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{{Short description|Free computer operating system}}
{{POV-check|date=April 2008}}
{{ infobox OS
{{Infobox OS
| name = OpenGeu
| name = OpenGEU
| logo = [[Image:OpenGEU-Logo-Sunshine.jpg | 200px]]
| screenshot = [[File:OpenGEU Morning Sunshine.gth.png|300px]]
| screenshot = [[Imge:OpenGEU-LN.jpg | 250px]]
| logo = Sunshine logo.png
| caption = An OpenGEU 7.10 Luna Nuova Screenshot
| caption = An ''OpenGEU'' 9.10 Quarto di Luna Morning Sunshine screenshot
| developer = [http://thedarkmaster.wordpress.com Luca De Marini (AKA TheDarkMaster)]
| developer = Luca De Marini
| family = [[Linux]]
| family = [[Linux]] ([[Unix-like]])
| source_model = [[Free and open source software]]
| source_model = [[Open-source software|Open source]]
| language = <!--Bad link removed-->
| latest_release_version = 7.10
| kernel_type = [[Monolithic kernel|Monolithic]]
| latest_release_date = [[January 21]], [[2008]]
| ui = [[Enlightenment (window manager)|Enlightenment]] plus [[GNOME]]
| latest_test_version = OpenGEU 8.10 Luna Crescente
| latest_test_date = [[May 01]], 2008
| working_state = No longer active
| language = [[#Multilingual|multilingual]]
| website = {{URL|opengeu.intilinux.com}}
| kernel_type = [[Monolithic kernel]]
| supported_platforms = [[IA-32]], [[x86-64]]
| updatemodel =
| ui = [[Enlightenment (window manager)|Enlightenment]] plus [[Gnome]]
| working_state = Current
| website = [http://opengeu.intilinux.com/Home.html www.opengeu.com]
| supported_platforms = [[i386]], [[64 bit]]
| updatemodel =
| package_manager = [[apt-get]], using the [[Synaptic]] [[GTK]] frontend
}}
}}
'''OpenGEU''' was a free computer [[operating system]] based upon the popular [[Ubuntu]] [[Linux distribution]], which in turn is based on [[Debian]]. OpenGEU combined the strengths and ease of use of [[GNOME]] [[desktop environment]] with the lightweight, and graphical eye candy features of the [[Enlightenment window manager]] to create a unique and user-friendly desktop. While OpenGEU was originally derived from Ubuntu, the design of the user gave it a significantly different appearance, with original art themes, software and tools.


==Geubuntu==
'''OpenGEU''', previously known as Geubuntu, is a [[Linux distribution]] derived from [[Ubuntu (operating system)|Ubuntu]] trying to unify the ease of use of the [[Desktop Environment]] [[Gnome]] with the speed, lightness and bidimensional graphical effects richness (animations, [[real transparency]] and more) of the [[Enlightenment]] [[Window Manager]].
Initially called Geubuntu (a mix of GNOME, Enlightenment and Ubuntu), OpenGEU was an unofficial re-working of Ubuntu. The name change from Geubuntu to OpenGEU occurred on 21 January 2008 in order to remove the "-buntu" suffix from its name. This was done in respect for Ubuntu's own trademark policies, which require all officially recognized Ubuntu derivatives to be based upon software found only in the official Ubuntu repositories–a criterion not met by OpenGEU.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ubuntu.com/aboutus/trademarkpolicy |title=Intellectual property rights policy &#124; Canonical |publisher=Ubuntu.com |date=2013-05-14 |accessdate=2013-11-12}}</ref>
The latest version, OpenGEU 7.10 Luna Nuova (literally, [New Moon|Moon Phases]), is based on Ubuntu 7.10, while the next version in development, codename [[Moon Phase|Luna Crescente]], will be based on Ubuntu 8.10 the Hardy Heron.


