From Fedora Project Wiki
mNo edit summary
Line 53: Line 53:
[[Image:installux-syslinux-prop1-proto1-ss2.png]]
[[Image:installux-syslinux-prop1-proto1-ss2.png]]


=== Files ====
==== Files ====
[[Media:installux-syslinux-prop1-proto1-syslinux-cfg.txt | syslinux.cfg file]]
[[Media:installux-syslinux-prop1-proto1-syslinux-cfg.txt | syslinux.cfg file]]



Revision as of 15:38, 2 December 2010

Syslinux

Syslinux Proposal #1: Syslinux opt-in (by mizmo)

Syslinux serves one main purpose during the Fedora install process: give users the opportunity to change some options in the case of a problematic install. E.g., install didn't succeed, try again with basic video mode, or do a memory test to make sure it's not your hardware, or pass some additional commands/arguments into the process to try to work around bugs/issues.

Ideally, we'd want all installations to just work, not requiring any hacks or workarounds - in that perfect world we wouldn't really have a need for syslinux during the install process. So we'd like to not need it. Let's be optimistic and say 90% of installs are successful without workarounds. That means that to 90% of users, the additional options & controls that syslinux provides are not needed.

In this proposal, then, we assume ~90% of users have no need for the syslinux controls and simply treat syslinux as if it was another BIOS screen.

Mockups for this proposal

Plain

A BIOS-like screen.

Installux-syslinux-prop1-plain.png

Download SVG source

Gradient Stripes

It's a BIOS-like screen, but prettier.

Installux-syslinux-prop1-gradstripes.png

Download SVG source

Interrupt

Includes a countdown timer (if the time runs out, install proceeds.)

Most users will see something like this

If we agree most users won't need the options syslinux provides.

Installux-syslinux-prop1-interrupt-nointerrupt animated.gif

Users who want more options will see this

Installux-syslinux-prop1-interrupt animated.gif

Download XCF.GZ (Gimp) source

Static Mockups

Prototype for this proposal

Screenshots

Installux-syslinux-prop1-proto1-ss1.png

Installux-syslinux-prop1-proto1-ss2.png

Files

syslinux.cfg file


Splash Image

What you'll need to try out this prototype:

  • A 1GB+ USB Key
  • The latest Fedora Desktop Live Media ISO
  • Live USB Creator
  • The Splash Image above (save it as 'splash.png')
  • The syslinux.cfg configuration file with the theme info (save it as 'syslinux.cfg')

Steps:

  • Using the Live USB creator, make a Live USB stick using your USB stick and the ISO you download. Instructions here.
  • Don't boot your Live USB stick. Instead, pull it out of your USB port, and then plug it back in. A window showing the files on the stick will pop up. Look for a folder called 'syslinux'.
  • Copy the syslinux.cfg and splash.png files into the syslinux directory of your USB key.
  • Boot the Live USB stick. You'll see the prototype in the photos shown above.