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    The Independence distribution

 

Abstract

Independence is a Linux distribution aiming to make Linux easier to use and attractive for non-nerds.   It  is developped by volunteers on a not for profit base.   It is copyright by its authors according to terms of GPL version 2.

Ideas implemented in present version (5.2-0.1)

• We took a RedHat 5.2 and we try to improve it.  The 0.1 refers to the Independence part.  Independence is work in progress and should be considered alpha.
• Networking is the only source of help for an isolated user.   These tend to use PPP.  We included mail and news clients who work well with PPP, in particular in those countries where phone time is gold.  We also added a graphic IRC client and an attractive FTP client (Wxftp).
• Beginners need to read doc isn't it?  Postscript viewers default to nearly unreadable output.  We fixed this. We also upgraded to Ghostscript 5.10 and added a True Type font server.
• RTFM is difficult for users who don't know where is the info or how to use the tool for reading it.  Instead we should have the info going to the user.   We used this concept to ensure the user knows how to reboot in emergencies.   In next release this will allow to use XDM mode as the default.   We also plan to use this concept in other areas.
• Linux needs a good GUI so we added KDE.  Future releases will provide Gnome too.  We also included some easy application sofware: the FileRunner file manager, the free Maxwell word processor and people allergic to VI get a nice editor (Cooledit).
• A new user is often overwhelmed by problemsso we tried to make the apps as plug and play as possible.  In particular we allow a clean install (neither hand or automatic edits) of KDE, X fonts or font servers and widget specific resources (needed by neXtAw).  When you start X, you get KDE if it is installed and the classic interface if it isn't.  You don't even need to logout.
• Being fun for programmers is not enough.  We included software for artistic creation be it music (Rosegarden, timidity) or images (Povray, the Moonlight modeller,  Sane 1.0,  Gimp 1.0.2).  Of course we added some games too.
• If the user has to boot Windows for tasks as mundane as managing his check book then Linux will remain a toy for him.   We included software for real life and hobbies unrelated to programming.
• There are areas where Linux does not have adequate software so we added Wine.  Next time we will try to add the special X configuration who allows playing DirectX games using Wine and Linux.   We also added a viewer of MS Word files.


The complete list of the additional packages in Independence is available  here

Bugs

• This is an alpha release.
• It only implements a small part of what we have in mind
• A number of the programs included are not at the latest version.
• The installation is vanilla RedHat with names changed for copyright reasons.   There is room for improvement.   In the other hand we think the real problem is not installing Linux but using  it.

Forthcoming

The following version will focus on solving the cron problem on adding Gnome
in providing servers more adequate for small companies (present ones are an overkill) and in an easier PPP configuration than allowed by RedHat tools.