Installing Commodore OS Vision

[LeoNigro]

@Fargoal
No. Not to my knowledge anyway. I wish there was.
Incompatibility problems are compounded by the OS being based on an older (then current) Linux version, and there is no reliable way to update in place. A new version of Commodore OS is coming in the next couple of weeks which should fix many issues.
EDIT: Errr.... some issues were encountered so it is delayed. Maybe late Jan 2025.

[Fargoal]

That's great to hear, that the newly released update of Commodore OS is going to receive yet another update soon.

Another question: Can you launch something like Batocera or any other popular retro gaming front ends from the COS desktop, or is this something better done by just installing both on separate partitions on your HD or SSD and picking which to run at boot?

[LeoNigro]

You can install Emulation Station, and I nearly did install it as standard.
But then I thought, rather than it being just another app it really takes over the OS, and we'd end up with COS merely being a gateway to RetroPie.
Don't get me wrong, RetroPie is is great, and I have a couple Pis running it from pre-packaged fully configured images, but I didn't create Commodore OS just for it to become just your average RetroPie launcher.
And worse, I started spending time trying to configure and mod the thing to be unique, trying to make it a more retro C64-ish, until I realised I'll probably never get something as decent as someone dedicated to it 100%, and this was not part of the plan. It's like a whole OS unto itself.
However, that said, if someone really wants to mod it, and it looks unique, retro and cool, I'd be open to including it in Commodore OS.

I believe I have a more desktop centric solution in mind for COS3, that is more microcomputer than console oriented.
More for the retro computer gaming historian and connoisseur than a pure console gamer. More this audience.

BTW my understanding is that Batocera's claim to fame is that it is running a barebones linux underneath, so no desktop capability.
And I have grander plans for COS4, in a more unified, potentially community modifiable, game database/launcher.

[Fargoal]

Yes, I can totally understand wanting to keep the OS as a Commodore styled retro themed desktop with all the retro emulation, gaming, or using retro or modern apps and general purpose present day activities nicely blended and done from it, and not just be a gateway to booting a modern front end for retro gaming like Retropie or something. I see your reasoning for that approach. Both things have very different appeals and purposes. The user partitioning a drive for either option at boot would be a best of both worlds.

Unfortunately the older laptop (a decade plus a few years or so) doesn't seem to work with the OS. It boots after several attempts but the screen all scrambled. However, a PC that's roughly as old runs it fine. Do you think there's a good chance the upcoming next release of the OS will run on the laptop? I was hoping to use the laptop with the OS as my regular computer for emulators, web surfing, and Linux apps, while using the PC just for retro gaming front ends. If need be I'll run the OS as a separate partition or on a separate boot drive on the PC, because I do like this OS.

[LeoNigro]

Unfortunately, I don't see that older laptop springing to life with the next version, which would only be an incremental update.
Funnily enough it would have a better chance with COS1.0 from 12 years ago, as that would be several generations behind, and perhaps, more compatible with that era of machines. COS1 is so remarkably similar to COS2 I don't even change the videos, and in some ways arguably better.
Of course you'd be stuck with that era's software with no hope of an update, and no repository, particularly for a driver update if one was needed.
Another issue you may encounter is that Commodore OS is, and always was, a 64-bit distro, so you'll have no luck at all on 32-bit machines.
I would imagine if the PC came with anything pre Windows 7 you're definitely out.

[FruityChews]

Hi there,

Will COS Vision 3 overwrite OS 2? Or will it update the existing installation? I ask because I've spent time fine-tuning my COS 2 system and it occurred to me that it might be completely deleted.

Thanks.

[LeoNigro]

I'm afraid....yeah, it's gonna overwrite if you do a proper install.
I'm still on the fence regarding an update....as it would have to change so much.
I'm afraid it has all the making of a support nightmare.
I could update a few things though....so let's see.
If you're happy with your current COS version I guess an update of sorts will work, but perhaps not seamlessly.
I'm not sure how many people would settle for a partial automated update rather than downloading and installing the whole thing again.
I have no idea how many modifications people make.

It really depends on what you've modified.
You could take a complete copy of your home folder (control+h to see all the hidden files).
Actually create a zip archive using the Archive Manager and drag everything in there.
Using the archive is likely to ensure that your files don't get mucked up when they travel to a different storage format like a USB key.
It is highly likely that when you copy the files back to the new version it will mostly come back with the same set up you had.
Obviously make a backup of those home folder files before you overwrite them.
Maybe some things will be broken, who knows.
I hope we can help you on the forum if it creates issues should you go down that route.

[FruityChews]

Thanks, good to know.

To be fair, I actually do not mind overwriting OS2. I'll just stop tinkering with OS2 too much in anticipation of OS3.

I appreciate the heads-up, though.

Thank you again for your work.