OpenGEU
Encyclopedia
OpenGEU is a free computer operating system
based upon the popular GNU/Linux distribution, Ubuntu
, which in turn is based on Debian Linux.
OpenGEU's aim is to successfully combine the power and ease of use of GNOME
desktop environment
with the lightweight, and graphical eye candy
features of the Enlightenment window manager into a unique and user-friendly desktop. While OpenGEU is originally derived from Ubuntu, the design of the user interface makes it appear significantly different to the user. OpenGEU's developers continue to create their own set of original art themes, software, and tools.
The next release is going to be based on Debian, breaking their tradition of releasing on an Ubuntu base.
Installation of OpenGEU is generally performed with the Live CD
, which allows the user to first test OpenGEU on their system prior to installation (albeit with a performance limit from loading applications off the disk). This is particularly useful for testing hardware compatibility and driver support. The CD also contains the Ubiquity installer, which guides the user through the permanent installation process. Due to the fact that OpenGEU uses "Ubiquity," the installation process is nearly identical to that of Ubuntu. Alternatively, users can download a disk image of the CD from an online source which can then be written to a physical medium or run from a hard drive via UNetbootin
. Another option is to add the OpenGEU repositories to an established Ubuntu-based system and install OpenGEU via the package manager
.
or Compiz
3D, OpenGEU uses Enlightenment DR17 as its primary window manager for its rich two-dimensional features, such as real transparency and desktop animation options. Starting with OpenGEU 8.10 Luna Serena, a port of Compiz called Ecomorph has been available for 3D effects, as well.
themes, GTK+
, ETK, E17, EWL themes, wallpapers, fonts, etc). It is also possible for the user to create new OpenGEU themes, as well as to export, import, and share them. The creation of this tool marks the first availability of a Desktop Effects Manager, similar to that of Ubuntu, for an Enlightenment desktop. This tool is incorporated into the GEUTheme application.
packaging format, and uploaded to the repositories and a number of new software packages have been developed by the OpenGEU team itself: the OpenGEU Themes Manager, eTray, e17-settings-daemon and several E17 modules.
applications. To ensure every application shares the same look on the desktop, it was necessary to develop themes for various libraries that utilize the same art
and graphics
. This is a difficult and time-consuming task compared to that of GNOME, where all the GTK+ applications use the same default GTK+
libraries to render
widgets. OpenGEU has therefore developed a way to allow easy switching from one theme to another, and accordingly change the graphics of every desktop component at the same time. Every OpenGEU theme is also capable of changing the look of icon sets and wallpapers. In other words, OpenGEU themes are just a set of sub-themes for all of the different libraries used in the distribution (Edje, ETK, EWL, GTK+), designed so that the user will notice any change in the appearance when opening their various chosen applications.
OpenGEU is presented as an artistic distribution and the continued development of these themes is likely to be a primary feature in OpenGEU's future.
effects without any particular hardware or driver requirement.
The primary OpenGEU concept is that of building a complete and universally accessible E17 desktop—filling all of the missing parts in E17 with GNOME tools, while always concentrating on the speed of the distribution–for usability on any system.
and it includes all of the drivers and fixes needed for EeePC to work out of the box.
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
based upon the popular GNU/Linux distribution, Ubuntu
Ubuntu (operating system)
Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu...
, which in turn is based on Debian Linux.
OpenGEU's aim is to successfully combine the power and ease of use of GNOME
GNOME
GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software...
desktop environment
Desktop environment
In graphical computing, a desktop environment commonly refers to a style of graphical user interface derived from the desktop metaphor that is seen on most modern personal computers. These GUIs help the user in easily accessing, configuring, and modifying many important and frequently accessed...
with the lightweight, and graphical eye candy
Eye candy
Eye candy may refer to:*Attractiveness*Eye Candy , an album by Mis-Teeq*software "Eye Candy", a plugin for Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Fireworks that adds new filter effects*"Eye Candy", an episode of the animated series Happy Tree Friends...
features of the Enlightenment window manager into a unique and user-friendly desktop. While OpenGEU is originally derived from Ubuntu, the design of the user interface makes it appear significantly different to the user. OpenGEU's developers continue to create their own set of original art themes, software, and tools.
The next release is going to be based on Debian, breaking their tradition of releasing on an Ubuntu base.
