Descent|OS 4.0.1 Released
May 13th, 2013 | brian2040
Good morning, everyone! After an eventful upload, Descent|OS 4.0.1 is officially released! It is now based on Debian Wheezy (instead of sid) and is built for stability rather than new development. Here is what is included in the new version:
Mate 1.6 is now included. Mate 1.6 is a great successor to Mate 1.4, and has their registry system finally merged into gconf/dconf, which makes management much easier on the desktop side.
Iceweasel(Firefox) 20: I added the backports repository for Iceweasel, so now you can get the most current version.
Icedove(Thunderbird) replaced Claws-mail: This is more an ease-of-use call, really. Claws-mail is a great client, but Icedove is a more familiar client.
Libreoffice replaced Apache Openoffice: I love apache’s openoffice, but since I wasn’t a huge fan of uploading a sourceforge-hosted repository, I decided to go back to libreoffice.
I have a few packages from the good ol’ mint repository added for more usability, as well. I have included mint’s software center as an alternative to the more powerful, but less usable Synaptic.
Openshot replaced Pitivi: I decided to go with a more well-received video editor here. I don’t have blender installed, but openshot’s great standalone nowadays.
I have included GIMP with this release as well.
Gwibber’s also included, because I use it as a twitter client, and quite enjoy having that out of the box, so it’s back in the ISO.
All in all, I am pretty satisfied with my decision to roll the ISO back to the Wheezy base as it is a more stable and viable option. The reason I chose to do this was that I wanted to phase out the old “Legacy” Ubuntu-based ISO, and keep a consistent Debian base across the board now. 4.0 is now the de-facto Long Term Service release, and 32-bit users can expect an ISO pretty soon as well, and powerpc users can expect one when it’s ready (much more work has to be put in that one).
When all ISO’s are released, Descent|OS 5.0 development will commence, now based on Debian Testing. The goal for Descent|OS 5 is to deliver on all I promised for 4.0 (before things happened).
Enjoy the new release!
Brian Manderville
brian@descentos.org
Wheezy released, time to get working!
May 9th, 2013 | brian2040
So, Descent|OS 4.0 has been out for a couple of weeks, and I admit it’s not where I want it to be nowadays. Debian Wheezy’s been released (great job guys!), and it’s made me consider the direction I want to take for this current release.
As you all know, Descent|OS 3.0.2 is considered the “Legacy” or “Long Term Service” release for this project, but there’s a problem. It’s Ubuntu based, and we’re utilizing Debian now.
That said, I feel it’s appropriate to remake Descent OS 4.0 into a long term support distribution, aimed at stability and consistency with the development ongoing nowadays with Descent|OS on the Debian base. I am announcing that I am re-releasing 4.0 soon with a Debian Wheezy base, aimed for stability for everyone, and more hardware support. I will release one more service release for the 3.x series, and then no more, as I have moved on from the Ubuntu origin (thank goodness).
I am also announcing that I will be in Charlotte, North Carolina next month for the Southeast Linux Fest. I (with some help) will have a booth set up there for all who is interested in giving Descent|OS a spin, and will answer any questions you all have about the project.
Descent|OS 4.0
April 28th, 2013 | brian2040
Good morning, everyone! It’s Day Two of Linux Fest NorthWest, so I’m going to be heading out shortly, but I’m going to elaborate a little bit about what made it into Descent|OS and what didn’t for this release.
As many of you all may know, Descent|OS 4 was developed in three different phases I was in during my life, and with that made it change its direction. I had been unemployed when I started Descent|OS 4, with MATE 1.2 (which I found didn’t work with steam, Marco issue), so I said that I’d implement compiz to solve that problem, but then MATE 1.4 came out, and that solved the issue for me and allowed me to keep consistency in the system, so Compiz was made unnecessary.
I also discussed having two other things, that simply aren’t ready for this CURRENT iteration of Descent|OS 4.0, which is the software center and the repository, mainly because I simply didn’t have time to finish development on both due to me having a full-time job and not enough bandwidth for the repository. I’m still working on both, and am hoping to put it in the service release of Descent|OS 4.0 to still deliver.
Bitcoins!: I’m working on being able to take donations via bitcoin now, which will help finance the development of Descent|OS and probably pay rent as well. I am taking this on full-time so I’m depending on your donations so I can make Descent|OS 4.0 and beyond really special.
Feel free to email me with any more questions/concerns, and please donate to the project via the contact page up top (only paypal for now, working on others).
Thanks for your support,
Brian Manderville
brian@descentos.org
Descent|OS 4.0 released!
April 28th, 2013 | brian2040
Hello, everyone! I’m writing from my hotel room here in Bellingham Washington where I’ve been attending the Linux Fest NorthWest all day, and managed to get 4.0 released on schedule!
It’s only for 64-bit systems at the moment, mainly because that’s the only ISO I have here on this PC, but I’ll be finishing up Descent|OS for 32-bit systems and for powerpc and releasing them next week.