==Installation==
==Installation==
[[Image:OpenGEU 7.10 2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|OpenGEU Luna Nuova, Tema Sunshine]]
[[Image:OpenGEU LC m01.jpg|thumb|right|OpenGEU Luna Crescente Moonlight theme]]
[[Image:OpenGEU 7.10 3.jpg|thumb|right|250px|OpenGEU Luna Nuova, Tema Moonlight]]
[[Image:OpenGEU LC M02 1.jpg|thumb|right|OpenGEU Luna Crescente Moonlight theme with a few windows open]]
[[Image:Geubuntu.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Geubuntu Prima Luna con il tema di Default]]
The distribution is available as DesktopCD, so that it can be used either as [[LiveCD]] or installed on a PC. The installation is almost identical to the Ubuntu's one, because it uses the program "Ubuiquity".


Installation of OpenGEU was generally performed via a [[Live CD]], which allowed the user to first test OpenGEU on their system prior to installation (albeit with a performance limit from loading applications off the disk). This is particularly useful for testing hardware compatibility and driver support. The CD also contained the Ubiquity installer, which guided the user through the permanent installation process. Due to the fact that OpenGEU used "Ubiquity," the installation process was nearly identical to that of Ubuntu.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fullcirclemagazine.org/issue-9/ |title=Issue 9 « Full Circle Magazine |publisher=Fullcirclemagazine.org |date= 25 January 2008|accessdate=2013-11-12}}</ref> Alternatively, users could download a disk image of the CD from an online source which could then be written to a physical medium or run from a hard drive via [[UNetbootin]]. Another option was to add the OpenGEU repositories to an established Ubuntu-based system and install OpenGEU via the [[Advanced Packaging Tool|package manager]].
==Software available for instant download ([[repositories]])==
Being an Ubuntu based distribution, the software available for instant download is almost the same available for the original [[distro]], anyway, more repositories directly created by the development team of OpenGEU are pre-installed in the distribution's sources. A big number of [[E17]] experimental software has been compiled, [[debianize|debianized] and uploaded in the [[repos]] for the user to try and experiment on his own; there are also a number of softwares directly developed by the OpenGEU team (such as the OpenGEU themes manager).


==Programs==
==Software installed on the LiveCD==
===Default environment===
The software installed on the Live CD is coming both from the world of Gnome and Enlightenment. All the software from the Enlightenment window manager is still marked as development beta version (E17 itself is still a beta).
As described above, OpenGEU includes software from both the GNOME and Enlightenment projects. Unlike Ubuntu, which uses [[Metacity]] or [[Compiz]] 3D, OpenGEU used [[Enlightenment DR17]] as its primary window manager for its rich two-dimensional features, such as real transparency and desktop animation options. Starting with OpenGEU 8.10 Luna Serena, a port of Compiz called [[Compositing window manager#List of compositing window managers|Ecomorph]] has been available for 3D effects, as well.


===Themes manager===
==Window Manager and graphics==
Starting with OpenGEU 8.04.1 Luna Crescente, the GEUTheme application became default in the distribution. This is a tool that displays a list of installed OpenGEU themes to the user, enabling the user to browse through them and select one with one-click ease. GEUTheme could fetch new themes from the internet or from an expansion CD for the user. The tool had some advanced customization abilities–it helping the user to install and customize many aspects of their OpenGEU desktop environment (including [[Computer icon|icon]] themes, [[GTK+]], <abbr title="Enlightenment ToolKit">ETK</abbr>, [[Enlightenment DR17|E17]], <abbr title="Enlightened Widget Library">EWL</abbr> themes, wallpapers, fonts, etc.). It was also possible for the user to create new OpenGEU themes, as well as to export, import, and share them. The creation of this tool marked the first availability of a Desktop Effects Manager, similar to that of Ubuntu, for an Enlightenment desktop. This tool was incorporated into the GEUTheme application.
OpenGEU uses Enlightenment DR17 as its main Window Manager, while Ubuntu uses Gnome as an entire Desktop Manager and Metacity for the window management (in Ubuntu you can also use [[Compiz]] if you have a [[3D]] enabled [[video card]] and if your computer matches the hardware requests needed by Compiz). The main reason why the OpenGEU's author decided to use Enlightenment rather than Gnome is that Gnome is far slower than Enlightenment, it is heavier on the [[CPU]] and therefore, E17 can run perfectly even on a very old PC, pretty much as [[XFCE]] 4 does. On the other side, Gnome has far more development years behind it and is considered way stabler than the experimental Enlightenment DR17.
<br>E17 is also very rich of [[two dimensional]] effects such as [[animation|animations]], real transparency, even the [[desktop]] can be animated and all of this comes without the need of a 3D card or a powerful computer at all. That's why OpenGEU manages to obtain particular graphic effects on pretty any machine and is therefore recommended specially for slower computers or virtual machines. Ubuntu has chosen Compiz to provide users a nicer desktop experience than the plain Gnome, but this comes with the need of a 3D card and a reasonably recent computer. OpenGEU focuses on reducing hardware needs instead, in fact it even provides two different ways to enable [[Compositing window manager|compositing]] effects without the need of any particular hardware or driver. This choice made a big number of Linux users consider various alternatives rather than the normal Ubuntu and OpenGEU is now well known for being a valid 2D only compiz-like, desktop effects rich distribution.<br>
Enlightenment DR17, though, is still in [[beta]] stage of [[development]] and in any case it is designed to be at most a [[Desktop Shell]], a rich set of [[software library|libraries]] and not an entire desktop environment. The primary OpenGEU concept is therefore that of building a complete and easy for everyone to use E17 desktop, filling all of the missing parts in E17 with gnome tools while always trying to focus on the speed of the distribution, so that it will always be usable on any machine.