OpenGEU and Geubuntu
OpenGEU is an unofficial re-working of Ubuntu and was initially called Geubuntu (a portmanteau of GNOME, Enlightenment and Ubuntu). The distribution changed its name from Geubuntu to OpenGEU on 21 January 2008 in order to remove the "-buntu" suffix from its name. This was done in respect for Ubuntu's own trademark policies, which require all officially recognized Ubuntu derivatives to be based upon software found only in the official Ubuntu repositories–a criterion not met by OpenGEU.Installation
Live CD
A live CD, live DVD, or live disc is a CD or DVD containing a bootable computer operating system. Live CDs are unique in that they have the ability to run a complete, modern operating system on a computer lacking mutable secondary storage, such as a hard disk drive...
, which allows the user to first test OpenGEU on their system prior to installation (albeit with a performance limit from loading applications off the disk). This is particularly useful for testing hardware compatibility and driver support. The CD also contains the Ubiquity installer, which guides the user through the permanent installation process. Due to the fact that OpenGEU uses "Ubiquity," the installation process is nearly identical to that of Ubuntu. Alternatively, users can download a disk image of the CD from an online source which can then be written to a physical medium or run from a hard drive via UNetbootin
UNetbootin
UNetbootin is a cross-platform utility that can create live USB systems and can load a variety of system utilities or install various Linux distributions and other operating systems without a CD.- USB Install :...
. Another option is to add the OpenGEU repositories to an established Ubuntu-based system and install OpenGEU via the package manager
Advanced Packaging Tool
The Advanced Packaging Tool, or APT, is a free user interface that works with core libraries to handle the installation and removal of software on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution and its variants...
.
Default Environment
As described above, OpenGEU includes software from both the GNOME and Enlightenment projects. Unlike Ubuntu, which uses MetacityMetacity
Metacity was the window manager used by default in the GNOME desktop environment until GNOME 3, where it was replaced by Mutter. The development of Metacity was started by Havoc Pennington and it is released under the GNU General Public License....
or Compiz
Compiz
Compiz is one of the first compositing window managers for the X Window System that uses 3D graphics hardware to create fast compositing desktop effects for window management. The effects, such as a minimization effect and a cube workspace are implemented as loadable plugins...
3D, OpenGEU uses Enlightenment DR17 as its primary window manager for its rich two-dimensional features, such as real transparency and desktop animation options. Starting with OpenGEU 8.10 Luna Serena, a port of Compiz called Ecomorph has been available for 3D effects, as well.
OpenGEU Themes Manager
Starting with OpenGEU 8.04.1 Luna Crescente, the GEUTheme application is a default in the distribution. This is a tool capable of showing a list of installed OpenGEU themes to the user, enabling the user to browse through them and select one with one-click ease. GEUTheme is capable of fetching new themes from the internet or from an expansion CD for the user. The tool has some advanced customization abilities–it helps the user to install and customize many aspects of their OpenGEU desktop environment (including iconComputer icon
A computer icon is a pictogram displayed on a computer screen and used to navigate a computer system or mobile device. The icon itself is a small picture or symbol serving as a quick, intuitive representation of a software tool, function or a data file accessible on the system. It functions as an...
themes, GTK+
GTK+
GTK+ is a cross-platform widget toolkit for creating graphical user interfaces. It is licensed under the terms of the GNU LGPL, allowing both free and proprietary software to use it. It is one of the most popular toolkits for the X Window System, along with Qt.The name GTK+ originates from GTK;...
, ETK, E17, EWL themes, wallpapers, fonts, etc). It is also possible for the user to create new OpenGEU themes, as well as to export, import, and share them. The creation of this tool marks the first availability of a Desktop Effects Manager, similar to that of Ubuntu, for an Enlightenment desktop. This tool is incorporated into the GEUTheme application.
Additional Components
Since the distribution is an Ubuntu derivative, the range of available software is almost identical to that of Ubuntu and the other related Ubuntu projects. Additional repositories have been created by the OpenGEU development team, and they are pre-enabled for the distribution's use. Enlightenment 17 software has been compiled, re-packaged in the .debDeb (file format)
deb is the extension of the Debian software package format and the most often used name for such binary packages. Like the "Deb" part of the term Debian, it originates from the name of Debra, erstwhile girlfriend and now ex-wife of Debian's founder Ian Murdock.Debian packages are also used in...
packaging format, and uploaded to the repositories and a number of new software packages have been developed by the OpenGEU team itself: the OpenGEU Themes Manager, eTray, e17-settings-daemon and several E17 modules.
