The Lycoris folks released the last beta (named “Build 45”) before the final release of Lycoris Update2 next month. The first ISO is 500 MB, while the third one, which contains the dev. tools, is 160 MB.
Lycoris Build 45 Beta Available
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Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
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This might shape up to be a decent Linux os.
I am right now helping a friend installing Build45 (via IM
and his mouse doesn’t work in the Lycoris installation, neither he can move around with the TAB key. Lycoris has a real problem with serial mice, I read… 
And serial keyboards that is…
“It looks too much like Windows XP, why would anyone want that”
“I don’t like Lycoris, they are just trying to copy XP”
“Shouldn’t they get in trouble for “stealing” icons from Microsoft?”
Ok, I am done. I don’t know what it is with some of the people here who read OSNews.Lycoris is a desktop distribution, and they are trying to create a look and feel that people are accustomed too.
That reminds me of an idea I had for a discussion forum where you could only link to pre-written arguments (that were ever refined).
Jeez, didn’t that idea suck.
A Windoze clone, but without Lindows’ ambition to run Windoze apps.
The only thing I could see which would possibly hold things back is the use of KOffice. They (smartly, IMHO) use Mozilla as the default browser, as opposed to Konq.
But Kword? Please. Of the three free main Linux Word Processors, it lags furthest behind in my experience. No WYSIWYG? (Don’t give me crap about this, as even using TeX/vi, you can create a DVI that’ll preview how it’ll look on paper) The only rationalization I can think of for doing it is to maintain consistancy with KDE, but that would then discuount the use of Mozilla.
Use OpenOffice.org, instead.
Ok, I am done. I don’t know what it is with some of the people here who read OSNews.Lycoris is a desktop distribution, and they are trying to create a look and feel that people are accustomed too.
I’ll admit I never used Lycoris before, but in a month or two from now, I will when I get broadband. But however, if creating a UI that people are accustomed to is the whole idea- Lycoris had made a bad clone.
Also, remember David Coursey? He never use Macs before, a real Windows zealot. one (three actually) months with the new iMac and OS X, he is in love with OS X. In fact, everytime he mentions OS X, he mentions something positive. I really got to wonder, how Apple did it. Did they clone Windows UI? Cause, I went over to http://www.apple.com/macosx and found it looked nothing like Windows. Especially the icons and the preferences.
I find a lot of people needing help to use Windows. They don’t know how to do this, to do that. Why? Windows isn’t that easy to use as you may think. So by cloning the entire UI, how users who are frustrated with Windows’ UI find it comfortable in Lycoris?
To make a easy Linux distribution isn’t to copy Windows UI. It is to invest in usablity experts. It is to do usablity tests with volunteers that aren’t computer-sawy. It is to create a UI that is logical. It is not to create a clone of Windows. Windows != ease of use.
..’optic’ which is the problem of Linux, it is the problem of configuration and install new progs and hardware. So to make Linux easy they have to work on this issues and not to make the GUI look like windows (like Apple does with BSD).
Thoems
“it is the problem of configuration and install new progs and hardware.”
Exactly! I’m pretty sure that people have no problems to learn any decent new UI. In fact I think they even enjoy learning something new (as long as it doesn’t suck).
It’s hardware and software installation that is making the current GNU/Linux distributions unflexible and sometimes simply frustrating for home desktop users.
The only thing I could see which would possibly hold things back is the use of KOffice. They (smartly, IMHO) use Mozilla as the default browser, as opposed to Konq.
Actually, I think they would be much better off using their own version of Mozilla which omits developers stuff (do Mom-and-Pop need CSS testing?); or use Konqueror 3.0 (most people who say Konqi sucks are comparing with 2.x). Konqi is suitable to meet most needs.
And as for KOffice, it is to give a basic easy to use productive suite (like MS Works or AppleWorks) as oppose to an overwhelming not-so-easy-to-use slow office application
But Kword? Please. Of the three free main Linux Word Processors, it lags furthest behind in my experience. No WYSIWYG? (Don’t give me crap about this, as even using TeX/vi, you can create a DVI that’ll preview how it’ll look on paper) The only rationalization I can think of for doing it is to maintain consistancy with KDE, but that would then discuount the use of Mozilla.
