I just read: R1/beta3 – Release Notes | Haiku Project
It’s good to see updates and improvements to Haiku. But I think you need
to abandon the “play with it in a VM then move on to use Linux / Windows
anyway”. Aka to make Haiku usable on real hardware.
I think once Haiku works as a daily system for more people it’ll attract
people anyway; and, if usable, most likely retain several. In order for
this to work, the base system needs to be reliable.
Many years ago I played with Haiku, and as recently as perhaps 3 years
or so. I could see the improvements, but there is also a problem that
when there are few users, getting help and information is hard. Using
Linux on the other hand is super-simple (for me) at this point. And
there Haiku has to compete with existing operating systems that work
very well; either directly, or in regards to the “add-on” ecosystem.
What would I expect from a modern OS these days?
Well:
- Ruby and Python should work out of the box.
- Internet connection should work out of the box; or be super simple to
configure. Without internet I am totally lost like a blind person (no
disrespect meant to handicapped folks; I know severel who do quite
well with a computer). I mention this part because ReactOS had this
problem when I HD-installed it. WWW connection did not work out
of the box. I had no idea what to do so I simply uninstalled it again.
- An office suite has to work. LibreOffice suffices but other suites
could work fine too.
- Ideally have thunderbird work as well if that is possible; I don’t
need it but elderly relatives around me are so used to it. Not that
I would put Haiku on their computers, but this is also an area
Haiku should not be scared to tackle.
- Multimedia-related stuff. I use ffmpeg and mpv. I have no problem
using something else, but it should work out of the box. Ffmpeg is
mega-useful.
- A httpd server. I use lighttpd but any other one may be fine as well.
My local knowledgebase is “www-aware”; I can query it online as
well these days. (It’s written in ruby, at the least the part that serves
it, so this is why I need ruby out of the box).
- A browser. I use palemoon and would ideally prefer to keep on using
palemoon. I can use Google’s evil adChromium base just fine though,
even though it sniffs after users; Firefox is also ok but Mozilla goes
on my nerves with its Google-worshipping.
Hmmm. I am sure I forgot lots of things, but these are quite important
to me. These should all work very well out of the box. It’s not so much
about whether Haiku is bad, but simply that other operating systems
are very, very good (Linux; and also windows. I don’t like windows but
I am not blind to usability - and usability-wise, Windows is still fine
for Average Joe).
My use case which is not my use case would requires a program, but even if that would be available i would not use it.
Ummm. I see your point, but it took a bit time to unfold this. 
1 Like
This is your personal wish list and not a usefull list for users at all.
- We have supported hardware and users running haiku on bar metal (i never used haiku in a vm).
- We have a wonderful community with many people answering on questions.
- We have a good User Guide
- We have a knowledge base for haiku related stuff
- We have hardware lists
- We have LibreOffice and Caligra Office
- The most ones have a LAN connection with a router, internet are never easier as totay.
- We have ffmeg
- For email we have Beam
…
Install Haiku and watch Software in HaikuDepot.
That we not have are:
- multiuser support
- hardware 3d
- more people developing native Software
- passwort protection
Porting is not the “all will be good” way.
2 Likes
I’m just asking … no offense …
What if you are not just “playing with” but rather start using daily and discover what Haiku can offer to you ?
Otherwise why are you turn to a different OS if Linux gives you everything all you need - how you say ?- out-of-the-box ?
Of course, everyone prefers applications that they know how to use it or like its their pretty nice features - and sometimes that’s exatly not available on the target platform. There are different solutions these days :
– remain on that environment where available an familiar for you
– find a similar one and you may find a better tool for your purpose
– maybe a developer also wants that app to be available - so even you are that developer - who would port for you the 55th text editor of your choice if it is open source 
Anyway, I do not think all environment should uniform – let Haiku people love their environment as it is for beloved in the past and nowadays. You can read the roadmap and see their goal.
It’s not really polite to instruct them - about how should they get (I assume simply more users from your perspective) meanwhile they rather want real users who are not “just playing with” Haiku - if you do not help them on their way.
So please less wishes, advices and more learning, discovering - even donating or supporting - does better if you really want to switch to another platform.
If it’s not your intent just forget my post.
1 Like
I happen to be an expert on this subject:
3 Likes
- Ruby and Python should work out of the box.
Check. Python is preinstalled and Ruby is in haikudepot.
- Internet connection should work out of the box;
Check. Same level of hardware compatibility as FreeBSD, or better.
- An office suite has to work
Check. LibreOffice is in HaikuDepot.
Check. We use ffmpeg for all media support already.
Check. PoorMan is included with Haiku and if you have more serious needs, you can install lighttpd, for example.
Check. WebPositive is still work in progress but it’s getting there and usable enough for me, at least.
If you want other browsers, you need to ask the respective developers of said browsers to port and support them.
- I am sure I forgot lots of things, but these are quite important to me
It’s great to hear that all your needs are already covered!
20 Likes
This is my basic wishlist as well, and in my case it’s also already covered. All the hardware in my ThinkPad works fine with Haiku, and WebPositive is most definitely good enough as a browser for me to use. The only reason why I don’t use Haiku as a primary OS is because I mostly use that computer for gaming, and Haiku doesn’t yet have proper support for the GPU that’s installed in it. In my opinion, though, for non-gaming use, Haiku is extremely good as-is right now.
6 Likes