14 DAY TRIAL // Evolve OS is a Linux-based operating system made from scratch that uses a new desktop environment called Budgie. Its developer has put together a fundraiser for the distribution so that he can devote more time to it and eventually make a stable release.
So far, Evolve OS got a few Alpha versions and the developer managed to put together an impressive operating system that has very little in common with the other distros out there.
It comes with what appears to be a simple and clear desktop layout that really feels familiar, but the end result is actually something that feels modern and smooth.
This feat has been achieved by embracing transparency, wherever possible, modifying the header of the windows to provide a new paradigm (check the screenshots), and by integrating a few forked apps.
The maker of Evolve OS didn't stop at just pulling packages from upstream and combining them into a distro. He also made a new desktop environment called Budgie.
It powers the distribution and provides the operating system with a unique look and feel. The fact that there is nothing really like it helps a lot.
Evolve OS can be much better
Please keep in mind that what you see in the screenshots is just an Alpha release. This means that the developer could do a lot more if he just had the time and resources.
The dev doesn't plan on charging money for the OS, but he is working on it in his spare time, so he is now asking the community to help him dedicate more time to the software development.
"I hope you're all enjoying the new release of Courageous Budgie! I wanted to take a few minutes to announce a new fundraiser/donations drive initiative for the Evolve OS Projects (Distro/Desktop/etc). To cut a short story long, I haven't been able to put as much time as I would have liked into developing Evolve OS and its projects over the last couple of months. This is mostly because I have to utilise my spare time to make a little extra income here and there."
"With more time on the project, I can finish up various things like the overhaul of the installer, driver management, etc on the distro side of things, as well as populating the repo at a decent pace. On the Budgie Desktop side of things we can finally begin implementing AppIndicator support, multi-monitor support, better workspaces (dynamic), finish the notification center, etc," says the developer of Evolve OS, Ikey Doherty.
We've put together a screenshot tour of the distribution and it already looks great. It still a little rough around the edges, but the Live CD works well and provides great insight on the final product. You can download Evolve OS Alpha 4 right now from Softpedia.
