From c05524ad91886f1bb9d9c2cd1c569753e28b155e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Richard M. Stallman" Date: Wed, 14 Aug 1996 20:43:03 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Many changes. --- etc/tasks.texi | 119 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++------------------- 1 file changed, 74 insertions(+), 45 deletions(-) diff --git a/etc/tasks.texi b/etc/tasks.texi index 315c4da1a10..9fad6bf04ee 100644 --- a/etc/tasks.texi +++ b/etc/tasks.texi @@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ @setfilename tasks.info @settitle GNU Task List @c UPDATE THIS DATE WHENEVER YOU MAKE CHANGES! -@set lastupdate 10 March 1996 +@set lastupdate 14 August 1996 @c %**end of header @setchapternewpage off @@ -15,19 +15,15 @@ @end titlepage @ifinfo -@node Top, Documentation, (dir), (dir) +@node Top, Preface, (dir), (dir) @top GNU Task List This file is updated automatically from @file{tasks.texi}, which was last updated on @value{lastupdate}. @end ifinfo -Check with @code{gnu@@prep.ai.mit.edu}, for a possibly more current copy. -This task list is not exclusive; any other useful program might be a -good project---but it might instead be something we already have, so -check with @code{gnu@@prep} before you start writing it. - @menu +* Preface:: * Documentation:: * Unix-Related Projects:: * Kernel Projects:: @@ -38,14 +34,24 @@ check with @code{gnu@@prep} before you start writing it. * Games and Recreations:: @end menu +@node Preface, Documentation, Top, Top +@chapter About the GNU Task List + +Check with @code{gnu@@prep.ai.mit.edu}, for a possibly more current +copy. You can also ftp it from a GNU FTP host in directory +@file{/pub/gnu/tasks} - These files in different formats are available: +@file{tasks.text}, @file{tasks.texi}, @file{tasks.info}, and +@file{tasks.dvi}. It is also available on the GNU World Wide Web +server: @file{http://www.gnu.ai.mit.edu}. + If you start working steadily on a project, please let @code{gnu@@prep} know. We might have information that could help you; we'd also like to send you the GNU coding standards. -Because of the natural tendency for most volunteers to write -programming tools or programming languages, we have a comparative -shortage of applications useful for non-programmer users. Therefore, -we ask you to consider writing such a program. +Because of the natural tendency for most volunteers to write programming +tools or programming languages, we have a comparative shortage of +applications useful for non-programmer users. Therefore, we ask you to +consider writing such a program. In general, a new program that does a completely new job advances the GNU project more than an improvement to an existing program. @@ -58,19 +64,19 @@ that already exist or will exist very soon: @itemize @bullet @item -Completion of the documentation for CC-mode, a new C/C++ mode for -Emacs Lisp. +Completion of the documentation for CC-mode, a new Emacs mode for +C, C++ and other languages. @item -A C reference manual. (RMS has written half of one which you could -start with). +A C reference manual. (RMS made a try at one, which you could start +with). @item A manual for Ghostscript. -@c -@c @item -@c A manual for CSH. -@c Ick, do we want to encourage using THAT? -djm + + +@item +A manual for TCSH. @item A manual for PIC (the graphics formatting language). @@ -90,7 +96,7 @@ Manuals for various X window managers. @item Reference cards for those manuals that don't have them: C -Compiler, Make, Texinfo, Termcap and maybe the C Library. +Compiler, Make, Texinfo, Termcap, and maybe the C Library. @item Many utilities need documentation, including @code{grep} and others. @@ -104,12 +110,9 @@ Many utilities need documentation, including @code{grep} and others. We could use an emulation of Unix @code{spell}, which would run by invoking @code{ispell}. -@item -Less urgent: @code{diction}, @code{explain}, @code{style}. - @item An improved version of the POSIX utility @code{pax}. There is one on -the Usenet, but it is said to be poorly written. Talk with +Usenet, but it is said to be poorly written. Talk with @code{mib@@gnu.ai.mit.edu} about this project. @ignore @@ -126,6 +129,10 @@ Various other libraries. @item An emulation of SCCS that works using RCS. + +Less urgent: @code{diction}, @code{explain}, and @code{style}, or +something to do the same kind of job. Compatibility with Unix is not +especially important for these programs. @end