Shift Linux 0.5 Final Thread

By Barney T.
in Linux

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Grand Master

Barney T. Administrators

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The final version of Shift Linux 0.5 is quickly coming upon us. Here are some of the most current developments related to this version:

- We have changed the repository from Etch to Sid. This gives us stable, but more current versions of all our packages.

- Custom icons for this version

- Custom branding for all versions

- New logo

- Newly created website (to be unveiled soon)

- Additional drivers and laptop support

- Bug fixes

Additionally, we will be creating a local repository for future versions of Shift. This will help store the best packages that we make, along with various artwork and theming packages.

There are additional plans in the works for the next iteration of Shift, that will be revealed after this release. But for now, please add anything related to this version within this thread.

Thanks for everyone's support.

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https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/588123-shift-linux-05-final-thread/
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Grand Master

Barney T. Administrators

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I've been holding off for the final (don't know why!) and am especially anxious to try the Flux version. It's so cool you all are doing this! :D

Thanks so very much for your support!

Grand Master

Barney T. Administrators

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Has the mouse bug been fixed? I installed RC2 but couldn't get the mouse to move at all.

We will fix that bug too.... that was a result of the installer.

Grand Master

Mouldy Punk

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How far away is built in Compiz with ATI/Nvidia drivers?

The problem with those drivers is the licensing I believe (unless something has changed recently?). ATI/Nvidia won't allow their drivers to be distributed by anyone but themselves IIRC.

If I could actually get the internet working in (any) linux then I'd try and help out with theming. At the moment I'm waiting for the next Ubuntu (to be released in Oct I think) before I touch linux again...trying to get it set up with my wireless card has proved impossible for now.

Grand Master

Kudos Veteran

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The problem with those drivers is the licensing I believe (unless something has changed recently?). ATI/Nvidia won't allow their drivers to be distributed by anyone but themselves IIRC.

I thought it was just that other distros insist on being 100% Open Source and so can't bundle the binaries.

Grand Master

Mike

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I thought it was just that other distros insist on being 100% Open Source and so can't bundle the binaries.

i think its to do with the GPL and the distros wanting to be fully compatible with it. some distros just have the installer download the latest driver on install so it's installed out of the box without being distributed by them.

Grand Master

4CxbqFxVnstmA Veteran

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I thought it was just that other distros insist on being 100% Open Source and so can't bundle the binaries.

Sorry if I'm not up to speed here, but Ubuntu doesn't come with closed source drivers but makes it easy for you to download 'restricted drivers' (like my nvidia driver) once the system is set up. Will Shift make that easy? Will it have a dialogue box coming up straight away to ask if the user wants to install proprietary media codecs? I know it's not hard to find such things (automatix), but one thing someone who reviewed Ubuntu pointed out was that it could be easier to get these things downloaded. (I personally don't like the idea of these proprietary codecs and drivers, but they may be a necessary evil to get wider acceptance of Linux.)

Grand Master

Barney T. Administrators

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I thought it was just that other distros insist on being 100% Open Source and so can't bundle the binaries.

This is true for Shift. We will not bundle non-GPL software with our CDs. You can, however, elect to download whatever drivers you want from the myriad of other repositories. We do this so we can be true to the GPL licensing requirements as well as not violating vendor copyrights.

Sorry if I'm not up to speed here, but Ubuntu doesn't come with closed source drivers but makes it easy for you to download 'restricted drivers' (like my nvidia driver) once the system is set up. Will Shift make that easy?

We already have a driver download utility in Shift (Envy). We will add others as we can.

Grand Master

Barney T. Administrators

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and here is a preliminary teaser screen shot!

post-34335-1190580645_thumb.png

Of course we will be making our own custom Shift Linux desktop icons and theme sets. :)

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