LCARS Operating System - Calling all Linux nerds!

Discussion in 'Science and Technology' started by kaigoh, May 10, 2010.

  1. kaigoh

    kaigoh Ensign Newbie

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    Apr 30, 2010
    Hi guys,

    Just an intro on my current WIP - A fully working LCARS operating system for your PC.

    Based on Ubuntu Linux with an LCARS front end, over the last month or so I've got a nice working proof of concept. But it needs expanding! I'm by no means a programming or Linux expert, so I'll need some help, but I think I'll be able to have a minimal liveCD distro by the end of the month.

    I'll post some screenshots and a video when I get a moment, but the basic LCARS API is in place, ready for you guys to begin development. Development is done in C# and if anyone here is familiar with C# I can post some sample code.

    All LCARS components are rendered on the fly and they are anti-aliased to make them look nice!

    I've setup a forum at lcarsos.com if anyone is interested in helping out.

    Thanks,

    Kai. :vulcan:
     
  2. ares93

    ares93 Commodore Commodore

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    nice! :-) how's the touchscreen compatibility btw? cause i was thinking of running the lcars shell on my CF-28 but the touchscreen is completely off. works fine otherwise. but if it runs i'd rather use linux than xp...
     
  3. kaigoh

    kaigoh Ensign Newbie

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    One of the reasons I decided to build the LCARSos on top of Ubuntu Linux is because at present, Ubuntu seems to be the distribution of choice in terms of support and driver development.

    So if your touch-screen works on Linux, there's no reason it won't work with the LCARSos. I'm specifically designing the LCARSos so it can work with a mouse and keyboard or with a touch screen.

    Kai.
     
  4. Firestone

    Firestone Ensign Red Shirt

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    Interesting project. What is it exactly? A theme, a WM, something else?
    I recon that LCARS is best represented by a Tiling WM, for which GNOME isn't that well suited. Or maybe a compromise; a *box environment.
    Too bad I don't have enough knowledge of C# or time to spend at the moment. I did make quite a few LCARS flash-interfaces for small websites a few years ago.
     
  5. kaigoh

    kaigoh Ensign Newbie

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    It is an entirely custom shell running on mono which is selected from the GDM login screen.

    I want to get away from having to run via GDM but at present, I need the ability to switch shells.

    Kai.
     
  6. kaigoh

    kaigoh Ensign Newbie

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  7. Unicron

    Unicron Boss Monster Mod Moderator

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    This is probably a bit more suited for the Science & Tech forum, if you're interested in development. I'll move it over there now. :)
     
  8. Robert Maxwell

    Robert Maxwell memelord Premium Member

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    Looks pretty cool, although what are your goals here? Is this just meant to be a fun toy interface to have on your Ubuntu installation, or a genuinely usable environment?
     
  9. Jadzia

    Jadzia on holiday Premium Member

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    As we've discussed several times here, the star trek computers do not use a practical interface, and it's difficult/impossible to achieve practical computer applications with it. I know some board members will passionately disagree ;)

    Earlier this year, I started making a media player, loosely based on a famous free one. My motivation is because I've found this famous free one is not terribly stable, and consumes a lot more system resources than it should.

    I decided to give my application a slight trek look. I personally feel this design is the optimal compromise between trek-ness and usability.

    [​IMG]

    I should really finish it off.
     
  10. Marc

    Marc Fleet Admiral Premium Member

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    one thing to note - depending on where the OP intends to take his LCARS system he could wind up in trouble with Paramount.

    A company was going to sell a LCARS interface/program/whatever for the iPad but had to pull the product just before it was released due to Paramount putting their foot down.
     
  11. kaigoh

    kaigoh Ensign Newbie

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    Apr 30, 2010
    Well, I'm aiming to get a real OS off the ground, I know that there are +/- for the interface, but frankly, for the kind of applications I'm aiming for, I think the LCARS interface will be spot on.

    I intend for this to eventually be a fully open source project that can be installed on any host operating system.

    I'm sorry the video I posted dosn't show off the potential the the OS has, but keep following this thread and over the next few weeks I think you'll be impressed!

    Kai.
     
  12. GalaxyX

    GalaxyX Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Why doesn't Paramount just buy the rights to it and sell it as their own software? They would make millions! Who doesn't want to turn his iPad into a PADD?
     
  13. Robert Maxwell

    Robert Maxwell memelord Premium Member

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    No offense, but I think the market for an LCARS interface to the iPad would be pretty small. :p
     
  14. LCARSLINUX

    LCARSLINUX Ensign Newbie

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    May 19, 2010
    Hi Kai,
    You are working on a project very similar to mine.
    I am currently working on, with a few people, a project to bring LCARS into modern day computing.
    We will be making an OS from the ground up and custom windowing system and GUI and we will probably even have a limited AI so that it can adapt to the current conditions and adapt itself to help the user achieve the current task efficiently.
    If you want, We could help each other on our projects, contact me if you want.
    Good luck,
    Hamish
     
  15. kaigoh

    kaigoh Ensign Newbie

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    Apr 30, 2010
    Hi Hamish!

    I'm by no means a programming expert, so the idea of some help is always welcome!

    Drop me a line and we can have a chat.

    Kai.
     
  16. LCARSLINUX

    LCARSLINUX Ensign Newbie

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    May 19, 2010
    Hi Kai,
    Cant seem to send PMs for 2 weeks and 50 posts, do you have a website or an email?
    -Hamish
     
  17. kaigoh

    kaigoh Ensign Newbie

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    Apr 30, 2010
    Hamish,

    kai <dot> gohegan <at> network <hyphen> plus <dot> co <dot> uk

    Kai.
     
  18. Robert Maxwell

    Robert Maxwell memelord Premium Member

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    Isn't there someone else around here who developed an LCARS operating system for older PCs?
     
  19. ares93

    ares93 Commodore Commodore

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    wasnt that back in the 90's? i seem to recall a lcars gui for windows 95. i remeber that i never got it to work though.the newer lcars programs are mostly for PPC and iphone os.
     
  20. Robert Maxwell

    Robert Maxwell memelord Premium Member

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    No, it's someone who posts around here, and it really is a complete OS--it's meant for older systems that would've been capable of DOS or Win95, at the most, though you could run it on newer PCs.

    ETA: Found it! Now, if I could only remember the handle of the poster who maintains it....