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Topics - biffster

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1
Beta Testing / Beta Sign up 2.0 - winter 2022
« on: November 03, 2022, 08:55:50 PM »
Ok folks, details to follow soon, but after a long hiatus, we are close to releasing a new wattOS finally. Several core members of the team have been testing for a couple of weeks, and we are ready to have others test out privately.

Please email beta@planetwatt.com to express your interest.

Only requirement is that you have a forum account, and do not share the beta ISO elsewhere.

More screens, info and web site updates to come in the next few days!

tks...biff

2
Beta Testing / New Dog - New Tricks
« on: February 14, 2021, 11:02:24 PM »
Built in launcher to automatically find apps, switch apps, and desktops


3
News and Announcements / wattOS video for beta
« on: February 08, 2021, 04:28:06 AM »
More info in the coming days including more videos, news, screens, and dates for all the lightweight Linux goodness.

Watch the intro at YouTube for a little history and info https://youtu.be/y2ksffwwqzM

Look for more info in the Beta forums about details and software, and testing goodness. :)

4
Beta Testing / Screens
« on: February 06, 2021, 06:47:50 AM »
Random screens here by the team or beta testers - share your flair, strangeness, or errors.


5
Beta Testing / Beta Sign-ups
« on: February 06, 2021, 06:36:48 AM »
If you want to sign up to beta test the new wattOS R12 - please send an email to beta@planetwatt.com - with your name, forum name, and preferred email for communications.

Once the beta release date is announced in the next couple weeks we will list the relevant topic areas here, and list of beta testers forum names here. You must have a forum account name (which we will share here) and valid email address (which we will not share).

6
News and Announcements / wattOS Returns!
« on: February 04, 2021, 07:26:16 AM »
Greetings all,

I am pleased to announce that wattOS is intending to return with a new release. There will be details posted shortly along with a brief video :) - watch social media and here for details as they emerge over the next week, and a few details as well as opportunity to join in on the beta of the new release...

This is a bit of a "soft" reopening for the moment to get things in order, but we will really open up things in the next week with more of the juicy details you want to know.

Tell your friends, dig out your old computers to bring them back to life for wattOS!

biff

7
wattOS R11 / Early pics inbound
« on: April 06, 2018, 03:24:38 AM »
Because everyone likes pics...just keep in mind ..subject to change of course.

Active work on R11 desktop

8
wattOS R10 / R10 downloads
« on: November 28, 2017, 05:41:04 PM »
Greetings all,

Noticed that a couple of the "direct" download links for R10 isos are having issues (because of the web sites they are on) - I will get that fixed over the next day or two...In the interim, use the bittorrent links for downloads please. :)

tks
biff

9
wattOS R11 / General Announcement
« on: March 25, 2017, 04:56:26 PM »
Hi all ! This is the area were the information on wattOS R11 will live.

We will be changing things up with development this time around as I would like a more transparent process, and to actually hit a release date. :) - Those of you who have been around know that has been sometimes a moving target. In any case, look for updates here next week on how that works. I have plans to put up a Kanban board that members can view and look at the development progress, programs, dates, and other information relative to wattOS.

Thanks for the patience, and support as always. Its a bit of a thankless job for folks here in the forums sometimes, but its always appreciated.

10
News Archives / wattOS review on Ubuntu User magazine
« on: March 25, 2017, 04:43:01 PM »
Cool :) - just got pinged that R10 was reviewed in Ubuntu User magazine. (see pic) - Head on over and support the magazine or article at least (.99 cents for the article PDF)

I think it was a fair review other than the dates which were slightly wrong...since wattOS has been released since 2008 and on distrowatch since 2010...(they stated 2013).

Link to magazine....scroll down to find the actual article if you dont want to buy the whole mag - https://www.ubuntu-user.com/Magazine/Current-Issue

Timely since we are going to start discussing wattOS-R11 :) - fun times.


