Spri | Linux. But Faster

Well yes, actually it is!

The workload has reduced considerably lately, and as a result I've turned my attention back to Spri.

A lot has changed since the last release, and as a result I've decided to start from scratch with the packages and principles. I'll leave the old RC on the website, but there are some major changes afoot.

An update is in order and long overdue.

Spri is delayed until further notice. I imagine many people who visit here regularly would have already realised this, however it needed confirming.

I'm currently a university student in my final year, and as a result my workload has increased considerably. I simply don't have the time to get Spri up to date, which would be a huge undertaking due to the amount of time lost by the laptop ordeal.

This does not mean that Spri is dead - far from it. I still have big plans for Spri's next release, I'm just unsure when that will be.

I recieved my laptop back yesterday, and immediately set about trying to update Spri in time for Karmic's release tomorrow.

You'll imagine my surprise when after 45 minutes the problem that I originally sent it away for repair for started flaring up again.

Unfortunately, over the last few days there have been some severe issues with the laptop that I use to build Spri.

The keyboard has now completely died, and I'm not left with one computer which I use for every day work and productivity - I am simply not going to risk using months of work etc (even though yes, I do make backups) creating Spri on my main production machine.

So, this leaves me in a bit of a pickle. I can choose to go ahead and make Spri based on Ubuntu Jaunty Jackalope - OR I can hold off and make it using the latest Karmic Koala (which is currently in beta)

If you've added the new repository when you update, you'll get an update to wicd (version 1.6.2.2) along with a new wicd icon theme.

I was a bit appalled at the old one, so I added the new one to spri-artwork. It should blend in with Spri's default theme a bit better, and has been created by someone with considerably more artwork ability than myself!

The new wicd also allows you to connect via right click (although it takes a second to scan through the available networks) which makes things easier and quicker.

If the new Wicd breaks anything network wise, let me know in the forum.

If anyone attempts to upgrade from now on, you'll notice that the repository is broken.

Unfortunately, accidently rm -r'd my .gnupg folder today, and lost the private key for the Spri Linux repository (among other important keys).

Rather than dwell on this, I decided to take the opportunity to update the repository with some new packages, as well as add a few special packages, which I'll blog about later in the week.

In the meantime, I'll refer you to the wiki which has instructions on how to update your repositories to keep in line with the most current Spri packages.

The Spri Alternative Install Script is now available for download from the downloads section

As anyone who has been following the progression of Spri so far will know, I don't have any particularly impressive art skils.

I've been hoping for some time that a kind soul would chip in and create a usplash theme, however it has now become apparant that it won't be the case.

I am now offering a the sum of £20 (or the equivalent in your currency) for the the usplash that I end up using in Spri. There are however some conditions;

• The Usplash must work on all machines.

Spri Release Candidate One is now available for download from the downloads section

The progress with the release candidate is moving along nicely, several new packages have "made the cut" as well as some configuration changes and under the hood tweaks.

Changes so far include

• OU812 has kindly contributed an improved shutdown script, which has been added with earnest.
• The ISOLINUX menu for the Live CD has gone, and has been replaced with a much nice graphical grub screen
• The old default music player, Gejengel, has gone and has been replace by Listen, the default music player in Xubuntu