Budgie Desktop v10.4 is now available for Debian and Ubuntu

Following official release of Budgie v10.4, the Ubuntu Budgie team has announced availability of Budgie v10.4 for Debian and Ubuntu distributions. Ubuntu Budgie team is holding the responsibility of packaging Budgie desktop for Debian based distributions.

Currently, Budgie v10.4 is available in Debian unstable and Debian Buster repositories. It is planned to be the default desktop environment in Ubuntu Budgie 17.10. However, for other releases of Ubuntu such as budgie-remix 16.04.x and Ubuntu Budgie 17.10, you will have to enable budgie-remix PPA and ubuntu budgie packports PPA respectively.

In addition to the updated budgie desktop, Ubuntu Budgie team has also updated various budgie applets to be compatible with budgie changes. These applets includes

• budgie brightness control applet
• budgie calendar applet
• budgie haste applet
• budgie indicator applet
• budgie system monitor applet
• budgie pixel saver applet (17.04/17.10)
• budgie weather applet (17.04/17.10)
• budgie global menu (17.04/17.10)

Installing Budgie Desktop v10.4 in Debian unstable and buster.

Presently, Budgie v10.4 is packed for Debian unstable and buster repositories. Please mind that, buster repositories will take a period of 1 week for syncing. So, it may be unavailable for a moment.

Budgie Desktop v10.4 can be installed in Debian unstable and buster in usual way.

$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt install budgie-desktop

Installing Budgie Desktop v10.4 in Ubuntu

# Ubuntu 16.04 based systems
$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:budgie-remix/ppa
# Ubuntu 17.04 based systems
$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntubudgie/backports
$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt install budgie-desktop

Now, you have budgie desktop 10.4 installed in your system. Enjoy!!!

Budgie Desktop 10.4 released; Implements long awaited features

Along with release of Solus 3, the Solus project has also released Budgie Desktop 10.4, latest stable release of independently developed desktop environments that is compatible with GNOME application stack. This release implements various long awaited features in Budgie Desktop.

When the previous Budgie 10.3 was released, it was told as final release in Budgie Desktop 10.x series. The next expected release was Budgie 11, a completely rewritten version of budgie using C++ and Qt frameworks. However, considering the demand from community, budgie team was working on various features in 10.x series itself and it ended in release of Budgie 10.4. Comparing to previous releases, budgie 10.4 has enjoyed more contribution from the community which is a promising trend. The release announcement of Solus 3 has specially appreciated various contributions of community in development of Budgie 10.4.

Improved Budgie Menu in Budgie 10.4

Following are various long awaited features implemented as part of Budgie Desktop 10.4 release:

• Support for Vertical Panels : In budgie 10.4 release, you can vertically place your panels on right of left of the screen. In addition to required adjustment for various components in panel, it also shows popover direction in correct location. Popover direction and jumping menu problem were long standing issues with budgie desktop. Hopefully no more worries about it.

• Panel dock mode : There is no need to use 3rd party dock applications now. You can set your panels as dock and can be placed at any side of the screen. This dock provides options for custom theme.

• Panel Transparency : Now, there is no need to hack around CSS files to get transparent panels. You can use budgie settings app to set the transparency of panels.

• Budgie Settings : Instead of filling Raven with various configuration options, Budgie 10.4 introduces a stand alone settings application. It includes option to configure panels, widgets and 3rd party developed applets.

• Introduces Budgie.Popover : The Gtk.Popover has been replaced with Budgie.Popover to avoid various animation and consistency issues with the former. It enables granular position regardless of it's origin. Say, top, bottom, left or right.

• Improved Budgie Menu : Based on experiences with Brisk Menu for mate desktop, the budgie team has redesigned application menu. It provides a better search mechanism with intelligent prediction, no - duplicate entries, ..etc. All these improvements are available in classic mode as well in compact mode.

• Updated Alt + Tab switcher : The Alt + Tab switcher has been updated to use native icon theme instead of standard icons from X11. It also provides support for Shift + Alt + Tab for switching applications in reverse order.

• Night Light Applet : Inspired by GNOME Night Light extension, budgie also ships a Night Light Applet for providing a more pleasant light during night time. This makes less stress and pain for eyes when computer is used during night time.

• And various other bug fixes.  

For more information and illustrations, read Solus 3 release announcement Solus blog. In official budgie website, there is no announcement yet. Though an announcement is expected soon.

