Announcing Webian Shell 0.1

An introduction to Webian Shell 0.1, a prototype of a full screen web browser for devices that don't need a desktop.

Category:

Howto & Style

[sulmann26]

Idea: Could you make a OS... like Chrome OS. It is much easier...

Greats,

[webianproject]

@sulmann26 That's exactly what we have in mind :)

[SkyHigh675]

is it open source?

[webianproject]

@SkyHigh675 Yes, Webian Shell is licensed under the GPL

[ChSisk]

F11?

[webianproject]

@MrClrg That's true, but you do have to have a Google Account in order to use a Chrome OS device and Google runs the only app store. Mozilla's Open Web Apps project has a vision of an ecosystem for installable web apps where anyone can run an app store, or vendors can simply host their own installable app. I'm not anti-Google (I worked there once and I use all their apps), but I do think it would be healthy to have multiple browser-based OSs like we have multiple browsers.

[zeroangelmk1]

Also: 'pinned tabs' might be worth implementing. However one problem that i've always had with FFox Pinned tabs was that it was basically a normal tab. If I had a facebook tab and navigated to a sub-page on facebook or even off of the site, there was no way to quickly get back to the original URL. Doubleclicking on the tab should take you back to the original pinned URL -- or there should be another way to quickly do so.

[zeroangelmk1]

You might consider trying to put the address bar+toolbar at the bottom just to try it out. Another thing to try would be to put the 'website name' on the right side of the URL, so as not to move around the URL too much when switching between tabs. Also I think it would be kind of cool to have the search bar nested in the tab bar, right beside the clock perhaps.

[zeroangelmk1]

Looks kind of cool, if you plan to make an OS for internet kiosks, underpowered computers, or just something that will boot super duper fast.

However, tabs at the bottom of the screen? seriously? So if I wanted to click on a different tab and change the website I would have to send my mouse *all* the way to the bottom of the screen, click the window and then bring it *all* the way to the top and type the new URL? Well, I hope it works better in practice than in theory.

[floopy1962]

good idea for netbook's but for desktop pc's.... i'm not so sure :D also i thing this shell need's more :P what about to integrate webian shell with joli os :) simple apps with simple os :D

[webianproject]

@iAreMudkipz Cool, yeah. iTunes integration is unlikely unless someone implements it as a web app/widget - but playback of local media is under consideration

[hheintze1]

i may use this for an upcoming touchscreen project... on arch of course

personaly i think this would for great for touch devices what cant handle fennec.

[webianproject]

@iAreMudkipz Thanks :) An omnibar type feature is planned. iTunes controls aren't really within the scope of the project. Maybe it could be a future addon but it only really applies if you're running Shell on top of OS X or Windows doesn't it?

[webianproject]

@iAreMudkipz Thanks :) An omnibar type feature is planned. iTunes controls aren't really within the scope of the project. Maybe it could be a future addon but it only really applies if you're running Shell on top of OS X or Windows doesn't it?