Would the GNU-Darwin x86 Installer CD be suitable for starting from scratch with Darwin on a PC?
What is the current status of that CD -- has it been updated since the version which was based on OpenDarwin 6.6.1?
Although I'd prefer an all-FOSS solution, I could live with Apple's proprietary driver for now, if that would allow upgrading to their latest version of Darwin.
To achieve that goal, would Apple's Darwin CD be a more practical starting point? And do you know whether that is available anywhere for purchase on a CD?
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
> Would the GNU-Darwin x86 Installer CD be suitable for starting from scratch
> with Darwin on a PC?
Yes
> What is the current status of that CD -- has it been updated since the version
> which was based on OpenDarwin 6.6.1?
No, it is the part of the 1.0 distribution of GNU-Darwin, which is a
fine start. It is a version of 6.6.1 which has been entirely stripped of proprietary software.
> Although I'd prefer an all-FOSS solution, I could live with Apple's proprietary
> driver for now, if that would allow upgrading to their latest version of Darwin.
Our preference is firm. We will not distribute any proprietary
software.
> To achieve that goal, would Apple's Darwin CD be a more practical starting point?
> And do you know whether that is available anywhere for purchase on a CD?
In my opinion there is only one reason to do that; which is to reach
users with free software. At GNU-Darwin.org we work with a version of
Darwin which has been stripped of every proprietary driver but the
problematical one, so that we can distribute free software for the
current version of Darwin.
Personally, my current work is focussed on the ppc platform, where I
hope to build an all-FOSS OS installer. Work proceeds with that, and
we are hoping to do the same thing on the x86 platform eventually.
Until we are ready to distribute an all-FOSS OS, the current offerings
must suffice.
Thanks for the reply -- I understand and respect your position for FOSS and against proprietary software.
Would you please expand on one point: if I purchase the 2-disc GNU Darwin Installer set for x86, is there an upgrade path to the current version of Darwin?
I'm asking with regard to this part of your reply: "...we work with a version of Darwin... so that we can distribute free software for the current version of Darwin."
> Thanks for the reply -- I understand and respect your position for FOSS and
> against proprietary software.
You're welcome!
> Would you please expand on one point: if I purchase the 2-disc GNU Darwin Installer
> set for x86, is there an upgrade path to the current version of Darwin?
>
> I'm asking with regard to this part of your reply: "...we work with a version
> of Darwin... so that we can distribute free software for the current version
> of Darwin."
There is not an upgrade path that I am aware of. We have an
Darwin-8.0.1-x86 installer, which does not do upgrades to my knowledge, and
which only installs one proprietary binary. We do not distribute it
for that reason, and it is for internal production use only, so that we
can reach the larger Darwin community with the values of software
freedom.
In the event that Darwin-8-x86 becomes a FOSS OS, then it would not be
recommended to upgrade to it. Do a fresh install, with a clean sweep
of the hard drives, in order to take advantage of the journaling file
system. It is worth the extra effort.
Would the GNU-Darwin x86 Installer CD be suitable for starting from scratch with Darwin on a PC?
What is the current status of that CD -- has it been updated since the version which was based on OpenDarwin 6.6.1?
Although I'd prefer an all-FOSS solution, I could live with Apple's proprietary driver for now, if that would allow upgrading to their latest version of Darwin.
To achieve that goal, would Apple's Darwin CD be a more practical starting point? And do you know whether that is available anywhere for purchase on a CD?
> Would the GNU-Darwin x86 Installer CD be suitable for starting from scratch
> with Darwin on a PC?
Yes
> What is the current status of that CD -- has it been updated since the version
> which was based on OpenDarwin 6.6.1?
No, it is the part of the 1.0 distribution of GNU-Darwin, which is a
fine start. It is a version of 6.6.1 which has been entirely stripped of proprietary software.
> Although I'd prefer an all-FOSS solution, I could live with Apple's proprietary
> driver for now, if that would allow upgrading to their latest version of Darwin.
Our preference is firm. We will not distribute any proprietary
software.
> To achieve that goal, would Apple's Darwin CD be a more practical starting point?
> And do you know whether that is available anywhere for purchase on a CD?
In my opinion there is only one reason to do that; which is to reach
users with free software. At GNU-Darwin.org we work with a version of
Darwin which has been stripped of every proprietary driver but the
problematical one, so that we can distribute free software for the
current version of Darwin.
Personally, my current work is focussed on the ppc platform, where I
hope to build an all-FOSS OS installer. Work proceeds with that, and
we are hoping to do the same thing on the x86 platform eventually.
Until we are ready to distribute an all-FOSS OS, the current offerings
must suffice.
Regards,
proclus
http://www.gnu-darwin.org/
Thanks for the reply -- I understand and respect your position for FOSS and against proprietary software.
Would you please expand on one point: if I purchase the 2-disc GNU Darwin Installer set for x86, is there an upgrade path to the current version of Darwin?
I'm asking with regard to this part of your reply: "...we work with a version of Darwin... so that we can distribute free software for the current version of Darwin."
Thanks again,
jayseye
http://www.PrecisionTEQ.com/
> Thanks for the reply -- I understand and respect your position for FOSS and
> against proprietary software.
You're welcome!
> Would you please expand on one point: if I purchase the 2-disc GNU Darwin Installer
> set for x86, is there an upgrade path to the current version of Darwin?
>
> I'm asking with regard to this part of your reply: "...we work with a version
> of Darwin... so that we can distribute free software for the current version
> of Darwin."
There is not an upgrade path that I am aware of. We have an
Darwin-8.0.1-x86 installer, which does not do upgrades to my knowledge, and
which only installs one proprietary binary. We do not distribute it
for that reason, and it is for internal production use only, so that we
can reach the larger Darwin community with the values of software
freedom.
In the event that Darwin-8-x86 becomes a FOSS OS, then it would not be
recommended to upgrade to it. Do a fresh install, with a clean sweep
of the hard drives, in order to take advantage of the journaling file
system. It is worth the extra effort.
Regards,
proclus
http://www.gnu-darwin.org/