Ok, here's what I've been debating for a long time. I've been working with Linux for probably 10 years now. I've been throughing around the idea of building my own OS. Not in the sense of a Linux distro, but rather creating my own OS layers in the same way Apple has done with OS X. Using the Linux kernel as the core. developing my own gui layers and all. a complete system someone from Mac or Windows can sit down and not think twice about it being linux. I know there are plenty of distros out there to help a user transition from mac/windows to linux. But I'm talking about a completely different os all together. But keeping the availability to the user to work with the base linux/*nix system if they so desire.

I want to hear everyones thoughts on this. And if you think I should build on *nix or Linux. Which is more stable? I don't have much experience with *nix outside of Mac OS X. I thought about building on FreeBSD just like apple, however i figured building on linux would give that diversity, and wouldn't have to deal with licensing to say "Built on Unix". I know its a long shot, but I want to build something to compete with Mac OS X and Windows alike, and who knows maybe even make it out on the market right next to windows someday. It's a big dream, but Steve Jobs and Bill Gates where big dreamers too, and look at them today.

Thanks in advance for any input, if anyone's interested in helping with the development of this project by all means let me know. This is one huge project for one person :-P

Oh and one more thing, I'm looking for a name. Through ideas at me on what the OS should be called.

Thanks again,
Wayne

Nice project, but what would be different from Mandriva, Ubuntu or Fedora? If there is nothing why not join another project instead?

It's all about the software the runs on top of the kernel, when it comes to a GUI, most projects use gnome and kde. The only similarities you'll see between this project and other Linux distros is that they run the Linux kernel, and maybe the X11 server(I'm not sure on this one yet). I'm still researching, nothings set in stone. I'm pretty sure the only software Mac OS X uses related to unix, is the kernel. I don't think they use X11.

It's about all about the custom software. I'm doing this project as more of a learn the process behind building an OS from the ground up. What better way to start out then with a stable, secure kernel... Linux. Technically it will be a linux distro, but utilizing custom software. If I really wanted to i could just load up a box with fedora, ubuntu, or some other distro, and program an interface. However if I'm going to release it as an OS, might as well just start from scratch. Granted I will use an existing distro as a development machine to build the kernel. :-D