The Evolution of the OSx86 Project

[Swad]

What would you like to see in the next generation of our site?

 

Like many of you, the staff of this site has some exciting plans for this summer. But instead of hitting the beach (which we may also do), a lot of our energy is going to be devoted to updating and upgrading this site.

 

We’ve got some great ideas – like a renovated (and innovative) news section and a new skin – but we need your input!

 

What are some of the things you like about the current way the site is? What are some features you’d like to see us add?

 

Your ideas greatly help us in the direction we take the site. Thanks!

[WaxTrax!]

I personally would like to see more news and headlines related to Intel Macs. Even if they are repeated on other sites, I wouldn't mind OSx86project being my "one stop shop" for this kind of stuff.

 

Maybe a sub-section dealing with Univeral Binary software -- the one on the Apple site is pretty crappy and cumbersome to look through.

[Scothiam]

Thanks for putting up a great site!!!

 

I think this site should keep a focus on "making software work on hardware that it shouldn't". I know this is really up to those with the skillz to do so, but I think it would be great to keep that focus moving forward.

 

Apple and third party vendors will continue to make new hardware compatible, but hey, if I could get QE and CI working on my (older/unsuported) laptop, that'd be pretty sweet. My upgrade path at the moment is very simple looking (macbook pro), but I'd like to do all that I can untill that day (oh that sweet day...)

 

Cheers and thanks for keeping it rolling!!

[Zappadoc]

don't lose your soul and keep focused on OSX86 project that all we need for now.

Remember the main idea and if the dream come true we are all going to use OSX on our PC...

Z

[cromas]

I would like to see more organization of the information. A lot of the really juicy stuff is buried deep within the forum, and it means there's a lot of repeated effort when people try to find information. I think a combing-through of the forum to rebuild the wiki with current, correct information would be lovely. Honestly, I think a new forum system would be great too. I'm really not a fan of the current one.

[quietglow]

More drivers! Man, I'm so kidding!

 

Okay seriously, though: I'd love to see a switch to the vBulletin stock forum--there are so many super nice features that don't seem to be present in the current forums. I know that I spend lots of time in the Ubuntu forums and I usually manage the threads I'm helping out on with a basic "thread subscription." So I monitor my subscribed threads and add or subtract as I have more or less time. Makes it easier to offer support which, of course, raises the amount of support offered.

[Swad]

Honestly, I think a new forum system would be great too. I'm really not a fan of the current one.

 

Do you mean the Invision Power Board software? Is there another sort that you prefer (the other heavy hitter is VBulletin)?

 

don't lose your soul and keep focused on OSX86 project that all we need for now.

Remember the main idea and if the dream come true we are all going to use OSX on our PC...

 

No worries there, mate. We'll always stay true to our roots, even if we do branch out as the world changes. You have my word on that.

 

Okay seriously, though: I'd love to see a switch to the vBulletin stock forum--there are so many super nice features that don't seem to be present in the current forums.

 

Are you talking about Invision (what we use) or are you saying we should switch to vB? It sounds like what you're talking about is the current Invision skin, I totally agree - a whole new skin is on the agenda.

[other]

A complete re-design of the forums will happen. In the current one not all the features are enabled as it was ported from An earlier (2.0) skin.

 

As for skin modifications - feel free to post your suggestions in the Forum Information and Feedback forum!

[johnniecarcinogen]

I would like to see a message board written in AJAX or something so that you could see posts as they are posted and watch users that are viewing threads come and go in real time without having to refresh.

[quietglow]

Are you talking about Invision (what we use) or are you saying we should switch to vB? It sounds like what you're talking about is the current Invision skin, I totally agree - a whole new skin is on the agenda.

 

I was suggesting vB but as usually is the case, what I REALLY want is a feature set that we lack: thread subscriptions and the ability to easily see what thread I've posted in recently.

 

Hey, and BTW, what you guys have done thusfar has been really excellent. This place is a fantatsic resource and the meeting spot for a great group of people.

[cromas]

Do you mean the Invision Power Board software? Is there another sort that you prefer (the other heavy hitter is VBulletin)?

I've always liked phpBB myself, though I haven't used it in a year or two, so I don't know whether it suits all the needs of this site or not. One thing I dislike about the current organization is the 'sub-forum' idea. Maybe it's simpler than I'm making it, but it seems like an extra level of "oh {censored} where was that post" that adds confusion. I think a well-thought out organizational scheme for discussion coupled with a regularly-updated knowledgebase/wiki/whatever to sift that discussion into more usable information would be the ideal solution. It's hard for a new user to come in and search through a million forum posts, trying to figure out how to get started/how to solve a problem/etc, so it leads to a lot of redundancy.

 

I need to head to class...let me know if I'm being unclear.

