Ubuntu 8.10 for the XO-1 laptop
Many thanks to teapot we now have a very functional Ubuntu 8.10 implementation for the XO-1 laptop!
I got it installed in a generic 4GB SDHC Class 6 card. I’ve tried it with a Sandisk 2GB SD but it seems the card is not powering up at all, so depending on your card, your mileage may vary. But it seems a fair amount of cards work.
From teapot’s notes:
- Kernel is from OLPC release 8.2.0. USB boot fix in ramdisk is the only change that was applied to OLPC-distributed files.
- Ubuntu packages are properly identified as manually/automatically installed for easier customization, patched files are diverted, so package manager won’t replace them on upgrades.
- Network Manager 0.7 is in Intrepid — there is no need for custom repositories.
- clive package in Intrepid is also up to the latest version, so tubewatcher script is included without clive replacement.
- Firefox default configuration is adapted to screen resolution (larger fonts but no scaling for images), and libraries that come with xulrunner are replaced with ones that come with Firefox 3.0.4 release (for some reason libraries from xulrunner package occasionally replace images with noise).
- syslog is removed — logging to SD or USB takes large amount of resources.
- Power management is by default enabled, “aggressive” power management mode that “invisibly” suspends on inactivity is by default disabled but can be enabled with sudo touch /etc/xo-suspend/aggressive and reboot, disabled with sudo rm /etc/xo-suspend/aggressive and reboot
- GTK theme is adapted to the changes in theme engines that come with Ubuntu — it looks slightly better now, though differences are minimal.
- Splash screen is shown on boot and shutdown.
The installation is pretty straightforward and everything can be done in the XO itself. You’ll need a developer key which can be requested from the Browse activity in Sugar. This is needed to be able to boot to SD. Forum member mavrothal also created a forum entry listing some fixes and other solution hacks for the Intrepid release.
I’m pretty excited about this release because I have an upcoming trip during the holidays and didn’t want to bring a standard sized-laptop but still want to be connected in case I needed to. While I have an HP Mini-Note 2133 on Hardy, I still find it a bit heavy so the XO fits on this!
Note: there are also similar implementations for Feroda and Gentoo. I think an SD card installed with Fedora for the XO is also available at Amazon. Come to think of it, if you’re interested on getting an XO yourself, you might want to consider the Give One, Get One program at Amazon: www.amazon.com/xo
Ewwwww, no sugar?? WTF
well it only runs from the SD card so 8.2.0 is still in the nand with Sugar and everything nice
Awesome work here guys!
More choice is always a good thing.
You need to understand that this specific build actually violates the Ubuntu trademarks.
teapot’s build uses the OLPC kernel, not the UBuntu kernel. That is a violation of the Ubuntu trademark policy. It doesn’t even quality as an Ubuntu remix.
Canonical will most likely need to tell teapot to stop calling it Ubuntu and to stop using the Ubuntu logos with this in order to protect the Ubuntu marks.
Help teapot make that naming transition before Canonical’s trademark compliance team is forced to and has to burn goodwill by sending him a cease and desist letter.
Canonical is already enforcing the Ubuntu trademark policy on Ubuntu derivative projects. For example:
http://u-lite.org/?q=node/171
This Ubuntu derivative for the XO is no different. Unless teapot gets a trademark license from Canonical to cover this derivative, having it called Ubuntu threaten’s Canonical’s ability to protect the Ubuntu marks.
Help teapot realise this, and help him pick a project name that conforms to Canonical’s trademark policy and then advertise it as an Ubuntu derivative in accordance with the Ubuntu trademark policy.
-jef
Thanks Jef. I’ve relayed the message to teapot. You do have a point there, especially that the release uses the OLPC kernel. While it makes the project fully functional, there’s actually a question regarding calling it Ubuntu.
I have a question though, that I have yet to check, and I don’t assume you know this but do you think it also violates the OLPC trademark policy by using the drivers and the kernel?
I think the most sane option that answers both trademark and technology quetions is to run the full Fedora system for the XO.
he’s not calling it a OLPC distribution. So I don’t see how he could run afoul of the trademarks from OLPC. But I don’t know for sure.
He’s definitely using the Ubuntu name, and Ubuntu graphic logos afaict. That’s going to a problem for him under the Ubuntu trademark rules.
But I will say this, since you are an active Ubuntu user and community member you stand a better chance of talking to teapot about this than I do. So I think you for taking my comment seriously and not just discounting my concern because I’m a high profile Fedora rep with an ax to grind against Canonical.
The trademark stuff can get messy, its just how trademark law is. I don’t want you guys to have to do it the hard way via c-and-d letters. Having to watch Red Hat burn goodwill to enforce the Fedora marks isn’t fun and if you can help prevent that from happening here between Canonical and teapot over the use of the Ubuntu brand that would be a good thing.
As to the best option…anything which uses the OLPC kernel patches is going to work better than something that doesn’t. OLPC made an engineering decision early on about not requiring the hardware support to be upstreamed into the mainline kernel. Teapot’s efforts to mash up the OLPC kernel and Ubuntu userspace gets you there….but its definitely its own thing. Its sort of neat that it works since the OLPC kernel is fedora derived. I wonder if there are some deep technical conflicts like distribution udev-isms or other low level plumbing associated with the kernel.
The Fedora SD image doesn’t use the OLPC specific kernel patches. Fedora takes a very principled stance on kernel patching. Part of the goal for Fedora is to get those OLPC hardware patches mainlined. It would be possible for someone to do what teapot has done and create a Fedora derived distribution and label it a “Fedora Remix” using a custom kernel and get fully functional hardware support. Hell I might even do it to just do it.
Good luck
-jef
I used a sandisk 4gb card, and had issues with it powering up.