[HD2 Ubuntu Development] heresandyboy:
Kubuntu for the HTC HD2 version 0.1.0

This release is intended to be run via Haret from within windows mobile.

A MAGLDR version will be released as soon and problems have been ironed out.

Consider this a Technology preview and as such is not intended for daily use.

08/01/11 2:30pm GMT: Sorry for the delay in release I've had a few breakthroughs and decided to implement the changes now rather than do several releases in one week. PM me if you can host the files for me.

What is Kubuntu?

Put simply its the debian based Desktop class OS Ubuntu built with the KDE UI instead of GNOME

Whats special about this release?

Built from scratch - Using Rootstock to create a clean fresh ARM Kubuntu 10.10 rootfs.ext2 image with which to start from.

Finger friendly - Uses Kubuntu's Plasma Netbook UI tweaked in detail by me to allow for optimized touch experience without compromising on screen space.

Some examples:

Hide titlebar and menu bar on maximized windows - Menu, close and unmaximize all tucked into the top panel.

Unmaximized windows have big buttons on the titlebar.

Large fonts in menus

Easily switch between open apps - Uses Desktop Effects to zoom out and present all open windows in a sexy grid, all from a quick tap of the top panel

Better experience - Some niggles from the original Ubuntu 0.2/0.3 release have been addressed:

Better Keyboard - kvkbd - comes with Kubuntu already

Better click and hold options - Thanks to Clickity you can customize your click and hold experience

Overhaul of connectivity options - Completely rewritten connectivity scripts to include intelligent notification tray icon and messages to inform you of 3G/Wifi/USB modes and Internet connectivity. Store settings and choose what option you require on startup. All accessed from a little connectivity icon at the bottom of home screen

==Note: Not quite finished this yet, waiting till i have finished it and packaged it into an installer so HD2 Ubuntu 0.3 users can have it too before i release my kubuntu build. Fingers crossed its only an hours work away.

What Works

3G - Added system tray notification support, Showing if 3G is on and also if it is connected to internet or not.

Wifi - Uses WICD. Default network-manager almost worked, it showed available wifi points but could never complete a connection, reverted to WICD

USB Host - connect lots of different usb devices. See this for instructions

USB Network (Not been able to use internet sharing as yet but can ssh)

SMS and Phone using latest ofono 0,25-1 and Sphone 0.0.5 - no sound tho

Battery notification! - Works perfectly giving status in taskbar, Icon shows charge level, plugged and unplugged icons too.

What still does not work

- Mostly Kernel related I am not working on these currently I have simply made a new filesystem see htc-linux for info.

Sound

Bluetooth

GPS

Accelerometer

Hardware buttons not functional

No Screen Rotation

Suspend/Sleep - Power management set to turn off screen after 4 mins to conserve battery. Set in Power saver mode when unplugged Performance when plugged.

Q&A Bugs issues and Workarounds

There is no keyboard on login screen and I need to enter a password

i I have enabled paswordless login so just click the (>) to login.

Keyboard Closed

- Click on Home at the top left and reopen kvkbd.

Press and hold does not right click

- Clickity should be on the taskbar, if not open from Utilities on Home screen. You can toggle the press hold action by pressing the mouse taksbar icon repeatedly until the icon shows the required function.

Freezes

-

Can happen if your running something intensive. Wait a few minutes without touching anything and often it comes back to life do not repeatedly click anything you will make it worse.

Often its just one app causing the problem. Bring up the keyboard with floating shortcut and the following shortcuts may help (Click it once and wait a mo if your system is freezing):

Ctrl + Alt + Esc - Turns the pointer into a skull and crossbones app killer, next click on the unresponsive app to kill it.

Alt + F4 or Ctrl + Esc - Normal Close.

Ctrl - Alt - Backspace - restart the x-server

Other useful keyboard shortcuts

Win + D - Go to Home/Desktop

F11 - Fullscreen App toggle, only for some programs.

Alt + Tab - Switch to previous open window

Install Instructions

Extract the linux folder to the main directory(!) of your Storage Card.

If the linux folder is not located in the main directory of the Card,it will not work.

Note: This will not touch your phone's internal memory. WinMo or other Linux/Android builds remain unchanged.

Startup Advice

1) Save all your current work and start the HaRET executable in the linux folder of your SD card to boot Linux.

2) Wait a few moments untill you see the Kubuntu login screen. Do not press anything and it will auto login after a 10 second delay.

If you accidentally click the screen you will notice the password vanish and there is no keyboard! Never fear passwordless login is enabled so just click the (>) to login.

3) Enjoy

4) Shutdown using the power icon on the top panel.

Thanks and references

Big thanks to the usual suspects for all their hard work on porting Linux to HD2:

Lucas David-Gorris - dcordes

cr2

NetRipper

Markinus

LeTama

Cotulla

dan1j3l

Parad0XUA

manusfreedom

Roll your own Linux

http://htc-linux.org/wiki/index.php?title=Ubuntu/Leo

Some parts are not yet up-to-date but dcordes promises to update soon. Perhaps I should document my own experience to add to the existing wiki.

Get the Linux kernel souce code:

git clone git://git.linuxtogo.org/home/groups/mobile-linux/kernel.git htc-msm-2.6.32

Compile Linux kernels for your HTC

http://htc-linux.org/wiki/index.php?title=QuickDeveloperStartGuide#Kernel

Sphone

Clickity

WHATS NEXT FOR HERESANDYBOY?

Working on XUBUNTU rootfs at the moment - should be speedy

Testing KUBUNTU 11.04 MOBILE currently - its no where near usable frankly may be better to wait for a proper release.

Will be keeping an eye on htc-linux for new kernel updates and Ubuntu for HD2 for improvements and fixes.