XiniX
The distro that's poised to usher in the year of the Linux desktop, XiniX has finally been released as a beta! Hitting the market just weeks after the two power houses release their latest versions, Windows 10 on July 29 and iOS on September 16, XiniX, the little-known underdog, has entered the arena and is ready for battle!
So what is XiniX? First, XiniX is an operating system (OS) just like Microsoft Windows and Apple's iOS, but is based on Linux akin to Google's Android. XiniX represents the world's next generation of OS and is currently available for use on conventional computers such as desktop or laptops, with mobile platforms coming in the future. Built to act more as a firmware among devices, one of its primary goals is to remain small and efficient - just enough to get the device into an environment where the (users') work takes center stage!
Unlike any of the companies mentioned above, our OS is not based on fixed releases (e.g. Windows 8, Windows 10), but instead, is distributed as a continuing (or rolling) release as updates are made available. What's also different, is that our OS comes with just enough software to get you basic device operations and then lets you take over and personalize by installing any of the software or services located in our 'Software Shoppe'. In the sections that follow, we will not only cover some of the unique aspects of the amazing operating system, but we will also compare it with others to help users better understand if they would like to make the switch!
Contents
License
There are various projects that make up the XiniX core operating system. Each will be listed below with their respective license:
- Linux GPLv2
- grub GPLv3
- busybox GPLv2
- Xfbdev
- alsa-config
- socat
- nmap
- harfbuzz
- imlib2-bin
- libXau
- libXdmcp
- libfontenc
- libXt
- libXext
- libXrender
- Xorg-fonts
- Xprogs
- fonts-mscore
- imlib2
- libXfont
- libXi
- libXmu
- libXpm
- libXrandr
- libffi
- libjpeg-turbo
- libpng
- libxcb
- Xlibs
- file
- clapi CPLv2
- web.de CPLv2
- web.ui CPLv2
- fxwm CPLv2
More information about the CPLv2 licenses can be found under the "Our Licenses" link of our homepage.
Features
What makes a software title desired by the masses? Its features of course! While XiniX is still in its infancy, there are some features that we would like to point out and provide details on. While the below list may not include all the current features, and does list some that are in development, it does provide you with some indication of what can be done with the current version of our OS. Take the time to try it and you'll learn why we say "Achieve zen with XiniX!"
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| Since XiniX was designed to be lightweight and efficient from day 1, we can install it to a wide variety of media. This includes hard drives, optical discs, flash drives, SD cards, and more! What's more is that since the OS, by default, loads to RAM, once the OS has been loaded, you can even remove the bootable media itself!* In an upcoming release, the OS can even be loaded over the network via PXE. |
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| Since our OS works as a common firmware among devices and is designed to get you in an environment to perform your work, once it is loaded, it gets out of your way! From that point forward, the only interaction the user has will be with their data and applications on a local or network resource. |
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| Simply put, this will allow any user (GUI) to control any device (engine). So, for example, you may have a computer connected to your living room TV that can be controlled with your smart phone or tablet - natively! No additional software to install and configure! And while you can't currently install XiniX on a smart phone or tablet, you can still connect and control the XiniX-based device using a web browser. |
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| Like many of the existing mainstream operating systems, XiniX can also handle local and remote access for users. Where we differ from the other OS's is the fact that this interaction only requires a web browser and not a separate piece of software or other elaborate infrastructure to route requests properly. Once two devices are paired, it doesn't matter the physical location of either!** |
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| Can you imagine Microsoft Windows running on a router? Neither can we. Our operating system on the other hand, it quite capable of accomplishing this goal. And by utilizing the aforementioned benefit, you can control that device no matter its design or function. |
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| Since the firmware is small and efficient, it should work with the old computer you've stored in the closet over the last 5 years. This can turn an old, obsolete computer into a working tool for young children, or even act as a gateway into network resources in a variety of situations and environments. |
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| Ever wanted to install that latest version of your favorite OS, but can't find a blank DVD or flash drive to create the installation media just to install on another media for actual use? Well, we've skipped that intermediary step and combined both into one. You can also not only obtain XiniX from our website, but you can create a copy from within the software itself! |
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| You may be thinking "I can already use the cloud with a web browser and software like dropbox", but that doesn't quite define a cloud-based operating system. First, browsing the Internet with a web browser does not fall within this scope. And second, the use of 3rd party software means that the OS is incapable of cloud interaction natively. XiniX can seamlessly connect with services such as Amazon's AWS, web hosting servers, and other XiniX devices natively. Files can be copied back and forth just as you would if it were local, and more! |
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| XiniX uses its own type of networking using a peer-2-peer method among devices. This means that setting up a network of devices involves nothing more than pairing the desired devices with one another in a simple process that even grandma could understand! |
| o * This can be achieved if working without a DATA partition or if the DATA partition is on other media or a network resource. |
| o ** This is currently in development, seamless LAN access is currently only available. |
Architectures
Currently the beta is only being released as 64bit for the Intel/AMD processors, but we will also being introducing other CPU architectures in the versions to come. At the very least, we will ultimately cover Intel and ARM, both 32 and 64-bit. If our users have enough interest, we will also expand to MIPS and PowerPC.
Installation
There are currently two ways to install XiniX - from our website or within the OS itself - both will be covered below. It is important to note that only someone with the proper knowledge should attempt these steps. We are working on an installation wizard to reduce this complexity, as well as generating different installation media types (e.g. optical media iso files).