===Additional components===
==OpenGEU Themes==
Since the distribution was an Ubuntu derivative, the range of available software was almost identical to that of Ubuntu and the other related Ubuntu projects. Additional repositories were created by the OpenGEU development team, and were pre-enabled for the distribution's use. Enlightenment 17 software was compiled, re-packaged in the [[Deb (file format)|.deb]] packaging format, and uploaded to the repositories and a number of new software packages were developed by the OpenGEU team itself: the OpenGEU Themes Manager, eTray, e17-settings-daemon and several E17 modules.
The E17 window manager uses a number of different libraries to render [[GUI]] applications and to make them work, therefore, to have the entire desktop share the same [[look]] with every application opened, it is necessary to develop themes for various libraries, using the same [[art]] and [[graphics]]. This is hard to do and requests a lot of time to be achieved, while in gnome all of the applications uses the default [[GTK]] libraries to [[render]] [[widgets]]. That's why OpenGEU developed a way to switch from a theme to another having every part of the desktop graphics change accordingly. OpenGEU themes, in other words, are just a set of sub-themes for all of the different libraries used in the distro, designed so that the user can't notice any change in the overall look when opening various applications.


==Themes==
====Sunshine and Moonlight====
The E17 window manager used a number of different libraries to render [[GUI]] applications. To ensure every application shares the same look on the desktop, it was necessary to develop themes for various libraries that utilize the same [[art]] and [[graphics]]. This was a difficult and time-consuming task compared to that of GNOME, where all the GTK+ applications use the same default [[GTK+]] libraries to [[Rendering (computer graphics)|render]] [[GUI widget|widgets]]. OpenGEU therefore developed a way to allow easy switching from one theme to another, and accordingly change the graphics of every desktop component at the same time. Every OpenGEU theme was also capable of changing the look of icon sets and wallpapers. In other words, OpenGEU themes were just a set of sub-themes for all of the different libraries used in the distribution (Edje, ETK, EWL, GTK+), designed so that the user would not notice any change in the appearance when opening their various chosen applications.
The two main themes of OpenGEU are Sunshine and Moonlight and since OpenGEU is presented as an artistic and [[estrous]] distro (E17 itself is considered as an alternative window manager designed from [[artist|artists]] to artists), these themes are promised to always be updated and available in the future as the main graphic aspect of OpenGEU. While for the new releases a number of extra themes are already in development, Sunshine and Moonlight are already a sort of main [[flag]] for the OpenGEU Linux distribution.


===Sunshine and Moonlight===
== External links==
OpenGEU was presented as an artistic distribution. The two main signature themes of OpenGEU were Sunshine and Moonlight. While Sunshine and Moonlight are considered the primary themes, there were also a number of alternative themes available.
*[http://opengeu.intilinux.com '''(EN)''' www.opengeu.com] - Official OpenGEU Home Page


==Release Notes==
==Project focus==
OpenGEU focused on reducing minimum hardware requirements, such as by providing two alternative methods to enable [[Compositing window manager|compositing]] effects without any particular hardware or driver requirement.
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0" align="left" summary="This Table remues the OpenGEU releases history" style=""

|+ OpenGEU versions Table
The primary OpenGEU concept was that of building a complete and universally accessible E17 desktop—filling all of the missing parts in E17 with GNOME tools, while maintaining the speed of the distribution–for usability on any system.

