thanks for the reply,
Something similar to Windows explore, gnome and kde. So basically it's just a manager for locating, searching, removing, adding files and applications to the system. The only difference is it runs like a web GUI from your browser. Unlike chrome os it will manage the applications you have locally not web based ones the live on the web.

[sam_l]

That is stupid, do not do that.

[solartic]

lol, thanks for the reply Sam l, would have be nice if you expanded on why it's stupid though, so that I can reflect on any point you make when other ideas pop in my head.

[Skippy]

What about making a terminal plugin for your browser? You can do all the system file manipulation you need to do within a terminal right? Well if you simply create a plugin for lets say a bash session to the system within the browser, the user can now access all the files and programs, even do process management, file editing (vim) etc.

Or are you talking about a visual file browser? In that case maybe you can look at the source of x server and find where they implement the file browser for viewing files, directories, etc, and just make that into a plugin for the browser.

If it's visual you want, and if you want it system independent, you are going to need to use some sort of library that will enable you to view, rename, move, copy, delete, etc any file in the system. I think BASH is installable on all major operating systems, you might want to take a look at that.

Then all you would need to do is have a GUI that displays the 'ls -a' program results. The user could then click on a file, and rename it this would be the 'mv' command in bash. Or go to the previous directory 'cd ..; ls -a'

At any rate, I want to make sure this is the idea you had in mind before we try to come up with a solution.

[solartic]

Thanks Skippy that some useful information you provided there, but I'm not really as worried about the actual implementation as much as I'm wondering about the value of such an idea. It seem kinda fun but maybe I could channel my energy towards something else that might be of more value to persons and myself. Generally I just evaluate my ideas internally, but I wanted to the opinions of others this time around.

In any case I was thinking about creating the underlying system in python, since I just started learning it, learning Django as well, and it would like to nice to explore it a bit more of the language especially for non web development stuff. More that likely I would have to rely on the command line for some of the functionality but I would like to keep this to a minimum if possible, since this would make the system more depended on the OS. As you mentions it's likely that I would have to use some system specific library which in my case probably would be GTK since the gnome desktop would be my main target if I ever decide to pursue this project.

[Skippy]

Well, honestly I myself don't find any practical use for such a utility. The difference between your utility and using the operating system's file browser is the fact that I don't have to switch windows (instead I have to switch tabs). This utility is really a question of "whats more practical to the user, switching tabs or switching windows?"

However, this is a two sided battle.

If your program proves less utilitarian to the user than using the native file browser, what's the point? No one would use it. It would be another useless application.

But! If you were to implement some great file management utilities that modern day file browsers don't have, then your program will be a wanted one, because of it's added use.

See the value of any programming software depends on how much, and for what it will be used. One way to increase value is to increase the usage of your software (i.e. make more people use it). Another way is to make it more of a special resource, that is very sophisticated (i.e. Missile radar detection systems). In this case the utility of your program increased so thus the value did as well.

Value is all about supply and demand.

As a suggestion, add on special utilities to your file browser that are not implemented in operating system file browsers. Then at that time your program will be of use, that is until the operating systems incorporate it into their systems. Unless you keep releasing new ideas for this file browser, at that point the operating system companies aren't going to want to copy your every feature, it's not practical if they can just get it from you. And they will probably just offer to pay you to have it incorporated in their systems.

[solartic]

Good points. The point you made about about the possibility of the application proving less useful than what already exist is something I have been giving some serious thought. Thanks for the feedback I will give this some more thought and see what happens.

[sam_l]

Quote

lol, thanks for the reply Sam l, would have be nice if you expanded on why it's stupid though, so that I can reflect on any point you make when other ideas pop in my head.

See Skippy's first post; he was kind enough to type out what that which was blatantly obvious.

[da beast]

You can already add apps through the chrome browser "web store". https://chrome.googl...bstore?hl=en-US Most of them are just HTML5 webapps. I would suggest not looking into a web OS, but an HTML5 webapp for chrome, its your best bet at something lucrative.

[ThatOneGuy]

This is a good idea and what you are really describing is a CloudOS which there are already ton's of now. Fraid your too late.