Orbitiny Desktop: Portable, Modular, and Feature-Rich Linux Desktop Environment

Explore Orbitiny Desktop: A Fresh Take on the Linux Desktop Environment

Looking for a unique Linux desktop environment? Consider Orbitiny Desktop, a fresh alternative built from the ground up using Qt and C . Orbitiny blends innovative features with a familiar feel, offering a distinct experience from established DEs. This tutorial guides you through Orbitiny's features and installation on Ubuntu.

What is Orbitiny Desktop?

Orbitiny is a modern, modular Linux DE prioritizing portability. It runs from a single directory on any distribution or live CD, saving settings to $HOME/.config/orbitiny. Unlike other DEs, Orbitiny isn't based on existing projects; its modular design ensures that component failures don't cripple the entire system. It's compatible with various window managers (Xfwm, Marco, KDE's window manager), and its open-source code is available on Codeberg.

Key Orbitiny Components:

• An advanced file manager with integrated search (including content within files).
• A highly customizable desktop panel with 18 drag-and-drop plugins.
• A dedicated, integrated search utility.
• A clipboard manager.
• A device manager for enabling/disabling devices.
• A comprehensive start menu/application launcher with drag-and-drop and sidebar support.
• A dashboard displaying running tasks and installed applications, with search/filter capabilities.

What Sets Orbitiny Apart?

Orbitiny's portability allows you to run it from a USB drive on any Linux system. Distinguishing features include:

• Desktop Gestures: Execute actions via on-screen patterns.
• Icon Emblems: Visual cues on icons indicate copied/cut files or new folder contents.
• File Tricks: Combine text files, paste text directly into files, or paste to multiple folders simultaneously.
• Custom Menus: Right-click menus are designed to avoid keyboard shortcut conflicts.
• Powerful Panel: Drag-and-drop functionality without "edit mode."
• Command Execution: Run commands on selected files.
• Multi-Monitor Support: Independent icon sets and wallpapers per screen.
• Dual-Command Buttons: Configure panel buttons with separate left and middle-click actions.
• Built-in WINE and DOSBOX support.
• MAFF file support (extracted to /tmp and launched as HTML).

Important Considerations:

Orbitiny is under development. It currently lacks a session manager (requiring manual launch post-login) and features like a power manager or screensaver (planned for future releases). It supports X11 only; Wayland support is in progress.

Installing Orbitiny Desktop on Ubuntu:

This guide uses Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.

1. Install Qt:

Verify Qt installation: qmake --version

If not installed, update package lists: sudo apt update

Install Qt development packages: sudo apt install qt6-base-dev qt6-tools-dev qt6-tools-dev-tools

Find qmake: find /usr -name qmake 2>/dev/null (e.g., /usr/lib/qt6/bin/qmake)

Add qmake to your PATH (Bash/Zsh: echo 'export PATH=/usr/lib/qt6/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.bashrc; source ~/.bashrc; Fish: set -U fish_user_paths /usr/lib/qt6/bin $fish_user_paths)

Verify Qt installation again.

Install xcb plugin: sudo apt update; sudo apt install libxcb-xinerama0 libxcb1 libx11-xcb1 libxrender1 libegl1-mesa

Check for xcb plugin: find /usr -name "libqxcb.so" 2>/dev/null

2. Install Orbitiny:

Download: wget https://codeberg.org/sasko-usinov/orbitiny-desktop/raw/branch/main/orbitiny-bin-release/orbitiny-release.tar.gz

Extract: tar -xvf orbitiny-release.tar.gz

Run: cd orbitiny-release; ./start-orbitiny

Exploring Orbitiny's Features:

• Portability: Run in portable mode (.portable_mode file in $BASE_DIR/usr/bin) or non-portable mode (settings saved to $HOME/.config/orbitiny).
• Content Margins: Adjust in "Environment & Workspace Settings" -> "Appearance".
• System Icons: "Linux System" and "Disks & Partitions" icons provide system utilities.
• Custom Actions: Edit custom actions via right-click -> "Custom Actions" -> "Edit Custom Actions".
• Terminal Execution: Hold "Alt" while double-clicking to force terminal execution (unless your WM uses "Alt" for accessibility).
• Logout/Reboot/Power Off: Configure in "Orbitiny" menu -> "Commands".
• Gestures: Customize gestures in "Environment & Workspace Settings" -> "Advanced" -> "Gestures".
• Panel Customization: Drag, resize, and move the panel; scroll and resize using mouse wheel and keyboard shortcuts.

Conclusion:

Orbitiny presents a unique and promising Linux desktop experience. While still under development, its innovative features and modular design make it an intriguing alternative for users seeking something different.

The above is the detailed content of Orbitiny Desktop: Portable, Modular, and Feature-Rich Linux Desktop Environment. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!