SolusOS

SolusOS

SolusOS 1.2 Eveline
Developer Ikey Doherty
OS family Unix-like
Working state Discontinued
Source model Open source
Initial release May 9, 2012
Latest release 1.3 / 18 February 2013[1]
Available in multilingual
Update method APT (several front-ends available)
Package manager dpkg
Platforms i386, AMD64
Kernel type Monolithic (Linux
Userland GNU
Default user interface GNOME
License Free software licenses
(mainly GPL), and other licenses

SolusOS was a beginner-friendly desktop Linux distribution based on the latest stable release of Debian GNU/Linux, distributed as hybrid image files that can be run from DVD or USB and installed onto a hard disk drive.

The project was abandoned in October 2013 due to not enough manpower.[2]

History

SolusOS (codename "Eveline") was released as version 1.0 on May 9, 2012.[3] It features the GNOME 2 desktop[4] and an extended selection of default applications for everyday tasks. Software applications are updated from Debian "backports" and delivered through the project's own repositories. SolusOS comes with a complete set of multimedia plugins by default. The GNOME menu is replaced by the Cardapio menu.[5] Many elements of the system are own developments like the graphical installer and the First Run Wizard. Version 1.1 was released on June 1, 2012 and brought an updated custom kernel as well as newer software versions for the applications.[6] August 17, 2012 saw the point release of version 1.2 and introduced a non-PAE edition for older computers with less random-access memory.[7][8]

The project was abandoned in October 2013.[2]

Features and applications

SolusOS came installed with a wide range of software that includes the latest LibreOffice Suite, Firefox, Thunderbird, XChat, OpenShot Video Editor, Transmission and VLC. Additional software that is not installed by default can be downloaded using the package manager. PlayOnLinux is preinstalled and aims to simplify the installation of Windows-based applications and especially games on Linux. SolusOS' FirstRunWizard helps installing non-free drivers for NVidia and ATI graphics cards. Wireless chips and modems are supported through non-free firmware packages. Browser plugins such as Java and Flash are preinstalled and ready to use. Package management is done through Synaptic.[9]

Beta and future releases

The next release, SolusOS 2, was planned to be built from scratch[10] using GNOME as its default Desktop Environment.[11] It was previously reported that it was going to be using Consort, a forked and patched version of GNOME Flashback (the GNOME 3 Fallback Mode) first introduced with the Alpha 7 version of SolusOS 2.[12][13] that behaves like GNOME 2, thus enabling existing users a smooth transition to the new desktop.[14] SolusOS 2 is developed as a Long Term Support release,[15] so several alpha releases were issued and tested for stability and usability. Testers were encouraged to request applets and utilities.[14]

The developer announced on September 2012 that SolusOS 2 will use the PiSi package manager, as formerly implemented in Pardus,[16] a year before shutting down.[2]

Popularity

As of June 2013 SolusOS ranked 18th in the 6-month page hit rankings of Distrowatch. There are over 2000 registered members on the SolusOS forums and in October 2012 subforums in Spanish and German were added.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to SolusOS.

References

  1. ↑ SolusOS 1.3 Released, SolusOS.com, 02/19/2013
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Closing doors, SolusOS, October 24, 2013
  3. ↑ "SolusOS Eveline released". Official website. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  4. ↑ "SolusOS Eveline review". Linux and Life. Retrieved 2012-05-13.
  5. ↑ "SolusOS Eveline review". Dedoimedo. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  6. ↑ "SolusOS 1.1 released". Official website. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  7. ↑ "SolusOS 1.2 released". Official website. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  8. ↑ "SolusOS 1.2 Arrives, Updates Eveline". OStatic. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  9. ↑ Everyday Linux User Review Of SolusOS, Everyday Linux User, Feb 2013
  10. ↑ Standing On (SolusOS) Two Legs, SolusOS.com, 03/14/2013
  11. ↑ SolusOS 2 Will Use a Custom GNOME 3.10 Desktop, Softpedia, October 8, 2013
  12. ↑ SolusOS 2 Alpha 7 Previews Its GNOME Fork, Phoronix, January 22, 2013
  13. ↑ Consort Desktop: A New Fork Of GNOME Classic, Phoronix, January 17, 2013
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Bringing Back GNOME". SolusOS. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  15. ↑ SolusOS: A New Linux Distro with a Focus on the Familiar, PCWorld, Jul 30, 2012
  16. ↑ "A Word From The Boss". Solus News. 2012-09-23.