Next Generation Operating System
April 15, 2007 by ignatiof.
What would I like to see in a next-generation operating system built new from the ground up?
That’s a tough question and a tall order. With so much stuff moving online these days, is a new operating system really relevant? I’m going to take the opinion that it is, and perhaps one that embraces the Internet in a new way would be compelling (and be unlike YouOS which is just a system with the familiar desktop metaphor stuffed into a browser). Here are the things I would like to see in such a system:
- No more windows and icons - this OS would have a zoomable interface, so you just zoom in on your files and they show different representations the closer you get to ‘em. Check out this link.
- A full revision control system built into the operating system. All changes to files are tracked as they occur.
- A full backup system built into the operating system so users don’t need to worry about it.
- A sophisticated file system with journaling, permissions, compression, encryption, etc., although this system would be largely invisible to users, and the folder/file metaphor would be “round filed”.
- Applications laid out on disk *exactly* as they would be if loaded into working memory.
- Seamless, encrypted and simple to use remote connectivity
- Built-in social networking - ala facebook. The OS would have to connect to a server or have built in peer-to-peer software.
I’m sure there’s more stuff. I have to give it some thought.