XOpup Interest Group. Puppy Linux for the OLPC XO-1 laptop

A home for all kinds of Puppy related projects
Post Reply
Message
Author
User avatar
mavrothal
Posts: 3096
Joined: Mon 24 Aug 2009, 18:23

I boots!

#16 Post by mavrothal »

While trying to organize the overwhelming support for the XOpup idea, I was trying to compile kernels based either on the XO 2.6.30 kernel or the puppy 2.6.30.5 patched sources and the olpc DOTconfig as base (see previous page).
Success was variable so I tried something really simple (obviously driven by ignorance and desperation :? ).

I manually made a full puppy install in an ext2-formated USB stick, by loop mounting the pup-431.sfs and devx_431.sfs (both from rc2) as well as the kernel_src-2.6.30.5-patched.sfs4.sfs and copying to the stick. However instead of the inirt.gz and vmlinuz of puppy I used te entire boot folder from F11-XO1/os7 that has the olpc intrd, vmlinuz, config and sytemmap (all 2.6.30 kernel-based). Modified the olpc.fth to the correct path and booted the XO-1. Dracut, that is now used by the XO builds to make the initramfs, complained a bit about SCSI and depmod but booted fine to the puppy setup screens!
Unfortunately XO-1 hardware does not support VESA (not supported by the video card) and there is no geode support in the xorgwizard, so no GUI.
However I guess this attempt shows that OFW (see "XO-BIOS") is not really a problem for puppy.

I _really_ have no idea about Xorg.config, compiling video drivers (and geode driver is still problematic) and of course re-configuring the xorgwizard... Is there anyone that might be able to help?
I can understand that without the XO hardware this can be tricky, but still.

Of course there is always the original proposal on the table, an XOpup interest group that could be given the XO-1s for 12 months or so to work on it, or even to just test what others are doing, but I do not see this going anywhere. :( :( :(

PS: Maybe someone could suggest to me if there are any specific xorg config, fles and drivers that I could be manually adding/editing to the "XOpup" from the Fedora/XO working os, to test .
If you do please indicate full path for the puppy file and configuration changes if necessary.

User avatar
mavrothal
Posts: 3096
Joined: Mon 24 Aug 2009, 18:23

xserver-xoegwizard

#17 Post by mavrothal »

Maybe someone could suggest to me if there are any specific xorg config, fles and drivers that I could be manually adding/editing to the "XOpup" from the Fedora/XO working os, to test .
If you do please indicate full path for the puppy file and configuration changes if necessary.
C'mon guys...
all I asking is some pointers about the X-server and the xorg wizard...

I'm sure that someone can point to a couple of the most relevant to the question, among the 350+ threads that a forum search finds.

Anybody?...

User avatar
ttuuxxx
Posts: 11171
Joined: Sat 05 May 2007, 10:00
Location: Ontario Canada,Sydney Australia
Contact:

#18 Post by ttuuxxx »

the file your looking for is located at /etc/X11/xorg.conf
hope that helps
ttuuxxx
http://audio.online-convert.com/ <-- excellent site
http://samples.mplayerhq.hu/A-codecs/ <-- Codec Test Files
http://html5games.com/ <-- excellent HTML5 games :)

User avatar
mavrothal
Posts: 3096
Joined: Mon 24 Aug 2009, 18:23

#19 Post by mavrothal »

ttuuxxx wrote:the file your looking for is located at /etc/X11/xorg.conf
hope that helps
ttuuxxx
Yes it does (a bit :) )
Could you also tell me how to install a local pet without GUI? I'm searching for an hour but no luck...
I'm thinking to try these geode driver pets though I'm not sure that they are compatible with 4.3. But is not running anyway... so not much to loose...

