StarLinux Releases

I have a very complicated path for StarLinux and what it will hold in the future. It is mainly a 6 step process, but one which will take many years to complete, as it is very complex and beyond my current set of skills. The time given is NOT how far away it is til we see it, but how long it will be to complete it.

StarLinux Nebula - About a weekend

If I fully dedicated a weekend to just StarLinux, I could EASILY get this done. However with an oar to move and Nationals right around the corner, there is not such thing as time. This part of the process is the easiest and the frameworks, as to why I keep rewriting it. I want it to be perfect for the rest of the Linux Distribution to lay on. Also, when this part of the process is finished, Nebula will become the codename for the CORE PACKAGES of StarLinux. This part includes:

• The Linux Kernel (Preferably a LTS Channel until StarLinux reaches a stable point)
• Busybox Userland (One day I hope to integrate GNU Coreutils and such but that's a process in itself)
• GNU C Library (Will just be bare minimum for functionality. Will include a 'glibc-full' package eventually)
• StarINIT (A very SIMPLE form of what I want it to be, but enough to boot the system)

Notes:

• The kernel will come in the smallest form possible with LITTLE DRIVER SUPPORT.
• The version releases will come as I feel they should, mainly with every kernel update.
• It will be distributed in the form of VHD (Virtual Hard Drives) or .IMG (Burnable Disk Images) with no way of installation. (However a guide will be written for ArchLinux for later releases).

StarLinux Protostar - About a month

StarLinux Protostar is when I'll fully start the programming machine I call my fingers. Probably won't happen until the summer when I have time, money and two oars. This is where I'll separate StarLinux from a simple bootable Proof of Concept to a fuller system including Libraries like nCurses, zLib, etc. and Utilities such as nano, dialog, etc.) but will also include:

• A beefier Kernel Configuration including Networking and FS Drivers (Mainly in the form of Modules to keep boot fast)
• Minimal SPM (Star Package Manager) Integration (Just installing packages from external SPM Repo)
• Minimal System Libraries (zLib, nCurses, GlibC)
• Minimal System Utilities (nano, dialog, dropbear)
• Users and Groups (/home/user, /user configuration)

Notes:

• The kernel will include modules for networking BUT wireless support will be next to none.
• The version releases will come as needed until SPM is integrated, then they'll come with every Kernel Update.
• It will be distributed in the form of VHD (Virtual Hard Drive) or .IMG (Burnable Disk Image) with no way of installation. (A ArchLinux pseudo-installation guide will be available)

StarLinux Brown Dwarf - About 3 months

StarLinux Brown Dwarf will be the smallest amount of functionality YET THE MOST IMPORTANT as it will include System Upgrading to newer Linux Kernel and packages inside StarLinux (EXCEPT GLIBC, THAT'LL BE A HUSK!) along with StarLinux being Self-Installable, meaning you won't need the ArchLinux guide as you can do it from a live image. It will also include Disk Management Utilities and the GRUB Bootloader (Or maybe Syslinux). Features include:

• Self-Updating (Core and System Applications through SPM upgrade)
• Self-Installable (Disk Utilities included and will have special .ISO and SPM build parameter for building)
• GRUB Bootloader or SYSLINUX Bootloader (A system needs a bootloader and this one will be built into StarLinux instead of borrowed from Host System)

Notes:

• The kernel will remain the same as Brown Dwarf EXCEPT for features needed for Bootloader Functionality.
• The version releases will come as needed until Self-Updating is integrated, then it will become a release schedule.
• It will be distributed in the form of VHD or .IMG UNTIL Self-Installable is integrated, then it will be released as an .ISO but at a lesser rate than experimental .IMGs or VHDs.

StarLinux Ceres - About 6 Months

StarLinux Ceres will be the first PLANNED version of StarLinux as it will be complete with utilities, be installable, and upgradable. However this release pattern will be different because instead of having a codename to a certain point, it will be in ACTIVE DEVELOPMENT as it will be release, with goals which will be released then moved onto the next release. This one will be the most stable release on a scheduled pattern. Some features that'll be integrated include:

• Self-Hosted (Just enough to build Nebula)
• Python, Java and other programming language support
• Packages included in Ubuntu's build-essentials (To add package building support)
• Wi-Fi Support (Along with Wi-Fi Drivers/Modules in basic kernel)

Notes:

• The kernel will include three different variants, 'mini' (Bare Minimum), 'basic' (Some Networking+FS Modules), 'full' (Most support included in Kernel)
• The version releases will be on a specific schedule released at either intervals of the year OR alongside a release like GlibC's release pattern.
• It will be distributed as an installable .ISO image

StarLinux Alpha Centauri - About 2 Months

StarLinux Alpha Centauri will be when I start really making StarLinux lift off the ground, including a feature called "StarLinux: Editions" which will be StarLinux Releases dedicated for specific functionality such as Web Server, Programming or Automated Compiling. It will also be a release which shapes my control over a Linux Distribution and include a User Interface called StarUI (Terminal-Based Dialog Interface). Features include:

• StarUI (StarLinux User Interface)
• StarLnux Editions:
• StarLinux: Web Server Edition (Dedicated StarLinux for Web Servers)
• StarLinux: Automatic Compilation Edition (Dedicated StarLinux for compiling programs)
• Most Command Line Utilities and Packages

Notes:

• The kernel will include the three variants from Ceres.
• The version releases will be on a specific schedule around GlibC.
• It will be distributed as an installable .ISO image.

StarLinux Supernova - About 2 years

StarLinux Supernova will be the codename which when StarLinux enters it's dedicated codename, this will be the development channel, like Sid is to Debian. There are specific goals that I wish to reach in Supernova development such as:

• GUI Support (Minimal Xorg)
• Basic Programs like Firefox and Libreoffice
• Openbox Window Manager (Minimal themes)

Notes:

• The kernel will be the full kernel as I don't want to dig through what needs to be specifically on.
• The version releases will be released as needed, for they are ONLY EXPERIMENTAL BUILDS.
• It will be distributed in the form of a .VHD or a .IMG file and RARELY an installable .ISO for time purposes.

StarLinux Neutron - About 5 years

StarLinux Neutron will be the final step in the StarLinux releases, the end goal where the system will be the most complete. A farcry to my dream of an Operating System completely developed by me but close enough to keep me happy. I hope to achieve the following in this release:

• Full GUI Support (Wayland + X11)
• XFCE User Interface (Complete with programs and Numix Themes)
• LightDM Display Manager (For logging in)
• Active Development of StarLinux ON StarLinux
• StarLinux Mini (Text-based StarLinux)

Notes:

• The kernel will include everything StarLinux needs to function.
• The version releases will be released on a planned schedule.
• It will be distributed in the form of an installable .ISO BUT VHD or .IMG for Experimental Builds.