Greetings ladies and gents,
This update comes more than a month since our last post, so we figured we would lay down the skinny for those of you wondering how development is going. Unfortunately we have been very quiet, but like the old saying goes: no news is good news.
In the next few weeks we will be finishing a near feature complete Cairo menubar. This includes our collection algorithm that monitors program installation information for our programs menu, drag and drop quick links (like Stacks for OS X), and a minimal implementation of our built-in search, as well as the usual date and time controls, system tray, and Cairo menu.
From there we will move on to finishing the Cairo taskbar and the basis of our dynamic desktop system, which allows for browsing files and directories from your desktop. At this point there will still be much to do, including the Multi-Desktop system, Plugin system, and building up the features of already developed systems. Nevertheless, Cairo will have a solid foundation on which to continue building our platform.
Depending on how long these items take to develop will greatly determine the date of Milestone 1. We would like to squeeze as many features as possible into our first private release so that our testers feel comfortable using Cairo without frustration trying to perform simple tasks like opening and switching between applications. At a minimum we hope to include a taskbar, menubar, and desktop for their consideration. Until such time comes when all three of these items are relatively complete, there will be no alpha date announcement and donations will remain closed.
Turning now to an entirely new issue, there have been some rumblings on our forum about the lack of discolosure from the team. The problem with announcing Cairo so early and then having the two large setbacks we had is that hype becomes a problem. Just like Apple, Microsoft, or any other large corporation, Cairo too is susceptible to pent up expectations. As a consequence, we have people all over the globe calling us vaporware, that our work thus far is “bullshit,” and that Cairo will “never see the light of day.” I can assure you all personally that these statements couldn’t be further from the truth, but have worked to our advantage: these kinds of comments have subsided and worn themselves short. In the meantime, the relative lack of updates has brought us peace and quiet and allowed us to focus on development. The last thing we want to do is go releasing videos and images of Cairo now (still very much incomplete) only to drive up hysteria again, just for it to come crashing down in a fiery ball of angst.
We have said this before but we will say it again: we appreciate the support of our community and thank you all for your encouragement and praise. We are working hard to deliver the best desktop environment available and want to make sure it meets our uncompromising commitment to quality before we release our baby into the world.
Your patience will be rewarded.
Best,
The Cairo Team
8 Comments
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Anonymous
August 7, 2008
Awesome! Keep up the good work!
SoundOfEmotion
August 8, 2008
I’ve got your RSS feed for a live bookmark and check for updates every day. I’m very sad for your loss, I know how it can be to have to start from scratch.
Keep up the amazing work. I’ve been watching shell replacements for a few years (everything from Aston, Talisman, Winstep, LiteStep, bbLean, Geoshell) and nothing compares to what you guys are doing. As a PC user I’ve been tempted so many times to switch to a Mac because of their beautiful OS but unfortunately can’t switch because of the high upstart cost. I’ve even considered diving into OSX86, just to play with the OS.
Your efforts will make this predicament a thing of the past! You’ve got a rich featureful shell replacement. What I love about Cairo the most is that it doesn’t require the user to relearn how to use their computer, but instead uses the best techniques from the more popular operating systems (I see bits of OSX, Vista, and even Linux).
Again, you guys are doing an amazing job and thank you so much for the development update. I just assume that if you’re not spending time talking about what you’re doing, you’re doing more of what you’re doing. Also, I realize you’re probably not looking for new developers, but if you’re interested in reviewing my resume I’d love to join the team. Let me know if you ever need anything!
mhf
August 10, 2008
We are patient !!!
daren
August 11, 2008
I’d rather have a working Cairo sometime in the future than a flawed piece of …. now that would turn me away from giving what appears to be a wonderful concept a second chance after the many of the bugs are worked out.
sea-monsters
August 13, 2008
Once, I found a file on Internet. It said that the file was the early release of Cairo. But it contained only the taskbar of cairo. The link is this :
http://patrickgs.deviantart.com/art/Proteus-Shell-Pre-M1-92000581?offset=0
At that time , I was so excited that I can hardly wait for trying it. But unfortunately, it crashed every time when I run it.
Now I want to know, if this is the true one?
Michael
August 14, 2008
Proteus is not associated with Cairo and is an attempted copy.
patrickgs21
August 15, 2008
“Proteus is not associated with Cairo and is an attempted copy.”
I only want to make clear that Proteus is NOT AN ATTEMPTED COPY.
I never wanted to try copying your stuff. Once i realised some things looked same, i changed the way proteus worked (check the aeroxp topic).
“It said that the file was the early release of Cairo.”
I never mentioned that and i am not trying to get more attention with the name of cairo.
I am sorry if i caused problems, but i never said Proteus is an early Cairo release and it´s not an attempt to copy.
Proteus is still in developement (check aeroxp)
I wish you guys all the best with Cairo and i am always following your progress and am excited when i see updates and stuff.
Thanks
Retoocs
August 16, 2008
I have bin checking progress off this project from the very beginning, and i’m very disappointed. Its like never ending story. I must give up on this project and never look back.
Sorry CairoTeam…
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