Descent|OS is going through a new phase in development, where it will run under an 8-month release cycle, with one service release halfway through the cycle. This will allow for a more stable system, and bug fixes to be deployed quicker while development for Descent|OS 5 goes on.
Thanks for testing, and for being loyal users! See you all tomorrow at the second leg of Linux Fest NorthWest!
Brian Manderville
brian@descentos.org
Descent|OS 4.0 Beta Released!
March 27th, 2013 | brian2040
Hello, everyone! Descent|OS 4.0 Beta is here, and things have changed, so I’m going to list a full change log here for the new release of Descent|OS 4.0 Beta.
Keep in mind, the Beta’s only available for 64-bit computers right now. I am currently working on the 32-bit port so look for that one shortly.
I have downgraded the kernel to 3.2 to keep with the wheezy base for now, once the new repository is up, I will be upgrading the kernel again to coincide with Debian Sid’s kernel. This is more for stablility and hardware support, as it was very difficult to install 3rd-party drivers like broadcom wireless drivers. I am currently writing a program to allow for installation of Spotify, Steam,and other 3rd party applications that are normally hard to install on upstream Debian to be installed easily and quickly.
I have replaced Midori with Iceweasel, and added a small application known as Support Channel that allows anyone seeking support to connect directly to Descent|OS’s chat room and talk directly with others about their issues. I will be implementing mantis bug tracking so people can submit bug reports and we can track what needs to be fixed and when. Expect that in the Release Candidate, due for an April 7th release.
Descent|OS 4.0 will be released on April 27th, for x86_64, x86, and powerpc architecture
From the developer,
Brian Manderville
brian@descentos.org
Descent|OS 4.0 Alpha Released
March 24th, 2013 | brian2040
Hello, everyone! As you can see, I have released the Alpha for Descent|OS 4 right now, which is based off of Debian. I am working on a repository as we speak for the upcoming beta (waiting for the rest of the parts to come in so I can set the server up), and am also working on the alpha for both the x86 and powerpc versions. I’m going to have to package MATE for powerpc, so the optimistic ETA for the powerpc version is sometime in June for the MATE version. To offset that, I’ll be looking to release an XFCE version for powerpc hopefully with the x86 and x86_64 MATE versions on April 27th.
This is an Alpha release, keep that in mind when you install it, as things can go horribly wrong. I am working overtime to iron out the kinks, so please email me if you have any issues.
Grab the new ISO: https://sourceforge.net/projects/descentos.u/files/development/x86_64/
Happy Testing!
Brian Manderville
brian@descentos.org
Descent|OS 3.0.2 Released
January 23rd, 2013 | brian2040
Hello, everyone! After a moderate absence, I am pleased to announce that the “Legacy” branch of Descent|OS has been updated to version 3.0.2. Since the main focus of the Ubuntu-based version is stability, the main upgrades were big fixes. I have fixed the driver install issue, and also fixed the audio applet issue. Here is a list of the full changelog:
1. Pulseaudio is officially default. Mate-media-pulse is much more well-implemented than its GStreamer sibling, so I have implemented it to maintain consistency and make it easier for people to change their audio settings since the gstreamer applet doesn’t like to play ball.
2. MATE is updated to 1.4. This is actually a huge milestone, because MATE 1.4 is a stable, well implemented version, and works better with everything in Descent|OS.
3. Lubuntu Software Center is included. However, it has been branded as Descent|OS Software Center, and is a better implementation of the software center, and is also very light. This is mainly an ease-of-use upgrade for newer users not wanting to use the more advanced Synaptic Package Manager.
4. Theming fixes. The Faenza Icon theme shouldn’t update anymore and remove the Descent|OS branding. This is something I should’ve seen before, but I never removed the Faenza ppa from the system.
5. Driver fixes. It’s no secret that Jockey didn’t work in the previous releases of Descent|OS 3. This was a top priority to fix, and I’m pleased to announce that it appears so. I would like more testing to take place on this.
I will consider releasing a port to x86_64 in the future, but I would prefer the development time to be spent on Descent|OS 4 as that is a top priority to release by April 27.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to read this, and please test it!
From the developer, Brian Manderville
brian@descentos.org
Happy Birthday!
January 22nd, 2013 | brian2040
As some of you may know, descentos.org has its first birthday today! It has been an eventful year, which saw several releases of Descent|OS, our entry onto distrowatch, and my own appearances on the Linux Zoo Crew and acknowledgement on the Linux Action Show. Sure, it has fizzled out here recently due to stagnation in the development of the site, and lack of involvement from me to the community, so I’m aiming to change a lot of that. I have recently started working again, and I haven’t had as much time to work on my project, but now that I’m used to my schedule, I feel that I can again contribute to Descent|OS. That said, expect several things in the near future:
1. Total redesign of the site. I feel that the atmosphere around my distro has changed, and I’d like it to have a less dark theme, and fix the site up with more flow and more modern media.
2. Support for multiple architectures. I have recently acquired good enough hardware to develop for x84_64, and will maintain that the x84_64 version of Descent|OS from now on is the default, and most well supported. Ports to x86 and powerpc will also be supported.
