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elementary OS

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elementary OS
File:Screenshot from 2013-08-11 15 57 35.png
elementary OS "Luna"
OS familyUnix-like
Working stateCurrent
Source modelOpen source
Initial release31 March 2011; 14 years ago (2011-03-31)
Latest release0.3 "Freya" / 11 April 2015; 10 years ago (2015-04-11)[1]
Latest preview0.3 "Freya" BETA 2 / 8 February 2015; 10 years ago (2015-02-08)
Repository
Available inMultilingual
Update methodapt-get (Ubuntu Software Center)
Package managerdpkg
Platformsx86, x86-64
Kernel typeMonolithic
Default
user interface		Pantheon[2]
LicenseGNU GPL, LGPL, and various other free software licenses
Official websiteelementary.io

elementary OS is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. It makes use of a desktop with its own shell named Pantheon,[2] and is deeply integrated with other elementary OS applications like Plank (a dock), Midori (the default web browser) and Scratch (a simple text editor). This distribution uses Gala as its window manager,[3] which is based on Mutter.[2]

The distribution initially started as a set of themes and applications designed for Ubuntu which later turned into its own Linux distro.[4] Being Ubuntu-based, it is compatible with its repositories and packages. It uses Ubuntu's own software center to handle installation/removal of software, though its own software center is in the making.[5] Its user interface aims at being intuitive for new users without consuming too many resources.[6]

Design Philosophy

The elementary OS project aims to solve a number of deficiencies in other GNU/Linux distributions, namely:

  • better global aesthetics by streamlining the user interface;
  • reduce software dependency by using core apps written in the C language or Vala;
  • diminish the need to access the terminal.

Although not contrary to the GNU philosophy,[7] these deliberate design choices run against what most Linux distributions opt for: a freedom to set up and customize one's own desktop environment. The Human Interface Guidelines of the elementary OS project focus instead on immediate usability with a gentle learning curve,[8] rather than full-fledged customization. The three core rules the developers set for themselves were "concision", "avoid configuration" and "minimal documentation".[9]

Since its inception, elementary OS has received criticism for its design that closely resembles that of OS X — regarding both the visual design and the user experience.[10]

Software components

See also: List of GTK+ applications

Installation

elementary OS is distributed free-of-charge (with an optional financial contribution to the development team) Live CD/USB, which allows users the choice to try the system out without the need to install it. The installer is Ubiquity, the default installer for Ubuntu and most of its derivatives.

Versions

0.1 Jupiter

The first stable version of elementary OS was Jupiter,[4] published in March 2011 and based on Ubuntu 10.10. Since October 2012, it is no longer supported and thus no longer available for download in elementary OS official web site apart from in a historical capacity.[11][12]

0.2 Luna

In November 2012, the first beta version of elementary OS code-named Luna was released, which uses Ubuntu 12.04 LTS as a base.[13] The second beta version of Luna was released on 6 May 2013, carrying more than 300 bug fixes and several changes such as improved support for multiple localizations, multiple display support and updated applications.[13][14] On 7 August 2013, a countdown clock appeared on the official website with a countdown to 10 August 2013.[15] The second stable version of elementary OS, Luna, was released that same day, along with a complete overhaul and redesign of the elementary OS website.[16]

0.3 Freya

A screenshot of Elementary OS 0.3 Codenamed "Freya". Note the design changes on the "Wingpanel" between Luna and Freya

The name of the third stable version of elementary OS, Isis, was proposed in August 2013 by Daniel Foré, the project leader.[17] It was later changed to Freya to avoid association with the terrorist group ISIS.[18] It is based on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, which was released in April 2014.[17] The first beta of Freya was released on 11 August 2014.[19] The second beta of Freya was released on 8 February 2015.[freya-beta-2" 1] The final version was released on 11 April 2015, after a countdown clock appeared on the website 8 days before its release.

