How can you stay ahead of the trends in operating system research?

1 Follow leading journals and conferences

One of the best ways to stay informed about the latest developments and innovations in operating system research is to follow the publications and presentations of the leading journals and conferences in the field. Some of the most prestigious and influential ones are ACM Transactions on Computer Systems (TOCS), ACM Symposium on Operating Systems Principles (SOSP), USENIX Annual Technical Conference (ATC), and IEEE International Conference on Distributed Computing Systems (ICDCS). These venues showcase the state-of-the-art research on various aspects of operating system design, implementation, evaluation, and application. You can access their archives, proceedings, and videos online and learn from the experts and peers in the community.

2 Join online forums and communities

Another way to stay ahead of the trends in operating system research is to join online forums and communities where you can interact with other researchers, practitioners, students, and enthusiasts who share your passion and curiosity. You can ask questions, share ideas, get feedback, and discover new opportunities and challenges. Some of the popular and active online platforms for operating system discussion are Stack Overflow, Reddit, Quora, Hacker News, and ResearchGate. You can also follow relevant blogs, podcasts, newsletters, and social media accounts that cover operating system topics and news.

3 Experiment with open-source projects

A third way to stay ahead of the trends in operating system research is to experiment with open-source projects that allow you to explore, modify, and contribute to the code and documentation of existing or emerging operating systems. You can learn from the best practices, design decisions, and trade-offs of different operating system architectures, features, and components. You can also test your own ideas, solve problems, and improve the functionality and quality of the software. Some of the well-known and widely used open-source operating systems are Linux, FreeBSD, Android, Minix, and L4.

4 Take online courses and tutorials

A fourth way to stay ahead of the trends in operating system research is to take online courses and tutorials that can help you refresh your fundamentals, expand your horizons, and update your skills and knowledge. You can find a variety of online learning resources that cover different levels, topics, and aspects of operating system theory and practice. Some of the reputable and reliable sources are Coursera, edX, Udemy, Khan Academy, and MIT OpenCourseWare. You can also check out the official websites and documentation of specific operating systems for more detailed and specific guidance and examples.

5 Attend workshops and events

A fifth way to stay ahead of the trends in operating system research is to attend workshops and events that can offer you a chance to network, collaborate, and learn from other operating system enthusiasts and experts. You can find local, national, or international workshops and events that focus on specific operating system domains, themes, or issues. You can also participate in hackathons, competitions, and challenges that can challenge your creativity, problem-solving, and coding skills. Some of the examples of operating system-related workshops and events are Linux Foundation Events, USENIX Workshops, ACM SIGOPS Workshops, and Google Summer of Code.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?