My real passion is programming, I have aspirations of creating an OS (Operating System) that is 100 percent user friendly, GUI (Graphical User Interface) based; not just a shell on top of a TI (Text Interface), totally user customizable with an interactive help system. And that’s just the easy part to create; the hard part is the kernel (Essentially the go between the software and the machine) will have built-in plug-ins that will act as translators for software made for other operating systems. Thus you can run Linux software, Windows software, UNIX software, Mac software, etc. without the need to install expensive and complicated emulation programs (programs that imitate an OS). I also want a Programming language that is also GUI based that eliminates the need for cumbersome coding and can translate ordinary text instruction to meaningful machine code (instructions for the machine i.e. computer). Thereby removing the need for expert computer programmers to update and fix bugs or security holes in the Operating System, and if desired the creation of useful software utilities tailored to the users need. This concept OS would also have a true text interface via an emulation window or can be booted in command line mode (basically a text interface).
Why you ask? Because I don’t think that it is fair that people who are computer illiterate should have to depend on others for technical help. Microsoft has a real user friendly OS, but are notoriously unstable and their help system sucks. The user has to depend on Microsoft for updates to patch security holes and bugs. Plus the fact that they are getting pretty damned nasty when it comes to protecting their copy rights. While I agree with the premise of the of copy rights; I don’t agree with how Microsoft is going about it. If you have an illegal copy of Windows XP and a bad key or a key that is in use by someone who has registered that key, Microsoft will shut your OS down forcing a fresh reinstall from scratch. Plus this whole registration business is a huge invasion of privacy; it’s really none of Microsoft’s business who is using their software. If their prices were more reasonable perhaps more people would buy there products instead of pirating it.
Linux is a better OS because of its stability and it’s free with open source. However, its GUI is just a shell and not an integral part of the OS like windows is. And it’s not very user friendly like windows. My concept OS would merge the stability of Linux with the feel of Windows and be engineered to be simple for even the most computer illiterate user, or for the more advanced user be customized to his/her desires. The user decides how complex or how simple it will be, the power will be in there hands not mine or someone else’s.
Concept Operating System
Outline
GUI based
With command line
interface in either emulation window or true command line mode.
Stability of
Linux
Ease of Windows
Interactive help
system
Total
customizability
Kernel
Built-in plug-ins
that emulate operating systems
Plug-ins can be
turned on and off at the click of a button
Web Browser
Total
customizability
Built-in firewall
that will block hackers, pop-ups, unauthorized program installation, and
cookies.
Instant messaging
that can integrate with other instant messengers like MSN, ICQ, etc.
Built-in virus
protection
Firewall Features
This is the same
firewall that is built into the Web Browser
Blocks hackers
and logs their IP (internet protocol) address
Gives
geographical location of the intruder
Sends a user
message to the intruder that he/she has intruded upon the users domain
House of Mirrors:
this is what I call it. The basic idea is this, if a hacker somehow breaks
through the firewall the hacker gets a mirror image of the user’s computer or
some other false image that the user chooses. What happens next will likely
piss-off the hacker to no end when he/she discovers it. First, a small
unassuming file is transferred to the hacker’s computer. This file is a worm
that will infect the kernel, registry, and other critical system files. Second,
a signal is sent to the hacker’s computer to reboot. Lastly, during the
rebooting process the worm takes over all critical files but does not appear to
do anything. However, once the hacker gets back online he/she is at the mercy
of the user whom he/she hacked into. This may seem extreme, but I have no
sympathy or tolerance for malicious hackers who go into and cause damage to
other systems. This worm will also attempt to find out the hackers name,
address and other personal information and create a log file for the user to
give to the authorities.
Pop-up blocker
that will block all pop-ups but allow the user to override this feature of a
case by case basis. Such as when playing yahoo games which use pop-ups for
their games.
Block all
unauthorized program installations. Some Web sites install programs without the
user’s knowledge or consent. Some even go as far as to force the user to
install their programs before they (the site) will work for the user. These
programs can be browser tool bars, spy ware, etc. This is a huge invasion of
the user’s privacy and other rights. And as far as I’m concerned the owners of
these sites are just as bad as malicious hackers.
Cookie blocker
and management. A cookie is a text file downloaded to your computer by websites.
The intent in most cases is to help the webmaster (the person who takes care of
the site) gather information about the user. Invasion of privacy! Some cookies
are actually useful to the user. They can store usernames and passwords for
websites the user visits regularly. But this can also be a security issue. Some
websites actually require the user to let them install their cookie in order
for the site to work. My concept here is to block any unneeded cookies. For
those sites that require cookies to work it will install the cookie but not
allow it to do anything and will actually give the webmaster a personalized
message from the user. My personal message suggestion would be “Kiss my arse.”
As you can probably tell I don’t like cookies.
One final feature
I would like to add is the blocking of websites from placing link on the user’s
computer
Virus Protection
Features
Scans all
incoming files for viruses
Blocks infected
files, Trodgen horses, viruses, worms, etc.
Will analyzed and
log suspicious files at the binary level
Prevents critical
files from being changed without the users knowledge or consent
Creates backups
of critical system files and restores them if they get infected or corrupted
Logs and blocks
sites that downloads viruses
Sends updated
information on viruses and malicious websites to other users via the internet
Attempts to track
virus creators and their ilk and report its finding to the appropriate
authorities
And as with all
other features total user customizability and control
Programming
Language
GUI based
Plain English
instruction coding. Example of coding: when the user clicks this button perform
this action.
Interactive
tutorial/help system
Total development
capabilities. From application or driver creation, to bug fixing
Sharing of system
fixes with other users via the internet
Kernel
programming
OS plug-in
creation
Built-in file
compression/archiving
Compatibility
with other compression formats
Advanced
compression capabilities that far exceeds the current abilities of other
compression systems
Compatibility
with multiple file systems
FAT 16
FAT 32
NTFS
Etc.
User customizable
file system
Free!
That’s right
free! I will give it away to anyone who wants it!
I won’t ask who
you are
I won’t ask for a
single dime. But I will accept donations.
I would like only
one thing, but it is not required. The only thing I would like is a post card
from the area you live. You don’t even need to put your name or return address
on it. Hell you don’t even have to send me a card if you don’t want to.
Terms and
Conditions
All code built
for the concept OS whether it is developed the old-fashioned way or with the
built-in programming language must be open sourced
Any features that
are developed to enhance the OS, improve security, fix bugs, plug security
holes, update the kernel or other critical system files must be distributed
free of charge with source code.
Any distributions
or copies of the OS must be distributed complete and totally without charge
Any future
developments for the OS or enhancements must contain and utilized these
principles:
KISS (Keep It
Simple Stupid)
Total user
control and customizability
Interactive help
system
Must be user
friendly
Any original
programs developed for the OS must not invade the rights or privacy of the user
Well
that is the basics of my concept Operating System. Keep in mind that this is
only a concept and not a reality yet. I only have a very basic knowledge of
programming and can not even begin to create something this complicated. I
don’t even know where to begin. I have much to learn before I can begin to
develop this OS. If someone reads this page and would like to help me learn how
to program and/or create this concept OS drop me a line at dhi2@hotmail.com or non-CGI form.
I’m
not overly concerned about someone stealing this concept. But if you happen to
be a wizard programmer and would like to use this idea and not bother involve
me that’s ok. It doesn’t really matter. All I really want is to see this idea
become a reality someday even if I don’ have a hand in it.