Vision and direction for HORUS

In creating the HORUS project, the goal is to create an interface which bring Linux into the hands of more users. The HORUS project is aimed at both business and home users, equally. Business users will take advantage of the expense report manager, datebook, and e-mail applications. Home users will appreciate the mp3 player and CheckMate finance software.

By utilizing the Qt Embedded 3.x library, HORUS has the power to create very powerful applications which run comfortably on devices such as the Compaq iPaq. The inclusion of network protocol libraries, as well as SQL drivers and plugins, allows developers to create business-quality applications with ease. The use of an established platform such as Qt allows existing applications to be easily ported to the HORUS environment.

The cross-platform nature of Qt allows HORUS to interact with numerous operating systems in ways other handheld operating systems cannot. For example, the Palm Desktop is only supported under Microsoft operating systems. The cross-platform capabilities of Qt allows developers to write the same type of program for Windows, Linux, Solaris, *BSD, and countless other operating systems. By not confining or restricting the ability of the HORUS platform to interact with one operating system, handhelds taking advantage of HORUS can be used in areas where handheld computers were previously inferior.

The advanced theming and drawing features contained in Qt allows the user interface to be customized to a user's liking. This will play an important role in bringing Linux to the everyday user. By taking advantage of the "cute" factor, seen in Apple's iMac, or the "personalization" fact, as seen in the faceplates available for Nokia cell phones, HORUS will be able to provide users with an individualized device which fits their specific needs, tastes, and style.

Aside from developing advanced applications, the HORUS project will aim for application interoperability. By storing application and configuration data in XML-based files, developers will have the ability to write software that is abile to communicate with other applications. For example, the address book can use the "birthday" field to schedule event reminders directly into the datebook, or use the "web page" field to create bookmarks within the web browser. The CheckMate financial software can schedule bill payment reminders directly into the datebook. Entries created in the expense report manager can correspond to payements made in the CheckMate application. This interoperability extends the power of the HORUS environment. Data will no longer be static, confined only to the software that was used to enter it.

It is important that HORUS address and correct many of the mistakes made by other handheld operating system platforms, and even other Linux-based applications. Ease-of-use and presentability should be the key to this project's development. Many applications fail to reach a broad audience. Instead, they focus strictly on the needs or abilities of one segment of the computing population. Many Linux applications are too hard for individual users to take advantage of, but work just fine for geeks or those who have a great deal of computer experience. In developing HORUS, it is important that differing levels of experience and abilities be taken into account. A user should be able to tailor the environment to suit their needs.

By following these principles, as well as creating innovative interfaces and applications, HORUS will bring the Linux platform to those who would have otherwise never heard of it.

-- Steven Nakhla