Software Release Notes: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 19:15, 27 April 2011

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-{{OLPC}}
-[[Category:Hardware]]
-[[Category:Software development]]
-{{TOCright}}
-==Demo notes==
-These are very early days for the OLPC software (''alpha test''); nonetheless, there is quite a bit you can do with the laptop out of the box See '''[[B1-demo-notes|B1 demo notes]]''', which are very useful to understand the system and what is available. There are also some general instructions on how to use the Sugar interface '''[[Sugar_Instructions|here]]'''.
-The software is <i>alpha test</i>. Please refer to the [[OLPC Human Interface Guidelines]] for the vision of where we would like the software to lead, only partially reflected in our current software.
-Most of our effort to date has been consumed by basic device support as well as putting together the basic user interface framework for children, which has known performance problems. Major components are as yet not complete: power management and the wiki editing system to name two large components.  Enough is now present to begin to sketch the outline of where we believe the children's software should go: enabling the construction of software in which children and teachers can easily collaborate is central to our vision. Children should not be passive receivers of "content" but creators as well.
-We do not expect that the software is yet ready for trials with children: BTest-1 is aimed primarily at developers to become familiar with the hardware and to enable testing of both the hardware and software.
-=== Base System Notes ===
-;[http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/623 Booting is very slow]: We understand where much of the time is currently going, as you can see by checking the bugs referred to in 623.  Boot time, however, is not our highest priority; we'll certainly make some of the improvements pretty soon anyway, and CAFE as an ASIC will have higher performance that will also help BTest-2 and later.
-;[http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/42 The sensor input mode of the audio hardware is not supported in the audio driver of build 191]: The code for this awaits merging shortly.
-;[http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/397 SD high speed mode is not yet supported in the driver in Build 191]: High speed SD cards themselves work fine, but will not get above 8MB/second transfer rate.
-;[http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/508 Suspend/Resume not yet implemented]: This is up next on our agenda.
-;[http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/258 Functional Wireless Driver]: The driver is functional, working much better in build 196. The Marvell's wireless chip's boot2 code has yet to be deployed. The boot code on the Marvell wireless interface has previously caused serious USB problems; BTest-1 hardware can now reset of the device to stop the USB problems until the new boot2 code is well enough tested to be deployed.
-;[http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/511 LED illumination driver needs writing]: We'd like this for BTest-2, if we can.
-;[http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/224 Want interrupt on power/battery status change]: We have the embedded controller code for this, along with the lid-switch, and the ebook mode switch, but they are not yet hooked up to the Linux input framework, nor integrated into the UI.
-=== X Window System ===
-The X Window System does not yet support the RandR extension, (rotation of the screen).
-If a console application manages to somehow [http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/367 modify the colormap], the system won't recover without rebooting the machine.
-We are not happy with the behavior of the touchpad: how much of this is hardware and how much software remains to be determined. The writing (stylus) mode of the touchpad has been disabled in the BTest-1 units, as the hardware does not work properly and is being redesigned.
-Much performance optimization work is possible, and awaits our time or volunteers to work on.
-The X Window System Xvideo extension is supported in the X server; note that a slightly different colormap is loaded while video is playing to improve video quality; other colors in use may become slightly strange during this period.
-;[http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/418 The keymaps for our initial set of keyboards are only installed when Build 185 is installed]: There are known issues with the keyboard descriptions. Thai-keyboard support only appears in builds 187+.
-The language switching key is still not working. So no english language input is possible on the default image targetted at non-latin-based languages (e.g. Arabic and Thai). To enable english input on those machines, follow the following steps:
-# After the system has booted, press ctrl+alt+f1
-# Login in as root (no password required)
-# Open the file /etc/X11/xorg.conf for editing (use vi or any editor you are comfortable with)
-# In the first InputDevice section do the following modifications:
-#* Modify XkbLayout setting from "us" to "us,ara" (for Arabic&mdash;use other symbol files for other languages)
-#* Add an XkbOptions option with the value "grp:ctrl_shift_toggle"
-# Save and close the file
-# Either reboot the machine or restart X by issueing a "/sbin/telinit 3" command and then "/sbin/telinit 3"
-After you make the modifications, the two lines in xorg.conf should be similar to the following
- Option    "XkbLayout"   "us,ara"
- Option    "XkbOptions"  "grp:ctrl_shift_toggle"
-After X is restarted, the default language will be english (that can be changed by swapping ''us'' and ''ara'' above), and you will be able to switch between languages using the ctrl+shift key combination.
-==User Interface: Sugar==
-The "Sugar" user interface environment for children is in place. The [[OLPC Human Interface Guidelines]] should be observed when building or repackaging applications. Conventional human interface guidelines have been designed for first world office workers, and are totally unsuitable for children who are just learning to read in any part of the world. As young children are the many/most of the intended audience of our system, their needs are being met first.