ExTiX 17.7 released with Budgie Desktop, Linux Kernel 4.11.0 & Refracta tools

The ExTiX GNU/Linux developer has announced release of ExTiX 17.7, latest stable release of Ubuntu/Debian based GNU/Linux distribution trying to deliver ultimate operating system experience.

ExTiX 17.7 release comes with Budgie Desktop developed by Solus project. Instead of bloating with a lot of tools and packages, ExTix 17.7 ships a minimal set of packages and nd it leaves users with the privilege to decide which software to install and use.

Another highlight of ExTiX 17.7 is Refracta tools, a set of tools for building your own custom GNU/Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. Also it offers Linux Kernel 4.11.0-10-Etix prepared by project. Using a newer version of Kernel will help project to provide more hardware compatibility.

I’ve made a new extra version of ExTiX with Budgie Desktop. Only a minimum of packages are installed in ExTiX Budgie. You can of course install all packages you want. Even while running ExTiX Budgie live. I.e. from a DVD or USB stick. While running ExTiX Budgie 17.7 live or from hard drive you can use Refracta Tools (pre-installed) to create your own live installable Ubuntu system. My special kernel 4.11.0-10-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 4.11.8. It’s really very simple to install a printer in ExTiX/Ubuntu. Cups (Common UNIX Printing System) is already installed.

Further details on ExTiX 17.7 can be found in original release announcement.

Ikey Doherty leaves Intel and becomes a full time Solus developer

If you have been skimming through open source news in past two years, you might be familiar with the name Ikey Doherty. Yes, he is the founder and leading developer of Solus and beautiful budgie desktop environment.

Ikey Dohery was working at Intel for a while and his major work at Intel is associated with Clear OS. He was leading the Solus and budgie development activities in his fare time. Owing to his hardware, dedication and vision, both these projects has been well accepted by the community and the project was able to acquire a considerable amount of fund within a relatively short span of time.

As planned earlier, the Solus project was about to hire a full time developer when they hit the mission of $2500. When the mission was achieved, Ikey Doherty stepped in to work as Solus developer by leaving his job at Intel. This means a lot for the Solus community. When Ikey becomes full time developer, he can spend more time on addressing concerns of community and shaping his vision of developing an ideal desktop operating system and desktop environment.

In 4 weeks from today I will be moving to Solus as a full time developer. Originally we planned to support “a developer” once we hit the $2500 goal. However, I personally feel that this is a move I can now make myself. In doing so this will allow me to commit full time to Solus and all of it’s projects, bringing them up to the standards I want, with the features and experience that you deserve.

Whilst we have achieved a great deal so far, this has been through spare time. With this move I’m now able to dedicate all of my work hours to Solus, which in itself will result in a massive explosion in growth and development cadence for our project.

For more information, see original message shared by Ikey Doherty as part of a blog post published in Solus blog.

Budgie Desktop 10.3.x released; Fixes long standing issues and introduces essential features

Mr Joshua Strobl, communication manager at Solus project, has announced release of Budgie Desktop 10.3.x (10.3.0 and a minor incremental release 10.3.1), latest stable update of independently developed desktop environment that is closely integrated integrated with GNOME stacks. This release fixes numerous outstanding issues and introduces essential features requested by the community.

budgie 10.3 comes with long awaited Alt + Tab window switching feature

Budgie 10.3 is expected to be the final release in 10.x series and will be rolling for a relatively longer period. Meanwhile, budgie development team lead by Ikey Doherty, will be working on budgie 11, next generation of budgie desktop. Budgie 11 will be completely rewritten from scratch and it will be making use of C++ and Qt to provide optimal performance and experience.

Some of the key improvements and highlights in budgie desktop 10.3 includes:

• A new Alt + Tab window switching feature. This was a long awaited feature in budgie desktop and it was developed by offering a prize.
• Budgie 10.3 provides more option for customization. You can customize clock applet. Also, raven - the control cum notification center - includes a new option to switch window controls to either left or right.
• The long pending issue of animation flick with budgie menu has been fixed in this release.
• budgie 10.3 includes integration with recent release of gnome stack, ie, gnome 3.22+
• Art work download is supported with MprisClient and it addresses a bug which was more visible with Spotify.
• Resolved the inability to pin GNOME Twitch via the Icon Tasklist
• Resolved incorrect vertical alignment of the Clock Applet
• Now ensure tray icons are evenly spaced, as a result of syncing our natray with upstream gnome-panel.
• Improvements have been made to the Places applet

For further details and previews, see release announcement published in budgie desktop website.

