Over the past couple of months since we added this layout we have had many requests from users to get Bodhi running on embedded touch screen devices. Today I am happy to announce the first availability of an Alpha version of Bodhi Linux for ARM devices. The ARM version of Bodhi is built on top of a Debian base, which provides stability on top of the speed the Enlightenment desktop provides.
The first target device Bodhi Linux plans to "officially" support are the ArchOS Gen8 tablet computers. If you own one of these devices you can find the 1.5gb rootfs as a high speed torrent download here or as a slower direct download (via source forge) here. They say a picture is worth 1,000 words - so a video must be worth much more than that. Here is a short demo video I shot of the Bodhi alpha in action on my ArchOS 70 internet tablet:
For those interested in getting Bodhi running on their own ArchOS Gen 8 devices (please keep in mind this is an alpha image, not ready for production tablets) the install instructions are the same as for putting any other Debian image on your Gen 8 device. I'll post detailed instructions on how I setup my own tablet some time next week.
If you have another piece of ARM hardware you are interested in getting Bodhi Linux running on, first install Debian Squeeze or Wheezy and then add the following line to your sources.list
deb http://packages.bodhilinux.com/bodhi/ squeeze stable
And then install the following package list:
bodhi-desktop
Have any questions or comments feel free to drop a comment below or make a post in the ARM section on our forums.
~Jeff Hoogland
Interesting... there is an alpha release for ARM yet nothing for 64bit?
ReplyDeleteBodhi is a desktop operating system. Desktop users see negligible gains when using 64bit vs 32bit. 64bit systems can use the 32bit operating system while ARM cannot. Thus our users stand to gain more by adding ARM than 64bit at this point in time.
ReplyDeleteI gain a lot from running a 64 bit system. I develop 64-bit apps.
ReplyDeleteAs I said above, developers are not our current target for Bodhi Linux. 64bit will happen eventually, but it is not high priority.
ReplyDeleteHow to install? Installation procedure please!
ReplyDeleteOr do I have replace rootfs.img from amstrong with this one?
Reply.
Yes just drop the rootfs.img over the amstrong one.
ReplyDeleteThanks... :) I will let you know about the feedback.!
ReplyDeleteHey Jeff,
ReplyDeleteIt worked like a charm...
Everything worked.. I like the keyboard.. One problem, cursor blinks too much.. and How to install new applications? Can you please provide some guide?
Thanks..
Cursor is a known issue that will be fixed in time.
ReplyDeleteRight now installing software has to be done via the command line
That looks amazing for an alpha! I noticed some compositing effects, notably one that looks like what Compiz and Ecomorph call "Scale" for switching apps. Is that through Ecomorph or e17's internal compositing?
ReplyDeleteI tried this on the Archos43. Booted really fast!! Looks beautiful!! However, it will not go into landscape mode and the touch screen, although working, is not calibrated correctly so the cursor won't "reach" the top bar where all the important icons are :-( Could you maybe add a script to the boot-up that would allow for calibrating the screen? I can't get to the keyboard or I would apt-get the tool.
ReplyDeleteAnyway - thanks and keep up the good work!
What package do you need to calibrate the screen? I'll add it to the default build for alpha 2.
ReplyDeleteThat is E's built in compositing.
i had this running on the 43 its nice but no ready yet i guess
ReplyDeleteCan we run synaptic to install new software?
ReplyDeleteAfter a bit more research - It seems the Archos43's default screen orientation is portrait, the 70 & 101's default is landscape. I don't know if I can change this or not.
ReplyDeleteOther people have been able to calibrate the Archos43 in the Debian-Archos image with "xinput_calibration" however I can't use the soft-keyboard (mouse won't reach the icon) so I would have no way to even start it from the terminal. I will have to find a way to add it to your image (and make it executable) then add an icon to the middle of the screen, or make it start with a boot time script. I guess I should really start a topic in the Bodhi forums ;-)
Yes you can install synaptic.
ReplyDelete@Ron Please open a topic on the forums and I can give you a hand getting that rolling for the time being. That way others can find the solution as well until I get alpha 2 done.
Awesome Jeff, I hope you get something together down the road that I can get running on my tablet.
ReplyDeleteHeck I tried debian on my HTC G1 just because I reaaaallly wanted E17 on there ;)
Hi, maybe someone can help me. I try to install the bodhi Linux. I have downloaded the gz file, unpacked it to bodhialpha1.img and renamed it to Rootfs.img. I have renamed the original Rootfs and copied the new one to the directory on the archos. After reboot, i get the message on the screen: booting developer edition and nothing more. I trier to reinstall the sde, but still no sucess. What did i wrong?
ReplyDeleteMake sure it says "rootfs.img" all lower case.