[Swad]

Thanks cromas - we started out with phpBB, and while it has its benefits, Invision is much more suited to our needs.

 

Also, we're planning a major reorganization of the site to make information even easier to get to. Keep checking the site in the coming week for more details - I'm really excited about some of the things we've got planned!

[nightalon]

Above all, I'm looking to maximise my experience with OS X 10.4.6 on my PC. Your site has provided me with the necessary info to get pretty much full support on a 3-year-old machine (the first proc with SSE3) including AC97 audio and 3D support via the ATI 9700 drivers.

 

This site should be the place to discuss streamlining the implementation of OS X on any PC, carefully treading around the DMCA, of course. Dual and triple booting, and three-way virtualization should also be discussed.

 

That is my humble opinion and embodies the purpose this site serves for me.

[sHARD>>]

I was suggesting vB but as usually is the case, what I REALLY want is a feature set that we lack: thread subscriptions and the ability to easily see what thread I've posted in recently.

 

Subscriptions:

 

Scroll to top of thread, click options, click Track this Topic.

 

Recently posted:

 

Well, best IPB can do is recently viewed, or subscribe to all topics recently posted in. Go here: http://forum.osx86project.org/index.php?act=UserCP&CODE=00

[WiZMaC]

First off- let me thank you for a job well done with the site [currently set as my homepage] and ofcourse, there's always room for improvement....

 

A few pointers:

 

1. If we could have some sort of a bug tracking system like bugzilla - [ I'd love to maintain and manage that ]

2. Redesign of the forum with more emphasis on Intel & AMD- I haven't seen a single logo of intel or AMD incorporated in the design

3. Personal blogs for those that achieve a higher osx86 newton status ie. Maxxuss, JaS, Myzar & the rest [you guys know who you are so forgive me if I failed to mention you.

4. I was thinking of Vbulletin- sky's the limit with options 'ere

5. Competitions with prizes

 

That's all for now

[fxfmember]

The core mission/purpose of research into the possibilities of running OSX on 'white box' Intel PCs still has validity going forward imho, despite Apple's release of BootCamp and the upcoming virtualization solution from Parallel offering alternative paths to multi-OS solutions.

 

But in all honesty, I don't expect that Apple has any intention to license OSX for third-party generic Intel PCs manufacturers since, I believe that at the core, they perceive themselves as a hardware company that uses insanely great software and "sexy" designs to add value to plain old chips and boards. How Apple chooses to execute their business model is their right, of course, but what I appreciate about projects like OSx86 is that they demonstrate what is possible/feasible from a technical standpoint, and they have a wonderful way of keeping Apple honest. And I do believe that it's not just the IP protection 'suits' at Apple that pay attention to OSx86, but also the key engineers (if not S. Jobs himself). In that sense, you provide value not just to the Apple community, but to Apple itself.

 

I do believe that the broader issue of OS-interoperability is of ongoing interest. BootCamp solves Apple's problem of convincing game developers (esp. with limited resources) to port to OSX -- I don't really care about Win/OSX interoperability for a game. But for business and personal productivity apps that only run on Windoze, I think that some sort of "VirtualWindows" product running close to full speed (e.g. a non-emulation product, Parallel or VMware?) on the Intel Core-based Macs could be a triple win for Apple, Microsoft, and Intel, if the parties focus on workflow convenience and interoperability rather than worrying about protecting their traditional 'turf.' The ideal paradigm moving forward should be that users pick their applications based on which suit their needs best rather than which OS or hardware platform they happen to run on.

 

Personally, I am considering an Intel-based Mac Mini as an alternative to a SFF system for a media PC -- a tri-boot system would allow me to choose between Windows Media Edition, MythTV on Linux, and OSX' media-friendly platform. The major downside is that I'd really like to have a larger HD than the Mini offers, possibly even a RAID system for higher performance (which would be nice for PVR/DVR uses). Hmmmmm, I guess this is a situation in which OSX installed on a generic Intel SFF (with multi-boot enabling other OS') with built-in RAID might better meet my wants than an existing Apple product. So you provide a path to a better solution than Apple offers today. As a consumer, I appreciate you giving me another choice -- it may push Apple to improving the Mini.

 

Fx

[munky]

offtopic, but relevant to what fxfmember was saying...

 

if you think about it, osx86 is in a unique position. most other x86 operating systems need to support as wide a range of commodity hardware as possible - their goal, if you will, is to be as compatible as possible.

 

now osx is an x86 os, which is running on commodity hardware (albeit assembled by apple into a fancy case), but its being *artificially limited in its compatability*. its goal, converse to that of the other x86 oses, is to be as *incompatible* as possible. this seems like a crazy situation for the industry to be in this far down the line. IBM's PC failed (NB: as a product, not a platform) because the proprietry piece - the BIOS - was hacked and reverse-engineered, and that was a long time ago. now we have a modern os running on x86 with all kinds of crazy protections - TPM, encrypted binaries etc.