Getting budgie desktop 10.3

If you are curious to get hands on budgie desktop 10.3, you can follow any of the following methods.

• Download source code for the release and  build it manually.
• Download recent update of Solus in which budgie is flagship desktop. Solus users can always enjoy the latest budgie desktop
• Install budgie remix 16.04/16.10 or Ubuntu Budgie 17.04, enable development repository and perform a system update by apt update & apt upgrade. In near future, budgie 10.3 will be moved to remix repo/backport repository which can be enabled using budgie welcome

Ultimate Edition 5.4 released based on Ubuntu 17.04; Budgie is also included

Mr TheeMahn, developer of Ultimate Edition has announced release of Ultimate Edition 5.4, latest stable build of Ubuntu 17.04 based GNU/Linux distribution which offers a variety of applications and well customized look & feel. Considering the popular demand from users, this release also includes Budgie Desktop - an emerging desktop environment based on GNOME stacks. Budgie is not set as default desktop, but users can select it while logging into the system.

Ultimate Edition 5.4 is build using packages from recently released Ubuntu 17.04 Zesty Zapus, and the Tmosb (TheehMan's Operating System Builder), a custom tool developed by Tmosb, which can create more than 3000 varieties of operating system from Ubuntu packages. Being a regular release based distribution, Ultimate Edition 5.4 won't be a long term supported release.

Courtesy : Ultimate Edition blog

Ultimate Edition 5.4 is expected to be more like a testing release, and in near future, another 5.5 version will be released based on Ubuntu 17.04 itself.

What is Ultimate Edition 5.4?  Ultimate Edition 5.4 was built from the Ubuntu 17.04 Zesty Zapus tree using a combination of Tmosb (TheeMahn’s Operating System Builder) & work by hand.  Tmosb is also included in this release (1.9.8), allowing you to do the same. It has the capabilities to build over 3000 Operating Systems.  This release ISNOT a Long Term Supported (LTS) release.

Currently I have only built the tip of the iceburg, I have began and finished building Ultimate Edition 5.4 & can build 5.5 based on Zesty (17.04).  Our beta besters asked for inclusion of Bungie & I have made it so.  I try and listen to my people.  This release has “Budgie” desktop, however not set as default.

For more details, screenshots, screen casts and download links, checkout release announcement in Ultimate Edition blog.

Budgie Desktop 10.3 development is in progress; Main focus is robustness

Within a short span of time, Budgie Desktop has gained significant amount attraction, mainly because of it's simplicity, elegance and productive nature. Budgie team is closely working to sustain and perish their user base. Towards this goal, budgie team is preparing another release with version number 10.3.

Budgie Desktop 10.3 is a maintenance release and will be mainly focusing on bug fixes and minor feature additions. The purpose of this release is to provide a more robust and reliable desktop for a while. This release is expected to live for a relatively long term.

Budgie Desktop in Ubuntu Budgie (Budgie Remix 16.10)

After release of Budgie Desktop 10.3, the development team lead by Ikey Doherty, is planning to work on next generation of Budgie Desktop, ie, v11. Budgie Desktop 11 will be a complete rewrite of existing desktop with Qt and C/C++ which will make it further reliable and efficient.

Even though Budgie 10.3 is going to be a maintenance release, it will have minor feature additions like ability to switch position of window control buttons (close, minimize, maximize and app menu) from raven, the configuration widget, and integration with GNOME 3.24 stack ..etc.

Other features/enhancement planned for this release are:

• Fix the GNOME 3.22 regressions (stumpy rundialog, etc.)
• Ensure others can build against Budgie tree
• For the love of all that is holy, throw a working graphical alt+tab into the budgie-wm
• Sync natray with gnome-panel changes
• Cleanup natray implementation
• Sync GVC
• Sync translations

You may track progress of these tasks in an issue maintained in budgie desktop github repository.

Budgie Desktop is getting it's own website

Today (24th December 2016), the Solus Project has shared a tweet hinting the launch a new website for Budgie Desktop - a traditional looking, modern desktop environment built from scratch. A trial version of the website is already available at budgie-desktop.org.