User avatar
ttuuxxx
Posts: 11171
Joined: Sat 05 May 2007, 10:00
Location: Ontario Canada,Sydney Australia
Contact:

#20 Post by ttuuxxx »

It would be easier to start on a system that does boot and edit the sfs files and add the drivers to the sfs then rebuild the sfs . I'll start this week when I get the XO :)
ttuuxxx
http://audio.online-convert.com/ <-- excellent site
http://samples.mplayerhq.hu/A-codecs/ <-- Codec Test Files
http://html5games.com/ <-- excellent HTML5 games :)

User avatar
mavrothal
Posts: 3096
Joined: Mon 24 Aug 2009, 18:23

#21 Post by mavrothal »

ttuuxxx wrote:It would be easier to start on a system that does boot and edit the sfs files and add the drivers to the sfs then rebuild the sfs . I'll start this week when I get the XO :)
ttuuxxx
:D :D :D

Assuming that you produce something usable please put a note here and/or other OLPC threads in he forum as to where the relevant thread/download will be.
Thanks

User avatar
ttuuxxx
Posts: 11171
Joined: Sat 05 May 2007, 10:00
Location: Ontario Canada,Sydney Australia
Contact:

#22 Post by ttuuxxx »

I'll probably start a new thread where I can have control of the first post like what I did for 2.14X have a look at the first page :)
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=42553
It makes it way easier for the testers to find the latest release.
ttuuxxx
http://audio.online-convert.com/ <-- excellent site
http://samples.mplayerhq.hu/A-codecs/ <-- Codec Test Files
http://html5games.com/ <-- excellent HTML5 games :)

User avatar
mavrothal
Posts: 3096
Joined: Mon 24 Aug 2009, 18:23

#23 Post by mavrothal »

ttuuxxx wrote:I'll probably start a new thread where I can have control of the first post like what I did for 2.14X have a look at the first page :)
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=42553
It makes it way easier for the testers to find the latest release.
ttuuxxx
That's what I would expect.
I just asked, if is not too much trouble, to post the link in this and/or other OLPC threads to give a heads up to interested people that may monitor the existing OLPC threads.

User avatar
ttuuxxx
Posts: 11171
Joined: Sat 05 May 2007, 10:00
Location: Ontario Canada,Sydney Australia
Contact:

#24 Post by ttuuxxx »

mavrothal wrote:
ttuuxxx wrote:I'll probably start a new thread where I can have control of the first post like what I did for 2.14X have a look at the first page :)
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=42553
It makes it way easier for the testers to find the latest release.
ttuuxxx
That's what I would expect.
I just asked, if is not too much trouble, to post the link in this and/or other OLPC threads to give a heads up to interested people that may monitor the existing OLPC threads.
yes I'll have to do something like that, They did say post something monthly so I'll just copy and paste release notes once a month and give the thread link to there forum
ttuuxxx
http://audio.online-convert.com/ <-- excellent site
http://samples.mplayerhq.hu/A-codecs/ <-- Codec Test Files
http://html5games.com/ <-- excellent HTML5 games :)

User avatar
ttuuxxx
Posts: 11171
Joined: Sat 05 May 2007, 10:00
Location: Ontario Canada,Sydney Australia
Contact:

#25 Post by ttuuxxx »

I just bought on ebay a 32GB SDHC card, to use on the laptop they are sending me, so that should give me some compiling room :)
ttuuxxx
http://audio.online-convert.com/ <-- excellent site
http://samples.mplayerhq.hu/A-codecs/ <-- Codec Test Files
http://html5games.com/ <-- excellent HTML5 games :)

raffy
Posts: 4798
Joined: Wed 25 May 2005, 12:20
Location: Manila

they

#26 Post by raffy »

Now you've been talking about "they" -- it seems that there's been an organization of some sort. I guess it would help if one of you could describe what's going on.

The way it's usually done in the Forum is that projects are described and people come in to contribute as things roll on. If people see the "we" and "they" early on, there is less chance of the others joining.

I can't resist noting these points, as this was the weakness of the old OLPC approach. But if the current effort is based on hiring people for forming a team and not on welcoming volunteers, then I stand corrected.

Also, please don't forget that Barry has one of those XO-1s.
Puppy user since Oct 2004. Want FreeOffice? [url=http://puppylinux.info/topic/freeoffice-2012-sfs]Get the sfs (English only)[/url].

