Collapse OS

What hackers pick instead

• webOSPraised as ahead of its time and pleasant to use; critics say HP mismanaged it and security is weak.20recommend
• AsteroidOSFree, open source Linux-based operating system for supported smartwatches, praised for privacy, long-term maintenance and small overhead.19recommend
• MinixFree microkernel Unix-like system praised for isolated drivers and teaching OS design; critics call it a toy that lacks parts for a working system.15recommend
• Inferno operating systemFree operating system from the Plan 9 lineage, praised for its everything-is-a-file design and typed shell, but it was never fully completed and has bit-rotted.12recommend
• VisopsysA free hobby operating system built by a single developer since 1997, praised as an impressive passion project for learning how an OS works. Critics say it is not practical for everyday use.9recommend

Every quote

The 5 most detailed of 6 comments. Each links to the original.

1. You should look into https://collapseos.org/ along those lines.

   Recommends · Aug 2026 · in “The UK's War on Anonymity Has Come to America”

2. their reasoning for existing seems much more plausible

   Recommends · Oct 2026 · in “Open Source as We Know It Is Dead”

3. The additional value in Collapse OS is that

   Recommends · Feb 2026 · in “Permacomputing”

4. we have cool projects like CollapseOS

   Recommends · Apr 2026 · in “Making RAM at Home [video]”

5. I find the CollapseOS approach unrealistic and somewhat self-indulgent.

   Criticizes · Feb 2026 · in “Permacomputing”