Carl Richell, CEO of System76, the Linux computer manufacturer that backs the new Linux operating system, discusses the first major version of Pop! _YOU.
Before Pop! _OS all our attention was focused on ensuring that the computer hardware works flawlessly with [Ubuntu] Linux. And when Unity [Ubuntu’s desktop environment project] announced its completion last year, it created many unknowns among the team. But what started as a stranger quickly became an opportunity.
For 11 years, we outsourced one of the most important interactions with System76 customers, the desktop experience. And during this mandate, we collect tons of data: a list of client requests for an enhanced desktop interface.
Where Linux excels is in the fields of computing, engineering and DevOps: this is where our customers live. It is important for us to make sure we create the most productive computing environment to be efficient, free and creative. During the first version of Pop! _OS, we address the most common weaknesses that we hear from customers with the Linux desktop:
- The time it takes to set up a productive environment.
- Removal of bloatware.
- Up-date drivers and software.
- A fast application center that works well.
All these elements were corrected in the first version of Pop! _YOU. In addition, it was also important that Pop! _OS will provide a pleasant experience for customers other than System76. For us this meant ensuring that Pop! _OS was more stable, lighter and faster than the Ubuntu experience that people were used to. Yes Pop! _OS could turn unusable machines into work units, this is a victory for a Maker. It means greater accessibility, allowing anyone to create a project using a more powerful desktop interface.
One of the things that we are most grateful for is having a Pop community! _OS so active that it provides feedback.
Carl Richell, CEO of System76
While the first iteration of Pop! _OS was dedicated to improving these areas, it is the second launch, 18.04, where we really began to have an impact.
What's different about the release of Pop! _OS 18.04? [19659014] Heightened Security
Pop! _OS encrypts your entire installation by default. Our new installer also allows full disk encryption for preinstallations that are sent from System76 or another OEM. System76 laptops that use Pop! _OS also receive a feature that provides automatic firmware updates, ensuring that the PC is always secure and reliable.
Performance Management
18.04 includes an improved battery level indication so that users can stay on top of their remaining power. We have also added a CPU and GPU to toggle between the energy profiles of the system menu, such as NVIDIA Optimus, energy saving, high performance and others.
New installer experience
The new Installer is designed with an arch of artwork that transports it through the installation and impregnates it through the operating system. The installer does four things: it allows us to send computers with full disk encryption; simplifies the installation process; it installs extremely fast; and demonstrates the work of art and style that will begin to permeate other areas of the operating system, as seen in the new work of art Pop! _Shop
USB Flashing Utility
Popsicle is a new utility that starts when you double-click an ISO in the file manager. It is a USB boot disk creator that can ash one or several hundred USB drives at a time.
Other new features
A switch Do not disturb silent notifications, easy HiDPI and DPI standard switching for mixed screens or legacy applications, applications selected in Pop! _Shop with new illustrations, and systemd-boot and kernelstub replace GRUB in new UEFI installations.
A perfect product of 18.04 was the result of maintaining the inclusion and collaboration of the Pop community team! _OS, working with the elementary OS in the new Linux installer and, of course, the large amount of work that occurs in GNOME, Ubuntu, Debian, kernel and a number of other projects. It took a lot of testing to ensure that Pop! _OS is compatible in several types of hardware configurations.
One of the things we are most grateful for is having a Pop community! _OS so active that you have been energetic in providing your comments. We would like to continue improving the operating system and we hope to increase the participation of the community even more. Pop! _OS enables the productivity of your workflow so you can be more creative; We are here to listen and implement it.
Try Pop on system76.com/pop
Tell System76 what you need: reddit.com/r/pop_os
- This op-ed was first published in the monthly magazine of Linux users and developers. To get more insider information from the industry and the latest in GNU / Linux and the free and open source ecosystem, you can [ss subscribe today and get 5 numbers for £ 5 (only in the UK. offer ends on April 30, 2018). [19659030]