[vorbote]

"GNU will be able to run Unix programs, but will not be identical to Unix. We will make all improvements that are convenient, based on our experience with other operating systems. In particular, we plan to have longer filenames, file version numbers, a crashproof file system, filename completion perhaps, terminal-independent display support, [...]

Linux has, eventually, started to fulfil the promise: technologies like cgroups, dm, uevents, kdbus, alsa..., and the respective userspace: systemd, dmraid, lvm, udev, pulseaudio, show that GNU/Linux is not UNIX but better in some respects.

[thelukester]

I can’t believe you seriously consider PulseAudio to be a technological improvement. Having used PA for years, I have encountered and reported numerous bugs and performance issues. After trying to debug some PA issues, I lost all respect for Poettering. The only worse sound server that I’ve encountered is AudioFlinger, and at least that has the excuse of being optimized for battery life over latency.

It’s clear that systemd will break compatibility with BSD. What isn’t clear yet, is if this is truly a better system. I have nothing against change. I’m all for Wayland. I just have no confidence in Poettering's work.

Most of the other improvements that you listed have been in BSD for years. Its sound subsystem OSS4 is also a much cleaner API and better performing interface than ALSA.

[dllthomas]

Genetic unices have progressed as well...

[vorbote]

I agree. And I think that FreeBSD and DragonFly stand over the rest in this respect, both have incredible technology in their guts. Obviously OpenBSD has done wonders teaching people that you can write sane, safe and audited code that works and NetBSD... Oh well, stagnant despite the really good technology that shows up in there frequently, but runs on toasters!