11
wattOS R10 / All-Call-LiveChat Saturday 11-5-2016 12PM PDT
« on: November 01, 2016, 11:29:18 PM »
Calling all nerds and wattOS people. We will be holding a "live" chat on Saturday 11-5 and 12PM PDT - The primary purpose is to discuss a wishlist/needs for documentation and information for the wiki, forums, web site, etc.

Head to https://wattos.rocket.chat/ to register and join the live chat when it begins.

The goal here is to get feedback on what is needed most and what format is preferable. After the online chat the wattOS admin team will circle the wagons and go over a prioritized list so we can layout a plan to get it done, and update what needs done. I cannot do it myself, so help will be needed and a list of priorities will help do that....and we can also spend some time talking futures, big wishes, etc. :)

Should be fun :)

biff

12
wattOS R10 / Official-Microwatt-R10-Info
« on: September 19, 2016, 09:55:39 PM »
****EDIT****
Microwatt R10 has been released...go get it and play! . Blog post is here http://planetwatt.com/new/index.php/2016/09/23/microwatt-r10-released/

Downloads are here http://planetwatt.com/new/index.php/downloads/

YouTube video overview is here - strongly suggest watching for initial tips https://youtu.be/cU0Efw1kfos

Will be sending pertinent info to distrowatch tonight...will likely/maybe get posted in the next 24-48 hours also. Look for other notes and ramblings shortly.

**known issues**

The installer issues/notes are the name as R10 LXDE
The USB device issue (mice/keyboards) should not be an issue here
The additional software installs should not be an issue here (at least in the testing done - with other software from the repos like VLC, etc - all seemed to behave as expected)
The default icon set in Microwatt "Delta" is an old ICON set and not fully complete, so you may seem some strangeness with it as root and as sudo in some apps, but its very lightweight, and its presumed most will change to what they want. (more details on that tomorrow)
keyboard shortcuts are important obviously....The youtube video will help until the website and wiki get updated. Will really try to make sure important stuff related to Microwatt gets done tomorrow for the wiki so people can navigate. the basics below help most for moving around.

+++++++++++++++++will also post an update on the "why" behind what we have done with Microwatt (EG. why so minimal, and lacking some creature comforts)++++++++++++++++++

Microwatt - basic help file info -
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The "windows" symbol key
is the "mod" key for the shortcuts listed.

Pressing the mod key and then the second key
will initiate the action indicated.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
mod+g - opens a run dialog where you can enter a
program name (with tab completion for hints) to
launch the corresponding application.

You can run programs as root here also by prefacing the command with gksu - for example 'gksu synaptic' will prompt for a password then launch the software manager with root privileges to install software.

mod+f - opens the file manager
mod+b - opens the web browser
mod+shift+f - opens a root(admin) file manager
mod+l to lock the screen
(then just enter password directly to unlock)
mod+shift+Q - closes any focused window
(focused windows are one with your mouse over it)
mod+f9 to turn off touchpad on laptop
mod+f10 to turn on touchpad on laptop
mod+number key (1-10) will make another desktop
that you can switch to
mod+shift+number key will move focused window
to that desktop
mod+shift+e will log you out of the session
mod+shift+p will power down immediately
**no prompts just shutdown...be careful**

lower right corner has network manager you can
click on to configure network/wireless

mouse pointer over status bar "VOL" letters
and mouse wheel up/down adjust volume


****EDIT****


Look here for the Microwatt info. I previously stated R10 would be released by the 19th (today). Looks like I might be a day or two tardy. Wrapping up 32bit today and 64bit tomorrow. Little QA and testing then release. So expect another update tomorrow or late tonight. There are some differences with Microwatt obviously, and I will expand on that in a blog post and here in the forums. (both technical and philosophical :) )

tks....biff

13
wattOS R10 / wattOS-R10 and the Mouse who slept
« on: September 02, 2016, 04:49:21 PM »
So there have been several reports related to USB mice and issues with sleeping or not being recognized, etc. There is likely a simple fix, so give it a try.