It must been a long time since you last use KWord.
1) Firstly, it already supports full WYSIWYG UI.
2) When it was ported to KDE, all of its printing woes are completely gone.
3) Of the three main word processors for Linux (i’m guessing you mean OpenOffice, KWord, and Abiword), it is the most easiest to use and fastest word processor.
4) It has more features than AbiWord anyway.
Also, you seem to forget that you are comparing with a piece of software written by a very small group of volunteers, part time, with software that have full time workers, and teams much larger than KWord; as well as a software much older than KWord.
Use OpenOffice.org, instead.
I try to avoid using this slow beast whenever possible (and, yes, I have 1.0, is that too old?). I only use it to open MS Office documents on Linux, to use it for documents using languages that requires hypenation, and also to use it when i need headnotes and footnotes. But for most needs, KOffice already handles them, but for professional needs, they still can’t.
“Actually, I think they would be much better off using their own version of Mozilla which omits developers stuff (do Mom-and-Pop need CSS testing?);”
They could take Beonex.
Oh and I just found this theme, this would probably fit very much.
http://themes.mozdev.org/skins/kzilla.html
“or use Konqueror 3.0 (most people who say Konqi sucks are comparing with 2.x). Konqi is suitable to meet most needs.”
Yes most, but not all. And giving the importance of the web for home users today, they really need to deliver a webbrowser that is as popular as possible. The big problem of Konqueror IMO is, that it’s not available for Windows so most web developers can’t test their stuff for Konqueror. It also lacks a thing or too in DHTML and can’t be used for webchats at all (not sure about 3.0 though).
And Konqueror is there anyway, because they use it as filebrowser.
Lycoris is meant to look and respond like the Windows UI. That is completely intentional, not because they want the most “usable” GUI or because they “have” to innovate. They are doing this because they want to encourage Windows users into using Lycoris. They have indentified a niche in the market, and they are exploiting it.
The thinking goes like this: People know Windows and have an enormous store of implicit/explicit knowledge about it. Providing a cheaper alternative to it may encourage people to buy Lycoris and use it. Their customers knowledge of windows will make the switch easier for them, hence they should sell a lot of “units” and make money and be able to buy fast cars. It has little to do with whether the current windows UI is intuitive or not (the Mac leads the way here).
I am right now helping a friend installing Build45 (via IM
and his mouse doesn’t work in the Lycoris installation, neither he can move around with the TAB key. Lycoris has a real problem with serial mice, I read… 
I just spoke to my cousin that is using Caldera OpenLinux (mostly as a server, but he uses a graphical front end and mouse, as well as keyboard you know), version 2.0 (pretty old eh?). He is using serial mouse and keyboard, and have no problem with it. I think Lycoris shouldn’t have that problem because they are based on Caldera, IIRC. Or probably to speed up adoption of USB mouses, they are discontinuating serial support?
Lycoris is meant to look and respond like the Windows UI. That is completely intentional, not because they want the most “usable” GUI or because they “have” to innovate. They are doing this because they want to encourage Windows users into using Lycoris. They have indentified a niche in the market, and they are exploiting it.
I know of little people who want a Windows XP lookalike from Linux. People who do know how to use Windows are power users, which happen to depend on applications; productive (3D animation, and so on) or entertainment (games). Really, even if they feel right at home in Lycoris, they wouldn’t migrate. But those people who don’t depend on Windows-only software also find the Windows user interface hard to use.
I know I’m using this example a lot, but how can David Coursey, someone who is a total Windows maniac (who previously critizes Linux and Mac OS severely) can start up and be productive on a totally foreign user interface within a day?
The thinking goes like this: People know Windows and have an enormous store of implicit/explicit knowledge about it. Providing a cheaper alternative to it may encourage people to buy Lycoris and use it. Their customers knowledge of windows will make the switch easier for them, hence they should sell a lot of “units” and make money and be able to buy fast cars. It has little to do with whether the current windows UI is intuitive or not (the Mac leads the way here).
