<<<Part 1>>>
fedoraLife – An Introduction
What makes Apple so successful is the fact that they put out great basic software to go with their great Operating System. They didn’t just stick a few little programs with the OS like Microsoft does with their Windoze OS. They include great Introductory software entitled “iLife” with every new Mac computer. As well as sell “iLife” for under $80 for those who already have a computer. The programs in the “iLife” suite include iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand, and an updated iTunes.
Each of these great programs make using a computer much more enjoyable when it comes to multimedia. Currently, the only Linux OS that includes such software is “Ubuntu Studio.” Now, we must pay attention to Fedora. Fedora has great software already but multimedia it lacks. So I propose a collection of software entitled “fedoraLife.”
The fedoraLife suite downloaded off the internet via the Anaconda installer or included in the “Everything” spin includes the following programs : fedoraImage, equivalent to iPhoto, which lets a user look at their photos downloaded or transferred from a digital camera. If a user wants to edit a photo, they just need to click on Edit and GIMP is launched; fedoraFilm, equivalent to iMovie, lets a user make their own movies using ogg theora and other such free video codecs. A digital camcorder can be hooked up via a USB cable and the data is transferred so clips can be shown on screen.
fedoraMeeting is the ultimate video/audio chat and conference tool that lets a user “telecommute” to a meeting or event. It also doubles as a Skype-like VOIP (voice over IP) client. Originally, I had proposed the Virtual FUDcon idea but I decided to expand it into this concept. This tool will be a great complement to Skype or an expansion to Skype. Finally, the last component : fedoraBurner. Based on existing dvd/cd burning technologies but having a Toast-like GUI on top of it for those who don’t know how to use the Command Line.
<<<Part 2>>
fedoraImage
I copied some of the design elements from iPhoto and pasted them in this visual. So I can show what a Fedora application that presents photos in an photo album-like format. The middle tool bar represents the main functions which are also reflected in the text menu bar. The following main functions would be as follows : Edit, which would be linked to GIMP or another graphics program; Crop, for cropping purposes; Red Eye, to reduce Red Eye; Rotate, to rotate the photo; Flip, to flip the photo; E-Mail, which links to the Thunderbird app or another e-mail program; and Print to print out the photo.
<<<Part 3>>>
fedoraFilm
I copied elements from Final Cut Express and iMovie to show what a Fedora application that had a hybrid GUI & CLI interface. It would be used for editing video and audio clips. Although the CLI is not present in this visual, it could be implemented for advanced users. Using OGG Theora and other video codecs, the video can be transferred from a camcorder or copied from a download. Audio codecs like Vorbis will
also assist in editing the sound clips.
<<<Part 4>>>
fedoraMeeting
I copied design elements from Skype and IRC clients to show what a Fedora Application that would function as a VOIP client for either chatting or conference environments. Rather than have two separate programs, fedoraMeeting will do everything that Skype or IRC can do. For high bandwidth connections, live video can be shown in one or both top windows. For low bandwidth, audio and photos would be utilized. For events, an optional news ticker can be used to alert users.
<<<Part 5>>>
fedoraBurner
This Fedora Application will use a Toast-Like GUI that links to existing DVD/CD CLI tools. This would make Fedora more enjoyable to burn any photo, video, audio, or data file that needs to be backed up. Perhaps a Backup element could also be attached to this program. The Main Functions are shown in a graphical menu bar and the bottom buttons will change according to the function. For those familiar with Toast, this would be Fedora’s answer to it.
