DS Linux

[17R3W]

Read it here: http://engadget.com/entry/1234000883042510/
And more here: http://www.dslinux.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=362
A breakthrough in the DS Linux project: developers have gotten the kernel booted on the Nintendo DS as well as a simple sash shell and some text games; input to the shell is done with the D-pad. The code is booted via modified firmware that should work with the PassMe, FlashMe and WifiMe boot methods, although not with the wireless multiboot method.

What is a kernel?
Definitions of Linux kernel on the Web:

* The essential part of Linux, responsible for resource allocation, low-level hardware interfaces, security, simple communications, and basic file system management.

So what does this mean?
At this point not much..
Question for smart people (ie x999x) what language would i use to write code for DSlinux as it stands now? What language could I use for a full featured GUI DS Linux?
Did anyone ever create Linux complier for VB.NET?
What language could I use to write for the DS as it stands now? (What langauge has a complier for the DS?)

[Fatvod]

that sounds cool. but it wouldnt be very good or the DS. I mean who wants text games when you got 3D mario!

[17R3W]

Keep in mind this is just a starting point.
DS Linux wouldn't be great for gaming however you likley could could get it to run some nifity apps, like email, text editor, some type of instant messenger and possibly some kind of webbrowser (see more here: http://www.touchds.com/index.php?nam...ap&start=0 )
In theory small times programmer/college students could write little apps for the DS, as well as more skilled hobyist greatly increasing the software for your DS.

On that note, has anyone ever ran anything "home-brewed" on your GBA before? What was it, and how did you like it.

[RamNinja]

From what i have read thats nothing more then gba nix running on a ds ive done it myself its pretty neat yes but is not new has been around for some time

[17R3W]

RamNinja
from what I understand even though the code is running off the GBA cart it's still be ran by the DS (via the passme card, or something simalar)
what this means is the team has 4MB and 100mhz to play with and not just the 256KB and 33 mhz of the GBA.
This means that hopefully a linux GUI is on the way.

BTW.. i couldn't find the GBA NIX
but i did find this: http://wwwhsse.fh-hagenberg.at/Studi...wto/index.html
same difference?

[chuddy_2001uk]

Sorry could someone explain this please? thnx :)

[17R3W]

Chuddy,
I'm not sure which part you want explained so I'll cover a bunch of it, and if I miss the problem just ask questions and I'm sure we'll figure this out ;)
Linux is very much like windows, and the kernel is the most basic part of the OS.
What's booted on the DS (pictured) is the Linux kernal in text based form. It allows you to play some texted based games, and hopefully they can expand on it and turn it into a GUI (Graphic User Interface).

Something simalar to this has already been done for the GBA. RamNinja (correct me if I'm putting words in mouth) claims that this is the same thing as on the GBA just running on the DS in the GBA mode.

I'm claiming that in fact the DS is running this program in DS mode.

As for the ROM card
they are using one for GBA, however, I think they are using something like a PassMe card

which tells the DS to run the code on the GBA ROM card as if it were for the DS.
So, you could put a ROM for "Wario Ware: Touched" on the GBA ROM but the PassME card would "trick" the DS into running the Wario Ware: Tocuhed ROM for the GBA ROM.

So, the question is the Nintendo DS running this thing in DS mode or GBA mode?
If it's not in DS mode you can't have Dual Screens, touch interface, mic, pluse the processor is slower, and there is less Ram.

[Neumie]

Congrats to the Linux DS team. I hope when there finished there will be an easy way to store it and boot into it when you want to. If they can get a GUI going then we could potentially be allowed to develop software for the DS. OF course Internet access and all that will hopefully be possible aswel. Maybe they should approach someone (like nintendo) and see if they can get it published. I doubt it would happen though.

[alex]

you will be able to buy it eventualy but problay not in normal high street shops.

[P4NC4K3Z]

maybe they will have an online shop