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Moblin Beta 2 evolves into a capable Linux option for netbooks
Developers continue to push ahead with Moblin - the fast-booting Linux distribution aimed at providing a better instant-on experience. Today marks the official release of Beta 2, and it's taking shape rather nicely.
The user interface has been completely overhauled, transforming the Moblin experience from a stark, minimal Linux desktop into a more HP MIE-like experience. Hover at the top edge of your screen and the main menu appears, providing access to programs, settings, and files. There's even a built-in Twitter status updater and IM support for Jabber, GTalk, and Salut.
Moblin's web browser is built on Mozilla and tweaked with an Opera-style speed dial display for new tabs. And of course there's a media player included for browsing photos, listening to music, or checking out movies on your tiny portable.
The new M-Zone displays appointments, calendar entries, and tasks, and allows users to customize their start page with commonly used applications and URLs (speed dial entries automatically appear). The pasteboard is another nice touch, and makes gathering and managing snippets easy.
All in all, the project has come a long way in a short time span and it's starting to look like a solid Linux alternative for Intel-powered netbooks and notebooks. It ran extremely well on my 15.4" Toshiba guinea pig.
(check in later for more updates after the break)
More cool features in beta 2:
- data sync, which support Funambol, Memotoo, ScheduleWorld, and Synthesis
- games: Neverball, Neverputt, and Frozen Bubble (can haz Wormux?)
- web services support in M_Zone for Twitter and Last.Fm - with more likely coming
Comments
6
Subscribe to commentsadam1driftMay 19th 2009 5:46PM
looks nice... dont know that I'll ever use it... but maybe good for school kids or something... maybe for a netbook for my daughter... as long as its cheep that is
rothgarMay 19th 2009 7:11PM
Wow that is quite a upgrade in the UI. Now how do I install that on anything I want?
Time to sign on to IRC and start reading.
motangMay 19th 2009 10:03PM
Wow...that looks beautiful. I shall try to check it out and see how it run, hopefully it will be functional as the UI makes sense for a netbook.
alexMay 19th 2009 10:35PM
it is a maajor pain in the butt to try and get this!! the website has broken links to the images, and all the old releases and tools are nowhere to be seen. it is also hopelessly missing from every torrent and software site. if anyone can find this image can you please contact me?
Johny ChanMay 19th 2009 11:34PM
... impossible to dl.. tried 2 times... errored on both.. different file size.. NEAT
shaxberdMay 20th 2009 3:08AM
Tried this yesterday, getting it onto a pendrive is a pain in the a**, not to mention the fact that it sure as hell does NOT support every intel-vga powered note/netbook.
but hey, at least i could download that img file properly =D