Jnode, a Java-based OS for x86 architectures, has grabbed my attention today. Since May of this year, they have gone from bare beginnings to a bootable CD image, with a CLI and some working filesystem functionality. There is even VGA graphics support and word is that they are nigh unto supporting AWT graphics.
This rate of progress is impressive for a small project- when I have more time freed up from my own projects I will be tempted to join in. My intent in mentioning Jnode here and now, which I still have yet to play with, is to maybe help it get some attention and persuade some people to help out (it's already been discussed on OSNews so I suspect it has all the attention it needs for now). It seems that even though there is much work to be done, once the groundwork is laid and Java apps can run this project could be quite useful, as there are tons and tons of Java apps already written and ready for use. The site makes mention of development using several emulators or VMs (Bochs, VMWare) but I will try and get it running in Virtual PC and will report back later. For now: it's Friday, 5:14pm, sunny outside, and I am still sitting at a computer. Think that will last? Ha! *poof*
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