Hello John,
thank you for posting your ideas.
From what I understand, you would like to use a data-centric user
interface instead of the application-centric model, which is omnipresent today. I can only agree with that. Instead of big applications that import and export data, it would be much nicer to have data objects as first-level citizens of the OS. Small and independent programs could then manipulate, display, and transform those data objects. The power of the system comes with infinite ways of how those components can be combined.
Actually, this is almost what the Unix command-line interface is all about, and possibly the reason of why I am so much in love with it. Data (in the form of files) comes first and the many little Unix tools can be combined to manipulate it. The great thing about Unix is that it provides a useful user interface (the shell, pipes, scripts) that brings this idea to life.
Now, what you seem to suggest is to take the data-centric approach to the domain of interactive graphical applications. I think that Genode would provide a good playground for developing these kind of concepts because it already solves the problem of how multiple components can interact with each other in a useful and secure way. However, in my opinion, it does not solve the biggest challenge, which is the model of user interaction with such a system. How does a "desktop" of such a system look like, how does the user interact with the components, how to chain components, how to make data persistent, how to find data? If you have ideas about how to approach those questions, I would like to encourage you to substantiate your ideas using Genode as a tool. If I can assist you with matching your ideas with Genode's concepts, I'd be happy to help.
When it comes to Genode's road map for this year, I would like to keep the project focused on down-to-earth goals that are reachable in this time frame. Do you see technical steps that would help you to pursue your vision and that you would like to see as part of the road map?
Cheers Norman