Why not work on Syllable, ReactOS, MenuetOS and the like?
Whitix allows more flexibility, because I can choose how the design should work. After years of helping other people operate their computers, I realised a number of things would have to change; a better desktop, a clearer configuration system (see IcFs), and a focus on managed code in userspace (for increased stability). A new kernel would also allow to me to try out new schedulers, page replacement algorithms and information and configuration filesystems.
