Re: [9fans] Balancing Progress and Accessibility in the Plan 9 Community. (Was: [9fans] Interoperating between 9legacy and 9front)

[vic.thacker@fastmail.fm]

Hi Hiro et al,

I view Plan 9 4th Edition as a version that remains largely unchanged, serving as a snapshot in time, while 9legacy represents an active, distinct distribution. Conversely, 9front is a fork that has evolved significantly from Plan 9 4th Edition, making considerable advancements in recent years.

I appreciate the push for modernization with 9front, but I also see value in maintaining support for older versions like Plan 9 4th Edition and 9legacy.  Living in Japan, I have access to inexpensive hardware—local computer resellers often offer older computers for as little as 2,000 yen each (e.g. $12.85 USD).  For about 8,000 yen, it is possible to set up a functional Plan 9 system.  This isn’t about leading the charge with the latest and greatest OS; it's about the joy of tinkering and making the most of accessible resources.  For hobbyists like myself, the ability to use and experiment with older systems is invaluable.  Maintaining some level of support or compatibility in the community can enhance the inclusiveness and experimental spirit that is fundamental to Plan 9’s ethos.

Maintaining updates and compatibility between Plan 9 4th Edition, 9legacy, and 9front can provide several benefits, especially in a diverse community like that of Plan 9.  Here are some of the key advantages:

(1) Broader Hardware Support:  By keeping Plan 9 4th Edition and 9legacy updated, users who rely on older or less common hardware configurations that may not be fully supported by 9front can still benefit from updates and improvements.  This is particularly useful in academic or hobbyist settings where newer hardware may not be readily available or economically feasible.

(2) Incremental Upgrades:  Some users may prefer an incremental approach to system upgrades rather than a complete switch to a newer version. Integrating changes from 9front into 9legacy and Plan 9 4th Edition allows these users to benefit from specific enhancements without the need to overhaul their entire system setup.

(3) Community Engagement:  Keeping these versions updated helps engage different segments of the Plan 9 community.  It acknowledges the needs and preferences of those who might prefer the familiarity of 9legacy or Plan 9 4th Edition, fostering a more inclusive and vibrant community.

(4) Preservation of Educational and Historical Value:  Plan 9 has significant educational and historical importance in the field of operating systems.  Maintaining and updating older versions ensures that this legacy is preserved, allowing new generations of students and enthusiasts to learn from and experiment with these systems.

(5) Security and Stability:  Regular updates can address security vulnerabilities and fix bugs across all versions, ensuring that even older deployments remain secure and stable.  This is crucial for maintaining the integrity and usability of the systems over time.

(6) Customization:  Some users or organizations might have customized their systems based on older versions of Plan 9.  Keeping these systems updated with changes from 9front can provide a path for these custom setups to receive new features and improvements while maintaining their unique configurations.

Overall, the integration of updates across different versions of Plan 9 can help keep the system modern, secure, and accessible to a wide range of users, enhancing both its utility and appeal.

In embracing both the new and preserving the old, we not only honor the rich legacy of Plan 9 but also ensure its relevance and accessibility for all users, regardless of their hardware or specific needs. By updating 9legacy and Plan 9 4th Edition alongside 9front, we foster a community that values progress and innovation while respecting and supporting the diverse ways in which people interact with our beloved operating system. Together, let's continue to build a welcoming and vibrant Plan 9 community that thrives on both change and tradition.

Kind regards,
Vester "Vic" Thacker


On Fri, May 10, 2024, at 04:50, hiro wrote:
> no clue which conflict you're seeing, vic.
>
> there's been some trolling back and forth since forever, there's been
> complaints and contributions, and more complaints about the
> contributions and the lack of contributions. as it should be. we can
> have one united community if you like but then i hope we still have
> those complaints. if no issues come up it just means that nobody used
> the system.
>
> personally i think non-dp9ik protocols should be removed completely or
> at the very least only allowed with very big fat warning messages. if
> 9legacy still doesn't have dp9ik, then why don't you just let 9legacy
> die? is there a single 9legacy-only improvement that's worth having in
> the first place? why does this discussion here even exist? if you want
> interoperability between things just upgrade everything to 9front.
> there's no more straightforward way, or?
>
> i know from linuxland where some garbage firmware or closed-source
> kernel driver prevents the use of newer linux releases, but i don't
> see similar problems in the 9front world at all. 9front provides a
> very steady and stable upgrade path i see no reason to keep an older
> plan9 4th edition system alive at all. what hardware does anybody have
> where 9front doesn't work but plan9 4th edition does?!
>

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