Download
This method involves downloading the proper image from our website along with a few commands to get it written on the proper media. We are currently working on installation wizards for those not comfortable with the command prompt, so if you fall under this category, check back frequently so see if the proper modifications have been made for you! For those of you still with us, once you have downloaded the desired image, you will need to get to a command prompt so the following few steps can be executed to install XiniX to your desired media. For the sake of this example, we will assume that the image currently resides in the '/tmp' directory, has a filename of 2015.10.01.0.tgz, and will be written to the /dev/sdb media or device.
$ tar zxf /tmp/2015.10.01.0.tgz $ dd if=/tmp/2015.10.01.0.tgz of=/dev/sdb
Issuing the last command should present you with the following output to have a successful installation:
1250000+0 records in 1250000+0 records out 640000000 bytes (640 MB) copied, 119.708 s, 5.3 MB/s
Interface
This method assumes that you are working with an already running installation of XiniX. Using the default theme, locate the "i" button in the top left-hand corner of the screen and click it. From there you will be presented with a popup that explains the values required from you in order to install the operating system to your desired media or device. Use this method if you are creating an installation disk for a friend or if you want to install XiniX on an internal hard drive.
No matter which option from above was chosen, you are now ready to boot into your own copy of XiniX! Simply boot to the newly formatted media in the device of choice and enjoy!
GUI
Covering the user interface is outside the scope of this document, but click here to be redirected to the proper location that will explain the interface in detail.
Editions
XiniX will ultimately be distributed in multiple editions to best serve its user base. Each will be covered below:
- Vanilla (VE) As the name suggests, this edition qualifies as a clean, small, and efficient distribution of the operating system meant for personal devices such as desktops and laptops with goals to later expand into mobile devices. There are no applications bundled aside from the ones necessary for system manipulation found under the 'Access > Device' screen. This not only reduces security concerns by not having unused or unwanted software installed with potential exploits, but also allows the user to personalize their device to their individual liking. By default, it is shipped with a lightweight graphical system (framebuffer) for 2D rendering, but if more powerful acceleration is required (Xorg), it can be installed using just a few clicks of the mouse.
- Client (CE) Building off of the Vanilla Edition foundation, this distribution targets the SOHO and medium-sized business market. Like its base, it maintains a small, efficient footprint, but incorporates additional user account properties and authentication mechanisms (via LDAP) for robustness. Since this edition is meant for use on higher-end hardware, the more powerful graphical system (Xorg) is installed by default. Also offered in the version will be the ability to use a traditional server and client network model with its own set of unique properties to help businesses in several ways.
- Server (SE) Servers have stringent requirements, one of them is that is must remain up and running as long as possible. Since XiniX can expose its graphical user interface (GUI) locally or remotely, as mentioned in the 'Features' section of this document, this edition, by default, provides that capability through the web browser of any authorized device and with local access being in the form of the command line interface (CLI). Employees should never use a server as a work station, so there is no need to eat up resources on powering something that will never be used. This reduces overhead (and security risks) for the server so that those CPU cycles can be spent handling requests for clients - the main job of the server. Of course, a local GUI can be installed if one is desired.
- Embedded (EE) Like the Server Edition, this version comes without a local GUI by default and will target embedded devices such as routers and set-top boxes. Although the default option is to install a remotely accessible GUI, a locally available GUI can be installed as well (up to Xorg), should the device require it. XiniX should maintain the smallest footprint possible with the OEM adding only what is necessary for their device to function as designed.
Comparison
Competition is always good for the market place, especially when there are only a few power players in the industry. Currently there are only three large operating system vendors - Microsoft, Apple, and Google. The make matters even worse, one of them dominates on mobile and another one dominates the desktop market. As a new competitor, XiniX can only compete in the desktop market so that will be reflected in the table below. Also, the below information will be based on the 64-bit, 'Home' or personal-use edition of each respective OS.
| Apple OS X | Google Android 5 | Microsoft Windows 10 | Canonical Ubuntu 15.04 | Cliquesoft XiniX Beta | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storage (HDD) | 9GB | Unknown | 20GB | 5GB | 128MB | Minimum storage space to install OS |
| Memory (RAM) | 2GB | Unknown | 2GB | 384MB | est 384MB | Required memory amount to run OS |
| Processor (CPU) | 1GHz | Unknown | 1GHz | 700MHz | est 600MHz | Required CPU speed to run OS |
| Networking (Style) | Server/Client | None | Server/Client | Server/Client | p2p & Server/Client | How the network style is arranged |
| Networking (Type) | LAN | None | LAN | LAN | LAN & Cloud | The type of network capability built into OS |
| Users | Multi | Single | Multi | Multi | Single or Multi | Defines individual or group usage of device |
| Cost | Est 1500* | Free | $119 | Free | Free | Monetary cost of the software |
| Applications | App Store | Google Play | Unknown | Synaptic | Software Shoppe | Source of installable software catalog |
| Printing | CUPS | None | Print Mgr | CUPS | CUPS | Locally attached or wifi printer capabilities |
| Media Lookup | No | No | No | No | Yes** | Obtains online information for personal movies |
| Bloated | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Excessive pre-loaded software |
| Privacy (online) | No*** | No**** | No***** | Yes | Yes | Is user privacy retained |
| Updates | Non-forced | Non-forced | Forced | Non-forced | Non-forced | User control of updates |
| o * Cost is based on the purchase of the equipment required to run the OS |
| o ** The filename must be in a specific format - automated mated renaming efforts are under development |
| o *** Based on their centralization of (more easily hackable) customers data versus our decentralized approach |
| o **** Based on the well know erosion of Google's privacy policy with the users of their products |
| o ***** Based on the revelations of excessive, unstoppable communication with Microsoft's Windows 10 |
