RE: Linux: Poor Stepchild for xPL?

["Ian Lowe" <ian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

-----Original Message-----
>From: Gerry Duprey [mailto:gerry@xxxxxxx]
>
>Anyway, while there are some Linux things, for the most part, this
seems to >be a heavily Windows crowd. Most downloads don't even indicate
if they are >for Linux or Windows (though the Linux ones do seem to be
cleared >demarced). What I'm wondering is -- is linux considered a
viable xPL >platform?

Well, there's no reason why linux can't act as a host to any of the xPL
tools or technologies that have been implemented - with the possible
exception of MS only tech such as SAPI Text to Speech.

The problem is not one of desire - I'd quick like to explore the realm
of micro-linux distros running on nano-itx hardware as an xPL
"super"
device...

The problem has always been one of willingness to contribute - we have
repeatedly asked for assistance in producing Linux versions of apps -
providing source samples etc - and each time we are met by a stony wall
of silence.

Whenever someone has offered to help, it's dropped off the end of the
world and we have heard nothing...

I'm not even a coder by occupation, but my skills lie completely within
the Windows domain - I have some PHP, and that's about it - I don't
speak C or Perl, so the chances of xPL Linux apps coming from me is
precisely zero!

>I see things like xplhal and nifty GUI tools, all geared toward
Windows, >but just a few things for Linux/non-windows.

Really, it's because only Windows developers have pulled the finger out
and helped!

Tony, John, Steve and a few others have continued releasing great stuff
with application for the wider community, in my own case, I just got
sick to the back teeth of the complete and total apathy - and reverted
back to the core plan - build useful tools for *my* HA environment.

It's one of the key reasons I have been absent from the list for some
time.

I'm seeing a few of the tools that I use about the house in need of a
refresh, so I may be a little more active again over the coming weeks.

Ian.