Vixta: Nice concept, incomplete execution
Vixta is a new Linux distribution, first released only last month, based on the not-yet-released Fedora 8. Its main objective is to emulate the visual aspects of Microsoft Vista. Version 095 contains the newest, and sometimes unstable, versions of software. The project's goals include being free in every sense, requiring absolutely no configuration, and being user-friendly, eye-catching, and familiar. Too bad the goals don't include feature-complete and stable.
Vixta comes on an installable live CD, available in either English or Portuguese. The live CD's rather plain boot screen and verbose boot output aren't especially impressive, but about halfway through the boot process a splash screen appears to hide the rest of the output.
Bypassing the login screen, a scaled-down KDE 3.5.7 desktop appears. With a large blue flower and folliage dominating the wallpaper, the desktop already feels a bit busy by the time an analog clock and calendar appear.
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My 0,02€
I was captivated by Vixta's goals, but dirt hit the fan as soon as i booted the livecd. From livecd experience to several failed attempts and only one successful installation, i'm left to wonder if their creators even know what quality assurance is...
Ok, so they're using F8 beta as a base for their system and i can understand where they are coming from, but if you want to live up to your goals, you have to think thoroughly about how you're going to implement them. Maybe using F8 beta wasn't such a good idea; it's not that fedora is bad, it's just that F8 *is still beta stuff*!
Vixta ends up subjecting itself to bad peer review just by not taking this into account. It's risking itself to be labeled 'another good idea gone astray', so to speak.
It's a shame, though. Portuguese developers have what it takes, if only they would listen to the rest of the crowd...
Anyway, all the best for Vixta and let's hope they can grasp the concepts of quality assurance and systems integration.
Take care.
./vcorreia
re: My 0,02€
Yep, it's not ready for even beta testing. In order to finish the install, I had to reboot the livecd and replace the root= device with my installed partition and changed the last word from livecd (or liveimg, whatever it was) to install. Then it wouldn't even boot until I copied the kernel from the livecd. I messed around trying to get a working kernel for quite a while before finally giving up.
It's a cute idea, but it need lots and lots of work.
stand out, don't imitate
Not quite sure if emulating Vista is a good policy.
I remember similar attempts to recreate a XP look and feel (Famelix, http://www.famelix.com.br) which lead nowhere.
Considering the slow path of Vista adoption, the excuse that it might bring in more newbies is kinda flaky.