Cuba's Ubuntu Linux-Based Open Source Linux OS to Get Facelift

Cuba's Ubuntu Linux-Based Open Source Linux OS to Get Facelift
Sep 18, 2015 Christopher Tozzi | The VAR Guy

Cuban open source programmers will soon release a new Linux distribution
called Nova Lightweight 2015, which is derived from Ubuntu and features
a special interface based on LXDE.

The Cuban government—which, as readers may or may not know, is involved
in open source operating system development—plans to roll out a new OS
based on Canonical's Ubuntu Linux. Named Nova Lightweight 2015, the
offering is an adaption for lower-end computers of Cuba's Nova operating
system.

Nova has been developed since 2009 at Cuba's University of Information
Science, with sponsorship by the Cuban government. Microsoft Windows
remains the most popular OS in Cuba, but the goal of the Nova project
aims to change that by making free and open source software the basis
for personal and institutional computing in the island nation.

Nova initially was based on Gentoo, a choose-your-own-adventure
distribution of Linux. Current versions, however, are derivatives of
Ubuntu, a major distribution with commercial backing from Canonical.

Nova Lightweight 2015, which Softpedia announced this week, will use the
Guano desktop environment. (Apparently "guano" in this context refers to
19th century construction material, not bird excrement.) Guano is based
on LXDE, a popular open source interface for Linux-based operating systems.

The Nova developers say the new system will make it easier to run Nova
on older computers, but will also enhance the user experience with an
updated design and unique icon theme. The developers hope these features
will help speed the adoption of Nova among ordinary computer users as a
replacement for Windows.

"As usual this distribution by its design is intended to provide a
migration process as smooth as possible, especially for users who are
accustomed to using Windows-like other operating systems," said Alex
Sanchez, a Nova developer.

Softpedia reports that the official release of Nova Lightweight 2015
will occur "in the coming days."

Source: Cuba's Ubuntu Linux-Based Open Source Linux OS to Get Facelift |
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