What is Elbuntu?
Elbuntu is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. It includes the Enlightenment DR17 window manager. Enlightenment is a powerful and a very eyes candy window manager. Anyway, Enlightenment DR17 (E17) isn't in the official Ubuntu repository. So, we use our repository which provides Enlightenment on Ubuntu systems.
And you? Which is your function inside of the project?
I'm the main dev of Elbuntu. My work is assembling Enlightenment on an Ubuntu base system. The Elbuntu distribution will provides a lot of EFL software. For example, Gnome is replaced by Enlightenment (of course), GDM is replaced by Entrance ...
Anyway, there is no EFL based software for all you want to do on your computer. So i provide the GTK libraries on the distribution.
It used to be Ebuntu, why the change?
Ebuntu was the first name of the project, but the dev of Ebuntu had to stop development due to a lack of time. When i've started the development of Ebuntu, the old dev said me than this name is too much alike than Edubuntu, a Ubuntu based distribution which provides Education softwares.
Due to communication problem with the old dev (they didn't have fast broadband access), i restart all the development of Ebuntu. During the dev of the alpha release, i started a vote with some proposition of new name. After 10 days, the name which has be chosen was Elbuntu.
Why Enlightenment? What makes it different to the rest?
Enlightenment is an open source window manager for the X window system. It has very rich feature set, including support for themes and advanced graphics without sacrificing good performance. The developers of enlightenment create a very powerful set of libraries (the EFL). Now, this libraries allow very fast software. They provides for example animated backgrounds.
Enlightenment is fast, light and very cute.So it allow people to have a cute desktop without decrease performance. During our test, Elbuntu perfectly works on a 400Mhz processor with 64Mo of RAM.
What future do you see in Enlightenment considering the popularity of KDE and Gnome?
As i said in the previous question, i don't think Gnome,KDE and Enlightenment is for the same public.
Gnome and KDE provides a lot of functionality but they use more resources than E17. Another difference is that some people don't like to have a lot of icons on their desktop or popus windows which warn them.
Gnome and KDE is very easy to use for newbies people. E17 is a bit more difficult to use. To avoid discouraged people to use Elbuntu, i want write a little help which explain all the functionality of Elbuntu (If people are interested, please contact me at maxenced@gmail.com) or with our website : http://www.elbuntu.org .
Of course, Elbuntu won't be use by thousands of people as Gnome/KDE, but there is many people interesting by it, so i'll continue to develop it !
Will there be a stable version of E17. soon?
Yes, i think.But i don't know when, i think when it be ready :)
Let's talk about the project, still in the construction phase, when did it start? What are the plans for it?
Elbuntu starts 6 months ago, when I've chosen to work on it. I'd contact the all dev to ask them about the work on Ebuntu dev and they said me they 'd stopped the dev due to a big lack of time. So, i start develop it myself. The plan is in the first time to release a beta which will be usable, with the most part of EFL based software (Entrance,Eclair,Exhibit, Extrackt ...). The beta should has auto mount capabilities for hot pluggable devices. After, we'll do some custom stuff, like removing some start service to speed up boot ...
Anyway, a distribution is something used by people, so i can't build it without know what people want :)
An upcoming stable version?
When it will be ready :) Wait for the beta at the moment :) I think there won't be a lot of difference between the beta and the first release.
Will there be an Elbuntu version such as those of Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Edubuntu, with their own websites and downloadable ISO's?
Of course, take a look at http://www.elbuntu.org for information. The iso mirror will be discovered when i'll release the beta :)
How many people are there collaborating or behind the project?
Not a lot. With me, there is Lutin, who do a lot of work on the repository, there is ZaZoOo, which manage the artwork part, and there is Bishop, who manage the website :) Bishop was helped by some other people like joejaxx.
Of course, all people who want to help are welcomed. Currently, i'm looking for people who can write the english part of the blog or who can create a quick help which will be printed at start of Elbuntu.
What about the relationship with the guys from Ubuntu? Do you receive any kind of support from them?
Some people help us reviewing our package before including them in repository. The Ubuntu community help everybody they can. So, if I've some specific problem, i can ask them and they try to help me if they can, even if they don't work on Elbuntu development.
Let's talk about the biggest challenges, what problems are there in the development and maintenance of Elbuntu?
During the development, the biggest problem are the live process. But i discovered how it works (with casper for example), and now it works. After the release of the beta, i think i'll try to organize a better platform for the maintenance. After, new version will be released when important change will be done, not following the Ubuntu release
Given the announcement that by 2008 all applications will be compatible across distros due to LSB 4.0, how do you think it will affect the current package system of Elbuntu?
I don't think Elbuntu will be affected more than any other Linux distro. Our package follows the packaging policy, so they should be compatible.
Around Ubuntu and its derivatives, there are always comments and distrust about a possible "double play" from Mark Shuttleworth, what is your take on this matter?
Indeed, some choices of Mark are not very appreciated by the community, but after some discussion, only the best choices has validated. And, if Mark starts something in Ubuntu than we can't accept in Elbuntu, we'll just remove it from scratch :)
Ubuntu or Debian?
Is it a troll ? For Elbuntu, i chosen Ubuntu. Why ? becaue i use Ubuntu since many years and i know this distribution. What i like in Ubuntu is the simplicity to use (especially in hardware part)., so i want to use this for Elbuntu :)
Is there any relationship with the Elive distro? A possible integration of the project?
There is no relation at all. Elbuntu provides Live CD with installation option, so i don't see what kind of integration will be possible.
In general terms, is Ubuntu the future of Linux? Is it the best option to migrate from Windows? Any possible contenders?
Another troll :) So , my opinion is Ubuntu is easy to use, and i think it's the easiest distribution for people who aren't interrested by computers. Anyway , i can't say Ubuntu is THE distro. Each distribution is different, each people can and must choose. I don't know very well other distro, so i can't talk about contenders.
I would precise i'm not alone in the Elbuntu dev. Lut!n do a great work in the repository, ZaZo0o help us a lot on artwork, Bishop work on the blog , and some other people who help us :)
Thanks to them !
To finish, maybe a message of Manish Chakravarty, who is the first dev of Ebuntu (the old Elbuntu), and who just join our team :)