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A while back I did a review on Bodhi Linux. There were some implications that I didn’t take a close enough look at the operating system, and I have to agree. So here’s a follow up to the original review on Bodhi Linux.
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After reviewing Bodhi Linux I had some time to really play around with the system. Preferring a minimal environment, I decided to check out what the minimal installation theme had to offer. One thing is for sure, when Bodhi thinks you want minimal it takes you seriously. I found myself looking at a clock. That was the only gadget on the desktop… there wasn’t even a task bar. Now if this sounds like I’m complaining let me set you straight: I asked for minimal and I expected no less, so seeing this was quite a pleasant surprise. It means that if needed I can build my desktop from the ground up.
I really like the way Enlightenment designed their task bar. It only appears when its needed and is easily re-sizable.
xjonquilx | Mepis, Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux, Oh My!
Once I had a task bar up I decided to install some applications. This turned out to be more of a headache than it really needs to be. I was unable to find any Bodhi repositories to start. I tried looking for Ubuntu’s repositories too but ended up coming short. Evidently since Ubuntu comes with its repositories pre-installed no one saw the need to post the list up somewhere so everyone could have access to them.
So next I tried Bodhi’s one click system, which failed. Every time I tried clicking on the “Install” button for a piece of software I was dismayed to be told by a pop up window that the package didn’t exist on the server.
Finally I tried downloading the packages manually. Bodhi uses .bod packages for its installations that need to be executed from the command line. This is fine for veteran Linux users but it could really give new users a run for their money (although I wouldn’t recommend Bodhi for new users anyways unless they were working on a very old machine maybe).
As for desktop customization, I find Englightenment to be pretty decent. I think I’ve gotten used to the new generation desktop environments that hide everything you need behind a press of a key or swipe of the mouse, which is something you cannot accomplish with Englightenment (at least from what I’ve done and seen). However, if you’re in to the classic desktop, Enlightenment should offer you the whole package for a lot less system resource usage than the ever popular Gnome 2.6 (which I should add is not nearly as customizable as Enlightenment is).
xjonquilx | Mepis, Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux, Oh My!
I forgot to mention these programs in my earlier review. The Gadgets Manager allows you to add gadgets to your desktop, while the Module Settings allows you to load gadgets in to the Gadgets Manager.
xjonquilx | Mepis, Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux, Oh My!
Themes are incredibly easy to install in Bodhi, and I wish the creators of Gnome would take a tip from the guys over at Enlightenment on how easy it can be to install themes. Pictured above is the Theme Selector, which allows you to install themes. Installing themes is as easy as picking one at E17-Stuff.org and loading it using the Theme Selector.
Overall I have been pretty pleased by Bodhi and the Enlightenment desktop environment. While I would not trust Bodhi in the hands of a new user (at least not without some instructions), I can easily see myself loading it up on some old computers I have lying around. These old machines could use something pretty on them. :) Full Story |
