The 25th value menu sized podcast
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This is just a Nate-echo-chamber of ideas but if you are interested in more thoughts and opinions in discussion with other Linux and open source enthusiasts, subscribe to DLN Xtend, a podcast with the Destination Linux Network where I have a chat with my co-hosts Matt and Wendy on a gambit of subjects.
Insync | Google Drive and OneDrive Sync Client on openSUSE
Fedora 33 | Review from an openSUSE User
KDE Plasma 5.21 on openSUSE Tumbleweed | Better Then Ever
VICE v3.5 | Versatile Commodore Emulator on openSUSE
openSUSE Corner
openSUSE Smiles
Arduino Controlled Ambient Light Chameleon | Blathering
News
A Message to the openSUSE Community
openSUSE Project selected for GSOC Mentoring
Tumbleweed Roundup
- 20210302 Stable 93
- 20210305 Moderate 86
- Some application issues with appearance and some are broken, none that I seem to be using
- 20210306 Moderate 84
- Issues with SELinux
- Issues with Systemd NetworkManager and nscd where nfs mounts are failing
- Hundreds of weird systemd-sysv-convert warnings during upgrade
- 20210307 Moderate 78
- dropped from a pending stable 91
- various failures with various applications and bits
- 20210311 pending Unstable 69
- Issues with Snapper, wicked, systemd and a few other things
- 20210312 pending Moderate 86
- HPLIP Utilities failing
- World of Padman doesn’t launch; (also known as WoP) is a colorful, cartoon-esque shooter based on the fictional universe of Padman
- 20210315 pending Stable 93
- 20210316 pending Stable 95
https://review.tumbleweed.boombatower.com/
Computer History Retrospective
This is my segment where I like to look back in time and see how the world of technology has advanced and how things have stayed the same. I find we often forget how far we have come and how good we have it while not always remember how we got here. Having some historical perspective on computers and technology can help to drive some appreciation for what we have today.
Computer Chronicles on Operating Systems (1984)
One of the major operating systems of this time was CP/M created by Gary Kildall, a co-host of Computer Chronicles. This episode has a great breakdown of the basics of what an operating system does on the small and mainframe type systems. Largely today, this is still true. Operating systems still provide the same basic services today for personal computers but much of what was done on a mainframe in the 80s can be performed on a laptop or desktop computer. Today’s operating systems do manage resources to maximize the system performance.
Single best quote of the episode was by Herb Lechner, in the beginning of the episode, “Operating systems are the most exciting when they don’t work and that you don’t want to have happen.
7 Functions of an Operating System as of 1984
- Establish Interfaces
- Permit Multiple Users
- Manage Data Files
- Handle Input / Output of data
- Error Recovery
- System Accounting
- Maintenance Accounting
I particularly enjoyed the Unix segment. The multitasking capabilities of Unix and Xenix and the do-it-yourself nature of it. Interestingly Unix sounds much like what Linux is today. Many parts from which you pick and choose to fit your specific use case.
Most people believe an operating system should be transparent and not bother the user. This was the desire in 1984 and I do believe this is the desire today. It is the foundation for which I am able to accomplish the tasks that I choose. Today, the scope of operating systems have changed a lot since the 8 bit days. Operating systems have to be able to scale themselves to the hardware appropriately and enable users in ways that are much more complicated.
A great article about a Unix and Linux through history can be found on Front Page Linux. It is a well written, fantastic tour of operating systems by Eric Londo that you should absolutely check out.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenix
Front Page Linux | Guide Through the History of Unix and Linux
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