itemize @node Kernel Projects @@ -150,6 +157,10 @@ need some changes. @item A shared memory X11 server to run under MACH is very desirable. The machine specific parts should be kept well separated. + +@item +An implementation of CIFS, the ``Common Internet File System,'' for the +HURD. This protocol is an offshoot of SMB. @end itemize @node Extensions @@ -214,22 +225,9 @@ dancers moving on the screen. @item Port the Vibrant toolkit to work on X without using Motif. -@item -A widget for displaying circle-shaped menus ("pie menus") with X -windows. - @item A program to display and edit Hypercard stacks. -@item -An interface-builder program to make it easy to design graphical -interfaces for applications. This could work with the dynamic linker -DLD and C++, loading in the same class definitions that will be used -by the application program. - -@item -A "desktop" program with drag-and-drop icons and such. - @item A paint program, supporting both bitmap-oriented operations and component-oriented operations. @code{xpaint} exists, but isn't very @@ -238,6 +236,12 @@ usable. @item A program for manipulating photographs---something vaguely like Photo Shop (though not exactly like it). + +@item +An interactive 3D modeling utility with rendering/raytracing capabilities. + +@item +A program for graphic morphing of scanned photographs. @end itemize @node Other Projects @@ -247,6 +251,22 @@ If you think of others that should be added, please send them to @code{gnu@@prep.ai.mit.edu}. @itemize @bullet +@item +A free program for public-key encryption. + +This program should use the Diffie-Helman algorithm for public key +encryption, not the RSA algorithm, because the Diffie-Helman patent in +the US will expire in 1997. It should use triple-DES, not IDEA, for +block encryption because IDEA is patented in many countries and the +patents will not expire soon. In other respects, it should be like PGP. + +This program needs to be written by someone who is not a US citizen, +outside the US, to avoid problems with US export control law. + +Many people believe that PGP is free software, but that is not actually +true. The distribution terms set by the copyright holders do not allow +everyone to use and redistribute it. + @item A program to convert compiled programs represented in OSF ANDF (``Architecture Neutral Distribution Format'') into ANSI C. @@ -266,7 +286,12 @@ all the features that people want in such systems. It would make sense to start with an existing one and add the other features. @item -A general ledger program. +A general ledger program, including support for accounts payable, +account receivables, payroll, inventory control, order processing, etc. + +@item +A teleconferencing program which does the job of CU-SeeMe (which is, +alas, not free software). @item A program to typeset C code for printing. @@ -320,9 +345,6 @@ A program to recognize handwriting. @item A pen based interface. -@item -Software suitable for creating virtual reality user interfaces. - @item CAD software, such as a vague imitation of Autocad. @@ -335,9 +357,10 @@ alignments. @chapter Compilers for Other Batch Languages Volunteers are needed to write parsers/front ends for languages such as -Algol 60, Algol 68, PL/I, Cobol, or whatever, to be used with the code -generation phases of the GNU C compiler. (C++, Objective C and Fortran -are done; Ada, Pascal and Java are being worked on. +Algol 60, Algol 68, PL/I, Cobol, Fortran 90, or whatever, to be used +with the code generation phases of the GNU C compiler. (C, C++, and +Objective-C are done; Fortran 77 is mostly done; Ada, Pascal, and Java +are being worked on.) @c Fortran status is here so gnu@prep and the volunteer coordinators @c don't have to answer the question -len @@ -350,9 +373,12 @@ finger -l fortran@@gnu.ai.mit.edu @node Games and Recreations @chapter Games and Recreations +Video-oriented games that work with the X window system. + @itemize @bullet @item -Video-oriented games should work with the X window system. +A Doom-compatible display game engine, for running the many free +levels people have written for Doom. @item Empire (there is a free version but it needs upgrading) @@ -361,6 +387,9 @@ Empire (there is a free version but it needs upgrading) An ``empire builder'' system that makes it easy to write various kinds of simulation games. +@item +Improve GnuGo, which is not yet very sophisticated. + @item Imitations of popular video games: -- 2.39.2