![]() ![]() However, a lot could probably be done by using an EXA-type method, so at least the smoothness effects of a composited desktop could be realized, if not the fancy special effects or hardware-accelerated vector graphics.įrom the time that Haiku R1 is released, how do you see the relationship between Zeta and Haiku. A full OpenGL stack for Zeta might be in the cards with a DRI port, but support for SOTA hardware is probably not in the cards. Performance can be improved by using the blending ROPs on the GPU, without implementing the whole OpenGL stack, but then lots of effects like OS X’s “genie effect” become expensive because they must be performed by the CPU into a temporary buffer before being composited by the GPU.ĭesktop composition is definitely the feature of windowing systems, and is going to create a very big “polish” gap between those OSs that implement it and those that do not. If everything is done in software, performance can take a big hit as well, since the read-modify-write cycles needed for alpha blending are very slow when the CPU operates on video memory. ![]() This is in contrast to the drawing model implemented in BeOS and Windows XP, wherein windows draw directly into the framebuffer.ĭesktop composition can be done without 3D support, its just that the attendent possibilities are reduced. As a result, I’m stuck with webmail.ĭesktop composition is a window model in which complete windows are stored in off-screen buffers, then composited onto the main frame buffer, usually with alpha-blending, at several dozen frames per second. Also, will you be adding any sort of IMAP mail client? I have found Thunderbird and Seabird both unusable in 1.1, and Haiku’s mail_daemon_replacement crashes. It would be wonderful if 1.2 would just pick the card up and go. Is there any reason that more 3rd-party drivers couldn’t be included in future Zeta releases? Is it just a case of limited resources?įinally, to the nuts and bolts of future Zeta work: Will you be improving WiFi support? I have an older Prism 2 card that is recognized, but there is no GUI to select wireless networks. How do you decide which 3rd-party drivers to include? I installed Zeta 1.1 on my Sony Vaio laptop and had to pull down video and APM drivers from. In an ideal, non-monopolistic world, where would Zeta fit into the OS landscape? How are you financing Zeta development? We are well aware of Mark Shuttleworth’s source of Ubuntu development funds, is this similarly philanthropic, or are you backed by VC money? Do you consider the long-term growth potential of Zeta to be equal to that of Linux or Mac OS, or are you happy with the current state of hobbyist/enthusiast OS? Should it come to fruition, would you tend to use it as a base as Red Hat does with Fedora, or do you consider it in direct competition? I would like to know how you view your company’s long-term relationship with the Haiku project. If you would be willing to answer more questions: Regardless of the answer, I am very happy with my purchase of Zeta 1.1 and look forward to future releases. Once and for all, could you please clearly say whether or not you have complete access to BeOS kernel sources and whether or not you are licensed to modify all BeOS source code. It’s great to see that your company has kept the BeOS dream alive. I have always been impressed with BeOS’ potential and was very disappointed when the company finally closed its doors. ![]() It is certainly a more useful system than BeOS R5 ever was. I recently purchased Zeta 1.1 and am very impressed with what I see. Kord, I would first like to thank you for continuing BeOS development. I cannot guarantee when the interview will be ready, but I’d expect it to be done early next week. Be sure to read through the comments before posting yours, to prevent duplicate questions. Only questions posted/sent before midnight UTC (the night from Thursday to Friday) are eligable for the interview. We will add some of our own questions, too. We, the staff, will pick the questions we deem most interesting, and send them via email to Bernd Korz. ![]() If you whish to remain anonymous, then you can email me with your question(s), and your name will not be listed. The rules are simple: post your questions in the comments’ section of this article. YellowTAB is currently working on Zeta 1.2. Read on for the details!Īs you have already guessed by the headline, the subject of this community interview will be Bernd Korz, CEO of YellowTAB, the company behind Zeta, the operating system based on the ‘old’ BeOS. Already common on other websites, we today hand the microphone to you, so you can ask questions to someone from the tech industry. Today, we have something special on OSNews, something that’s actually a first-timer on OSNews. ![]()
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