Ubuntu Netbook Edition remixed for ARM-based smartbooks

Ubuntu Netbook Edition is a version of the popular Ubuntu Linux operating system that’s been optimized to play well with netbooks with small screens and low power processors. So far the Ubuntu Netbook folks have focused primarily on machines with Intel Atom processors — which covers most of the netbooks currently on the market. But with a number of smartbooks with ARM-based processors poised to hit the streets soon, the folks behind Ubuntu Netbook Edition wanted to make sure the OS could support a wider range of hardware.

Ubuntu developer Jamie Bennett says the primary stumbling block was the fact that the Ubuntu Netbook user interface needed 3D hardware drivers, which aren’t necessarily available for all ARM-based chipsets at the moment. So they rewrote the user interface for the ARM version of Ubuntu Netbook Edition to use 2D Enlightenment Foundation Libraries instead of 3D hardware support to provide graphical effects.

The long and short of it is, that most users won’t be able to see a difference between the Ubuntu Netbook Edition user interface on an ARM or x86-based device. The changes will all be under the hood. As an added bonus, the EFL-based version of the program launcher is easier to theme than the current 3D program launcher.

via Slashdot

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Posted on Thursday, February 18th, 2010, 9:09 am by Brad Linder
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  • Anon
    Now, if they would get rid of any MONO, then that would be wonderful.
    Until then, what about Kubuntu on these netbooks instead, as Kubuntu Netbook Remix has NO MONO (note, that mono is a knock off of .Net, and Microsoft has patented all that and Ubuntu has no license from Microsoft so, users are at risk of infringing on MS IP if they use MONO without paying the MS tax.
  • Shame it was mere eye-candy that delayed it. You can switch off all the fancy effects, and if that still needs 3D hardware support, there's something badly amiss... Plain Ubuntu works just fine on my P3/500 clunker of a circa-1998 laptop, just won't let me turn on the special effects, presumably for that reason. I really can't imagine UNE requires anything more, it's only a bunch of off-the-shelf UI tweaks on top of the basic system.
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