==Remixes==
OpenGeeeU 8.10 Luna Serena was released March 23, 2009. It's a version of OpenGEU modified to work on the [[Asus EeePC]]. OpenGeeeU 8.10 uses [[EasyPeasy]] as its platform, so it is optimized for [[netbook]]s and it includes all of the drivers and fixes needed for EeePC to work out of the box.<ref>[http://opengeu.intilinux.com/news/opengeeeu-8-04-1-live-cd-for-eeepc-released] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325192802/http://opengeu.intilinux.com/news/opengeeeu-8-04-1-live-cd-for-eeepc-released|date=March 25, 2010}}</ref>

==Release history==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ History of OpenGEU releases
|-
|-
! Version
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#f5f5f5" align="center" | '''Version'''
! Name
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#f5f5f5" align="center" | '''Name'''
! Release date
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#f5f5f5" align="center" | '''Release Date'''
! class="unsortable" | Description
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#f5f5f5" align="center" | '''Features and description'''
|-
|-
| {{version |o |7.04}}
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#ffcccc" align="center" | '''7.04'''
| width="20%" valign="middle" bgcolor="#fafafa" align="center" | Geubuntu Prima Luna
| Geubuntu Prima Luna
| 18 September 2007
| width="20%" valign="middle" bgcolor="#fafafa" align="center" | [http://thedarkmaster.wordpress.com/2007/09/18/geubuntu-704-prima-luna-has-been-released/ 18 Settembre 2007]
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#fafafa" align="center" | The first version ever released. The main innovation of this distro is the idea of using a big number of system and configuration tools taken from the Gnome worls together with the Enlightenment Window Manager. Geubuntu 7.04 includes [[Gnome Panel]] and [[Nautilus]] too.
| The first version ever released. The main innovation of this distro was the idea of using a big number of system and configuration tools taken from the Gnome world, together with the Enlightenment Window Manager. Geubuntu 7.04 included [[GNOME Panel]] and [[Nautilus (file manager)|Nautilus]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thedarkmaster.wordpress.com/2007/09/18/geubuntu-704-prima-luna-has-been-released |title=Geubuntu 7.04 Prima Luna has been released &#124; Il Pozzo Oscuro |publisher=Thedarkmaster.wordpress.com |date= |accessdate=2013-11-12}}</ref>
|-
|-
| {{version |o |7.10}}
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#ffcccc" align="center" | '''7.10'''
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#fafafa" align="center" | Geubuntu Luna Nuova
| Geubuntu Luna Nuova
| 6 December 2007
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#fafafa" align="center" | [http://opengeu.intilinux.com/News/Voci/2007/12/6_Geubuntu_Luna_Nuova_released.html 06 Dicembre 2007]
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#fafafa" align="center" | The second Geubuntu release comes with brand original Sunshine and Moonlight themes and it focuses much more tha the first release on [[eye-candy]] and speed. That's why it uses [[Thunar]] instead than the Nautilus [[File Manager]] and XFCE 4 Panel instead than Gnome Panel.
| The second GEUbuntu release came with brand new (and original) Sunshine and Moonlight themes and it focused much more than the first release on eye-candy and speed. It adopted [[Thunar]] instead of the Nautilus File Manager and Xfce 4 Panel instead of the GNOME Panel.<ref>[http://opengeu.intilinux.com/news/geubuntu-luna-nuova-released] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713050737/http://opengeu.intilinux.com/news/geubuntu-luna-nuova-released|date=July 13, 2011}}</ref>
|-
|-
| {{version |o |7.10}}
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#99ffcc" align="center" | '''7.10'''
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#fafafa" align="center" | OpenGEU Luna Nuova
| OpenGEU Luna Nuova
| 21 January 2008
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#fafafa" align="center" | [http://opengeu.intilinux.com/News/Voci/2008/1/21_OpenGEU_Luna_Nuova_released.html 21 Gennaio 2008]
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#fafafa" align="center" | This version was released shortly after the release of Geubuntu Luna Nuova and with this version Geubuntu changes name in OpenGEU for [[Copyrights]] reasons. [[Canonical|Canonical]] never asked for this change of name, it was a preventive initiative from the OpenGEU Team. [http://opengeu.intilinux.com/News/Voci/2008/1/13_Geubuntu_changes_in_OpenGEU.html Here's an official article if you wish to know more about this. Using the name change as an opportunity for releasing a new version, OpenGEU Luna Nuova is released and it is a far stabler distribution, many [[bugs|bug]] has been fixed. Another change is the use of [[FBPanel]] instead than XFCE Panel as the additional panel of the distro.