OpenGEU themes
The E17 window manager uses a number of different libraries to render GUIGui
Gui or guee is a generic term to refer to grilled dishes in Korean cuisine. These most commonly have meat or fish as their primary ingredient, but may in some cases also comprise grilled vegetables or other vegetarian ingredients. The term derives from the verb, "gupda" in Korean, which literally...
applications. To ensure every application shares the same look on the desktop, it was necessary to develop themes for various libraries that utilize the same art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
and graphics
Graphics
Graphics are visual presentations on some surface, such as a wall, canvas, computer screen, paper, or stone to brand, inform, illustrate, or entertain. Examples are photographs, drawings, Line Art, graphs, diagrams, typography, numbers, symbols, geometric designs, maps, engineering drawings,or...
. This is a difficult and time-consuming task compared to that of GNOME, where all the GTK+ applications use the same default GTK+
GTK+
GTK+ is a cross-platform widget toolkit for creating graphical user interfaces. It is licensed under the terms of the GNU LGPL, allowing both free and proprietary software to use it. It is one of the most popular toolkits for the X Window System, along with Qt.The name GTK+ originates from GTK;...
libraries to render
Rendering (computer graphics)
Rendering is the process of generating an image from a model , by means of computer programs. A scene file contains objects in a strictly defined language or data structure; it would contain geometry, viewpoint, texture, lighting, and shading information as a description of the virtual scene...
widgets. OpenGEU has therefore developed a way to allow easy switching from one theme to another, and accordingly change the graphics of every desktop component at the same time. Every OpenGEU theme is also capable of changing the look of icon sets and wallpapers. In other words, OpenGEU themes are just a set of sub-themes for all of the different libraries used in the distribution (Edje, ETK, EWL, GTK+), designed so that the user will notice any change in the appearance when opening their various chosen applications.
Sunshine and Moonlight
The two main signature themes of OpenGEU are Sunshine and Moonlight. While Sunshine and Moonlight are considered the primary themes, there is also a number of alternative themes which are now available and more are in development for the next release.OpenGEU is presented as an artistic distribution and the continued development of these themes is likely to be a primary feature in OpenGEU's future.
Project Focus
OpenGEU's focus is on reducing minimum hardware requirements, such as by providing two alternative methods to enable compositingCompositing window manager
A compositing window manager is a type of window manager. A window manager is software that draws a graphical user interface on a computer display – it positions windows, draws additional elements on windows , and controls how windows interact with each other, and with the rest of the desktop...
effects without any particular hardware or driver requirement.
The primary OpenGEU concept is that of building a complete and universally accessible E17 desktop—filling all of the missing parts in E17 with GNOME tools, while always concentrating on the speed of the distribution–for usability on any system.
Remixes
OpenGeeeU 8.10 Luna Serena was released March 23, 2009. It's a version of OpenGEU modified to work on the Asus EeePC. OpenGeeeU 8.10 uses EasyPeasy as its platform, so it is optimized for netbooksNetbook
Netbooks are a category of small, lightweight, legacy-free, and inexpensive laptop computers.At their inception in late 2007 as smaller notebooks optimized for low weight and low cost — netbooks omitted certain features , featured smaller screens and keyboards, and offered reduced computing...
and it includes all of the drivers and fixes needed for EeePC to work out of the box.
