| Ubuntu-based distro touted for power management |
Jul. 14, 2009
 A group called PlanetWatt has released a Beta 3 version of a new lightweight, power-sipping distro based on Ubuntu. The low-power WattOS is built from scratch using the Ubuntu MinimalCD and Ubuntu 9.04, and uses the lightweight LXDE environment and OpenBox, says the group.
(Click for larger view of WattOS desktop)
WattOS is not intended to be the "smallest or fastest," says the project FAQ, which states that Puppy Linux and DSL both lead the way on that count among mature distros. Instead, the group is looking to create a balance between speed and power consumption on the one hand and features on the other. Designed to run on both low-power and older systems, the distro should run "quite pleasant and quick" on any computer with at least 600MHz and 256MB of RAM, says PlanetWatt.
Another stated goal is to provide users with greater control of power management tradeoffs. Eventually, the group plans to offer a set of "WattPanel" tools for users that will let them "tweak the power consumption and processor performance of their system in an easy point and click fashion," says PlanetWatt. Users will be able to tune a desktop system up or down in performance and consumption "based upon what you need to be doing at the time," says the group.
WattOS
(Click to enlarge)
The current Beta 3 is based on WattOS Microwatt, one of four versions of WattOS, as detailed below:- WattOS WattOS -- Gnome-based user interface with WattOS specific customizations
- WattOS Milliwatt -- XFCE-based user inferface with WattOS specific customizations
- WattOS Microwatt -- Based on Openbox, LXDE, and other lightweight components that make up the user interface and windowing
- WattOS Substation -- Server version without GUI that uses Webmin and console capability
PlanetWatt started with Microwatt in order to "make the base system clean and efficient and build up components and larger systems from there," says the group. Eventually, PlanetWatt plans to move up to beta releases of Milliwatt and the full Gnome WattOS.
The latest Beta 3 release is primarily intended to support changes made in Ubuntu 9.04. The release is also said to improve the integration and evolution of the WattOS power management tool.
Other specific Beta 3 improvements are said to include:- Improved hardware support, including wireless
- Ext4 filesystem support
- Full LXDE integration (removal of idesktop and PCManFM and LXDE manage icons, etc.)
- Removal of Wicd and replacement with Network Manager
- WattOS power manager installed by default
- Better clean up of old files and structure
- Addition of Gwibber client
- Updates of almost all the core applications:
- Ubuntu 9.04, latest version with updates
- Kernel 2.6.28-13-generic
- Adobe Flash plugin 10.0.22.87-1
- Slim 1.3.0-2 login manager
- OpenBox 3.4.7.2-3 windowing
- LXDE - 0.3.2.1 desktop icons, panels and more
- LXPanel 0.3.8.1-2 provides taskbar - menu function on taskbar
- Network manager 0.7-1-RC4
- WattOSPM R47 power manangement system and gui
- PCManFM 0.5-3 file manager
- Exaile 0.2.14 music player
- Brasero 2.26.1 CD burning tool
- Totem 2.26.1 media player
- Gimp 2.6.6 graphics editiing tool
- Firefox 3.05.11 web browsing
- Claws Mail 3.6.1 email client
- Pidgin 2.5.5 instant messaging
- xSM Browser 3.4.0 windows networking type browser
- Abiword 2.6.6 word processor
- Gnumeric 1.8.4 spreadsheet program
- Xarchiver 0.5.2 compressed folders (.zip) tools
- Evince 2.26.1 PDF viewer
- Transmission 1.5.1 bit-torrent client
- Gwibber 0.8-0 micro-blogging client
The PlanetWatt group dutifully extends thanks to its forbears Ubuntu and, in turn, Debian. If you're new to Linux, this blog by "Erlik" on Tech-no-media called "Linux is not an Operating System," explains how the whole Russian doll motif works in the Linux world, with everything seemingly based on something else. According to Erlik, for example, the upcoming Google Chrome OS will be one of only a handful of entirely distinct Linux distributions. "There are only a few successful Linux based desktop operating systems: Debian, Fedora, SUSE and maybe Slackware, Mandriva and Android," writes Erlik.
Interesting, although some might amend that list a bit. Meanwhile, as to whether or not Linux is really an OS, well…discuss amongst yourselves.
Availability
WattOS Beta 3 is available now, including a Live CD version. The ISO is available here, and here.
More information on WattOS, with links to an associated "PlanetWatt" store, may be found here.
-- Eric Brown
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