Cub Linux needs you! This distro is growing too big for one man to manage. I am pleased to announce the creation of the Cub Linux Foundation and so far there are empty seats at the table to be filled! This is a call to arms for those of you with a vested interest in Cub Linux, where it is now and where it will be in the future. To secure its future, I am looking for developers, artists, writers and enthusiasts from all walks of life to join the Foundation so that Cub Linux can become a true community Linux distribution.
If we cannot get a Foundation together, then frankly, I face burnout and the project faces stagnation. Google and Ubuntu are both working towards desktop and mobile convergence in their own ways, and these provide challenges but opportunities for Cub Linux.
What is the Foundation?
It will be a group of people who commit to working together on the Cub Linux project. Each member will have a specific role and responsibility and together will agree on the direction of the project, develop the operating system, distribute and market it.
What do you get out of it?
Apart from my undying gratitude, you get to be part of a real development team, making real decisions that affect real software used by real people. You will be listed as an official Foundation member. Any code or material you produce will be forever listed with you as the official author - though remember, this is an open source project so all code will be GPL licensed. This can be fantastic for career and personal development and I will gladly provide a reference for any work undertaken. I am not guaranteeing any payment, but we do get donations, and as Cub Linux grows there may come a time when some monetary compensation for your work can be provided.
How much time do I need to commit?
As much as you can manage, but initially you need to be able to commit continued involvement for at least 3 months to take us through the next release. Nobody will be signed up in perpetuity, but I hope you will want to stay a member for longer as you see the fruits of your labour.
Can I work on more than 1 role?
Yes of course, but to avoid burnout and spreading yourself too thin, probably 2/3 would be the maximum.
How will the Foundation operate?
There are many tools that we can use for joint collaboration. My initial thoughts are GitHub for development, code sharing and issue tracking; the forum for discussion and Hangouts for real-time conferencing. Once roles are assigned, each subteam will agree priorities and start work. It’s not going to be micro-managed, but I hope that all members will come together at regular intervals to discuss the project progress as a whole and maybe set some project goals and aims.
How can I apply?
Just express your interest in 1 or more roles here in the comments section or at the forum (https://cublinux.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=918) and once the roles are filled, we will start work. I will be reaching out on the forum, and across social media for volunteers.
What are the roles?
The roles required are varied and include:
- Linux Coding and packaging - we don’t have that much code in Cub Linux as we make efficient use of upstream projects, but we do have a number of desktop scripts and config files that need to be maintained, packaged, improved and debugged. Most of these are written in Bash/Yad or Python/GTK and just need an enthusiastic, not necessarily experienced coder or two to take ownership of them. You do not need to have experience in Debian packaging as I will be happy to take you through this.
- Chromium, web apps and Javascript - Cub Linux is based on the premise of replicating Chrome OS. As Google work towards bringing Android and Chrome closer, so the challenges mount for Cub Linux keeping pace (especially when Google keep removing features). In position already is Javguar and I am sure he would be happy to take some enthusiastic volunteers under his wing!
- Artwork, Icon and GTK themes - someone who is into vector graphics and material/flat design, who is willing to get down and dirty with Inkscape. Also someone who can get to grips with the GTK+3 theme specification. There are many existing projects that can be forked or partnered with eg Paper Icon and Theme set, so it’s not a case of starting from scratch, just bringing the best of what’s already out there to Cub.
- Forum moderation and support - a forum mod to keep on top of activations and keep those spammers at bay is needed, but this is a call to all forum users and anyone who can use Google to help answer as many posts as possible. Also covers Cub Linux Questions page.
- YouTube, Wiki & Documentation - we welcome any submissions of documentation in any format. Anything you have solved that might help someone else. If you can jot it down in a text editor, we can publish it. This links with the forum role. There is great advice already on the forum that needs adding to the wiki. The more documentation we have, the better and faster we can support new users.
- Website, Web Store and Marketing - into HTML/CSS? We have a web app store project in fledging status that needs someone to take it on and make it happen. Social media needs managing and I’ve always wanted a partners and case studies section on the website.
So that makes at least 6 positions, but each role could easily accommodate 2 or more people working together.
Thanks in advance
RichJack, Cub Linux Lead Developer
Great news! I don’t know anything about coding or developing. I have sat down and started to learn a few times but just don’t stick with it. I’m one of those people that likes to help others solve problems though and loves to read tech manuals and how-to’s. I just registered and will start trying to see what kind of help I can be in the forums. Keep up the good work.
