There is a very (to me at least) inspiring thread on squeak-dev at http://forum.world.st/Fork-Proposal-Cuis-amp-Killer-Apps-td3796633.html Here is the core of the OP:
I suggest a new fork or possibly a new orientation for the next Squeak release: Adopt Cuis as the core image and focus on killer applications to attract new Smalltalk users. Thousands of downloads are recorded on CNet for simple apps like a voice recorder. They could all be using and learning Smalltalk. Same for many other applications. That would help make Smalltalk popular again.
Recently I found Squeak / Cuis contains many Sound classes. So I wrote up an email suggesting it to a community college teacher friend who had asked for a sound recorder. Imagine my embarrassment when I found the files Squeak supports doesn't include .mp3.
Squeak has so much unfinished half starts at programs, why not adopt Juan's work to flush the unnecessary, then get started on building a serious applications team to build truly useful free code.
Another example, Roxio is a million dollar software company making a video recorder app. which is not as good as an ordinary VCR and not supported (they have a staff but try getting any real help). Squeak could be capturing a slice of that market and enticing users to learn Smalltalk! And source code can substitute for most support.
Another example, Solid Works is a 3D object drafting program that is simple and gets many thousands of users away from AutoDesk. Can Smalltalk deliver most or all of that function with a FFI to openGL and some programming? Certianly!
And here is the response I posted:
This is pure gold. It would be great to put the personality differences aside (I think the only real obstacle/difference at this point) and unify as much as possible.
For sure, another fork would only dilute everyone's great efforts further. But a stack of existing technologies could be very intriguing, if only wishful thinking right now. The seeming current policy of Squeak/Pharo/Cuis/etc to cherry pick changes from the other guys seems to leave little time for killer app development. Imagine something like:
cuis - rock-solid, clean, stable, small kernel + pharo - professional-grade Smalltalk with the expected bells and whistles of a modern IDE + squeak - dynabook software (which b.t.w. was the whole point of Squeak - and Smalltalk - in the first place); a medium that unites all other media of human expression, with the required support of PDF reading/writing/viewing, HTML browsing, cross-platform mp3 support... _______________________________________________________________________ = the closest we've ever been to the holy grail of computing (until VPRI releases and makes us all obsolete, lol)
-- View this message in context: http://forum.world.st/Smalltalk-vision-tp3798902p3798902.html Sent from the Pharo Smalltalk mailing list archive at Nabble.com.