User avatar
ttuuxxx
Posts: 11171
Joined: Sat 05 May 2007, 10:00
Location: Ontario Canada,Sydney Australia
Contact:

#27 Post by ttuuxxx »

Hi Raffy, I'll explain.
When I say "they" I mean the OLPC company, They are sending me possibly 2 laptops this week(maybe one, I'll find out when I get them), So I can build them a puppy version. Its going to stretch my talents a bit :) But I learned lots with 2.14X and feel confident enough to build a working Os.
It will not be a tradition puppy, most gtkdialog applications will be tossed. The reason, is that they take too much resources compared with C programs. Most scripts will have to stay because there aren't many replacements.
Gxine will be tossed and VLC will be used, I'll have to recompile 8.6h.
Most drivers will be tossed and I'll compile the ones needed for XO.
That will slim the OS size, why include extra that aren't needed?
all in all my goal is 75-130MB including gimp, wx. not sure on the size of sugar yet. I bet the battery life will almost double when I'm finished, compared to a regular puppy. Plus I'll have to do some custom things also. And yes I'll release testing versions and take input etc just like I did with 2.14X. So it can be a group effort if people want help, great.
The main request by the OLPC company is that I keep them informed with the progress and difficulties I encounter once a month.
My first target will be getting a working kernel, compiled just for XO, that way it will reduce extra drivers and make the OS even smaller. Same with alsa etc.
ttuuxxx
http://audio.online-convert.com/ <-- excellent site
http://samples.mplayerhq.hu/A-codecs/ <-- Codec Test Files
http://html5games.com/ <-- excellent HTML5 games :)

fsabatino
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed 23 Sep 2009, 14:03
Location: Montevideo, Uruguay

#28 Post by fsabatino »

Hey ttuuxxx,

In Uruguay, we have just finished rolling out the X0s to 100% (yes... all) primary school kids in the country (public schools that is). Next phase will commence with high school.

http://blogs.worldbank.org/edutech/vide ... chnologies

Literally, I see kids walking around the streets with the little green laptops and rows of them sucking up wifi access on the sidewalks of our suburbs here in Montevideo.

Having a child with one of these at home, and seeing how teeeeeerribly slow it is compared to my puppy, I (as maybe hundreds of others), am keenly keeping an eye on your progress.

All the best mate. Good luck with your work

(yes... I too am Aussie, believe it or not)

User avatar
ttuuxxx
Posts: 11171
Joined: Sat 05 May 2007, 10:00
Location: Ontario Canada,Sydney Australia
Contact:

#29 Post by ttuuxxx »

I'm Canadian and Australian, Born raised in Canada for the first 30yrs and Been in Australia for the past 9 years. :)
Any Idea of the size of the OS that comes with XO compressed iso?
The reason why I asked is that I'm unsure if OpenOffice should be default or Abiword/Gnumeric like 200MB compressed extra for OO. If I did that the iso could be 380MB including Java for OpenOffice. The small 2-3 series version we have doesn't work with newer formats.
ttuuxxx
http://audio.online-convert.com/ <-- excellent site
http://samples.mplayerhq.hu/A-codecs/ <-- Codec Test Files
http://html5games.com/ <-- excellent HTML5 games :)

fsabatino
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed 23 Sep 2009, 14:03
Location: Montevideo, Uruguay

#30 Post by fsabatino »

I'm unsure if the size of the OS (I'm at the office at the XO is at home). I do know that the image file for flashing and upgrading ths OS weighs an odd 460Mb, give or take a few Mb.
You have probably already seen this page, but just in case here it is. It has more info you may find relevant. (http://wiki.laptop.org/go/LiveBackup_XO-LiveCD).

I'm sure you'll have your reasons for using OO or Abiword/Gnumeric. I'd choose Abiword/Gnumeric. And the simple reason is that from my experience with the XO, with the original Fedora/Sugar is that it is slow as a slug with crutches. In other words, anything that can help speed it up will be welcome.

