Foresight Linux is a Linux distribution for your desktop that features a rolling release schedule that always keeps your desktop up to date; a revolutionary package manager, Conary; the latest GNOME and XFCE desktop environments and an innovative set of excellent, up to date packages.

This is the first alpha release of the Foresight XFCE Edition, which is for testing, and is not recommended for every day use or in a production environment.

We hope you enjoy using Foresight Linux as much as we do. Because your desktop should be cool.

Foresight Linux 2.0 XFCE Edition Alpha 1 Release Notes

1. What's new
   1. PackageKit
   2. XFCE 4.4.2
   3. Syslinux
   4. Current Issues
   5. Packages not included
1. Downloading and Installing
2. Filing Issues and Bugs
3. Getting Help
4. Contribute to Foresight Linux
5. More information
6. Credits

What's new

In addition to a new toolchain, the Foresight 2.0 alpha series features a new tar-based installer, that should install in less than 10 minutes, including formatting a 200 GB hard drive. Users should find it much easier to install and use binary video card drivers from Nvidia and ATI than in Foresight 1.x

PackageKit

With the 2.0 release of Foresight, the Foresight System Manager has been officially replaced with PackageKit. PackageKit aims to be a unified package manager and installer available for many different Linux distributions, and Foresight is proud to be the first distribution to ship with PackageKit using the Conary backend. PackageKit is a GUI tool for managing software packages and updates for your computer, including installing, removing or searching for new software.

After a default installation, PackageKit is installed and running on your system. PackageKit is configured to check for updates once a day, and you will be prompted to install them by clicking on the PackageKit icon on your panel.

To manually search, add or remove software, click on System -> Administration -> Add / Remove Software.

Additional documentation on using PackageKit can be found on the Foresight Linux Wiki at http://wiki.foresightlinux.com/confluence/

XFCE 4.4.2

The Foresight XFCE Edition Alpha 1 includes XFCE 4.4.2. XFCE is a desktop environment designed for productivity, loading and executing applications quickly while conserving system resources.

Syslinux

Syslinux has been added as the default bootloader during installation. Syslinux is under active development, and Foresight is proud to be the first distribution shipping with Syslinux. After installation and during boot-up, Syslinux will appear as Extlinux at the bootloader screen. GRUB is still an option during installation.

Current Issues

• The XFCE terminal currently does not run correctly in virtual environments.

• Many packages need to be added to the repository.

Packages Included in Installation

• Exaile: A lightweight music player
• Abiword: An open source word process
• Gnumeric: The GNOME spreadsheet application
• Claws: An email and newsreader application

Packages Not Included by default

• Compiz
• OpenOffice

Downloading and Installing

• The latest alpha release is available as x86 and x86_64 installable ISOs from Foresight’s project page on rBuilder at http://www.rpath.org/rbuilder/project/foresight/release?id=6051.

Filing Issues and Bugs

Please report any issues or bugs you encounter while testing the alpha of Foresight 2.0. Foresight’s issue tracker, JIRA, is available at http://issues.foresightlinux.org.

Getting Help

Help is available in many forms, and you can choose what you’re most comfortable with.

• IRC: Visit the Foresight IRC channel, #foresight on Freenode, and ask questions. We have one of the most friendly IRC channels you’ll come across with everyone from users to developers reaching out to help answer questions.
• Forums: Our forums continue to grow, and are a good source of information to check if a specific problem or question has come up before.
• Wiki: Documentation on the wiki is growing on a daily basis, with updates often to the Frequently Asked Questions and other how-to’s to get you going with Foresight Linux.
• Mailing Lists:
  • General List: Subscribe or view archives at http://lists.rpath.org/mailman/listinfo/foresight-distro.

Contribute to Foresight Linux

Foresight Linux has a vibrant and friendly community, ready to assist any level of user. Participation is also welcome and encouraged! There are several different ways to engage with the Foresight community:

• You can find us in #foresight on chat.freenode.net. Foresight users can click the X-Chat GNOME icon in Applications -> Internet menu to access IRC.

• Contribute to the Foresight Wiki.

• Package and maintain software. Visit the Developer Wiki at http://wiki.foresightlinux.com/confluence/display/DEV/Foresight+Linux+Development for more information.

More Information

You can find more information about Foresight on our website at http://www.foresightlinux.org.

If you’re new to using Foresight, a Getting Started with Foresight Linux Userguide is available on the Foresight Wiki at http://wiki.foresightlinux.com/confluence/display/docs/Getting+Started+with+Foresight+Linux. This documentation is in the process of being updated for Foresight 2.0.

Ask live questions in IRC on the Freenode network in the #foresight channel.

Subscribe to the Foresight Linux Newsletter in your feed reader, such as Liferea, at http://feeds.feedburner.com/foresightnewsletter.

Credits

Thanks to Mark Trompell, Ken VanDine, Antonio Meireles and all the developers and users who contributed to this release. Please file any bugs!

Thank you for testing this latest alpha release.