| This version was released shortly after the release of Geubuntu Luna Nuova and with this version Geubuntu changed its name to OpenGEU. Using the name change as an opportunity for releasing a new version, OpenGEU Luna Nuova is released and is a far more stable distribution, many [[Software bug|bugs]] have been fixed. Another change was the use of [[FBPanel]] instead than Xfce Panel as the additional panel of the distribution.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://opengeu.intilinux.com/news/opengeu-luna-nuova-released | title=OpenGEU Luna Nuova released|accessdate=April 28, 2017 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713050843/http://opengeu.intilinux.com/news/opengeu-luna-nuova-released |archivedate=July 13, 2011 }}</ref>
|-
|-
| {{version |o |8.04}}
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''8.04'''
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#fafafa" align="center" | OpenGEU Luna Crescente
| OpenGEU Luna Crescente
| 8 September 2008
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#fafafa" align="center" | ---
| OpenGEU Luna Crescente is based on [[Ubuntu version history#0804|Ubuntu 8.04.1]] (Hardy Heron). It introduced a lot of new software directly developed by the distribution team, like the OpenGEU Themes Manager (GEUTheme), an application called eTray (a system tray for Enlightenment, which lacked this kind of tool) some E17 modules like the Trash Bin (there was no trash bin whatsoever in Enlightenment before this) and Extramenu (a module that enables the user to add a custom menu, with submenus, to the standard E17 menu). With this release the OpenGEU team started compiling and managing their own repositories both for Enlightenment and the rest of the newly developed software. OpenGEU uses the default Ubuntu repositories too. With every OpenGEU release, new Sunshine and Moonlight themes have been developed and are used by default. With the release of GEUTheme, a lot more OpenGEU themes have been created and are available for download from the official repositories.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://opengeu.intilinux.com/news/opengeu-8-04-1-live-cd-released |title=OpenGEU 8.04.1 Live CD released|accessdate=May 3, 2017 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713051019/http://opengeu.intilinux.com/news/opengeu-8-04-1-live-cd-released |archivedate=July 13, 2011 }}</ref>
| valign="middle" bgcolor="#fafafa" align="center" | This version is now in development and promises to implement a lot of new features in the Gnome + Enlightenment desktop, with a lot of new applications directly developed from the OpenGEU team. More informations can be found on the [http://opengeuwiki-en.intilinux.com/index.php?title=Development_Wiki OpenGEU Development WIKI]].
|-
| {{version |c |8.10}}
| OpenGEU Luna Serena
| 12 February 2009
| Luna Serena featured ''Ecomorph'' (modified [[Compiz]] for [[Enlightenment (window manager)#E17|E17]]) - an optional compositing window manager for computers running 3D graphics cards, and a new settings manager and places menu.<ref>[http://opengeu.intilinux.com/news/opengeu-luna-serena-packages-version-released] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713051124/http://opengeu.intilinux.com/news/opengeu-luna-serena-packages-version-released|date=July 13, 2011}}</ref>
|-
| {{version |p |9.10}}
| OpenGEU Quarto di Luna
| 27 January 2010
| This was the final release, although there were no means of downloading it directly. According to the release announcement, one can install Quarto di Luna via [[Advanced Packaging Tool|APT]] repositories into an existing [[Ubuntu version history#0910|Ubuntu 9.10]] installation.<ref>[http://opengeu.intilinux.com/news/opengeu-9-10-quarto-di-luna-repos-are-online] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213095109/http://opengeu.intilinux.com/news/opengeu-9-10-quarto-di-luna-repos-are-online|date=February 13, 2010}}</ref>
|}
|}
{{version |l}}


== The end ==
Despite announcing a switch to Debian as a base rather than Ubuntu a while after publishing Quarto di Luna in January 2010, a public release never came. As of August 2012 the Web site has been taken down along with their forums, mailing lists and other information, indicating that the project has disbanded.


