A dream of a Linux distribution where the entire desktop environment is Win32 software running under WINE. A completely free and open-source OS where you can just download .exe files and run them, for the power user who isn't necessarily a Unixhead, or just for someone who thinks this sounds fun.
I like the layout and looks of windows 2000 but I think running actual exe files from the old OS is not viable from security standpoint.
A dream of a Linux distribution where the entire desktop environment is Win32 software running under WINE.
Sounds like a nightmare to me. Why would anyone want that?
Is this loss32?
BRB, gotta dig out the old Bonzi Buddy exe.
Win32/Hurd when?
Doubt I’d use it any time soon but I hope they make something fun.
Is there not already ReactOS? Or has that been abandoned?
Follow the link and go down to the third point:
Isn’t this just ReactOS?
ReactOS tries to reimplement the Windows NT kernel, and that has always been its Achilles heel, holding it back from a hardware compatibility and stability standpoint. The loss32 concept is to achieve a similar-feeling end result to ReactOS, but built on a more usable foundation, using components known to work well (the Linux kernel, WINE, everything that glues those together, and a sprinkling of ReactOS userland niceties). As a bonus, the OS would still technically be a Linux distro, so it would be possible to run Linux software when necessary, something ReactOS can’t do.
Ahhhh okay. Cool.
Personally, I don’t see the appeal though. I am really happy to have left Windows in the trash.
I’d recommend using something like Niri instead of mutter for the compositor as Niri is:
- Extremely customizable
- Meant to be used alone (unlike mutter which is for Gnome)
- Supportive of Wayland portals better than any compositor I’ve tried
- Very modern
- Pretty stable
- Making use of scrolling window management which is, imo, superior to anything else
- You could force all windows to be floating if you want that traditional method tho
I’d also recommend using DankMaterialShell and simply providing a theming to get the appeal you want. It works well with Niri and provides all the system tools you need for an OS like bluetooth and audio management, application lookup, etc. It’s sort of a stripped down Gnome-shell for standalone compositors but way more customizable.
Then everything else can just be installed WINE apps.
I wonder if this has any practical benefits over running a Windows OS in a VM…
edit: piping, or easier collaboration between, Win32 and Linux programs could be an example. The creator mentions creative and gaming applications.
I would say not running Windows is itself a practical benefit. I would also say the four freedoms constitute a very practical benefit (even if the software you’re running on top of the OS is proprietary).
I currently don’t have a use/need for a 32bit Linux distro but I do believe that one with support should always exist. I normally recommend Q4OS to people who need a 32bit Linux distro but they’re only going to be supporting the 32bit version for 2 more years. There was some discussion about 32bit distros a while back and it seems like all or at least most distros are doing something similar. While loss32 is just a proof of concept, I would support it if it actually did release because for as long as old 32bit computers exist, there will be a need for 32bit operating systems.
Edit: I realize that I missed the actual point of loss32 but I’m not deleting my comment.
Follow the link and go down to the third point:
Isn’t this just ReactOS?
ReactOS tries to reimplement the Windows NT kernel, and that has always been its Achilles heel, holding it back from a hardware compatibility and stability standpoint. The loss32 concept is to achieve a similar-feeling end result to ReactOS, but built on a more usable foundation, using components known to work well (the Linux kernel, WINE, everything that glues those together, and a sprinkling of ReactOS userland niceties). As a bonus, the OS would still technically be a Linux distro, so it would be possible to run Linux software when necessary, something ReactOS can’t do.