A preview of budgie desktop trial website

Initially Budgie Desktop was made for Solus, an independent operating system that delivers optimized performance for desktop computers and laptops. Though the budgie was exclusively developed for Solus, it was also available for other major GNU/Linux distributions like Arch, Manjaro, Fedora, openSUSE and Ubuntu. Also there are some distributions that deliver budgie desktop as default desktop environment. These distributions includes Manjaro Budgie Edition, Ubuntu Budgie (Formerly budgie-remix) ..etc.

A live link appears ... or is it still a tease? https://t.co/8BLP6rLb8q

— Solus (@SolusProject) December 24, 2016

Later, Solus project owner Ikey Doherty announced his plan to develop budgie desktop as separate project and to develop each component of budgie desktop as separate micro projects. This modular approach will help the project to deliver a system independent desktop experience and in user point view, they can use budgie desktop components in other desktop environments. The first release based on this plan is expected to be budgie desktop 11.0. It will be written in C instead of Vala, which is used for current versions of budgie desktop. It will help to provide better performance and to get more control over the code that is being written.

Budgie 10.2.9 released; A quick bug fix release

Mr Joshua Strobl, solus project communication manager has announced release of Budgie 10.2.9 a pure bug fix release addressing critical bugs in previous releases. Hopefully, this is going to be the final release prior to upcoming Budgie 11.0.

CREDIT : Solus Project

Some of the notable bug fixes in Budgie 10.2.9 can be summarized as follows:

• Bug fixes related to different panel widgets.
• An issue of spinning mouse pointer for almost 30 seconds before launching applications from icon task list.
• Fixed keyboard layout indicator issue associated with chinese script.
• Multiple fixes for places widget including MTP mounting issue, root directory bookmark detection, and duplicate checking for directories with accented characters.
• A confirmation is added prior to panel removal to avoid accidental deletion of panels. Also a reset option is added to panel.
• Run dialog monitors dbus names to ensure that applications is actually launched.
• Arabic is now a supported language.
• Chinese is now a supported language, both in Chinese (Traditional) as well as Chinese (Taiwan).
• Improved translation.

For more detailed feature list, see release announcement in solus project website.

Finally budgie-remix becomes Ubuntu Budgie

Finally, the Ubuntu Technical Board has accepted budgie-remix as an official community flavor of Ubuntu. Hereafter the distribution will be known by the name Ubuntu Budgie. It would be a coincidence that, budgie-remix is accepted as official flavor after ceasing same status for Mythbuntu and Edubuntu, which gives a strong message that, good players will be in and others will have to leave.

Ubuntu Budgie (formerly budgie-remix) is an Ubuntu based GNU/Linux distribution featuring lightweight, efficient, user friendly budgie desktop developed by Solus Project. On top of official budgie desktop, this release do a reasonable amount of customization to make it more usable, and ships selective applications to provide a straight forward experience to the end users.

The budgie-remix project was started prior to release of Ubuntu 16.04, and the team had released multiple development releases prior to 16.04 and had released 16.04 almost in sync with Ubuntu 16.04 LTS release and later the project has also released 16.04.1. At that time, most of the budgie-remix packages were not available in upstream repositories, so the project maintains a Personal Package Archive(PPA) to deliver budgie-remix packages. Over the time, the project members, especially David Muhammed, the team lead had submitted all the packages to upstream repository and most of the packages were accepted prior to release of budgie-remix 16.10. budgie-remix 16.10, released on 16th October 2016, was the first release of project that completely followed Ubuntu release cycle and soon after the release, all packages were accepted in upstream(either Debian or Ubuntu) repositories.

The official status for budgie-remix was taken into discussion during Ubuntu Technical Board meeting organized on 08th November 2016, and it has won 4 votes against 0. During the meeting, several names were suggested for the distribution such as, Bubuntu, Ubungie, Budgbuntu ..etc. However, the budgie-remix community was in favor of Ubuntu Budgie as it is making more sense.

Hopefully, the Ubuntu Budgie 17.04 is going to be an official release. "There is still lots of things to be done to successfully reach 17.04 Ubuntu Budgie release.  This is an opportunity for everyone to take an active part.  Changing from budgie-remix to Ubuntu Budgie is a massive job – software changes, packaging updates, merging updates upstream, testing the results." - Says official announcement published in budgie-remix website.