==Reviews and citations==
OpenGEU has been independently reviewed by a number of on- and off-line Linux magazines:
* [[Full Circle Magazine]]<ref>Luca de Marini. "Flavor of the Month". [http://fullcirclemagazine.org/issue-9/ ''Full Circle Magazine'', issue 9], 2008, p. 6.</ref>
* [[Softpedia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Testing-OpenGEU-8-04-Beta-92148.shtml |title=Testing OpenGEU 8.04 Beta |publisher=News.softpedia.com |date= 20 August 2008|accessdate=2013-11-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/OpenGEU-8-04-1-Faster-Desktop-Experience-Great-Looks-93374.shtml |title=OpenGEU 8.04.1: Faster Desktop Experience, Great Looks |publisher=News.softpedia.com |date=2008-09-11 |accessdate=2013-11-12}}</ref>
* [[Linux.com]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.linux.com/feature/123494 |title=When Enlightenment met Ubuntu |publisher=Linux.com |date= |accessdate=2013-11-12}}</ref>
* [[DistroWatch]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20071210#review |title=Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD |publisher=DistroWatch.com |date= |accessdate=2013-11-12}}</ref>
* Dedoimedo.com<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/opengeu_overview.html |title=openGEU - sunny Ubuntu - Overview & short tutorial |publisher=Dedoimedo.com |date=2008-02-16 |accessdate=2013-11-12}}</ref>


==See also==
{{Portal|Free and open-source software}}
* [[Bodhi Linux]]


==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" align="left" summary="Used Colors Legend"
{{Commons category}}
|+
*{{official website|http://opengeu.intilinux.com/}}

*{{DistroWatch|opengeu|NAME=OpenGEU}}

*[https://launchpad.net/opengeu OpenGEU's page on Launchpad]
Used Colors Legend

|-
| width="33%" bgcolor="#ffcccc" align="center" | Old Version
| width="33%" bgcolor="#99ffcc" align="center" | Current Version
| bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | Future Version
|}
<br>


{{Linux-distro}}

[[Category:Ubuntu (operating system) derivatives]]


{{Enlightenment desktop}}
{{Linux-stub}}
{{Ubuntu}}
{{Linux distributions}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Opengeu}}
[[es:OpenGeu]]
[[Category:Discontinued Ubuntu derivatives]]
[[it:OpenGEU]]
[[Category:Linux distributions]]

Latest revision as of 20:22, 15 July 2024

OpenGEU
An OpenGEU 9.10 Quarto di Luna Morning Sunshine screenshot
DeveloperLuca De Marini
OS familyLinux (Unix-like)
Working stateNo longer active
Source modelOpen source
PlatformsIA-32, x86-64
Kernel typeMonolithic
Default
user interface		Enlightenment plus GNOME
Official websiteopengeu.intilinux.com

OpenGEU was a free computer operating system based upon the popular Ubuntu Linux distribution, which in turn is based on Debian. OpenGEU combined the strengths and ease of use of GNOME desktop environment with the lightweight, and graphical eye candy features of the Enlightenment window manager to create a unique and user-friendly desktop. While OpenGEU was originally derived from Ubuntu, the design of the user gave it a significantly different appearance, with original art themes, software and tools.