ReplyDelete~Jeff
Thanks for your reply. I don`t know what i did wrong. :-) the image is renamed to rootfs.img
ReplyDeleteMaybe the image wasn`t unpacked correcty. I use a windows machine, sorry no linux till now. ;-)
I did the unpacking first with winrar. I got a file named bodhialpha1.img.tar witch is 4.096.010.240 Bytes big. Further unpacking of this file gives me a Winrar error. So i renamed the file bodhialpha1.img.tar to rootfs.img. The archos didn`t start.
So, the next try with unpacking via Tugzip. Now i got the file named bodhialpha1.img with the size of 1,99 GB (2.147.483.647 Bytes) Same procedure renamed to rootfs.img again no start of the archos. The normal Angström linux rootfs.img boots with no problems.
Any idea, what i did wrong?
Greetings Juergen
You will need to use a Linux distro to extract the .tar.gz file. If it only extracted to bodhialpha1.img.tar that means it has not extracted fully yet.
ReplyDeleteSorry I can't help more - been a while since I've used Windows, not sure if it can extract a .tar.gz file
I managed now the unpacking with 7zip. The archos booting now bodhi. ;-) looking great so far. I get no contact to my wpa2 Network but for an alpha Version it is great. Thanks for your Development work and your Support. Looking forward to see the next version. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings juergen
Yea... WICD needs to be replaced - it fails to connect to a good deal of networks. Been trying to get connman or network manager working.
ReplyDelete~Jeff
Sounds more than good! ;-)Thanks
ReplyDeleteAny chance this would work on the Gen 7 Archos 5 Android Internet Tablet (5AIT)? Its Android 1.6 is getting really old, and there seems to be no prospect of Archos updating it.
ReplyDeleteTIA,
RO
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI downloaded your image an the first run seems to be really wonderfull! Nice job!
To be sure that you are aware about it, there is an other interesting project where you could find information to help you.
http://www.debian-archos.com/fr/
It is mainly in french but you will receive all the information you need. For example, I don't know if you are aware but if you upgrade to debian testing, you will have a bad bug with the touchscreen solved in the forum, udev has also a bad bug, etc... feel free to ask and we will provide you all the information you need ;)
Thanks a lot for all your work!
Salvatore
Hey everyone, thanks a lot for this impressive os, android and ios look like so old...
ReplyDeleteSomeone know the way to install Bodhi arm on telechips 8902 tablets like cheaper Chinese aipad , mid 7,
thanks
Hello,
ReplyDeleteCould bodhi linux run on this :
http://tabbee.fr/
(Freescale I.MX51 processor)
I'd recommend taking a look here for devices beyond ArchOS - http://www.bodhilinux.com/forums/index.php?/topic/1705-howto-get-started-with-bodhi-on-other-arm-devices/
ReplyDeletehow do we calibrate the screen for the 43it
ReplyDeletecan someone help me to get the screen working on the 43it everything boots fine but can't click on anything
ReplyDelete43it users try this:
DeleteCreate a new file called "99-calibration.conf" in the directory /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d. This file should contain the text below this line (noting that the indents and area between quoted words are tabs, not spaces). Reboot and the calibration should be accurate. I've gotten this to work in "portrait" mode. Not sure if "landscape" is different, or if it matters.
-----------
Section "InputClass"
Identifier "calibration"
MatchProduct "ADS784x Touchscreen"
Option "Calibration" "287 3850 203 3893"
EndSection
How can I access this file, is it in the rootfs.img? How can I do this? I have the same calibration problem on my 43it.
DeleteAnonymous, I had asked about the Archos 43it before (see above) it is not just a Bodhi issue, the same problem exists with the DebianArchos image as well. No easy fix found yet. Jeff said I should start a topic in the Bodhi forum, but I have not had a chance to sign up for it yet. :-(
ReplyDeleteron ive tried archos debian as well the screen was ok after running the archos app thats on there the wifi works as well the only thing i cant do is put it in english ive tried the wiki and no go
ReplyDeleteI have a Archos 70IT (250GB) and am currently triple-booting AOS (Froyo), OpenAOS (Gingerbread), and Angstrom (Linux). I can't wait to try this Bodhi version out. I use Bodhi at home and to be able to run the same thing on my Archos would be amazing! Also, I can help the dev team do some testing on this platform if they need it.
ReplyDeleteThanks
This looks sweet, but where can i find the instalation instructions for putting Debian on my A101? i would like to try out this distro!
ReplyDeletemany thanks!