0.4 Loki

elementary OS 0.4 “Loki” will be based on Ubuntu 16.04, the next Long Term Support (LTS) release and will get updates until 2021. Wayland support is planned, providing support for HiDPI mode for many displays with much higher resolutions. Another important feature planned in elementary OS 0.4 will be an AppCenter, which will feature applications for elementary OS in one centralized place. A new possibility to connect with elementary services is also planned, using the upcoming elementary Account. It will be possible to connect to other users also with a new integrated IM client, to buy apps in the AppCenter and to sync system settings.[20]

A preview release is expected to be available at the end of 2016 and a final release somewhere on 2017.[21]

References

  1. ^ Fore, Daniel. "Freya is here!". Elementary OS. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Cassidy James (14 November 2012). "Hello, Luna Beta 1". elementary OS. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  3. ^ Daniel Foré, Sam Tate, Tom Beckmann, and Sergey Davidoff (15 September 2012). "Meet Gala: The Window Manager". elementary OS. Retrieved 11 August 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ a b Vishal Gupta (19 April 2011). "elementary OS "Jupiter": Awesome Linux Distribution Based on Ubuntu". AskVG. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  5. ^ Mefrio and Daniel Foré (23 March 2013). "Introducing AppCenter". elementary OS. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  6. ^ Tom Nemec (13 August 2013). "elementary OS 'Luna': Eine Mac OS X ähnelnde Linux-Distribution" (in German). Weblogit. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  7. ^ "GNU philosophy". 16 March 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  8. ^ Users will accomplish tasks more quickly because you will have a straight-forward interface design that isn't confusing or difficult."eOS Human Interface Guidelines". Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  9. ^ "eOS Design Philisophy". Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  10. ^ . 11 August 2013 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6193148. Retrieved 20 April 2015. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ^ Javier Pastor Nóbrega (19 October 2012). "elementary OS "Jupiter" deja de estar disponible" (in Spanish). MuyLinux. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  12. ^ Alin Andrei (12 October 2012). "elementary OS Jupiter no longer available for download, makes room for Luna". Web Upd8. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  13. ^ a b Alin Andrei (14 November 2012). "elementary OS Luna beta 1 available for download". Web Upd8. Retrieved 20 February 2014. Cite error: The named reference "webupd8-luna" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  14. ^ Michael Larabel (6 May 2013). "elementary OS Luna Beta 2 Released". Phoronix. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  15. ^ Robin Jacobs (9 August 2013). "Mysterious countdown appears on elementary OS website". Muktware. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  16. ^ Robin Jacobs (11 August 2013). "elementary OS Luna says Hello World". Muktware. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  17. ^ a b Daniel Foré (16 August 2013). "Luna+1's Name and Some Other Stuff". elementary-dev-community mailing list. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  18. ^ Cassidy James (22 June 2014). "elementary OS Isis is now Freya". elementary OS. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  19. ^ Daniel Foré (11 August 2014). "Freya Beta 1 Available for Developers & Testers". elementary OS. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  20. ^ Loki, elementary os loki. "elementary OS 0.4". http://www.elementarynow.com. Sören Richter. Retrieved 7 April 2015. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  21. ^ beta 1, Elementary OS loki. "Elementary OS loki beta 1". Elementary LLC. Retrieved 7 April 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Cite error: A list-defined reference named "freya-beta-2" is not used in the content (see the help page).

Apps

  1. ^ "Pantheon Login Screen in Launchpad". Launchpad.net. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  2. ^ "Wingpanel in Launchpad". Launchpad.net. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  3. ^ "Slingshot in Launchpad". Launchpad.net. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  4. ^ "Plank in Launchpad". Launchpad.net. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  5. ^ "Plank readme". Launchpad.net. 23 January 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  6. ^ "Switchboard in Launchpad". Launchpad.net. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  7. ^ "Midori in Launchpad". Launchpad.net. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  8. ^ "Geary". Yorba. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  9. ^ "Maya in Launchpad". Launchpad.net. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  10. ^ "Noise in Launchpad". Launchpad.net. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  11. ^ "Scratch in Launchpad". Launchpad.net. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  12. ^ "Pantheon Terminal in Launchpad". Launchpad.net. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  13. ^ "Files in Launchpad". Launchpad.net. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  14. ^ "Pantheon Files readme". Launchpad.net. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2013.


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