Here's a second short preview (after the March 2018 one) to the next 5.0 version of elementary OS from the development release. We're getting closer to final now as the Beta 1 has been released and the Beta 2 has been started but it's still not recommended to install or use the Betas. This means do not upgrade to Beta 1 or Beta 2 yet, nor install the Beta, but wait until the final version officially released. To sum it up, in 5.0, the user interface is getting more cool with tons of improvement; and the AppCenter is really amazing with payment system for both developers who deserve funds and users who want to contribute. I also mention how active the development progress is below and how we can help. This preview is very brief and cannot represent the final as the final could have more and more amazing additions. Anyway, wait for the final and enjoy reading!
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Do Not Use Beta 1!
The elementary OS blog clearly stated that Beta 1 is not stable, not for daily use, not for end user, not to install, and the developer even asking reviewers not to review this version. If you have the download link, don't download it. So for anyone (except you're a power user or developer) do not use or upgrade to Beta 1! Wait for the final version instead once it released.
When Will 5.0 Be Released?
The elementary OS developer has stated that the team does not want to disclose the release date. So we still don't know precisely when it will be released.
Technical Details
This is a summary of Beta 1 system. Please note again that any technical detail can be changed in final release.
- Name: elementary OS
- Version: 5.0
- Codename: Juno
- Release status: not yet released, still in Beta
- Developer: elementary LLC
- Latest development version: Beta 1
- Next development version: Beta 2
- Based on: Ubuntu 18.04
- Final version release date: undisclosed
- Kernel: Linux 4.14
- GNU system: glibc 2.27, gcc 7.3.3, g++ 7.3.3, coreutils 8.28, binutils 2.30, tar 1.29, gzip 1.6, bash 4.4.19, wget 1.19.4, sed 4.4, find 4.7.0, grep 3.1, nano 2.9.3
- Original programs: Code 1.0 (text editor, formerly Scratch), Noise 0.4.3 (music player), Audience 0.2.6 (video player), AppCenter 0.2.9, Files 0.3.6, Photos 0.2.5, Mail 1.0.7, Calculator 0.1.4, Calendar 0.4.2.1
- Official annoucement: Developer Preview: Juno Beta 1 Is Here
- Official website: https://elementary.io
- Official blog: https://medium.com/elementaryos
- Source code: https://launchpad.net/elementary, https://github.com/elementary
- Donation page: BountySource, Patreon
Important Info to Prepare 5.0 Final
For both end users and developers, here's official info surrounding elementary 5.0:
- Let's Talk About elementary OS 5.0 Juno (historical summary of all elementary releases)
- Juno Progress for April 2018 (development progress)
- Look and Feel Changes for Juno (color shemes, UI, UX)
- Number of "Commits" of elementary Stylesheets (an example in real development activities)
For Application Developers
If you want to publish your applications in AppCenter, here's guidelines and resources for you:
- Reviews of awesome apps published at AppCenter
- Payment in AppCenter (you can get paid of your apps!)
- Bountied Feature Requests and Issues (solve problems and get paid!)
- Introducing Houston CI (your continuous integration system)
- elementary OS Coding Guidelines
- elementary OS Human Interface Guidelines
- Developer Page
1. Development Activities up to Beta 1
For users, we can see that the development is very active by visiting the development page (in GitHub) where there are public repositories of individual elementary OS' programs like Mail, Wingpanel, Files, and AppCenter. For example, simply go to GitHub elementary OS > pick appcenter > then go to Issue section > and choose Closed > this is how to see AppCenter development activities. You may see issues reported by another elementary users and how the developer solves them.
See picture below, we may know how many improvements made by looking at the Closed number (means "stuffs already fixed") and the dates of latest improvements there. This way we can appreciate the developers more and this can encourage us to spread the development info.
For developers, you can help the development by joining the programming stuffs at this GitHub.
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| Examples of development activities for 5.0 |
2. A Brief View to Desktop
Here's how elementary OS 5.0 looks like from its development version (Beta 1) with the blue Beta Version wallpaper. The desktop has already very improved compared to the old versions 0.1 Jupiter, 0.2 Luna, 0.3 Freya, but closest to latest stable version 0.4 Loki.
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| See the menu, the magnifier glass icon, and the tooltip? |
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| The desktop with two applications running |
And now, when we press Super button, we get shortcut keys list in an overlay window:
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| Shortcuts list, really helps for both PC and Mac users |
3. A Sneak Peek to Applications
For new comers, here's how the applications of newest elementary OS look like. It's sleek, shiny, and standardized in their design thanks to the HIG. The 5.0 has been developed to take advantage of latest GTK+3, see the header bar for example: making each window interface simpler, easy to understand, and enlarges the working area for us!
4. AppCenter
For both developers and users, here are two groups of app in AppCenter, ones with payment option, and ones without. The payment from the user side is done via Stripe. Important to mention, this AppCenter has a slogan "An Open, Pay What You Want App Store". So, the number can be turned zero (gratis) while we can still pay later as we wish. The main concept behind AppCenter is to balance between both free software/open source development deserves money to support it and user deserves a way to pay their favorite developer as they wish, at any time, without forgetting which app they wish to pay. I think it's fair. What I personally believe is this platform will be big as it allows this wise system works, user can pay at any time what they want at any price they wish.
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| Front page of the AppCenter |
See below, for elementary OS apps (not repository apps), for example Palette by Cassidy James, we may find the price tag with amount we may choose or determine. The price tag is placed on top an bottom. Just like what elementary OS team, and also I personally believe, for many people, an easy funding to certain/favorite FLOSS developer is a long awaited facility. And this feature in AppCenter will make it real as user can donate with this payment method at any time, whether it's before or after installing the program.
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| An example of elementary OS app: Palette |
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| Looking for repository applications |
5. Bug Reporting Feature
elementary is an user friendly OS. In the 5.0, even the bug report tool is user friendly. Find it out on System Settings > About > Report Bug > selection of programs showing in fancy way > select a program to be reported > press Report Problem > a Bug Report page (GitHub) corresponding to program you selected showing in your Browser. I've not been found any other desktop bug report system as easy as this.
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| Modern bug report tool |
Help The Development
For all kind of user, development of elementary OS can be helped and accelerated by funding. You can help elementary OS via Patreon, PayPal, BountySource, or even their Merchandise Store. For programmers and developers in general, you can help with your skill in elementary GitHub.
We're Waiting for Final Version!
Thanks to Daniel Fore, thanks to Cassidy James, thanks to all elementary OS contributors. For all user, we need to be patient, wait the final release if you want to upgrade or to install elementary OS 5.0 Juno. Do not upgrade to Beta 1, or Beta 2, just the Final. Personally, it's difficult to myself to wait until I can review the final version because since my March first preview, it's already amusing. I am sure the final will be very great!
This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.