Hello my friends, how are you? I'm here in the middle of the Brazilian Carnival doing what I like to do this time, ignoring the event completely! Just kidding, I've been reviewing the evolution of some operating systems that have caught my eye a long time ago and there are 5 that I expect to see big news this year.
The year 2017 is still at the beginning, so I'll bet my chips pointing some systems that I believe will stand out this year. They are system with innovative proposals and that are bringing very interesting news to its users. At the end of the year we see if I really got it right, right?
I am the type of person who lives testing operating systems and some of those on the list are the ones I always keep installed, whether on a test computer, virtual machines, all to keep up with their developments and news. Here is a list of 5 operating systems that I believe will surprise us in 2017.
"Parentheses on the subject: The Linux world has always been very innovative, projects like Gnome and KDE are always improving and bringing news to the communities ecosystem; Now … I don't know if it's my impression, but the number of distributions that are really doing more than just packaging software and setting up their custom interfaces based on what already exists has increased a lot. As I like projects that seek to solve problems and create new solutions and not only those that wait to see what looks best and then use. I've been turning to these on the list, at least this year. I do not want to belittle any other type of work, for system has its context, I am just speaking my preference."
1 – elementary OS
Let me explain why I believe elementary OS might surprise us this year. Who already accompanied Diolinux blog channel reviews about distribution You know my opinion about him, as every system, he has strengths and weaknesses, but let's stick to the differential.
The big bet: Elementary OS developers have always cherished design, not just the interface, but as time went on and development expanded for native applications, however, so that applications follow certain design guidelines, as with macOS. From Apple, the programs need to be developed with the distro in mind and this cannot be the work of the elementary team alone.
There are already several applications like this, you find here a great list, but still the large mass of applications is still "half alien" from elementary compared to the rest of the native applications. To remedy this situation, developers recently launched a campaign on IndieGoGo to enable the environment for building applications for this purpose. The idea is to create an AppCenter that contains programs designed especially for elementary OS and with a payment system that is the same as elementary OS already has for the operating system itself, ie the "pay what you" system. want ", or" pay as much as you want ", can work for applications too, thus helping developers keep up.
To help those who create the software, the elementary OS team has been developing the AppCenter Dashboardis a launchpad-like page, aimed at developers, where they can link their GitHub accounts to upload applications to the elementary OS repository, either selling them or not.
The big challenge: In my opinion, the great difficulty of elementary OS this year proves to everyone that a system that goes far beyond a well-designed design, or a "pretty face" as many say, can be a real platform for productivity and entertainment. It is also a place where developers will enjoy working together and publishing their software.
There are several small things that made the last release of elementary OS, unfortunately, more complicated for those who were used to using the previous version. We no longer have an application center capable of searching for non-graphic packages, just like Gnome Software on Ubuntu, we were unable to install .deb applications natively and the addition of PPAs, plus another major disadvantage, which was The loss is the application for driver management, something that is essential in my view.
Of course, all of these cons can be overcome if the elementary AppCenter design, but by then, the system has turned out to be a good thing for enthusiasts or extremely lay people and will get a set up and ready system, nothing more. The system needs to regain practicality features that it once had.
Let's see how elementary OS develops this year.
2 – Remix OS
For those who don't know very well yet, Remix OS is a Chinese-origin Linux distribution based on Android x86, a project that is increasingly stoned and looking for the desktop user experience on an Android system.
The great advantage of Remix OS is the vast collection of apps, since you can basically explore the whole of Google Play, meaning the lack of Apps is not a challenge, the big issue is that not all Apps are able to interact efficiently with keyboard and mouse, to work around this, Remix OS developers have created various tools that will tweak Apps to bring you more comfort, such as gravity sensor simulators. Check out our video about Remix OS.
The big bet: Remix OS has recently announced an extremely interesting feature for those with compatible smartphones. Remix Singularity is a feature similar to Microsoft Continuum and Ubuntu's converged mode, allowing a Smartphone with Remix OS to be connected via an HDMI to a monitor and bring the Remix OS desktop interface to the user, bringing an experience. It's pretty much definitive for anyone who wants an Android PC and still keeps the computer in their pocket, having an experience just like any other Android under this condition.