- First when reporting a problem, details are helpful. There are thousands of combinations out there. I happen to have 4 logitech bluetooth mice on my various systems, and none of them exhibit the problems reported on wattOS R10 32 and 64bit (i tested). Also does not seem to bother trackpads...so USB mice. (I tested 2 desktops and 4 laptops prior)

- So I dug around and found an old Microsoft bluetooth mouse, and was able to replicate the behavior.

- Teejay has noted a couple of links that will likely fix your problem by getting into the weeds a little. I have not tested those on wattOS, but have used in previous releases and works fine. Again related to blacklisting your specific USB-HID device, or port.

OR

- You can go the simple route. Screenshot is below, and the popup dialog that goes with it is kinda funny if you read it.

    - In any case, open the menu, Go to "System Tools"  - Then "Laptop Mode Tools Configuration"
    - Enter your password when prompted - click ok when it says your running as root.
    - UN-check the "Enable Module runtime-pm" - (see screenshot)
    - Click on OK - then OK again - Close the app
    - Reboot your system
    - Your mouse should no longer go to sleep



This method fixed my misbehaving Microsoft mouse that was doing was has been reported. It might also fix the "not responsive mouse" at boot also - but try it and let us know.

** Also on a unrelated note - We have always prided ourselves on being a "kind" community - helpful, etc. Lets please continue to be that way please. I have received several direct messages from people that have not been so. Things like "what a joke", etc. ** Its not productive or appreciated. If you want to be "leet" go install Arch or Gentoo (which I ran both for several years) and let them tell you to RTFM. Its highly likely any problem you run in to has already been found, and someone will know the answer. AND we can share the answer in a way that is helpful to all. **

- Steps off soapbox -

14
wattOS R10 / wattOS-R10-overview video
« on: September 01, 2016, 08:18:49 PM »
Here is a youtube clip of the R10-desktop and the basics for those of you who like videos :)

https://youtu.be/aM6hf3U1e6Y

15
wattOS R10 / wattOS-R10-released
« on: September 01, 2016, 09:59:53 AM »
Greetings all - rather than be completely duplicative - below are the basics. Head on over to the downloads and get your copy.

Torrents have been uploaded to Linux Tracker - seeding has begun - Direct downloads are available also.

Head here http://planetwatt.com/new/index.php/2016/09/01/wattos-r10-released/ for the details

Downloads here http://planetwatt.com/new/index.php/downloads/

As I mentioned on another post, there will be a slight delay in Microwatt as its not up to par yet, so look for that announcement as well soon. (probably a few days to a week). but the LXDE 32 and 64bit versions are available now.

- Will be sending an update to distrowatch - Once that goes public, there is always a chance that the websites could get knocked offline as I deal with this yearly with my hosting provider. I have done some things to mitigate that (cloudflare), but it still could happen, so if the website or downloads are offline, thats likely why as there is a storm for a few days once distrowatch picks up the release. So please be patient....(its a good thing :) )

***A couple of known issues*** and I will add them to the wiki once I get a few hours of sleep :)  - First two are not entirely new, but new people might now know as these are common problems.
- Installer works with whole drive encryption (LVM) but breaks if you choose home directory encryption on install - so either encrypt the whole thing, or encrypt home after install. (will put instructions on wiki on how to do that)
- Installer will break if you try to download updates/third party software while installing - since there is already flash and streaming/music support, you don't really need to do that anyway, but for those who like to check all the boxes - you have been warned :)
- Web browser will be slow to launch the first time - (only on liveCD and first time after install). I left the settings default for firefox, so it opens two tabs which takes more resources of course and loads some content. I did this to leave firefox completely stock from a settings/privacy/homepage standpoint so users can decide what privacy settings/home page they want, etc. rather than undoing something. Again will be slow first launch of liveCD and first time after install, but once that is done - it will be normal.
- CD images are a little bigger - I added DKMS and broadcom chipset support to cast a wider net for wireless chipsets so people are not stuck on the LiveCD with no wireless, or suddenly no wireless after install. This should help some of that as the expense of having to add some additional libraries.
- Microwatt delay - as noted above. Its coming, but the installer was a bit too dodgy (50/50 success rate) to release, so I decided LXDE now and Microwatt once it gets better :)



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