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#1 2013-03-09 22:47:48
Raspberry Pi Linux Distro
Hello gentlemen,
I will soon begin development on a new linux distribution optimized for the Raspberry Pi. Although Raspbian is effective at providing a full desktop system, it is very bad at performance.
My aims:
* Make it usable
* Make it scalable
* Gain community support
* Keep it updated
* Maintain a binary repository
Sounds like a lot of work? You bet. Me and a friend are working on a new Window Manager for the Raspberry Pi, basing it off of some code he wrote in the 90s. It's taking a bit of time and restoration to meet modern code standards, but it's happening. I have been very fortunate to have the contacts I have that can support the development
So, this is where you come in.
If you own a Raspberry Pi, you can test out the software, and I'd urge you to report any bugs to this forum post. If you're an experienced Linux developer, you can perhaps help with the base system. If you are a python programmer, you're welcome to share your code with us and perhaps make some easter eggs to be included in the system. So, what do you think of this idea?
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#2 2013-03-10 04:15:48
- Zeusking19
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2011-07-10
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Raspberry Pi Linux Distro
This probably belongs in advanced topics, more experienced programmers can help there.
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#4 2013-03-10 10:17:16
- Epicness123
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2011-11-12
- Posts: 100+
Re: Raspberry Pi Linux Distro
I need a Raspberry Pie to test it 
What do we do with the Raspberry Pie? Eat it?
I am Epicness123,and I rock!
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#5 2013-03-11 15:50:03
- scratcher7_13
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2011-02-09
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Raspberry Pi Linux Distro
conbot wrote:
Hello gentlemen,
I will soon begin development on a new linux distribution optimized for the Raspberry Pi. Although Raspbian is effective at providing a full desktop system, it is very bad at performance.
My aims:
* Make it usable
* Make it scalable
* Gain community support
* Keep it updated
* Maintain a binary repository
Sounds like a lot of work? You bet. Me and a friend are working on a new Window Manager for the Raspberry Pi, basing it off of some code he wrote in the 90s. It's taking a bit of time and restoration to meet modern code standards, but it's happening. I have been very fortunate to have the contacts I have that can support the development
So, this is where you come in.
If you own a Raspberry Pi, you can test out the software, and I'd urge you to report any bugs to this forum post. If you're an experienced Linux developer, you can perhaps help with the base system. If you are a python programmer, you're welcome to share your code with us and perhaps make some easter eggs to be included in the system. So, what do you think of this idea?
When this is ready, my dad has a Raspberry Pi, and he may be willing to test.
♫ 90% of teens can't do math. If you are one of the 40% of teens who can, copy and paste this into your signature. ♫♪
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#7 2013-03-11 19:54:06
- technoguyx
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2008-10-18
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Raspberry Pi Linux Distro
Isn't Raspbian very minimal already? We're talking an OS designed for a 256 MB, 700 Mhz ARM computer here. I think you'll have a bit of a hard time improving the performance.
Plus, the most consuming part of a GNU/Linux OS is probably the desktop manager. Installing as few packages as possible with no desktop manager will probably leave you with something like Tiny Core Linux in a command-line (which might be something you wanna try, actually; is there any way to do Raspbian minimal installs?). And even then, I don't think you'll be able to greatly improve performance. The reason the Pi is so slow, is because it's hardware is very limited (no, seriously) and most desktop apps won't get the most performance out of it.
tl;dr/in English: I don't think you'll be able to do much, as the Raspi is limited by design.
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#9 2013-03-29 03:28:32
- SimpleScratch
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2007-05-25
- Posts: 100+
Re: Raspberry Pi Linux Distro
Great to see someone giving this a go 
The Foundation say that they are putting effort into improving Scratch on the RPi so maybe worth giving them a direct shout and seeing if your efforts can be combined
Simon
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#10 2013-03-29 04:02:12
Re: Raspberry Pi Linux Distro
conbot wrote:
Hello gentlemen,
Ladies too! Though I actually don't really have much to contribute, not a Linux developer and I don't have a Raspberry Pi (Though that may change in the future, and if it does I'd definitely be willing to test out your OS). I'm sort of in agreement with technoguy in the fact that it's extremely limited but I'm still curious to see what you can come up with for it, go for it!
(So yeah nothing to contribute but wishing you best of luck with finding people who can)
I would rather be alone than pretend I feel alright
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