The big challenge: The big challenge for Remix OS, in my opinion, is to make it easier to install the system permanently on computer hard drives / SSDs, although it is currently possible to do so, installation is far behind any other famous Linux distribution, even though Remix OS can run well from a flash drive, many people would like to use it this way and still can't, at least not easily.
Another major difficulty we must note is the lack of proprietary drivers, as unlike the "traditional" Linux distros, Android has always been built for specific hardware by the manufacturers, dispensing with the user handling their drivers, something totally different from the target audience. Remix OS, which is just computers. Currently Remix OS can only work with open source drivers, maybe the adoption of the Vulkan API helps in this respect, but a point to be sure to improve on, plus the option to work with multi-monitor and control screen resolution too. leaves something to be desired today.
And last but not least, we have applications that are not designed to be used with a mouse, or without sensors. This is a much more complicated fight to win as we will have to have the developers intent on developing apps that fit the desktop as well as mobile.
3 – Ubuntu
It's hard to make a list about Linux and not to fit Ubuntu into some segment, given the vast amount of activities involved in Linux that has become the synonymous distraction of Linux for many people, especially those outside the "Linux world" (curious, isn't it? ). But the fact that Ubuntu 17.04 comes next month of April and will bring some very interesting things, however, we must not forget that in October we will have another release, this should further enhance the long awaited Unity 8.
The big bet: We have two interesting things to watch for Ubuntu, maybe even 3. The first one is the evolution of Unity 8, which still doesn't please many people, including me, but it is still something really new in this Linux world, where we will have the convergence between devices and interfaces. The second point is that Snap packages are reaching a good maturity and integrating with other system features, such as the App Center that can now install Snaps via internet links, making it easy to install and distribute, and already have several Applications packaged in this way, the number keeps growing, it really looks like the format pleased the developers.
Finally, another big news to keep an eye on Mir, the graphics server. It comes bundled with Unity 8, which will once again be the alternate graphical interface in Ubuntu 17.04, allowing users to test the new interface without any problems. All the Wayland implementations I've seen so far have not been extremely successful, but even so, I've seen more about him than Mir, so I'm looking forward to seeing Ubuntu's new graphics server distill its performance and surprise everyone, or … be a total failure, let's see what happens.
The big challenge: I am a longtime Ubuntu user and have seen the system go through ups and downs and eventually find its way. Today Ubuntu is renowned, has one of the best internet content support for Linux distros, has versions with virtually all interfaces and versions for many different platforms, but one thing the system has lost over time is It's the feature of being the easiest Linux distribution for beginners, a title Ubuntu has boasted for a few years.
Software additions and exclusions and the focus on Unity 8 development and its entire ecosystem eventually took the attention of Ubuntu developers, causing distros like Linux Mint to take the place of the system as the "easier" distro for Linux newbies. . Of course, Ubuntu is not difficult, far from it, but compared to Mint, we can clearly see that the "green" system has features that make life easier for a "penguin system" for the first time.
Something else needs a revamped system theme, however, with the arrival of Unity 8 the design will change and many things will tend to change, so perhaps that step is already being taken.
4 – Linux Mint
It seems that Linux Mint has gone from its biggest phase of innovation and at the moment the distribution is in the process of being polished, following the idea of ​​maintaining a traditional desktop and adding functions that make the end-user life easier, the system has become one of the great ones. options for those who come in Windows especially.
Linux Mint has pretty much everything these days, to the point of risking saying that the biggest flaw of the system "is not Ubuntu". This means that Linux Mint excels in many respects, but not being as popular as the older brother, not owning a company behind them to create business partnerships and bring the system embedded in store-sold computers and especially, not having the same strong brand, it eventually "stalls" Linux Mint in a somewhat complicated position to quit.