I’m citing experience here: most of the non-geeks I know don’t know how to do things on their Windows machine, and in fact often need help from tech-sawy guys (like me!).
But these large group of people don’t depend on Windows applications, and can use another OS; like Mac OS – though unfortunately, Mac OS are only available for hardware that isn’t priced to attract PC users.
But people who know Windows like the back of their hands, either depend on applications like games; or either don’t which don’t depend on Windows anyway. (I’m the category of a person who barely understands Windows, don’t blame me, most of my geeky life, I’m on Linux).
I’ve scoured the Lycoris site and I’ve ordered the standard version to give it a whirl. I think they are on the right track for getting average users to try out Linux. Besides the XP eye candy, they have done other things. They have made the KDE Control Center even more of a central area to look at or change settings, they have organized their “Go” button so that applications are much easier to get to for the average/new user and they have put their whole package on one CD. And, lol, you have no control over what you install. I know that sounds outrageous in a sense, but the mass of applications that even the easier distributions like Suse and Mandrake put on your hard drive is very confusing to many people. I think this is a good thing, a good way to get people to try Linux as a desktop. I think this is smart, I think they have hit the nail on the head – the usability factor is what they’re zeroing in on like a laser beam. Almost all people have at least some computer anxiety at first, whether they are looking at Windows or the Mac OS for the first time. To have a bright, friendly UI, an easy to use and complete “control panel” and a well organized, easy to find and limited number of applications all on one CD is, to me, the way to go. As far as the limited number of applications, I know that is totally against the grain of Linux distributions but, if you do a basic install of Windows, Mac OS or BeOS, it is pretty much the same deal. They give you enough to get you started – some office applications, email, browser, etc. and it gives the person a chance to get familiar with the way things work. Then the person goes on to the next stepping stones as they feel more and more comfortable. I think they really have the right idea. And for only $30.00! 🙂
hahah.. i don’t think so..
“Mac OS are only available for hardware that isn’t priced to attract PC users.”
..but rather, to attract suckers. If we put it in a fancy transparent box, they will pay more. What a business plan!
You noticed that too? I learned about that trick years ago in a social psychology class. It’s amazing at face value but it’s true — some manufacturers have actually boosted sales by raising prices. It proves that suckers abound.
If you think Mac buyers are suckers, you might want to take a look at the high end audio industry!
They have made the KDE Control Center even more of a central area to look at or change settings
They actually didn’t. They threw away KDE Control Panel; keep most of its applets, created a unthemable HTML page that looks like Windows XP’s Control Panel.
..but rather, to attract suckers. If we put it in a fancy transparent box, they will pay more. What a business plan!
Actually, all new Macs aren’t transparent nor semi-transparent.
Also, Macs are made to target a niche audience, and would seem overpriced to those that aren’t in that audience.
You noticed that too? I learned about that trick years ago in a social psychology class. It’s amazing at face value but it’s true — some manufacturers have actually boosted sales by raising prices. It proves that suckers abound.
Actually, Apple doesn’t charges too high for its hardware, it just doesn’t lower the prices as fast as PCs lowers theirs. As a brother to a PC OEM (which is the only reason why I didn’t get a Mac; and no, he hardly bundles Windows; it is solded to not-so-rich computer science students and those in UNIX engineering, at his university) he would have to change his price list every month to remain competitive and to keep the prices accurate.
If you think Mac buyers are suckers, you might want to take a look at the high end audio industry!
2 out of 3 Mac users I know personally are graphics designers and would find Windows-based or Linux-based machines unproductive. The other one in very interested in sound, and find using Mac versions of most applications easier to use (oh, wait, is this the high end audio industry?). I know nothing about high end audio, and not a audiophile, so I wouldn’t make a guess. But I notice people who are professionals don’t buy because of price but because of needs and specs… (Besides, there are many PC suckers who buy a Pentium 4 when all they do is word processing and Internet. And most of them use machines with SDRAM! Suckers; they would get a better deal with Pentium III or Celeron)
um what’s new, where’s the changelog for the new build? can’t find it anywhere on their site, in the ftps…
curious if it’s kde 3x now… etc. i also see topic has been derailed into more mac crap…