Hello NeXT Community!
Several years ago I've stared to create NeXTSTEP-like desktop for Linux. My goal is to create environment that looks and
feels like NeXT's OS without compromises (not theme or skin to some existing sofware).
I'm writing it from scratch on Objective-C utilizing core thechnologies: CentOS Linux (mature, enterprise-level distribution), GNUstep libraries, Grand Central Dispatch and others.
Current state of project: version 0.85 (
https://github.com/trunkmaster/nextspace/releases/tag/0.85). I use it as regular desktop everyday.
Major applications are:
- Login - login panel is identical to NeXT's one.
- Workspace - it's Workspace Manager replica with almost 90% features implemented.
- Preferences - about 60% features completed (Localization, Kyboard, Mouse, Displays, Sound)
- Terminal - you know it. ;)
The GitHub page for project is here
https://github.com/trunkmaster/nextspace.P.S.: I'll be happy to see some contribution to the project.
Are there any plans about making it able to run Openstep applications?
And is it possible to compile use the Workspace app as an interface on OS X?
But nice work. There's a good amount of hours in it 😃
-Daxziz
Do you consider releasing ISO for x86 or RPI ?
Quote from: Daxziz on June 15, 2019, 01:33:29 AMAre there any plans about making it able to run Openstep applications?
And is it possible to compile use the Workspace app as an interface on OS X?
But nice work. There's a good amount of hours in it 😃
-Daxziz
OpenStep applications can be ported if sources are available.
Workspace can't be compiled on OS X because it tightly coupled with Linux.
Quote from: oneNeXT on June 16, 2019, 04:13:52 AMDo you consider releasing ISO for x86 or RPI ?
Yes, I plan to complete all desired features and release ISO or VM image (most likely VirtualBox).
I'm just curious. Why are you doing this instead of working with GNUSTEP? Is there some difference or reason for rolling your own variant?
Quote from: zombie on June 18, 2019, 11:45:55 PMI'm just curious. Why are you doing this instead of working with GNUSTEP? Is there some difference or reason for rolling your own variant?
Because GNUstep is a set of libraries not desktop environment. And NEXTSPACE was implemented on top of GNUstep.
P.S.: BTW, I'm a contributor/developer of GNUstep since 2001.
Thanks. Curious of your opinion of the never officially released UI from NeXTSTEP 4.0? I liked some parts, others were undercooked.
Thank you for doing this. It looks really cool.
Quote from: zombie on June 23, 2019, 01:18:46 AMThanks. Curious of your opinion of the never officially released UI from NeXTSTEP 4.0? I liked some parts, others were undercooked.
Thank you for doing this. It looks really cool.
I've never tried it. Just saw some screenshots. It looks quite fresh but strange to me.
It will be interesting to listen/read a story behind it. Why did OPENSTEP 4.2 not released with this design? What was the basic idea with this change?
Quote from: stoyan255 on June 14, 2019, 09:41:23 AMSeveral years ago I've stared to create NeXTSTEP-like desktop for Linux. My goal is to create environment that looks and feels like NeXT's OS without compromises (not theme or skin to some existing sofware).
I'm writing it from scratch on Objective-C utilizing core thechnologies: CentOS Linux (mature, enterprise-level distribution), GNUstep libraries, Grand Central Dispatch and others.
That's very impressive. It's been a while since I toyed with NS/OS development, but it is now very tempting to put my very limited obj-c skills back to work...
Quote from: igor_av on June 25, 2019, 02:38:54 PMThat's very impressive. It's been a while since I toyed with NS/OS development, but it is now very tempting to put my very limited obj-c skills back to work...
You're welcome! I'll be happy to see you contributing in project!
Quote from: stoyan255 on June 24, 2019, 05:47:02 PMI've never tried it. Just saw some screenshots. It looks quite fresh but strange to me.
It will be interesting to listen/read a story behind it. Why did OPENSTEP 4.2 not released with this design? What was the basic idea with this change?
