Nice. I use Gentoo mostly myself, but as you say, Orbiter is strictly windoze which isn't so bad. I virtualize windows when I can in linux, and virtualize linux in windows when I can't.
The reason for the pulse concept is because it is something that is provided by every single Nasa space craft from Apollo on and I suspect vessels before that used it to. Astronauts use it regularly during docking operations, and I can't really see a good reason to not implement it.
In the real thing the pulse is implemented by providing a specific amount of fuel to the rcs pods. The same effect can be created using time and thruster level to ensure it burns a specific amount of fuel and the same amount every time. The advantage is that 5 pulses nose up can be precisely zeroed with 5 pulses nose down. Right now, in orbiter, we often require quite a bit more RCS allowance than real astronauts have because our control system is highly inefficient. Most new pilots (and some experienced ones) perform attitude changes by holding the turn key for a bit, and then slamming the kill rot key when aligned (too late) and then waste more fuel going back and forth.
I have my heart set on providing a pulse mode. I've already done 2/3 of the implementation of that in my head anyways. I generally am ambitious with my projects, and perhaps the wishlist will be whittled down some, but I think for the most part, it's there to stay.
Finally I hope I don't have to compete with you project wise, as I guarantee I wouldn't win. I am hoping that with the breadth of this project, I'll see some interest in it, but at the same time, I'm not expecting anything too special. As of right now, I have for this project a single MFD which spits out useful information for development, and a controller which captures inputs for the craft which was active when the simulation started. More details on my trac whenever I can keep it up (it's hosted on my computer which since it doesn't have a screen is hard to diagnose issues...).