Poll: why are you making an os?

[Mikemk]

Self-explanatory title

For me, for commercial reasons.

[iansjack]

Because it isn't there.

[skeen]

For educational purposes.

[Kazinsal]

Fun project, really. Also, what iansjack said.

[Griwes]

Because my world view tells me everything sucks and I strive to make something that sucks less than present suckers (that suck less, not doesn't suck; due to this philosophy, everything sucks, including my own work).

[CWood]

Because I'm an elitist, and I like to do everything myself, simply for the fun of it, and while I'll probably never get to implement everything I want to (the list is long ^^), at least I can say I tried. Might not be useful, but I enjoy it, and learn a lot.

[Jezze]

Because UNIX lost it's way.

[dozniak]

Because I have an idea that needs realization.

[bewing]

I'm with Griwes. Plus I am set against ever giving Microsoft another thin dime for their suckage.

(I mean, why are WE paying MONEY for software that sucks this bad??!!?? Sheesh!)

[DavidCooper]

I built my OS as a platform for other work, and one of the reasons for doing so was that I wanted to know that any bug which turned up would always be definitely my fault so that I would never be diverted from the task of tracking it down by any suspicions that a bug in someone else's impenetrable code lower down might be to blame.

I also wanted to test an OS design which breaks a lot of the rules - I think that a lot of the complexity of modern operating systems is slowing them down rather than speeding them up, and the complexity is also making them less reliable and harder to work with. Arguing about such things is pointless though: the only way to settle the issue is going to be with actual demonstrations.

[halofreak1990]

I'm creating my own OS after dissatisfaction with the OS's I'd used until now (Windows, Mac OS, Linux).

[Mikemk]

I think that a lot of the complexity of modern operating systems is slowing them down rather than speeding them up, and the complexity is also making them less reliable and harder to work with.

Agreed. However, that same complexity is what protects the end user from 1) malicious software, visual artifacts, et. al.
Not trying to start a fight, just pointing out.

[iansjack]

I'd be interested to know what you mean by "commercial reasons". There are much easier ways of making money than writing an OS. Unless you are writing something very specialized you are never going to make any money from your OS when there are such excellent free ones available. (You've probably left it too late to be the next Microsoft.)

[Mikemk]

I'd be interested to know what you mean by "commercial reasons". There are much easier ways of making money than writing an OS. Unless you are writing something very specialized you are never going to make any money from your OS when there are such excellent free ones available. (You've probably left it too late to be the next Microsoft.)

To start with, it is just a hobby project. If It's good enough, I do intend to sell though.

[iansjack]

If you have a commercial product as your aim perhaps people should start charging you for advice given here?