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{{Languages|Distributions}}
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{{Distros}}

== About distributions ==
This page provides an overview of the Linux distributions wich can be installed on the Openmoko phones. You can install any of them on your phone or even have a dualboot system with two distributions installed. For downloads see [[Download]], for installation instructions see [[Flashing the Neo FreeRunner]].

Besides, some distributions also run on [[Supported devices|other mobile devices]]. However they are not fully supported by these platforms.

=== Popularity ===

According to a survey from March 2010 [[SHR]] is by far the most used distribution (59%), followed by [[Debian]] (10%), [[QtMoko]] (9%), [[Android]] (8%), [[Hackable:1]] (5%) and [[Qt Extended Improved]] (4%).

=== Please note ===

* Stable in the FreeRunner world does not mean the same thing as stable in the Debian world.
* Most distributions use the same bootloader, kernel, drivers and hardware. Therefore, the same low level bugs are commonly found in all distributions.
* Most of these distributions also have package repositories. It is a BAD idea to feed from another distribution's repository. E.g. see [[installing alien package]]s.
* Upgrade path between these distributions are mostly not tested, thus updating by changing the feeds will most likely end in broken packages or even an unbootable system. It is advisable to reflash the whole filesystem with [[dfu-util]] to switch between the different distributions, with the reminder that a dual-boot setup (e.g. via [[Booting from SD|MicroSD]] or [[Booting from NFS|NFS]]) can be used.
* [[Marketing Mistakes]] and pre-installed distributions.

== Overview ==

=== Android ===
{{Template:Works on Android}}
Android is a software stack for mobile devices developed by the [http://www.openhandsetalliance.com/ The Open Handset Alliance.] Openmoko is fully supporting Android running on the Freerunner.

Android Cupcake is stable and usable on the FreeRunner as an everyday phone. Froyo is also available but there are, however, still some caveats. Check out the main [http://code.google.com/p/android-on-freerunner/ Android-on-Freerunner] project page for all details.

{{Main|Android}}

=== Debian ===
{{Template:Works on Debian}}
[[Debian]] is "the universal operating system". It comes with thousands and thousands of packages (most of them designed for desktops or servers so far). So in the words of Joachim "nomeata" Breitner from the [http://wiki.debian.org/Teams/DebianFSO pkg-fso] team, this is not really a distribution in the Openmoko sense of the word, but rather a different underlying system for Openmoko distributions. At the moment, we ship the software from the FSO stack, but hopefully we’ll also have, for example, the SHR software in our archive. So for now, Debian is a different way of installing FSO, which takes more space and provides more programs :-)

{{Main|Debian}}

=== GameRunner ===
{{Template:Works on GameRunner}}
[[GameRunner]] is an Openmoko Linux distribution. It aims convert the Freerunner open mobile phone in a Linux-based handheld game console. 
It is simple, and contains cool and suitable open source games for Linux mobile devices.

{{Main|GameRunner}}


=== Gentoo ===
{{Template:Works on Gentoo}}
[[Gentoo]] is all about choices. When installing Gentoo, this is made clear to you several times -- you can choose how much you want to compile yourself, how to install Gentoo, what system logger you want, etc. Gentoo is a fast, modern metadistribution with a clean and flexible design. Gentoo is built around free software and doesn't hide from its users what is beneath the hood. Portage, the package maintenance system which Gentoo uses, is written in Python, meaning you can easily view and modify the source code. Gentoo's packaging system uses source code (although support for precompiled packages is included too) and configuring Gentoo happens through regular textfiles. In other words, openness everywhere.

{{Main|Gentoo}}

=== hackable:1 ===
{{Template:Works on Hackable:1}}
hackable:1 is a community distribution for Hackable Devices like the Openmoko Freerunner. It is based on Debian GNU/Linux, and while
originally integrating a GNOME Mobile platform its infrastructure assists in the generation of flashing-ready software images for embedded devices.
{{Main|Hackable:1}}
<br style="clear: both">

=== Mer ===
{{Template:Works on Mer}}
[[Mer]] is a distribution based on [[Maemo]].
<br style="clear: both">

=== Mokotouch ===
{{Template:Works on Mokotouch}}
[[MokoTouch]] wants to be a replacement for the OM Distribution. It will contain apps for system settings and other useful apps like, mail client, Photo and Maps Viewer and maybe other fun things. It's fully written in C++ using Qt 4.5 Embedded. and it runs using Framebuffer, so no X11 Required. 

* http://th30z.netsons.org/mokotouch/index.html 
* http://code.google.com/p/mokotouch/ 
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr821OgnvYc Video]

=== neovento ===
{{Template:Works on noevento}}
[[neovento]] (ex FYP) is a [[Debian|Debian on Freerunner]] based [[Distributions|distribution]] which uses [http://lxde.org/ LXDE] and [[Zhone]] on top. It is a [http://freeyourphone.de FreeYourPhone.de] community project. 

