The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source

The serenity of building your own OS (Interview)

Aug 24, 2023
Andreas Kling, a software engineer known for creating SerenityOS and Ladybird, talks about his journey in building a custom OS inspired by '90s user interfaces. He reflects on using programming as therapy and discusses challenges in developing Ladybird, a new web browser, within SerenityOS. The conversation dives into creating a new programming language, Jakt, aimed at enhancing memory safety. Kling emphasizes the importance of community support in open-source projects and the need for diversity among web engines to foster innovation.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

SerenityOS as Therapy

  • Andreas Kling started SerenityOS as a therapeutic project after rehab.
  • It helped him cope with addiction and fill his time with something wholesome.
ANECDOTE

Community Growth

  • After six months, Andreas Kling created a video showcasing SerenityOS.
  • Hacker News exposure led to community involvement and the project's growth.
INSIGHT

Barrier to Entry

  • SerenityOS has a barrier to entry to filter out casual users and focus on contributors.
  • This approach prioritizes a development-focused community.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app