Geubuntu

[edit]

Initially called Geubuntu (a mix of GNOME, Enlightenment and Ubuntu), OpenGEU was an unofficial re-working of Ubuntu. The name change from Geubuntu to OpenGEU occurred on 21 January 2008 in order to remove the "-buntu" suffix from its name. This was done in respect for Ubuntu's own trademark policies, which require all officially recognized Ubuntu derivatives to be based upon software found only in the official Ubuntu repositories–a criterion not met by OpenGEU.[1]

Installation

[edit]
OpenGEU Luna Crescente Moonlight theme
OpenGEU Luna Crescente Moonlight theme with a few windows open

Installation of OpenGEU was generally performed via a Live CD, which allowed the user to first test OpenGEU on their system prior to installation (albeit with a performance limit from loading applications off the disk). This is particularly useful for testing hardware compatibility and driver support. The CD also contained the Ubiquity installer, which guided the user through the permanent installation process. Due to the fact that OpenGEU used "Ubiquity," the installation process was nearly identical to that of Ubuntu.[2] Alternatively, users could download a disk image of the CD from an online source which could then be written to a physical medium or run from a hard drive via UNetbootin. Another option was to add the OpenGEU repositories to an established Ubuntu-based system and install OpenGEU via the package manager.

Programs

[edit]

Default environment

[edit]

As described above, OpenGEU includes software from both the GNOME and Enlightenment projects. Unlike Ubuntu, which uses Metacity or Compiz 3D, OpenGEU used Enlightenment DR17 as its primary window manager for its rich two-dimensional features, such as real transparency and desktop animation options. Starting with OpenGEU 8.10 Luna Serena, a port of Compiz called Ecomorph has been available for 3D effects, as well.

Themes manager

[edit]

Starting with OpenGEU 8.04.1 Luna Crescente, the GEUTheme application became default in the distribution. This is a tool that displays a list of installed OpenGEU themes to the user, enabling the user to browse through them and select one with one-click ease. GEUTheme could fetch new themes from the internet or from an expansion CD for the user. The tool had some advanced customization abilities–it helping the user to install and customize many aspects of their OpenGEU desktop environment (including icon themes, GTK+, ETK, E17, EWL themes, wallpapers, fonts, etc.). It was also possible for the user to create new OpenGEU themes, as well as to export, import, and share them. The creation of this tool marked the first availability of a Desktop Effects Manager, similar to that of Ubuntu, for an Enlightenment desktop. This tool was incorporated into the GEUTheme application.

Additional components

[edit]

Since the distribution was an Ubuntu derivative, the range of available software was almost identical to that of Ubuntu and the other related Ubuntu projects. Additional repositories were created by the OpenGEU development team, and were pre-enabled for the distribution's use. Enlightenment 17 software was compiled, re-packaged in the .deb packaging format, and uploaded to the repositories and a number of new software packages were developed by the OpenGEU team itself: the OpenGEU Themes Manager, eTray, e17-settings-daemon and several E17 modules.

Themes

[edit]

The E17 window manager used a number of different libraries to render GUI applications. To ensure every application shares the same look on the desktop, it was necessary to develop themes for various libraries that utilize the same art and graphics. This was a difficult and time-consuming task compared to that of GNOME, where all the GTK+ applications use the same default GTK+ libraries to render widgets. OpenGEU therefore developed a way to allow easy switching from one theme to another, and accordingly change the graphics of every desktop component at the same time. Every OpenGEU theme was also capable of changing the look of icon sets and wallpapers. In other words, OpenGEU themes were just a set of sub-themes for all of the different libraries used in the distribution (Edje, ETK, EWL, GTK+), designed so that the user would not notice any change in the appearance when opening their various chosen applications.

Sunshine and Moonlight

[edit]

OpenGEU was presented as an artistic distribution. The two main signature themes of OpenGEU were Sunshine and Moonlight. While Sunshine and Moonlight are considered the primary themes, there were also a number of alternative themes available.

Project focus

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OpenGEU focused on reducing minimum hardware requirements, such as by providing two alternative methods to enable compositing effects without any particular hardware or driver requirement.

The primary OpenGEU concept was that of building a complete and universally accessible E17 desktop—filling all of the missing parts in E17 with GNOME tools, while maintaining the speed of the distribution–for usability on any system.

