Author Topic: Adding an extra thing to the ArcaOS strategy ?  (Read 264 times)

Martin Iturbide

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Adding an extra thing to the ArcaOS strategy ?
« on: February 09, 2026, 04:30:47 pm »
Hello

Today I feel like brainstorming, so I'm sorry, and please don't get mad if the idea is not good.

I want to talk to Lewis about adding an additional thing to the ArcaOS strategy. The idea is to start replacing (when possible) IBM OS/2 close source components (binaries, .exe) with open-source alternatives as part of their strategy.

The idea is to embrace, when possible, every little replacement for OS/2’s EXE, DLLs, and even MSG files, etc. in favor of open-source alternatives that does the same, and possible the user will not even notice the difference.  This will be following the idea of Lynn Maxson (ex SCOUG OS/2 member) trying to get each component replaced little by little instead of big changes in architecture.

Yes, Arca Noae are already doing it, they replaced view.exe with newview for exampre, but it is not part of their strategy. The idea will be that if someone comes with a replacement of “bldlevel.exe”, Arca Noae can took the time to evaluate the technical and legal aspects, and if it is approved to be included in ArcaOS.

"Don't fix what it is not broken". The advice is good, but we are still having the dependency on close source that can not be improved. They idea will be to have fully tested replacements so the user doesn’t notice the change, or even get new features.

I think that as a community we can provide suggestions of what to replace, testing of the software and even creating documentation. While some other with higher technical level can even create the little replacements.
 
Please notice that the idea is to add this extra thing to the Arca Noa strategy, I don’t mean it is the only thing to do, it is just to add something else to what they are already doing. 

What do you think? Should we try it?

Regards

Martin Iturbide
OS2World NewsMaster
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