Brainstorming notes: Implementing alpha-masks in Haiku

This article attempts to sum up a discussion I had with stippi over IRC about how to implement this. Most of the ideas and design are his work, not mine. I’m just turning this into a more readable form and archiving it on the website. Requirements: what are alpha masks, and why do we want them? I’ve covered this in an existing blog post. Short version: WebKit renders “blocks” of an HTML page (span, divs, and the like).

List of inactive mailing lists

App Server This list is to facilitate communication amongst developers working on the Haiku App Server. Subscribe | Message archive Applications This is for the discussion of general purpose applications and preferences included in Haiku. Subscribe | Message archive | RSS feed Bluetooth development This is a mailing list for handling all bluetooth related development under Haiku. Subscribe | Message archive | RSS feed Data Translation This mailing list is for the discussion of topics related to the translation kit, such as the Translation API and data translators for images and text.

Disabling components of packages

Haiku's package manager presents installed packages as a read-only filesystem, so unlike other systems, it is not possible to just delete or rename a problematic driver or library. However, individual packaged files can be prevented from being exposed at boot time. In the Boot Options menu, there is a "Disable components" option available to accomplish this. However, this method will only let you disable components of the main (haiku) system package, and only until the next time you reboot.

Installing applications

With the advent of package management, there are now different ways to install an application. 1. A proper .hpkg package Either installed automatically via HaikuDepot or with pkgman in Terminal, e.g. WonderBrush, or downloaded off some site. When using HaikuDepot or pkgman, you're all set. If downloaded somewhere else, just move the .hpkg file into /system/packages/ and (in case of an application) it'll appear in /system/apps/. 2. An "old", self-contained archive Those come traditionally in form of a zipped up folder.

Haiku Slideshow (page 4)

« Previous page Haiku offers a wide range of ported applications, available through HaikuDepot. Further reading: HaikuDepot Meta-data, so called "attributes", are used pervasively around the system. For contacts and emails… Further reading: Attributes, People ...for managing your media library... Further reading: MediaPlayer ...or to provide useful information. like the source of downloaded files. Further reading: WebPositive Attributes can be indexed and then deliver nearly instant search results.

Haiku Slideshow (page 3)

« Previous page :: Next page » From some applets "Replicants" can be dragged out by their little red handle to live on, embedded in the Desktop. Further reading: Replicants Many open windows tend to clutter the desktop... Further reading: GUI ...but windows can be stacked by their yellow tabs and are then resized and moved together... Further reading: Stack & Tile

Haiku Slideshow (page 2)

« Previous page :: Next page » Haiku offers a slew of basic applications for your everyday needs and a few preference panels to set up your system. Further reading: Applications, Desktop Applets, Preferences "A simple text editor, calculator, disk space monitor, un-archiver and Haiku's bash shell." Further reading: StyledEdit, DeskCalc, DiskUsage, Expander, Terminal Online with WebPositive. Like many modern browsers it uses the multi-platform WebKit.

Haiku Slideshow

Welcome to our screenshot tour of the system. Click on the preview images to open the fullsize version (1152 x 864 pixel). After Haiku is installed on your hard disk, it boots up in only a few seconds. LiveCDs and USB sticks take a bit longer... Further reading: Get Haiku!, Installation Guide, Boot Loader When booting from CD you first choose a language and keymap, then decide to either install Haiku to a partition or try it out in live mode.

Ideas

Qualifying students can apply for a Haiku project (see the list of suggested projects below) between April 22nd and May 3rd, 2013. For details about how to apply, please check out Students: How to Apply for a Haiku Idea. According to other mentor organizations, the most successful Google Summer of Code projects are the ones proposed by the students themselves. The following list represents our ideas and wishes of our project.