The second version of the Intel-led, netbook/MID-centric Moblin distribution has gone into its alpha phase. The Moblin Project made the initial version available for testing and will happily run on netbooks.
Moblin is based on Linux kernel and will only run on intel cpu that supports SSE3 including intel atom and Intel core.
A key feature of the new version is “Fastboot”, described by Moblin developer as “which fundamentally improves boot time and allows for unprecedented speed for a general purpose Linux.”
This Alpha release is here to test the following:
- The core Linux O/S, boot process, inter-process, and package interactions.
- The new “Fastboot” feature of Moblin, which fundamentally improves boot time and allows for unprecedented speed for a general purpose Linux.
- Connectivity and networking, using the new ConnMan connectivity manager.
- Kernel 2.6.29-rc2.
- The Moblin Core Components (first look at this), including Clutter and all other UI development tools.
- Xserver 1.6 (with DRI2).
- New Moblin Image Creator (MIC2) and installation tool.
Moblin 2 is still in alpha stage and there are still some issues currently.
So far the new OS is already tested under Acer Aspire One, Asus eeePC 901 and Dell Mini 9. Wifi though is currently not working on eeePC 901. 3D performance is still slow on this build so you might want to pass on running compiz and other 3D softwares.
You may download Moblin V2 Core Alpha Release at http://moblin.org/community/blogs/tshureih/2009/announcing-moblin-v2-core-alpha-release