Development/Whither Shift

With the introduction of Shift 0.5, we are in fact given a fresh start. This is the point at which we must decide the direction we want to head Shift in, and how we want to do so. Ideas and debates can occur on this page and in the discussion page. We will be leaving Morphix behind us, as it has grown unmaintained, and we are confident that we can get along just fine without the simple development tools provided by them.

What should Shift be based on?

Debian GNU/Linux. Testing or Unstable; backporting newer software like the soon-to-be-released KDE 4.0 to Stable is a pain in the rear.

Alternatives: *buntu, Fedora

Points for Ubuntu

Ubuntu already includes a lot of what we want, including an installer, a nice set of applications, and desktop effects that can be easily managed. It's based on Debian, so we know that what we had for Shift 0.5 will be compatible, at least with more certainty than we would have using another base than Debian.

Another point for Ubuntu: It makes installing proprietary drivers really easy with its 'Restricted Drivers Manager'.

Points for Fedora

Fedora is RPM based, and also has desktop effects. While it comes with a lot of what we want, it is a very large distribution, and we want a fairly small one. If we were to go the root of Fedora, we would need to strip out a fair bit and add in what we want. Fedora does, however, have a DVD with Gnome and KDE included on it, which has been requested.

Which variations of Shift do we want?

• Shift KDE
• Shift Gnome
• Shift Fluxbox

Suggestions:

• Shift e17
• DVD version containing all variations

Legal issues

• Which multimedia codecs can be included in Shift?
• Which binary drivers?
• Which license to use for programs developed by the Shift team - GPL 2, GPL 3, BSD license?

Package selection

Instead of adding everything including the kitchensink Shift should carefully choose which programs to include by default. Optimally there will be just one web browser/editor/office package etc. Additional software can be installed over the Internet.

We do need to decide whether or not to use Firefox and Thunderbird instead of Iceweasel and Icedove. While they are the same thing, the branding of "Firefox" would help new users.

KDE

With KDE 4.0 RC1 released, would it be feasible to ship the next version after 0.5 with KDE 4.0 included? We would need to familiarize ourselves with KDE4, but the benefits would pay off. We also need to make the decision so that we can create a custom theme for it, and start some applications for it.

KDE 4.0 will be released soon enough to ship it with the next incarnation of Shift. We should definitely include it.

Optional: Write Shift-specific 'plasmoids' for the KDE 4.0 desktop.

Must-Have Applications

• Mozilla Firefox. Preferably version 3 if it is out in time for the next version of Shift. Reasoning: Firefox 3 nightlies are a lot faster under Linux than Firefox 2 ever was; also they use native widgets as well as the 'Gnomestripe' theme which picks the toolbar icons according to the user's Gnome icon theme.
• Mozilla Thunderbird
• OpenOffice.org
• Pidgin
• XChat
• (DVD version only?) gcc + assorted -dev packages
• CD/DVD burning app: k3b for the KDE version, Brasero for the Gnome version
• VLC
• ...

Documentation

There has to be some form of documentation of Shift-specific features. Which brings us to the next issue:

Internationalisation

Which localisations should Shift Linux contain, if any? While the Neowin community is primarily English-speaking, there might be users who would prefer to use Shift in their own language. At the very least Shift needs to come with the more common keymaps in addition to en_US, and the ability to pick the keymap at boot.