User avatar
ttuuxxx
Posts: 11171
Joined: Sat 05 May 2007, 10:00
Location: Ontario Canada,Sydney Australia
Contact:

#31 Post by ttuuxxx »

The latest iso version is 539M compressed.
http://www.skolelinux.de/XO-LiveCD/
man that's big, probably just a small version. Hmmm maybe later I could look at koffice, should be able to get that around 80MB. And if you remove the abiword/Gnumeric it would only add about 65MB or less.
But first I'll try abiword. and see how it goes.
ttuuxxx
http://audio.online-convert.com/ <-- excellent site
http://samples.mplayerhq.hu/A-codecs/ <-- Codec Test Files
http://html5games.com/ <-- excellent HTML5 games :)

fsabatino
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed 23 Sep 2009, 14:03
Location: Montevideo, Uruguay

#32 Post by fsabatino »

ttuuxxx wrote:The latest iso version is 539M compressed.
http://www.skolelinux.de/XO-LiveCD/
man that's big, probably just a small version. Hmmm maybe later I could look at koffice, should be able to get that around 80MB. And if you remove the abiword/Gnumeric it would only add about 65MB or less.
But first I'll try abiword. and see how it goes.
ttuuxxx
Yikes! As the great Maxwell Smart would say "I missed it by that much!" (none other than 80 Mb!).
Good luck with that ttuuxxx. I'll watch this thread for news.

raffy
Posts: 4798
Joined: Wed 25 May 2005, 12:20
Location: Manila

best

#33 Post by raffy »

Yes, after lots of 'weightlifting" practice with 214X, ttuuxxx tries the XOpup.

Please keep notes here in the forum as you go on as others may follow your example for other platforms.

Good luck!
Puppy user since Oct 2004. Want FreeOffice? [url=http://puppylinux.info/topic/freeoffice-2012-sfs]Get the sfs (English only)[/url].

User avatar
ttuuxxx
Posts: 11171
Joined: Sat 05 May 2007, 10:00
Location: Ontario Canada,Sydney Australia
Contact:

#34 Post by ttuuxxx »

Hi Raffy I'll try my best to detail what I've been doing like the 2.14X thread is, I have a feeling the Kernel will be a large effort, Once the kernel is compiled then it shouldn't be so bad after that. First I would like to get Upup or Dpup working on it. Then compile a kernel, Xorg, alsa and start using woof. Really PPup would be good and probably the smallest, but it looks like its the end of the road for 4 series soon, 6 months give or take until 5 series takes off. So I'll opt for a larger version that includes extra deps.
ttuuxxx
http://audio.online-convert.com/ <-- excellent site
http://samples.mplayerhq.hu/A-codecs/ <-- Codec Test Files
http://html5games.com/ <-- excellent HTML5 games :)

User avatar
mavrothal
Posts: 3096
Joined: Mon 24 Aug 2009, 18:23

some usefull info

#35 Post by mavrothal »

Hey ttuuxxx
please do not hesitate to provide snapshots and alphas for testing. Would be better if they run from a USB or SDcard instead of the internal NAND

Some info that you may find useful
Th latest stable XO-1 release is os 802. Is 223MB (jffs2) to install in the NAND or 450MB with all the aplications and data libraries. You can get the ext3 version for installation in USB/SD card however is not going to work without a little hack.
The OS is Fedora 9 based and uses a patched 2.6.25 kernel. Kernel sources are here.

There are Fedora 11 based development builds using the 2.6.30 kernel. They are about 500MB but include >100MB worth of applications. However these still have problems with the video driver, battery monitor/embedded controller and camera drivers.
There is also a Debian version with more mainstream infrastructure and a geode video driver that supports multiple resolutions, that you may find useful.
The Ubuntu Intrepid version is probably the most polished XO distro and the developers provides several goodies, including power management, screen rotation, battery monitor keybindings etc that you may also find useful.
Finally olpc-powerd and olpc-kbdshim are very handy packages for touchpad, keyboard monitoring, mods and power management. Are HAL-based and may be proven handy.

A lot/all the Open Firmware/FORTH info can be found here

A word of caution. XO-1 is not playing well with some SDcard brands and types. Transend and Kingston are pretty reliable but people are reporting more problems with bigger cards. Never heard anyone using a 32GB on the XO.

Also XO-1 has also some quircks. Ask if you come across anything strange or hard to guess eg ctrl-alt-neibourhood (the 3 dot button) drops you to console...

Post Reply