Orbiter port to Linux

[Scarecrow]

Any linux program will run on any distribution.
Only question is if you should distribute it as .deb, RPM or (my fav) as .tgz.
./configure, make (install) and you are done.

Or why not all three? I like RPMs personally.

 

[TSPenguin]

Because with the current directory structure, it makes little sense. And because hosting is an issue.

Other than that, there is no reason it shouldn't be done. Distros could put it up their reservoir etc.
But afaik the current license does not allow for that.

 

[Scarecrow]

Because with the current directory structure, it makes little sense. And because hosting is an issue.

Other than that, there is no reason it shouldn't be done. Distros could put it up their reservoir etc.
But afaik the current license does not allow for that.

Oh, right. .tgz then.

 

[Tommy]

This isn't quite always true. Different distro's sometimes use different versions of some libraries, and there can be compatibility issues because of that. While it's rarely a problem, it can be a problem especially in graphics intense apps, since not all versions of SDL are fully compatible with each other. Static linking almost always solves the problem, at the expense of a larger executable.

And since Orbiter is closed source, the "packaging" method would be about the same as the Windows version, a "zipped" archive. That's exactly what a .tgz is, and it can contain a binary rather than source code.

The whole ./cofigure, make, and make install routine is for source code, and not needed for a binary package. A linux port would work the same as the Windows version, just extract and play.

On a side note, while I could wish for a Linux port, I don't find it a proirity. Perhaps sometime in the future Martin may find someone capable of porting the core for him, but I personnally would rather he continue putting his efforts into advancing the sim, and let someone else put in the time to port it. Only the core (Orbiter-NG) would need porting, as the OLGA client will be linux native already.

The real obstacle is add-ons, and it's a lot to ask the devs to make two versions of each add-on, and have to design them for portability. With the core running well enough under WINE, and a native graphics client, a full Linux port isn't really needed.

 

[TSPenguin]

:hesaid:
I only included the usual procedure (which we all love so much) in case orbiter will be installed along POSIX guidelines and that would do nicely.

 

[Artlav]

Linux port? Why think so small?

We want Orbiter to run on every platform and every OS out there, so let's make a dynamic C recompiler for the core to alter itself to every new platform, a megabyte of glue codes to let it run, put all the add-ons into a custom VM, and make another compiler and OrbiC language to write them in.

That way, by the end of the next decade there will be a new version, if not later.

I mean, be real. Who need Orbiter on x86 Linux, raise hands?

 

[insane_alien]

Who need Orbiter on x86 Linux, raise hands?

/raises hand

i use windows maybe 0.5% of the time. i don't want to have to switch to my less capable machine and reboot it into windows to play orbiter.

 

[TSPenguin]

Linux port? Why think so small?

We want Orbiter to run on every platform and every OS out there, so let's make a dynamic C recompiler for the core to alter itself to every new platform, a megabyte of glue codes to let it run, put all the add-ons into a custom VM, and make another compiler and OrbiC language to write them in.

That way, by the end of the next decade there will be a new version, if not later.

I mean, be real. Who need Orbiter on x86 Linux, raise hands?

Is anyone else thinking Skynet right now?

 

[Urwumpe]

I mean, be real. Who need Orbiter on x86 Linux, raise hands?

I don't need it for Linux, but a Windows Mobile version would be nice.
:lol:

 

[garyw]

Symbian OS/Series 60 version?!

 

[escapetomsfate]

iPhone OS? Or is that considered the anti Christ?

Windows mobile might work because it has a lot of the windows APIs.

 

[SPASE_1976]

I am beginning to have doubts about the windows version
I am certain that the linux version wont exist

 

[Urwumpe]

I am beginning to have doubts about the windows version

I have stronger doubts of you operating a MS Windows operating system on your PC, or you even having a standard-compatible x86 PC.

 

[Hielor]

/raises hand

i use windows maybe 0.5% of the time. i don't want to have to switch to my less capable machine and reboot it into windows to play orbiter.

