KubuntuKarmicNetbook
Launchpad Entry: kubuntu-karmic-netbook-edition
Created: June 1, 2009
Contributors: ScottK, Tonio, other Kubuntu devs
Packages affected: kubuntu-default-settings, possibly a new plasma-mid-shell package
Summary
Provide, as a technology preview for Karmic, a new minor *buntu flavor, Kubuntu Netbook Edition. KDE4 is designed from the ground up to be scalable to many form factors. Many Kubuntu users are already using it in netbook computers. The intent is to make it easy for Kubuntu to just work.
Release Note
This release includes a new member of the Ubuntu family, Kubuntu Netbook Edition. This variant of Kubuntu is aimed at netbooks and other small form factor devices.
Rationale
Netbooks appear to be growing in popularity. An install image optimized for this form factor would be great for users and may have some commercial potential. KDE 4 is designed to be scalable and is easily adjusted to new form factors. It may be particularly useful to have in the *buntu stable in cases where a quick turn around for a particular device type is needed.
User stories
Jane has used Kubuntu for years and wants it on her new netbook. She is pleased to find Kubuntu Netbook Edition gives her a familiar environment scaled to her new device.
Klaus has a new netbook device coming to market with an exciting new form factor. He needs an OS for it, but needs it soon. We a little help, he's able to ship on time and on budget with Kubuntu Netbook Edition.
Assumptions
None. The settings changes have been prototyped and the plasma-mid shell will only be included if it is mature.
Design
Test various settings such and font and panel sizes in the netbook form factor to determine good settings for smaller systems.
Test and integrate plasma-mid shell if ready.
Implementation
Implementation will have three major parts
Settings Changes
Kubuntu desktop will be modified to include a new default settings package and desktop metapackage for this edition (in Universe for Karmic)
New Flavor Setup
This new flavor will need tech board approval. Seeds will have to be established. ISO builds for i386 will be needed.
Plasma MID Shell
If it is ready, the plasma MID shell will be packaged and used as the default front end for Kubuntu Netbook Edition. It is currenlty in heavy development and likely to be ready for Karmic.
http://techbase.kde.org/Projects/Plasma/Plasma-MID http://www.notmart.org/index.php/BlaBla/put_a_net_in_your_book http://www.notmart.org/index.php/Software/Plasmanetbook_breaths
Test/Demo Plan
It's important that we are able to test new features, and demonstrate them to users. Use this section to describe a short plan that anybody can follow that demonstrates the feature is working. This can then be used during testing, and to show off after release. Please add an entry to http://testcases.qa.ubuntu.com/Coverage/NewFeatures for tracking test coverage.
This need not be added or completed until the specification is nearing beta.
Unresolved issues
Inclusion of Plasma MID shell TBD pending testing.
BoF agenda and discussion
Although this was not a formal agenda item at UDS Karmic, many of the Kubuntu developers at UDS discussed this offline. This spec is intended to capture this discussion.