OSDev.org

I am wondering if it might make sense to have sub-boards under 'OS Design and Theory' for some of the design approaches that come up frequently, specifically MS-DOS like systems and POSIX-like systems.

While I doubt it is really necessary in a board with such low traffic, I can see two reasons why it might be worth doing.

First, many of the newcomers end up repeating thins regarding these approaches, and getting similar replies, in part because they don't see previous posts on the topic which are no longer at the top of the post lists. It would make it easier for them to find both the answers they want, and sympathetic ears, if it were clear that others here had had similar ideas and problems.

Second, it would reduce some of the friction by making it easier for those who do not share that interest -and may be hostile to it - can readily avoid the topic.

Thoughts?

Hi,

Schol-R-LEA wrote:First, many of the newcomers end up repeating thins regarding these approaches, and getting similar replies, in part because they don't see previous posts on the topic which are no longer at the top of the post lists. It would make it easier for them to find both the answers they want, and sympathetic ears, if it were clear that others here had had similar ideas and problems.

Ideally; anything repeated often would be added to the wiki.

Schol-R-LEA wrote:Second, it would reduce some of the friction by making it easier for those who do not share that interest -and may be hostile to it - can readily avoid the topic.

That's the opposite of what you want.

If someone is thinking of creating a DOS clone, the first step is to determine why. Are they doing it because they're so "unknowledgeable" that they actually think DOS is acceptable? Are they doing it because they have extreme self-confidence issues and refuse to try? Do they have a phobia of learning? Regardless of what the reason is; you can't help these people until you know the nature of their disability (and even then it can be a huge struggle). If you just ignore them, then that's like watching someone commit suicide without even bothering to ask them if they're sure.


Cheers,

Brendan