You do not *need* it on Linux. You *want* it on Linux because you refuse to use Windows for whatever religious reasons you may have.

You could easily put Windows on your more capable machine, dual-boot.

If you want to play games, you need to use Windows. It's as simple as that.

 

[insane_alien]

i use linux because i preffer it and have all my programs on it. not for any religious reasons. also, i tried installing windows on it but it kept deactivating so i gave up on it. i don't have any other reason to use windows other than orbiter and that is not enough to make me migrate everything over to it and relearn the windows way of doing things. i don't have time to reaquaint myself.

 

[Hielor]

i use linux because i preffer it and have all my programs on it. not for any religious reasons. also, i tried installing windows on it but it kept deactivating so i gave up on it. i don't have any other reason to use windows other than orbiter and that is not enough to make me migrate everything over to it and relearn the windows way of doing things. i don't have time to reaquaint myself.

Yes, if you do not activate Windows with a valid CD key, it will deactivate. That's how copy protection works. At least Windows lets you continue to use it without having activated it, unlike most software which doesn't let you use it at all until having activated.

My statement stands. If you want to play games, you need Windows. You do not need to have Orbiter on Linux. You can use it just fine on Windows. It would be convenient for you to have it on Linux, but you do not need it.

 

[Messierhunter]

I can see how running at least the core in linux might be nice if there was a persistent server add-on, but since it's not feasible to do for a mod that doesn't exist anyway, I don't see much of a point.

 

[insane_alien]

Yes, if you do not activate Windows with a valid CD key, it will deactivate. That's how copy protection works. At least Windows lets you continue to use it without having activated it, unlike most software which doesn't let you use it at all until having activated.

I HAVE a valid or supposedly valid CD key. the one that came with the copy of windows when i bought it out of the shop. it worked fine until i had to reinstall it then it refused to stay activated despite multiple calls to tech support.

My statement stands. If you want to play games, you need Windows. You do not need to have Orbiter on Linux. You can use it just fine on Windows. It would be convenient for you to have it on Linux, but you do not need it.

so? you don't need orbiter on windows either. i'm sure you'd survive without it. its just that you have the option on windows.

 

[Hielor]

I HAVE a valid or supposedly valid CD key. the one that came with the copy of windows when i bought it out of the shop. it worked fine until i had to reinstall it then it refused to stay activated despite multiple calls to tech support.

Was it a retail box copy of Windows or a sticker on the computer when you bought the computer? The stickers on computers (OEM install keys) are no longer actually valid (since it was so easy for someone to steal those keys just by walking into the store and writing down the numbers). There's a process you have to go to in order to turn that into a valid key, but I'm not sure what it is.

If that's not the case, contact me in a PM and I'll see if I can help you out any more.

Also, is it XP or Vista? If it's a newer machine ( late P4 or higher, 1GB RAM or higher) you may want to look into trying the Win7 public RC next month (hey, you get to try out the next version of windows for free). As discussed elsewhere on the forums, though, there is a performance penalty associated with running Orbiter on Vista/Win7.

so? you don't need orbiter on windows either. i'm sure you'd survive without it. its just that you have the option on windows.

The difference being that Orbiter is already on Windows, so the work needed to put it on Windows is...well, none. The work needed to put it on Linux is a whole lot more than "none." Artlav's point in asking the question was to find out if anyone actually needed it on Linux. The fact is that the vast majority of people (including you) have access to a Windows machine to use Orbiter.

Yes, it might be a "nice to have" sort of thing, but considering the large amount of work it would take and the relatively low payoff (doesn't do anything for the vast majority of users, and wouldn't really attract a lot of new users)

 

[Artlav]

/raises hand
i use windows maybe 0.5% of the time. i don't want to have to switch to my less capable machine and reboot it into windows to play orbiter.

Well, let's do it then.

Follow-up here: http://www.orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=7751