Remixes

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OpenGeeeU 8.10 Luna Serena was released March 23, 2009. It's a version of OpenGEU modified to work on the Asus EeePC. OpenGeeeU 8.10 uses EasyPeasy as its platform, so it is optimized for netbooks and it includes all of the drivers and fixes needed for EeePC to work out of the box.[3]

Release history

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History of OpenGEU releases
Version Name Release date Description
Old version, no longer maintained: 7.04 Geubuntu Prima Luna 18 September 2007 The first version ever released. The main innovation of this distro was the idea of using a big number of system and configuration tools taken from the Gnome world, together with the Enlightenment Window Manager. Geubuntu 7.04 included GNOME Panel and Nautilus.[4]
Old version, no longer maintained: 7.10 Geubuntu Luna Nuova 6 December 2007 The second GEUbuntu release came with brand new (and original) Sunshine and Moonlight themes and it focused much more than the first release on eye-candy and speed. It adopted Thunar instead of the Nautilus File Manager and Xfce 4 Panel instead of the GNOME Panel.[5]
Old version, no longer maintained: 7.10 OpenGEU Luna Nuova 21 January 2008 This version was released shortly after the release of Geubuntu Luna Nuova and with this version Geubuntu changed its name to OpenGEU. Using the name change as an opportunity for releasing a new version, OpenGEU Luna Nuova is released and is a far more stable distribution, many bugs have been fixed. Another change was the use of FBPanel instead than Xfce Panel as the additional panel of the distribution.[6]
Old version, no longer maintained: 8.04 OpenGEU Luna Crescente 8 September 2008 OpenGEU Luna Crescente is based on Ubuntu 8.04.1 (Hardy Heron). It introduced a lot of new software directly developed by the distribution team, like the OpenGEU Themes Manager (GEUTheme), an application called eTray (a system tray for Enlightenment, which lacked this kind of tool) some E17 modules like the Trash Bin (there was no trash bin whatsoever in Enlightenment before this) and Extramenu (a module that enables the user to add a custom menu, with submenus, to the standard E17 menu). With this release the OpenGEU team started compiling and managing their own repositories both for Enlightenment and the rest of the newly developed software. OpenGEU uses the default Ubuntu repositories too. With every OpenGEU release, new Sunshine and Moonlight themes have been developed and are used by default. With the release of GEUTheme, a lot more OpenGEU themes have been created and are available for download from the official repositories.[7]
Current stable version: 8.10 OpenGEU Luna Serena 12 February 2009 Luna Serena featured Ecomorph (modified Compiz for E17) - an optional compositing window manager for computers running 3D graphics cards, and a new settings manager and places menu.[8]
Future release: 9.10 OpenGEU Quarto di Luna 27 January 2010 This was the final release, although there were no means of downloading it directly. According to the release announcement, one can install Quarto di Luna via APT repositories into an existing Ubuntu 9.10 installation.[9]
Legend:
Old version, not maintained
Old version, still maintained
Latest version
Latest preview version
Future release

The end

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Despite announcing a switch to Debian as a base rather than Ubuntu a while after publishing Quarto di Luna in January 2010, a public release never came. As of August 2012 the Web site has been taken down along with their forums, mailing lists and other information, indicating that the project has disbanded.

Reviews and citations

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OpenGEU has been independently reviewed by a number of on- and off-line Linux magazines:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Intellectual property rights policy | Canonical". Ubuntu.com. 2013-05-14. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  2. ^ "Issue 9 « Full Circle Magazine". Fullcirclemagazine.org. 25 January 2008. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  3. ^ [1] Archived March 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Geubuntu 7.04 Prima Luna has been released | Il Pozzo Oscuro". Thedarkmaster.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  5. ^ [2] Archived July 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "OpenGEU Luna Nuova released". Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  7. ^ "OpenGEU 8.04.1 Live CD released". Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  8. ^ [3] Archived July 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ [4] Archived February 13, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Luca de Marini. "Flavor of the Month". Full Circle Magazine, issue 9, 2008, p. 6.
  11. ^ "Testing OpenGEU 8.04 Beta". News.softpedia.com. 20 August 2008. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  12. ^ "OpenGEU 8.04.1: Faster Desktop Experience, Great Looks". News.softpedia.com. 2008-09-11. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  13. ^ "When Enlightenment met Ubuntu". Linux.com. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  14. ^ "Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD". DistroWatch.com. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  15. ^ "openGEU - sunny Ubuntu - Overview & short tutorial". Dedoimedo.com. 2008-02-16. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
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