Release Notes
| Version | Name | Release Date | Features and description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.04 | Geubuntu Prima Luna | 18 September 2007 | The first version ever released. The main innovation of this distro was the idea of using a big number of system and configuration tools taken from the Gnome world, together with the Enlightenment Window Manager. Geubuntu 7.04 included GNOME Panel and Nautilus Nautilus (file manager) Nautilus is the official file manager for the GNOME desktop. The name is a play on words, evoking the shell of a nautilus to represent an operating system shell. Nautilus replaced Midnight Commander in GNOME 1.4 and was the default from version 2.0 onwards.... . |
| 7.10 | Geubuntu Luna Nuova | 6 December 2007 | The second GEUbuntu release came with brand new (and original) Sunshine and Moonlight themes and it focused much more than the first release on eye-candy and speed. It adopted Thunar Thunar Thunar is a file manager for Linux and other Unix-like systems, written using the GTK+ 2 toolkit, and shipped with Xfce version 4.4 RC1 and later. Thunar is developed by Benedikt Meurer, and was originally intended to replace XFFM, Xfce's previous file manager... instead of the Nautilus File Manager and XFCE 4 Panel instead of the GNOME Panel. |
| OpenGEU Luna Nuova | 21 January 2008 | This version was released shortly after the release of Geubuntu Luna Nuova and with this version Geubuntu changed its name to OpenGEU. Using the name change as an opportunity for releasing a new version, OpenGEU Luna Nuova is released and is a far more stable distribution, many bugs Software bug A software bug is the common term used to describe an error, flaw, mistake, failure, or fault in a computer program or system that produces an incorrect or unexpected result, or causes it to behave in unintended ways. Most bugs arise from mistakes and errors made by people in either a program's... have been fixed. Another change was the use of FBPanel instead than XFCE Panel as the additional panel of the distribution. |
|
| 8.04 | OpenGEU Luna Crescente | 8 September 2008 | OpenGEU Luna Crescente is based on Ubuntu 8.04.1 – Hardy Heron. It introduced a lot of new software directly developed by the distribution team, like the OpenGEU Themes Manager (GEUTheme), an application called eTray (a system tray for Enlightenment, which lacked this kind of tool) some E17 modules like the Trash Bin (there was no trash bin whatsoever in Enlightenment before this) and Extramenu (a module that enables the user to add a custom menu, with submenus, to the standard E17 menu). With this release the OpenGEU team started compiling and managing their own repositories both for Enlightenment and the rest of the newly developed software. OpenGEU uses the default Ubuntu repositories too. With every OpenGEU release, new Sunshine and Moonlight themes have been developed and are used by default. With the release of GEUTheme, a lot more OpenGEU themes have been created and are available for download from the official repositories. |
| 8.10 | OpenGEU Luna Serena | 12 February 2009 | Luna Serena featured Ecomorph (modified Compiz Compiz Compiz is one of the first compositing window managers for the X Window System that uses 3D graphics hardware to create fast compositing desktop effects for window management. The effects, such as a minimization effect and a cube workspace are implemented as loadable plugins... for E17) - an optional compositing window manager for computers running 3D graphics cards, and a new settings manager and places menu. |
| 9.10 | OpenGEU Quarto di Luna | 27 January 2010 | This is the current release, although there are currently no means of downloading it. According to the release announcement, one can install Quarto di Luna via APT APT - As an acronym :*Arbitrage Pricing Theory*Asia-Pacific Telecommunity*Advanced Persistent Threat*Advanced Passenger Train- Places :* Apt, Vaucluse, a commune of the Vaucluse département of France... repositories into an existing Ubuntu 9.10 installation. |
| Used Colors Legend | ||
|---|---|---|
| Release no longer supported | Release still supported | Future Version |
Reviews and Citations
OpenGEU has been independently reviewed by a number of on- and off-line Linux magazines:- GNU Linux Magazine (FR) issue 84, (IT) GNU Linux Magazine issue 93, (IT) Linux Pro issue 72 (EN)
- Full Circle MagazineFull Circle MagazineFull Circle Magazine is a free distribution Portable Document Format magazine that was launched in April 2007. The magazine is an independent publication and is not affiliated with Canonical Ltd., the sponsors of the Ubuntu operating system...
- SoftpediaSoftpediaSoftpedia is an Internet web site that indexes information and provides software downloads. The site also covers major technology, science, health, and entertainment news from both external and in-house sources and provides software and game reviews. , it is one of the top 500 websites according to...
- Linux.comLinux.comLinux.com is the name of a website owned by the Linux Foundation. The site is currently a central source for Linux information, software, documentation and answers across the server, desktop/netbook, mobile, and embedded areas. Linux.com offers free Linux tutorials, news and blogs, discussion...
- DistroWatchDistroWatchDistroWatch is a website which provides news, popularity rankings, and other general information about various Linux distributions as well as other free software/open source Unix-like operating systems such as OpenSolaris, MINIX and BSD. It now contains information on several hundred distributions...
- Dedoimedo.com
See also
- GNOMEGNOMEGNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software...
- Bodhi LinuxBodhi LinuxBodhi Linux is a small Linux distribution using the Enlightenment window manager and based upon Ubuntu. Its philosophy is to provide a base system with a minimal desktop, file browser, web browser, terminal emulator and leave the exact choice of applications to the user...
- UbuntuUbuntu (operating system)Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu...
- Enlightenment (window manager)Enlightenment (window manager)Enlightenment, also known simply as E, is a stacking window manager for the X Window System which can be used alone or in conjunction with a desktop environment such as GNOME or KDE...
- Ecomorph (window manager)
External links
- (EN) opengeu.intilinux.com – Official OpenGEU Home Page
- OpenGEU's page on Launchpad