{{Main|neovento}}
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=== OpenWrt ===
{{Template:Works on OpenWrt}}
[[OpenWrt]] is described as a Linux distribution for embedded devices.

Instead of trying to create a single, static firmware, [[OpenWrt]] provides a fully writable filesystem with package management. This frees you from the application selection and configuration provided by the vendor and allows you to customize the device through the use of packages to suit any application. For developer, [[OpenWrt]] is the framework to build an application without having to build a complete firmware around it; for users this means the ability for full customization, to use the device in ways never envisioned.

[[OpenWrt]] development trunk now supports s3c24xx, CPU used in [[Freerunner]].

Mainly due to the usage of uClibc instead of glibc as libc implementation, OpenWrt can boot from NAND with enlightenment window manager within 1 minute 7 seconds using u-boot (NOR) bootloader.

* [http://www.openwrt.org OpenWrt website]
* [http://dev.openwrt.org OpenWrt development site]

{{Main|OpenWrt}}

=== Qalee ===
{{Works on Qalee}}
[[Qalee]] is a phone environment developed in Qt4 above the fso stack. It works on the freerunner under any distribution that supports Qt4. It's not finished yet but you can test a preview version with the official Qalee distributon. This release includes no new features, but many fixes for things that didn’t work or were incomplete in 0.0.2. You can read full [http://think-free.homelinux.org/wordpress/ announcement], or take a look at some of changes:
* Qalee is now based on shr instead of debian.
* clock widget now shows a calendar when clicked.
* status panel widget shows gsm network name and power and internet connection status while on wifi or gprs.
* screen menu : you can now choose the background picture with a cover-flow effect, letting the backlight always on now works.
* network menu : all entries work, gsm one is a little buggy though.
* Wifi works despite the the bug in the kernel 2.6.29 opened for 4 month.
* application menu : to launch application just click on it :) when launched the button becomes green, to close it, press the close button which becomes red and click on the application you want to close
* power button supports suspend on short press, or menu on longer press.
* phone application is now litephone modified to use Qalee’s buttons.
* GorshPlayer is broken, if you have Qt4.5.2 librairies with phonon working on shr, tell me (?)//FIXME
* keyboard is still literky.
* Themable interface allows you to change some colours of the interface.
WARNING: Qalee is in pre-alpha stage, a lot of thinks are not coded yet, other are broken, some may be changed. It's just a preview version of the current work!

=== Qt Extended Improved ===
Qt Extended has had several names. The current name is <b>Qt Extended Improved</b>. An Openmoko-based community develops Qt Extended Improved as a Free Software project. Qt Extended Improved builds on the foundation of Qt Extended/Qtopia/Qt by Qt Software/Trolltech. Qt Extended Improved provides a robust telephony stack, a webkit based browser and other smartphone features.

On 5th March 2009 Qt Software released Qt Extended 4.4.3. On 3rd March 2009 Qt Software announced that Qt Extended 4.4.3 would be the last release of the Qt Extended product. Prior to version 4.3, Qt Extended was known as Qtopia.

{{Main|Qt Extended Improved}}

=== QtMoko ===

{{Template:Works on QtMoko}}
The most active distribution based on Qt Extended is [http://activationrecord.net/radekp/qtmoko/ QT Moko].  Special  feature are:
* actively maintained
* many bug-fixes applied
* very decent speed with nodebug-kernel
* X-Server support so you can use any X-application like [http://www.tangogps.org/gps/articles/7-Installation.html#extended TangoGPS].

{{Main|QT Moko}}

=== SHR ===
{{Template:Works on SHR}}
SHR is a community driven distribution. It contains some basic EFL based applications which make use of the FSO. There currently is an [[EFL_Documentation|EFL]] (with elementary) dialer, messages and contacts application programmed in C, as well as a nice Settings-GUI in Python. As of April 12th, 2009, there is no stable release of this distribution yet, as the SHR team doesn't feel it to be good enough. You can find images though on the [http://shr.bearstech.com/shr-testing SHR buildhost].

{{Main|SHR}}

=== Slackware ===
{{Template:Works on Slackware}}
As of release 12.2, Slackware is now officially supported on the Neo Freerunner
[http://armedslack.org/]
--[[User:Djdas|djdas]] 15:54, 13 June 2009 (UTC)There aren't any confirmations of ArmedSlack running on Freerunner either on the website or the official ML, do you have any link pointing on that?
--[[User:Ajh]] 22:11, 22 April 2010 (UTC) Wrote preliminary installation instructions on my user page.
<br style="clear: both">

=== Abandoned ===

==== FDOM (FAT and Dirty Openmoko) ====
{{Template:Works on FDOM}}
[[FDOM]] was a distribution based on [[Om 2008]], updated with many ready-to-use applications and with fixes posted in the mailing lists. 

{{Main|FDOM}}
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==== Om series ====
* '''[[Om 2009]]''' was intended to be the new distro; it is not a simple follow-on from [[Om 2008]]. It is based on the [http://freesmartphone.org freesmartphone.org] milestone 5.5 framework. Development of Om 2009 was ended and developers moved on to work on other distros instead.