The big bet: While not having a similar company supporting it, such as Canonical with Ubuntu, Mint does have some serious work being done and the search for more devices that already bring the pre-installed system into consideration, but different from other systems that I commented here, I did not see in Linux Mint (so far) no big news way, however, the big bet here is precisely the sedimentation of Linux Mint as a major Linux distros this year, so I believe that some measures should be taken, only them:
The big challenge: The main thing, in my opinion, is not to confuse traditionalism with lack of innovation. Linux Mint has the challenge of maintaining its traditionalist desktop vision but at the same time creating and enhancing its design even further, going beyond adapting a desktop theme and an icon theme, as it happened, that Although they are beautiful, they still seem little to a distro with so much potential, perhaps they should be inspired by the fifth place on my list.
Another big change should be made in the Application Center, it is very visually lagged, yet fully functional. Obviously, if you have to opt for the look or functionality, you'll always opt for the functionality, but is it so hard to have both?
The big challenge of Mint (could take "Linux" from the name of the distro would also become more commercial) become relevant for software developers, as what we have in most cases are applications developed for Ubuntu that consequently work on. Linux Mint is not developed applications thinking about it. It may sound silly, but for a regular user to go to Steam or the Google Chrome website to download applications and find indications that the Ubuntu and Linux Mint compatible system is an important factor, including, this is a good thermometer. relevance to the district, when your name is mentioned on the software download sites we will know that Mint has earned the relevance it deserves. On Mega's website for example, we have a reference to it.
5 – Deepin
Deepin, I say without fear of making a mistake, the Linux distribution, along with the elementary OS that was also on our list, which has the best visual finish in the Linux world, has no equal!
The Chinese-origin distribution, like the Remix OS I mentioned earlier, is based on Debian and has a growing community of developers and users, maintained by a company called Wuhan Deepin Technology. Deepin has only two concerns, system beauty and ease of use and configuration, all very intuitive and easy to set up and use, plus the system is not ashamed to give users the applications that people like the most. distro already comes with Google Chome, Spotify, Skype, WPS Office, etc.
The big bet: For 2017 I see Deepin as the beginning of a great revolution, I seriously consider becoming a Deepin user if some of the things I will comment on next are adjusted. Deepin bets on a minimalist interface that can reshape and appeal to users of Windows 10 and MacOS with a neat finish, animations, icons, own interface and programs and a very complete Application Center, I believe it's even the best native repository Of all distributions, too, it is an option that certainly appeals to most users.
One of the recent improvements I could see in the current Deepin Beta release is the improved installation process, it is even more intuitive and beautiful, again, I venture to say that the most beautiful system installer in the current Linux world.
The big challenge: Despite having several good points, Deepin still has some that stand against it and need to be improved. Because it is not so popular, there are not so many mirrors of system packages around the world, so that, especially here in Brazil, we eventually have a slow time to download updates and the like.
The Application Center, which in addition to the rich in Apps is very beautiful, still has some flaws, certain packages cannot be found, such as applications from the KDE project, such as Kdenlive. Since Deepin is based on Debian, adding a specific PPA, which could get around the problem, is not so simple, however, although Kdenlive does not appear in the App Center, it can be installed via the command line, ie it It is in the repository but does not appear in the store, a curious bug that already lasts some versions.
Another problem, perhaps due to the more conservative Debian base as well, is the difficulty of installing the latest versions of video drivers on the system. Deepin has a graphic driver manager, which is great, but the driver versions are not the latest yet, which is extremely important for those who use the computer to play too, besides, it already comes with Steam installed as well. Another interesting thing is that you could have a live DVD version so we can test before installing, since ISO only has the installation mode.
These are my high expectations for this year …
… and all of them have a chance of surprise, I would not bet on a specific distro because there are several good initiatives, I'll be watching everything from the box, and you?
I would like to make an honorable mention here too for the Anthergos, a distraction derived from Arch Linux, a few years ago I learned that Antergos developers were developing an Application Center for the system that would be able to manage applications graphically and intuitively using the missing AUR repository. in the arch world. I have not received more information about the project, I hope it has not died, but it would be a great surprise for this year.
And you, do you agree with the list? What else would you add as a system with innovative potential for 2017?
Use the comments below to participate and see you next time!
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