I have to use Haiku for some months so that post is painted with my own pain.
Excuse me for my meager language ability. Some words may be used incorrectly.
As you know, most of users is still use MS Windows. So, basic compatibility of user interface with Windows will provide new migrants, more popularity and some evil (money) too.
1) Critical fixes (minimal new requires):
This part - is critical for windows migrants. It's no any way to make OS usable except to make controls simple or basic for user.
- add windows hotkeys or hotkey mode.
Cut (ctrl+x), copy (ctrl+c), paste(ctrl+v), cancel(ctrl+z), repeat (ctrl+y).
Perfection: 2 or 3 slot clipboard (ctrl+c, ctrl+d, ctrl+e - cut; ctrl+v, f, r - paste) - great for textworks!
- add windows-like window control buttons: minimize/roll/expand|return (right/middle/left|any mouse key); alternate "close" button.
Not very necessary, but fine for migration.
- add "close" button menu.
This is menu for normal close button. Opens by click-and-hold or alt+space. Contains "close", "expand", "minimize", "roll", "resize"(probably), "move". Not very necessary, but fine for migration.
- add language selection and locale icon.
Strongly required, it opens no-engrish internets for Haiku. Change language from "keymap" is not very fine.
- add "My computer" directory. Name is optional.
This is necessary for Windows migrants due to *NIX directory tree in Haiku. It must display "drive_partitions (MS-DOS shortcuts)/folders_and_files" (hda1(c:), hdb1(d:)).
MS-DOS shortcuts (c:, d:) are familiar and comfortable for most of users and some soft.
Network shortcuts is unnecessary for 80% of basic users, so that is no need for now.
After that 5 steps you can make first release. All other actual for R1A3 parts is fine for office/basic PC.
2) Appstore and software.
You know, this OS is not very popular. So, something like Appstore or tracker for Haiku-related software will be very fine.
- Software add-ons site.
Necessary for find new programs, games, etc. Probably torrent tracker with DRM files (optionally for each program).
- Installation in 2+ click: file->open->yes/no/set->use.
"User can not think - only use. Sad, but this is a rule."(c)
- Installation from online.
Unnecessary, I think. But nice.
- *.chm Help and tutorial.
That is copy of the tutorial from WIN 3.11. I think that was best of all.
- Firefloor.
Small program, which controls: who had launched program, where that program are. From that two points it cut virus potential, auto-updaters and so on.
Release of this part will make OS totally self-supported and will use all power of third-party services and support. DRM option will allow both kind of copyright and opensource projects.
3) Best of alternatives (long time target)
"User can not think - only use. Sad, but this is a rule."(c) When user start a program - it must do not think how does it is works. Only OS with this line of service is... Windows up to XP. At 6.x it slowly migrates to the *NIX way of work.
- Dynamic Virtual Machine Layer (DVML).
This is new and unique OS part: when OS starts program DVML try to identify that program: *.pif file to lookup last good requirements or reading header of the file to understand: is it Haiku, Linux, MacOS, DOS or Windows soft? Which version of kernel and drivers is necessary? It selects automatically how it shall be started, points of data transmission and etc. When program started it must be fully connected with OS. User must just run and use preferred soft and games.
When window closes DVML asks user "Do %program_name% ran fine? Y/N/Later/Manual". "Yes" writes actual pif settings, "No" adds actual settings to exceptions, "Later" save settings as "adequate", "Manual" opens manual pif setup; 3 adequate == yes. Main goal - use any OS module by any OS module (*NIX printer drivers by windows program for Haiku browser).
Third part is hardest and longest, but it make Haiku as universal OS for any user/soft. So it will be a great alternative for migrants.
I see it for 2015 year or later.
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I hope, this OS will be fine and easy for use.
We, MS-Windows users, need any workable alternative better then bugged linux or DRMed Android.
