SoC2007 Live CD

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Revision as of 16:44, 5 April 2007 by Malex (talk | contribs)
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Here are some ideas regarding DTP Live CD.

The aim of this project is to create a custom GNU/Linux Live CD bundled with FOSS applications used in Desktop Publishing field. This is to make it ready out-of-box for non Linux users and newcomers, and any one else as well.

base distro

I think Kubuntu is a good choice for a base distro, because:

  • Being a debian based distro, so we can benefit from all debian technologies (like apt) and community support as well.
  • It is one of the most widely used distros these days, it has a very wide user base and well established community support.
  • Virtually any piece of software available for debian is available for ubuntu at the same time, which mean we've an extensive set of available applications.

Be careful: (K)Ubuntu's version of Qt has some nasty bugs that cause issues with Scribus and other Qt based programs. I suggest you use Debian/Knoppix instead.

I propose to use Debian proper (testing) as we can make sure Scribus and most related packages are up-to-date by using our repositories and we can actually get things done in Debian to fix potential problems Malex 18:44, 5 April 2007 (CEST)

Some comments:

  • OpenSuse is also an option as it contains almost everything we need and I have a build server account. Moreover, Ubuntu seems to not only have some Qt bugs but odd and random 'can't print' issues. I second using Debian/Knoppix instead.
  • Please do not install any of the following: gv, ghostview, gpdf, evince,ggv. They are either old or too disfunctional to use with Scribus EPS/PDF. --mrdocs 12:21, 24 March 2007 (CET)
  • In my opinion the easiest and best maintainable way would be to use a Debian based live-CD. It is easy to upgrade software and build own customized packages for it. R.herrmann 20:35, 24 March 2007 (CET)
  • If I get to say anything on the matter (being a potential mentor helps) it will be based on Debian and incorporate automated image building and testing (there is a Debian GSoC 2007 project to address the latter). I will expect our selected student(s) to communicate with the student working on the above Debian gsoc project Malex 18:44, 5 April 2007 (CEST)

Software to be included

3-D software

    • I don't know yet if it's possible to include 3D drivers for nvidia and ati because of their restrictive licenses. Should those apps even though be included and run slow on most hardware or left out to get some space? R.herrmann 19:58, 27 March 2007 (CEST)
  • blender
  • Art of Illusion requires Java
  • planetGenesis
  • yafray

Clipart

Desktop environment(s)

  • KDE
    • I strongly recommend KDE as default. We can show off drag and drop.--Mrdocs 22:27, 2 May 2005 (UTC)
    • It might be useful to include the KDE Baghira theme for MacOS X users. A little script that changes the desktop to Baghira could be useful too, together with a short description ("If you want your desktop to resemble MacOS X, open Konsole and type ./macosxlook.sh, then hit "Enter", or something like that; same for Win2K or XP users. There should be menu entries for easily switching between a yet to be determined KDE theme and OS X/WinXP/Win2K themes).
    • Clean up the Kicker and remove unnecessary/irritating entries
    • Create a new structure for the Kicker (eg an extra DTP entry with sub-menus for image editing, DTP, vector drawing, fonts etc.)

Documentation

  • grab all documentation available under a free license and make it easily accessible in a uniform layout (html, pdf)
  • introduction which autmatically shows up after "login" (similar to the current introduction to Knoppix)
  • Make sure that Python, SVG, and ODF documentation is included.

Email clients

Needed for collaboration on the projects

  • Mozilla Thunderbird
  • Kontact

Fonts

  • A collection of high quality fonts (type 1, ttf, otf) available for free distribution
    • (Be careful with distribution provisions in license when it comes to fonts)
    • Remove crummy fonts so they can't accidentally be used for production
  • Install this collection of well designed free fonts for Central Europe, provided by Polish TeX User Group:

ftp://ftp.gust.org.pl/pub/GUST/contrib/fonts/ Description and links to font packages (pl)

Font utilities

HTML editors

Image viewers

Layout

  • Scribus stable — currently 1.3.x series
  • Scribus cvs snapshot — installed as an addition to the stable version, for those wanting to use latest improvements

Misc Utils/Apps

  • kde-extras Kcolor, Kruler
  • kde-graphics-scan (kooka + x-sane)
  • Dia http://gnome.org/projects/dia
  • xsane http://www.xsane.org/
  • Kooka
  • Argyll
  • LittleCMS
  • LPROF
  • ICC Examin
  • k3b - DTP files can become huge, so it's a good idea to have a cd burner handy.
  • kxmleditor - A fine editor for xml files, can be handy to repair damaged SVG and sla files.

Postscript and pdf instruments

  • gs-afpl >= 8.50
  • Gsview
  • Pstoedit
  • Xpdf << note 3.02 was recently released and supports transparency much better now
the new Xpdf also supports anti-aliasing of vector outlines (the lack of this feature in earlier releases of xpdf and in other floss pdf viewers is a major issue among e-zine authors) --Mhanski 12:45, 24 March 2007 (CET)
Do we support non FOSS? --Khaledhosny 14:53, 24 March 2007 (CET)

Raster graphics

System software

  • Networking tools to enable establishing working network connection
  • Tools for easy installation of the Live system to HDD if necessary
  • CUPS
  • Apache (for CUPS and Batik) Apache not needed to run Batik, only compile
  • gutenprint (gimp-print 5.0)
  • JVM 1.4.2+ for running Batik and/or delineate

Trace tools

Typesetting

Vector graphics

Web browsers

Needed for looking up materials and for collaboration over the web (include a bunch of DTP bookmarks)

  • Konqueror, it is already part of KDE.
  • Mozilla Firefox (with svg plugin...)

Word processor(s)

Required to edit large amounts of text easier than in scribus

  • OpenOffice.org
  • KWord (can be used for basic PDF editing)

OCR

It may be a good idea to bundle it with gocr with easy to use GUI (Kooka).

Find a an appealing name for the distro

Probably one of the harder nuts to crack ;)

Proposals from the old LiveCD draft

  • Scribux (too similar to Scribus?)
I think this is the best name, being similar to Scribus is a plus IMHO. --Khaledhosny 15:13, 24 March 2007 (CET)
  • Publix (there may be trademark issues with this one since it is the name of a U.S. supermarket chain
  • scribOS - Linux DTP CD
  • FOPUX (Free and Open Publishing Linux)
  • OpenCanvas (another name with trademark issues, since there already exists a drawing software called OpenCanvas)
  • OpenPage
  • OpenPub
  • OpenDTP
  • Design on Disc (from bug #1763)
  • Artix or Artux (combining Latin ars (art) with the almost obligatory *ix/*ux)

Other variants

  • Live USB: a specific version of the ditro able to boot from / save configuration on a USB stick. So, one can plug the stick, boot from it, do whatever he wont and save his work/preferences on it.
I consider this a very good idea -- 1GG USB sticks are quite cheap (starting with 10 € here in AT) nowadays, and they are perfectly suited for non-invasive usage on computers we don't own while offering some additional space for saving data. And they are perfect gifts too --Mhanski 20:42, 25 March 2007 (CEST)
  • mini-Live CD : a striped down version that fit into a 200 MB CD, so that one carry it easily with him.
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