3. New Release Schedule. Now that Descent|OS is based off of Debian, I have more freedom to change things around. Main one is the release schedule. I followed the 6-month release cycle Ubuntu had followed for a while, but now it will change. Descent|OS, after its April release, will have an 8-month release cycle. Each distribution (by default) will be supported for 24 months.
4. Descent|OS 3 will be the legacy system. Since Descent|OS has dropped Ubuntu as a base, people have been asking “What will happen to Descent OS 3 since it’s based on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS?” Well, it will be supported for the remainder of Ubuntu 12.04′s life, and will occasionally have bugfix/update releases just to keep it current for people who desire a long term service. Expect Descent|OS 3.0.2 soon.
5. More Open Development. This is one thing that has been bothering me for a while. The testing procedure for Descent|OS is a bit fragmented, and inefficient, so I want to consolidate and improve the testing and development process with some new features. I be implementing bug tracking as soon as I can, and will be working on implementing a support channel inside Descent|OS that will redirect to the IRC Channel. This will make bug fixing much MUCH easier. Also, I will also start a mailing list so developers and community members can talk with each other as well as me about development and other things.
6. More Active Forums. I admit, I have kind of let the forums die off in obscurity a bit, but that will change when I get the site up. Forums will FINALLY be integrated into the site (no more forumotion!), and will again be branded for the new site.
7. More Community Involvement. This adds on to my earlier points, but this is just me expanding my scope a bit. Expect more activity on Twitter, Facebook, and Google + in the near future. Also, I will be advertising the IRC chat room a lot more, and will be making it more accessible.
This is a great opportunity for a fresh start, both for Descent|OS and for the small community that’s formed with it!
Follow me on twitter: @DescentOS
Google +: http://gplus.to/descentos
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/descentos
From the developer,
Brian Manderville
brian@descentos.org
Descent|OS 4 News
January 9th, 2013 | brian2040
Hello, everyone, just want to come in with some pretty important news I wish to discuss. First, yes, I know I missed my deadline for an Alpha by Christmas. Truth is, I have been working a new day job, and haven’t had the time to truly allocate the hours needed to build a distribution. Migrating the base to Debian has been a great experience, but there was still a learning curve that needed to be addressed before I felt confident in releasing a version. That said, I feel ready now for actually putting the foot down and releasing an Alpha in the very near future. I have some comments on what to expect, as well as some other announcements I’d like to get through.
- I am releasing Descent|OS 4 for several processor platforms. x86 and x86_64 will be released, as well as a version for powerpc. I have ported Vision (slingshot) to powerpc, so the interface should be exactly the same for all you people wanting to use your old g4′s/g5′s.
- I am planning on releasing Descent|OS 4 at Linux Fest Northwest, which I am planning on attending on the last weekend of April. I will be giving out DVD’s of it there, so be sure to look for me while I’m there and get a copy! (I’ll be wearing Descent|OS clothes, so it’ll be hard to miss me.)
- The site is about to go through a pretty LARGE redesign. Obviously, the site is still based on the defunct 2.1 release, so this needs to change. Fast.
- I have brand new hardware at my disposal, so performance for higher grade hardware will be improved.
- Wallpaper contest is still happening! Please sumbit your wallpapers!
- If anyone is a graphic artist and would like to make an icon theme specifically FOR Descent|OS, contact me, I am very interested.
If anyone has any more questions, or would like to know something else, please shoot me an email at brian@descentos.org. I’m listening for suggestions and am waiting anxiously for community submissions.
Descent|OS 4.0 in development!
November 11th, 2012 | brian2040
Hello everyone! I’m stopping by after a short time away to announce that development of Descent|OS 4.0 has been started. It will be based off of Debian, using the Sid repositories, but will be utilizing a separate repository for the more stable packages like MATE. It will be released sometime in March, but I will be expecting an Alpha to be released sometime near Christmas. That said, there will be several things that I am changing, and will list out a small preview of what you can expect to see.
1. There will be a new software center. It will be based off of Linux Deepin’s software center, but forked into something more Debian-compatible.
2. Elementary’s old version of slingshot has also been forked into the Vision Application Launcher. Nothing major will change, but it will be serviced by us, so the project will go on.
3. Chromium is the default web browser for all future versions of Descent|OS. However, Firefox will be packaged and in the repositories.
4. Due to the growing popularity of Steam, and its arrival to the Linux platform, Descent|OS will be shipped with Compiz to support Steam, as Marco does not.
5. An LXDE version of Descent|OS 4 will also be shipped.
6. Support for applications such as Spotify will be included.
7. Banshee will replace Guayadeque as the default audio player. Vlc will still be the default video player.
8. I am officially starting the new wallpaper contest for Descent|OS 4. Since we are moving to Debian, I would like to change the color scheme a bit from the blue, gold, and black to something a bit lighter and more professional.
More information should come out soon, but this is all right now. Development has just been started, so obviously more development is needed before I announce other things.
From the developer,
Brian Manderville
brian@descentos.org