-Conversion of applications to function under Sugar is very straightforward and most applications can work with little change.
-===intent and goals===
-The core ideas: Activities, Not Applications; Presence is Always Present; Tools of Expression; and Journaling are detailed [[OLPC Human Interface Guidelines#Core Ideas|here]].
-===Navigation===
-Navigation, including the [[OLPC Human Interface Guidelines#Zoom Metaphor|Zoom Metaphor]] and [[OLPC Human Interface Guidelines#The Frame|The Frame]], is detailed [[OLPC Human Interface Guidelines#The Laptop Experience|here]].
-===Release Notes===
-The Sugar activity launch has performance problems we are actively investigating. There are [http://dev.laptop.org/query?status=new&status=assigned&status=reopened&component=sugar&order=priority many user interface issues] we intend to fix. Among the most notable issues are:
-;[http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/403 Sugar seems to lock up with the frame out]: Pressing F5 allows the Sugar to unhang, and you can then launch applications again.
-;[http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/383 Sugar needs a UI for controlling audio]: This needs to be written.
-;[http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/427 Sugar presumes applications exit]: Usually, you can find some other way to cause an application to exit.
-;Launching activities are slow:This is under investigation.
-;The timing of many of the user interactions, such as hover and the coming and going of the Frame are in need of fine-tuning.
-===Programming Sugar===
-Sugar Activity Bundles are explained in detail [[Activity Bundles|here]].
-                                Sugar interfaces
-                                goocanvas
-                                GTK+
-                                Cairo
-                                Pango/ATK
-==Activities==
-===Web Browsing===
-Browser based on Xulrunner (Gecko engine used in Firefox).
-No tabs
-Does not ship with: Java or Flash
-User experience has problems with pop windows, font size, Frame interfering with scrolling
-===Chat===
-Jabber-based client works (not pretty - but functional)
-===EToys===
-The [http://www.squeakland.org/ EToys] learning environment has been integrated into the Sugar environment, and you are encouraged both to visit the Squeakland site. [[Sugar EToys]] has information specific to EToys in our Sugar environment.
-===TamTam===
-The current TamTam is the first echo of a much more open-ended, collaborative, multiuser, music activity.
-;[http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/400 TamTam doesn't seem to load all instruments initially]: Restarting TamTam solves the problem.
-;The microphone ought to be controlled by TamTam itself: You can use alsamixer in the meanwhile.
-===xbook===
-PDF viewer through the browser.
-===AbiWord===
-As a place-holder, a simplified version of AbiWord is provided, and efficient, light weight text editor. Some version of AbiWord will be included long term, as AbiWord has the ability to read Microsoft .doc content well and there is a significant amount of web content in this form. It is likely to be used for editing text in the wiki as well.
-===Terminal===
-The terminal (activity) does not appear on the Frame, but can be launched by typing Alt-Shift-F11. (F11 is found in the 3rd position from the left in the Volume Slider key.) '''Note''' that on some newer builds, the terminal window ([http://dev.laptop.org/git.do?p=projects/soc-memphis Memphis]) is launched by typing Alt-Shift-F12. In even more recent builds, e.g., Build 224, Memphis is launched by typing Alt-View_Source or Alt-F12. (The View_Source Key [F12] is the little gear on the = Key that is accessed with the Fn Key.) And on even more recent builds, e.g., Build 231, Alt-= is what brings up Memphis.
-[[Image:Key_volume.jpg|thumb|none|F9&ndash;F12 are under this key]]
-==Temporary placeholders and Missing Pieces==
-There is no user interface for controlling the audio input/output. The workaround right now is to use "alsamixer" in a terminal window.
-There is no way to turn on/off the keyboard light: eventually it will be tied to Fn-space.
-Our plans include a web server and wiki system and journal, with a simple what you see is what you get editor.  These did not make BTest-1.
-===Backlight control===
-The backlight button on the bezel does not work yet, but the backlight can be controlled using F6 (dimmer) and F7 (brighter); F8 turns on color; F9 turns off color.
-[[Image:Key_slider.jpg|thumb|none|F6&ndash;F9 are under this key]]
-===Video/Camera Player===
-The controls (brightness, hue, saturation) are not hooked up in the device driver or video player applcation in BTest-1 (build 185). The driver adding these controls to Alsa (the Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) will be merged in a build soon.
-The camera is exhibiting [http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/499 more noise than expected] in assembled units; whether this is hardware or software is to be determined.
-We have used mplayer on the machine, but as it pulls in many dependencies, we put together a simple gstreamer based application for demonstration of the camera and video playing.  Others have reported successful playback of videos and DVD's on the system, including [http://www.helixcommunity.org RealNetwork] formats and players.
-The BTest-1 system does not have a LED to indicate if the camera or microphone is enabled. Such a LED will be present on a later system.
-A camera application is under development.
-==Base system==
-===OLPC Platform===
-Inventory of "permanent" packages
-Inventory of "debug" packages
-Inventory of "optional" packages (?)
-===Development environment===
- Languages - Logo, javascript, python
- Libraries
- Where to find source
- Internationalization/Localization
-==Other Multimedia Software==
-Other software that has been tested on the OLPC systems includes
-[http://www.flash.com Adobe Flash], and Real's RealPlayer® and Helix player.

Software Release Notes: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 19:15, 27 April 2011

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