That's a really good question. Part of it was the "opening" of OPENSTEP put it on the back burner. I'm not sure if it was to spur a more 'cohesive' UI among the others that adopted OPENSTEP.
Most parts of it are a bit too garish, and like you, I adore the clean'ness of the original UI. That said, I did like some flourishes, like how the close window buttons were inset into the window bar, rather than buttons sitting atop. The multi-tab shelf was very interesting, had some positives, but also, it didn't seem fully thought through.
I could swear I read an article recently about the 4.0 UI but cannot seem to find it. This blog gets to some of it on the May 22, 2019 entry if you scroll down enough:
https://www.highcaffeinecontent.com/blog/
I liked most everything except that tabbed shelf replacing the dock. That feels very Windows 3.1/SCO OpenServer WinTiff to me.
Quote from: zombie on June 26, 2019, 11:40:59 AMI could swear I read an article recently about the 4.0 UI but cannot seem to find it. This blog gets to some of it on the May 22, 2019 entry if you scroll down enough:
https://www.highcaffeinecontent.com/blog/
Quite interesting point of view. Here is the direct link:
https://www.highcaffeinecontent.com/blog/20190522-(Dont-Fear)-The-Reaper
Quote from: rumbeard on June 26, 2019, 06:41:24 PMI liked most everything except that tabbed shelf replacing the dock. That feels very Windows 3.1/SCO OpenServer WinTiff to me.
I guess it was response to CDE that was popular on UNIX workstations. NeXT workstations were created as rivals to UNIX workstations of that time: Sun, DEC, IBM.
What you guys really need to do is make an iso 1click install distro with FreeBSD or CentOS or whatever makes the most sense (which I see up there you have plans to do) and ALSO promote the heck out of the fact that the GNUSTEP apps you make can be made to run on OSX.
I think a free open source NEXT/OPENSTEP distro with compatibility to OS X is a backdoor to some major adoption.
Also, I wonder if there is a way to copy over compiled versions of the real NeXT/OPENSTEP libraries and add them in the right spots of your OS, so that old NeXT/OPENSTEP apps might just magically run. Probably non-trivial, but that would be cool. A sort of Rosetta for NeXT/OPENSTEP apps...
Anyway, kudos @Stoyan255! I really look forward to this advancing!
Quote from: zombie on June 30, 2019, 11:45:00 AMWhat you guys really need to do is make an iso 1click install distro with FreeBSD or CentOS or whatever makes the most sense (which I see up there you have plans to do) and ALSO promote the heck out of the fact that the GNUSTEP apps you make can be made to run on OSX.
I think a free open source NEXT/OPENSTEP distro with compatibility to OS X is a backdoor to some major adoption.
Also, I wonder if there is a way to copy over compiled versions of the real NeXT/OPENSTEP libraries and add them in the right spots of your OS, so that old NeXT/OPENSTEP apps might just magically run. Probably non-trivial, but that would be cool. A sort of Rosetta for NeXT/OPENSTEP apps...
Anyway, kudos @Stoyan255! I really look forward to this advancing!
Compatibility with OS X is a GNUstep project's task. The quote from gnustep.org "The framework closely follows Apple's Cocoa (formerly NeXT's OpenStep) APIs but is portable to a variety of platforms and architectures." It's already possible to write cross-platform applications.
NEXTSPACE is not aimed to be running on OS X (it has excellent DE) or Windows (I can't imagine why Windows user should use alternative DE - native reflects Microsoft's vision). NEXTSPACE goal is to provide comprehensive DE with inter-application communication. It would be ideal to integrate into alien GTK/Qt world...
Running the NeXT/OPENSTEP apps' binaries on Linux... It assumes tremendous amount of work and it's definitely not NEXTSPACE scope. It's better to run OPENSTEP in VirtualBox if you really need that apps.
And I'll say it again: I want to create (I've already do) desktop environment for everyday productive usage, not nostalgic toy. I really appreciate and like NeXT design team's work result - that's why I use NEXTSTEP look and feel.
BTW, create OS X like DE on top of NEXTSPACE may be an option in the future. ;)
wow that looks pretty good!