{{Main|Om2009}}

* '''[[Om 2008]]''' was released on August 8, 2008, to replace 2007.2. Prior to that, its codename was ASU (April/August Software Update). This is still the name of the branch in the version control system. This distribution integrates the [http://trolltech.com/products/qtopia Qtopia] phone stack with a set of new Openmoko applications based on the Enlightenment Foundation Libraries ([[EFL_Documentation|EFL]]). Qtopia being a more mature product than the GNOME Mobile stack, the standard phone applications (dialer, contacts, calculator, calendar) work better than in 2007.2. The Qtopia used in 2008.8 was ported to run on X11, contrary to standard Qtopia which uses the framebuffer. This allows non-Qt applications to safely share the screen with Qt applications. 

{{Main|Om 2008}}

* '''[[Om 2007.2]]''' was the first distribution created by Openmoko. The interface was totally finger-oriented,  optimized for 285ppi, and very orange. It used the GTK+ stack, which is part of the [http://www.gnome.org/mobile/ GNOME Mobile] platform. This distribution is now considered obsolete and not being worked on by Openmoko Inc or by OpenedHand. 

{{Main|Om 2007.2}}

=== Others / unreleased ===
* The [http://www.neopwn.com/software.php NeoPwn] network auditng system's core is a modified Linux 2.6.24 kernel, with cross-compiled module driver support for the numerous compatible addon devices running on a FULL Debian (ARMEL) operating system. The filesystem has been optimized for performance and size and includes the NeoPwn menu system and several GUI dialogs for hardware control and attack automation. ''Status: Unknown, the GPL requires source code to be distributed only to customers''.
* [http://runningbear.org/trac RunningBear] is an innovative, yet free and open-source Operating System for hackable devices driven by Bearstech. Lightweight, Portable, Secure, Friendly and Useful. ''Status: In development''.
* [http://pokylinux.org/ Poky] and Sato, by OpenedHand/Intel. An open source platform build tool derived from OE. It is a complete software development environment for the creation of Linux devices. It enables you to design, develop, build, debug, and test a complete, modern, software stack using Linux, the X Window System and GNOME Mobile based application frameworks for both ARM and x86 based platforms. ''Status: The "Nightly Build" Image works fine on Neo Freerunner, but phone functionality doesn't.''
* [http://pyneo.org/ PyNeo] pyneo is a stack for mobile devices excessivly using dbus, glib and evas. Pyneo is NO distribution but a middleware or framework like FSO which itself developed from a very early version of pyneo. Current pyneo images are entirely based on debian instead of oe. ''Status: still active and in development! ask around on #pyneo.org ''
* [http://www.quantum-step.com/ mySTEP] by Openmoko distributor Golden Delicious Computers is based on GNUstep and brings a Objective-C API to the Neo. Core GUI frameworks are "Foundation" & "AppKit". It has been shown on FOSDEM 2008, LinuxTag 2008 and SYSTEMS 2008 to run on the Neo 1973. If someone reengineers UIKit, (open) source code compatibility to iPhone apps appears achievable. ''Status: slow progress behind the scenes''
* [http://www.archmobile.org/ Archlinux] is a distribution that follows the KISS principle.
* [http://code.google.com/p/inferno-openmoko/ Inferno] is port of distributed operating system [http://code.google.com/p/inferno-os/ Inferno].

== Features by distribution/release target ==
{{Main|Comparison of operating systems}}
Generally, distributions can differ on one or more of the following components:
* The bootsplash screen image. This is purely decorative.
* The bootloader. Theoretically, any version of ''uboot'' could be used with any distribution. In the future ''Qi'' will replace ''uboot''.
* The kernel. GNU/Linux kernels versions 2.6.24, 2.6.26 or 2.6.28 can be found. Some have modules compiled in, others have modules compiled separately. If compiled separately, modules can be distributed in the same package file as the kernel or separately.
* Middleware: daemons to handle GSM calls or GPS, sound system, personal information storage and so on. Qt and Android have their own subsystems, FreeSmartphone.Org (FSO) is working towards a standard-based Free Software one.
* Display driver. The original ''Qt Extended'' uses the framebuffer, most other distributions today use ''X11''.
* Libraries and application framework (widget toolkit and  and graphical environment) : EFL, Qt, Gtk+ or Java ?
* Basic telephony applications: voice calls, SMS, alarm clock...
* Smartphone applications: GPS, media player, simple games, web browser...
* Open source applications: more games, scientific, you name it...

== Quick download page ==
* [[Download]]

== See also ==

* Mickey Lauer's post "[http://www.vanille-media.de/site/index.php/2008/06/28/gtk-asu-fso-tmtla/ GTK, ASU, FSO, TMTLA!]" describes the differences between distributions 2007.2, ASU and FSO.

* Latest news and tips are in [[Community Updates]]

* [[Kustomizer]] is a script to change your Om 2009 or Om 2008.12 to a usable phone

[[Category:Distributions| ]]