Install instructions are the same as for Debian. Just use our image instead.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to comment on the 64-bit thing. I understand *most* users don't see much of a gain from 64-bit systems, however, scientists, engineers, and anyone who really needs to do computationally intensive tasks do see a gain, as do computationally-intensive games. 64-bit systems enable the computer to use more than 3.7 gb of RAM, which is the effective ceiling that 32-bit users hit. I have 4 gb of ram, and I see a noticeable difference in fps between my 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems running on the same machine. 64-bit deserves a little more consideration than just "it doesn't seem to make a huge difference so we'll ignore it." More and more, it makes a difference, and more and more, the vast majority of laptops available on the market have 64-bit processors. Not making visible efforts to take advantage of this capability really puts Bodhi Linux at a disadvantage.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the root password for this image? I try sudo and user debian is not in the sudoers file. It also does not let user debian read or edit this file.
ReplyDeleteI understand the want for 64bit, really I do. We just have a small dev team at the moment and we feel we have more too gain by expanding to ARM than into 64bit as Bodhi is target at desktop users - not engineers/scietists.
ReplyDeleteThere are more reasons than this, but I am currently posting from my N900. I think I will do a full blog post on the subject later this week.
password please for the root
ReplyDeleteTry debianroot or debian
ReplyDeletethanks man this is the fastest replay i ever receive a
ReplyDeletethis is very good job and profitional
but there is no sound is there any new
libre office
ReplyDeletevlc
smplayer
gimp
arora
qmmp
java
all run well gnom packge manager is not working well
good job no sound and blutooth no opengl on compize
Those hardware issues can't/won't be addressed in the Bodhi release until the Debian ArchOS people get them worked out as well. Thus is the problem with closed hardware :(
ReplyDeletehttps://wiki.ubuntu.com/ARM/OMAP/Graphics
ReplyDeletethis may be useful
any word on when everything will work the 43it
ReplyDeleteHard to say as I do not own one of these smaller devices and no one who does has stepped up to help improve the UI for them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your work Jeff + team.
ReplyDeleteI have none of the Archos so I cant test the Image. But it is good to hear that someone with a light an fast distro try to get it working on arm/touch-devices.
Maybe someone for the HP Touchpad too....
Have you tested your arm version in an adam of notion ink? does it work?
ReplyDeleteI do not own one of those units to test it on - sorry.
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteI would like to install Bodhi on Archos Arnova 10 G2, however I can't find the rootfs on Arnova so I could replace it. Could someone elaborate on how to install Bodhi on this tablet?
Thank you very much in advanced.
Please consult your tablet vendor for installing an alternative operating system on your device.
ReplyDeleteI want to install it on adam of notionink. Since I saw above that you haven't tested it yet on that becouse you don't have one, is it possible to back up somehow android so as to be able to restore it somehow later (and how?) or not? Is there a way to dual boot android and bodhi?
ReplyDeletethanks in advance
I have an older Archos Device, the Archos Internet Tablet 48, just wondering if Bodhi can run on it?
ReplyDeleteI will post instructions by early next week for setting up Bodhi on any generic ARM device.
ReplyDeleteif I may, is bodhi on a tablet lighter or heavier than android?
ReplyDeleteGenerally lighter.
ReplyDeleteI waiting for bodhi linux beta to install in my archos 70 it. Is coming?
ReplyDeleteWill this distro run on a Archos 605? Got two of them laying around collecing dust...
ReplyDeleteWe are still waiting for your instructions for setting up Bodhi on any generic ARM device and we are exciting about it. Any news?
ReplyDeleteI've hit a slew of hang ups in the ARM department. In fact I've been fighting with it for a good deal of this month - thus why so few posts here. I will post directions on how to use it in general as soon as I have things ready for such action.
ReplyDeletedoes bodhi possibly have usb host capabilites to use an optical mouse that one could use to type in the calibration utility on the archos 43? :l
ReplyDeleteBodhi supports any hardware Debian does on the Arch OS devices.
ReplyDeletewhat´s happen with bodhi linux for archos 70. the project is stopped?
ReplyDeleteI am no longer producing/working on images for the ArchOS devices. There are too many closed source drivers and ArchOS company has no interest in helping open source projects. If a community member wants to update the image we are happy to host the download though.
DeleteBonjour,
ReplyDeleteJe cherche désespérément les modules pl2303 et snd-usb-audio pour Archos 101.
J'ai testé des modules compilés et la compilation avec Qemu et directement sur le 101.
Quelqu'un sait-il faire cela ?
J'ai des projets importants avec ces modules.
Merci d'avance
Hi Jeff,
ReplyDeleteGot this working and it's fab. But my USB keyboard does not work.
Am I missing something?
Archos 101 IT gen 8
Sorry to disappoint - but the ArchOS was so locked down we can't provide support for this build :-/
DeleteI know it has been a long time since the above release. But saw you still read the comments.
ReplyDeleteAm I right I can just install Debian on my Archos and then your install your packages? Or would this not work, since I need to have drivers to get it working on my Archos?
Still, the alpha looks nice (only to bad it doesn't work).
If you can install Debian Wheezy ARMHF on any ARM device you can then add our packages too it.
Delete