I have been through a lot of Linux distros that try to take on Windows or Mac. Cub, former Chromixium, Linux is the only one I know of that took on Chrome OS, other than Hexxeh, that worked out perfectly. I never liked Windows after Vista and I never used Mac ever. I was also getting tired of all the Linux distros looking like windows and mac. Since you took on Chrome OS look and feel, not Windows and Mac look, you win. I just checked out Ubuntu 16.04 and they are big and I love it, but your Chrome look is way better than Unity. Hope you can upgrade Cub to Ubuntu 16.04 but stay Cub look and feel. I wish I can help. But if you can’t keep up with Ubuntu 16.04 Unity. I have no choice but to leave Cub for Ubuntu, I do not want to. God Speed. 🙂
Thank you I think 🙂
We are not rushing to rebase off Ubuntu 16.04 but it will come. Here’s why:
1. Ubuntu releases, even LTS are often released with unfixed bugs and problems that only appear after the masses have installed
2. There are some issues with Google/Chromium that need addressing before we start a new development cycle
3. Ubuntu are not including the latest version of Nautilus with the Google Drive integration in 16.04, I want to see if we can
4. I want to get the Cub Linux Foundation up and running and make Cub Linux 2.0 a true community release!
What will Ubuntu 16.04 bring you that you really need?
Honestly Ubuntu 16.04 is great and all but they are bringing a new apt which is going to invalidate a few PPAs (right now including the Cub Linux one on Bintray until it supports SHA256) and will have some interesting new packaging options like Snap. There will definitely be some growing pains with it being the first LTS to utilize systemd for startup as well.
Thank you, some very good points. I’ll have to contact Bintray and see where they are at.
Ubuntu has support for Gnome 3.18 now. Which means that you can install Gnome Control Center and have access to Google Drive, Printers, Calendar, etc.
I made a video tutorial a few months ago. Take a look.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px_1cZZPE-Y
Hi RichJack,
Great to hear. I wouldn’t mind taking a look at maintenance / further development of the custom apps for Cub. I don’t know precisely how much I can do, but from my experience using the distro it seems simple enough.
The Web apps proposition also sounds interesting. I’ve never done anything like it, but I am quite confident with JavaScript. I was thinking of doing some work with React.js and Electron to build cross platform apps at some point too.
Wherever I can help, essentially 😉
Nice to see the rebranding going to plan, and I hope the issues with Chromium arent too difficult. Have you thought about whether you’ll use the traditional app launcher, or the centred / experimental version as your Base?
Nathan Russell
Hi Nathan
Thank you for your offer. I think you will find that we have kept things pretty simple in Cub with regards to the custom scripts. Would you mind joining our forum (if you haven’t already) as that is where the development discussions will take place and then post in our Foundation thread (you will have to wait for forum activation):
https://cublinux.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=918
My thoughts are to try and keep the traditional launcher design, at least initially.
Kind regards
RichJack
really.. I think I need to wait for next version of cub.. it took days to get ubuntu 15.10 to work with my asus e403s and ubuntu 16.04 work’s almost out of the box so.. but your project is awesome so I wait for this so much 😀
I have no talent for coding or .. about anything anymore.. I have forget more than most learn.. mostly because I turned to artist from computer’s and stuff (yeah.. there was time when I could build the computer and make any arch work in it perfectly… those were the days.. but then I get sick and it hit my head .. now I have dyslexia and .. how ya say.. blindness to numbers? ).. anyhow.. but if you are interested on art.. I don’t know.. wallpapers or something.. there I can help.. .. or weird pixel dudes..
mostly I just wanted to know that I have mad respect for you…
Thanks Jani, I really appreciate your post. We are always happy to have wallpaper submissions if you want to put something together…
I’m very interested in the Linux Coding and packaging role, if that’s still open.
Here are some thoughts on what I currently have to offer the club linux foundation.
To join would be a win-win. I am a retired Survey Engineer that is currently working to start up a small business on Ebay to purchase used “NON-WORKING” Laptop computers.
The purpose of the purchase is to retail a re-furbuished Laptop on Ebay. That Laptop will have CubLinux as the sole operating system.
The Retail store on Ebay wil be known as the CubLinux Store, with an ecommerce retail web site. We will also offer the ClubLinux Learning Center, using open source Moodle 3.
The Learning Center will provide CubLinux learning resources, and Free Training for customer systems.
Working on CubLinux will be working for my small Retail Outlet.
Thank you very much, Hope I can work with the CubLinux Foundation.
PS My store logo will be the many images available on line for the Chicago Cub Major League Baseball Team.
I’m interested in this -> YouTube, Wiki & Documentation
Hi !
If it’s not too late and you still have some seats available, I would be very interested in Marketing, Social Media.
Regards.
Stephane.