The upcoming PapyrOS is trying to build an entirely new Linux distro (based on Arch Linux) which will have Android 5.0's now famous material-design inspired look and feel.
Though Linux has always been a very stable and reliable OS, ease-of-use and the way it looked was never an area of concern for a long time. Then came Ubuntu in 2004 (see history of Ubuntu) with a strong focus on usability and things were starting to change. Ubuntu's Unity UI is idiot-friendly while not compromising on power-user specific features such as HUD. In my opinion, Ubuntu's default OS installer is the best in the market currently in terms of ease of use and reliability, even when compared to costly proprietary alternatives.
But even the latest Ubuntu is lacking in terms of design and theming. By recruiting many high-profile designers, it seems they are working on it. Also, there are Ubuntu based alternatives such as elementary OS whose entire focus is on design and usability. Their upcoming Freya OS has already made quite an impression on us (read our Freya review). If PapyrOS materializes and manages to achieve even half of what it set out to, it is going to be a big win for the community.
PapyrOS: A material design themed Linux distro
PapyrOS is a new operating system based on the popular Arch Linux platform which conforms to Google’s Material Design guidelines. "A stable and easy-to-use operating system with an heavy emphasis on well-thought-out design". Work on the OS is progressing fast and their design team has done some great mockups for the installer and some of the core apps, which includes the web browser and calculator as of now. (picture above is an actual screenshot)
Looks pretty darn good so far. If you are using Arch, the first PapyrOS packages are already available in the AUR, which you can install as papyros-shell (very unstable probably). The work on the desktop shell is going on and the implemented features so far include a music control widget in the notification drawer, sound indicator, power indicator and a classic layout, similar to Chrome OS. Works on the all important App Launcher and basic desktop layout are currently underway. You can follow the developments through Papyros.io. Here are a few more mockups and some material designed PapyrOS wallpapers. Click to see the images in full size.
PapyrOS is a new operating system based on the popular Arch Linux platform which conforms to Google’s Material Design guidelines. "A stable and easy-to-use operating system with an heavy emphasis on well-thought-out design". Work on the OS is progressing fast and their design team has done some great mockups for the installer and some of the core apps, which includes the web browser and calculator as of now. (picture above is an actual screenshot)
Looks pretty darn good so far. If you are using Arch, the first PapyrOS packages are already available in the AUR, which you can install as papyros-shell (very unstable probably). The work on the desktop shell is going on and the implemented features so far include a music control widget in the notification drawer, sound indicator, power indicator and a classic layout, similar to Chrome OS. Works on the all important App Launcher and basic desktop layout are currently underway. You can follow the developments through Papyros.io. Here are a few more mockups and some material designed PapyrOS wallpapers. Click to see the images in full size.
