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Created by thousands of software developers from around the world. Tested my millions. Welcome to Xtra Ordinary! Xtra Ordinary is a computer Operating System (like Microsoft Windows or MAC OSX). It is designed to be very easy for anyone who has ever used Windows, OSX, or any other graphical desktop, while at the same time having all the power and features we have come to expect in a modern computing environment. |
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Xtra Ordinary is designed to take advantage of tomorrow's technologies, while respecting the value of existing computer hardware. |
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Older Info to be moved:
NEWS ITEM: Xtra Ordinary to be released on Mobility Kits from Kingston Technology
Extra functionality using the latest emerging portable technologies. Extremely Ordinary, anyone who has ever used Microsoft Windows, a MAC, Linux, or any other point and click desktop should have no problems using it.
Introduction: Xtra Ordinary was first created for use on the low powered XO laptop of the One Laptop per Child project. there have been two distinct versions thus far for the XO. Xtra Ordinary 2009 was the first version, and 2010 the latest, which was even used to assist in Haiti using the disaster managment system "Sahana". Working on each were great learning experiences that have carried over into the current development versions for Laptops, Netbooks, and Desktop PCs.
Current Development Status: Thus far the basic system and desktop layout has been finished. A test of a Live Installable DVD was extremely smooth. Live SD Card tests have proven quite usable. Some overall features are:
Requires 128MB of RAM, with 256 or more highly recommended. Can install with as little as 44MB, but runs using between 115MB-180MB when using one or two applications at a time. Of course it's designed to run from SD Cards, but this version can be installed using the Debian installer. Installations, or rather installing, will be entirely unsupported and on a "use at your own risk" basis.
Perhaps the biggest surprise, given the low memory requirements, is that it's a modified version of Gnome. That's right, we get all the wonderful Gnome tools along with fantastic speed and low system requirements. This was first partially accomplished on the Xtra Ordinary 2010 version for the OLPC XO Laptop. The initial design was using Enlightenment .17 (aka E17), however the number of external tools required for system administration meant that other core libraries were required as well. So when you look at the screenshots and it looks like a sleek E17 desktop, it's because the selected artwrok was designed to be used on E17 and is so good looking that it was kept.
The first screenshot below, with commentary is here: http://webpath.net/posts/index.php?itemid=24