 

its just a mad situation.

[jeffberg]

i think there should be a clear division between intel macs running windows and intel pc's running osx.

 

or is the latter too iffy to keep on the site?

[Korrupted]

This site wouldn't be here if we didn't keep the latter part.

[nixblicker]

I would really like to have something like a big list of supported hardware like in the wiki only better, don't ask me how? And new registered user need to look through this list before they post, because I am sick of post like "I have this xyz computer, does osx run on this machine?" by users with " Posts: 1"!!!!

 

Maybe we could find a better way to organize this, because thats what's the most people are looking for!

 

BTW: I am looking forward to the 5th of July! Than I am ONE year registered in the forum! Greetings from User #57!

[sHARD>>]

I would really like to have something like a big list of supported hardware like in the wiki only better, don't ask me how? And new registered user need to look through this list before they post, because I am sick of post like "I have this xyz computer, does osx run on this machine?" by users with " Posts: 1"!!!!

 

Maybe we could find a better way to organize this, because thats what's the most people are looking for!

 

BTW: I am looking forward to the 5th of July! Than I am ONE year registered in the forum! Greetings from User #57!

 

He even beats me! *shakes fist*

[rogabean]

all I want is a way to mark all posts read within a section of the forums...

 

currently I have to go to "view new posts" where i can mark the whole forum read.

 

I'd like to be able to say go into hardware.. poke my head around.. see nothing new of interest and mark that section of the forums read... etc.

[caladan1810]

I would really like to have something like a big list of supported hardware like in the wiki only better, don't ask me how? And new registered user need to look through this list before they post, because I am sick of post like "I have this xyz computer, does osx run on this machine?" by users with " Posts: 1"!!!!

 

Maybe we could find a better way to organize this, because thats what's the most people are looking for!

 

BTW: I am looking forward to the 5th of July! Than I am ONE year registered in the forum! Greetings from User #57!

Oh please if there is a God let him do this for us! I get sick of reading posts like that all beacuse the person is too bloody lazy to read a few posts and they wouldn't have had to post that annoying first post. (confused yet?)

 

all I want is a way to mark all posts read within a section of the forums...

 

currently I have to go to "view new posts" where i can mark the whole forum read.

 

I'd like to be able to say go into hardware.. poke my head around.. see nothing new of interest and mark that section of the forums read... etc.

I so agree this would be a great feature to impliment if the software allows for it .

[Swad]

So it would seem to me that the comments you've given can be grouped into 3 main areas:

 

1. Growth is good, but don't lose the OSx86 foundation.

2. More Intel Mac stuff.

3. Improved forum.

 

Would you say that is accurate?

 

Here's another question, to follow up on the "one-stop shop" idea that was mentioned: what does this site need to become your primary Macintel forum?

[EPDM]

So it would seem to me that the comments you've given can be grouped into 3 main areas:

 

1. Growth is good, but don't lose the OSx86 foundation.

2. More Intel Mac stuff.

3. Improved forum.

 

Would you say that is accurate?

 

Here's another question, to follow up on the "one-stop shop" idea that was mentioned: what does this site need to become your primary Macintel forum?

 

Naah more like...

 

1. Growth is good, but don't lose the OSx86 foundation.

2. More OSX on generic PC's

3. Improved forum

 

No Seriously

 

I wouldn't change a thing at all. It's good, clean and though everything can allways be "improved", it's not always for the better.

 

But if you really must change a thing.

 

Then I'd indeed start with the information pages. I don't think that dividing MacIntels and generic PC's running Mac OS is such a good idea; I don't believe that a MacIntel is so much different from a generic PC's as Apple would let us think. Besides Apple's hypocrisy with the Mini G4 vs . Mini Intel made me jump on the Hackintosh-bandwagon instead of buying a real mac. Apple is just as an {censored} company as Microsoft. I think that in time Apple will have no choice but to compete directly with Microsoft on the OS sales, and therefore support a wider choice of hardware components. If you keep focussed on this (as you intentially started) then your site will be major starting point worldwide for all these punters starting in the mac-world. This site will be a goldmine.

 

Perhaps some historical info on Apple and apple products (or links to such websites). Or a general links-page with URL's to "accelr8 your Mac" and similar sites. Especially since some o/t info provided there is also valid for Hackintoshes.

 

The forum... well we can post and reply what else do we need?

 

So as far as I'm concerned. I like the house-style you made for the site. I wouldn't change that a bit. I would just improve the information stored and retrieved. Perhaps an easier layout for the HCL's and the wiki (though I' m happy with it as it is now).

 

AFAIC you may play a few days at the beach as you guys have done a marvelous job already.