The webOS community may be a bit smaller these days but it’s no less devoted to the platform. WebOS Ports is a small team of developers. As you can imagine, it is a few people to maintain a full OS that consists of thousands of components. Things are starting to come together for LuneOS, with the current major rebase and stable release. But we still need your help.
As nice as it is to have some additional folk contributing, developing, and working on issues, we still need more developers to get involved to make this community project really take off.
“Our focus is core functionality”
We cannot stress enough that we are building an OS focused on core app integration that is simple, beautiful, and user-centric. Right now, function comes first. If we had a penny for every developer that knew some web code and could make a beautiful static mock-up of an app that didn’t do a thing in the backend and then said “I did my part, it’s up to you to make it work”…well, we’d have a lot of pennies.
Developer requirements
Once core app integration happens we will need HTML/CSS smart people. But to be an asset to the team, you need to have a good grasp on any or all of these technologies:
Javascript
C
node.js
C++
QML
Qt
Yocto
Graphics design
Are you decent at some of these, but might need help from time to time? That’s fine! We’re a community, remember? Hit up the IRC and/or Telegram channel and ask!
Get the bugs out!
We have several applications already available but many are placeholders or have basic functionality. Some of the apps are almost fully functional like Settings. But even Settings has bugs and can use refinement. OK there are bugs everywhere! (If only it were as easy as a can of Raid to fix them)! We’ve received lots of questions about how to get plugged into the project quickly. Easy! Head over to our Issue Tracker to see current issues. Find an area where you think you can help and then find us on IRC or Telegram (see below) to talk about it.
Some examples of areas that need bug fixing are:
Email: Some minor bug fixes
Settings: Add Settings when needed
Phone: Further polishing
Calendar: Google C+Dav integration needs updating to adopt for Google’s changes
Browser: Rework UI to be more webOS/LuneOS like
And more.
Core Apps/Features/Backend magic
The Open webOS project released several core applications that were Enyo1 based. These apps are in LuneOS
Messaging: Needs a rework or rewrite to give proper functionality similar to legacy webOS
PDF needs converting to QML.
LuneOS also needs a media player app (maybe reuse/rework the webOS OSE app for this?).
The C+Dav connector is there, but it needs updating for various changes by Google. It also needs testing for other providers.
Additional IM connectors would be good to implement (Telegram, Signal) etc, there are existing plugins exist for Pidgin/libpurple that can be used.
Looks aren’t everything
As you can see, to really make stuff work first, most of what we need is in the backend. It’s the old battle between form and function. Which comes first? Designers will argue form! But Ports is focused on the core functionality that has to work first and look pretty later. It’s a hard pill to swallow and we get that, but when building an OS, it’s the most important thing. If it looks pretty but doesn’t work, the project loses potential users. If it works but doesn’t look pretty it will at least show promise and that encourages positive feedback. And with a community led project, if you don’t have good feedback you’ve already lost.
Additional help wanted
Ports is looking to expand our public relations presence. If you are located outside of the United States or more specifically speak a different language than English and would like to help us advertise and direct interested people toward LuneOS and WebOS Ports, please let us know.
We are also looking for a WordPress “expert” for a new site we’ll be setting up soon. Are you good at making tutorials?
We have several “How to install LuneOS guides” on the wiki. If you’d like to make friendly guides, that’d be great!
And finally, we need a “wiki-meister”. Someone that really knows the ins and outs of running a mediawiki!
Get involved
Everyone can help in some way. We need testers and bug reports! Check the WebOS-Ports Issue Tracker.
Developers please join us on Telegram and/or drop by the IRC channel
How to Contact WebOS Ports
Want to get involved? Have a question? Get in touch with us.
webos.ports@gmail.com
Twitter: @webosports
IRC (Libera): #webos-ports
Telegram: LuneOS Developer Community
