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OSS Report: pop-os/cosmic-epoch


COSMIC Desktop Faces Persistent Bugs and Documentation Enhancements Amidst Active Development

COSMIC Desktop, an alpha-stage desktop environment by the Pop!_OS team, is actively being developed with a focus on improving installation documentation and addressing critical bugs affecting user experience.

Recent Activity

Recent issues and pull requests (PRs) indicate a strong emphasis on documentation improvements and bug fixes. Notable PRs include #845, which added Gentoo Linux installation instructions, and #387, which provided openSUSE Tumbleweed installation guidance. These efforts suggest a drive to expand COSMIC's accessibility across various Linux distributions. However, technical challenges persist, as seen in PR #218, which faces build failures due to network issues.

The development team has been busy refining documentation and fixing bugs. Recent contributions include:

  1. Tristan Andrus (steelswords) - Clarified GDM configuration in README.md.
  2. Rerum02 - Added openSUSE Tumbleweed instructions.
  3. Hadi Chokr (silverhadch) - Added Gentoo Linux install instructions.
  4. Jacob Kauffmann (jacobgkau) - Updated README.md conjugation.
  5. Killertofus - Fixed grammar errors in README.md.
  6. Craft (crftbt) - Updated README.md from pre-alpha to alpha.
  7. Jeremy Soller (jackpot51) - Made significant updates across 20 files.
  8. Ian Douglas Scott (ids1024) - Added DEBUGGING.md for debugging resources.
  9. Ashley Wulber (wash2) - Involved in CI integration and component updates.
  10. Victoria Brekenfeld (Drakulix) - Actively updated components and documentation.

Of Note

These elements underscore the project's active development phase while highlighting areas needing attention to ensure a stable and user-friendly release.

Quantified Reports

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Quantified Commit Activity Over 30 Days

Developer Avatar Branches PRs Commits Files Changes
Jeremy Soller 1 0/0/0 3 20 69
Hadi Chokr 1 2/1/1 1 1 12
Rerum02 1 0/1/0 1 1 10
killertofus 1 1/1/0 3 1 8
steelswords 1 1/1/0 1 1 6
Jacob Kauffmann 1 0/0/0 2 1 4
Craft 1 1/1/0 1 1 2
edwloef (edwloef) 0 1/0/1 0 0 0

PRs: created by that dev and opened/merged/closed-unmerged during the period

Detailed Reports

Report On: Fetch issues



Recent Activity Analysis

The COSMIC Desktop project has seen significant recent activity, with 468 open issues on GitHub, indicating a vibrant community engagement and ongoing development. Notably, there are numerous bug reports related to user interface glitches, performance issues, and feature requests that suggest both the complexity of the system and the eagerness of users to contribute feedback. A common theme among the issues is the interaction between applications and the desktop environment, particularly regarding window management and display settings.

Several critical bugs have been reported, including issues with full-screen applications causing crashes, problems with keyboard shortcuts not functioning as expected, and graphical artifacts during workspace transitions. These problems highlight potential instability in the alpha version of COSMIC, which may deter some users from adopting it as their primary desktop environment.

Issue Details

Most Recently Created Issues

  1. Issue #880: Workspace disappears when switching to it

    • Priority: Medium
    • Status: Open
    • Created: 1 day ago
  2. Issue #878: [BUG]: Hovering over the title bar of maximised custom apps grabs them

    • Priority: High
    • Status: Open
    • Created: 1 day ago
  3. Issue #877: [Feature Request] Chroma key for window/program

    • Priority: Low
    • Status: Open
    • Created: 1 day ago
  4. Issue #876: Can't build from source

    • Priority: High
    • Status: Open
    • Created: 1 day ago
  5. Issue #875: SUGGESTION: Option to subdivide big monitors

    • Priority: Medium
    • Status: Open
    • Created: 1 day ago

Most Recently Updated Issues

  1. Issue #873: Excessive Power usage for rx 7900xt on idle

    • Priority: High
    • Status: Open
    • Last Updated: 0 days ago
  2. Issue #872: Problems logging in pop!_OS 24.04 LTS-alpha

    • Priority: High
    • Status: Open
    • Last Updated: 1 day ago
  3. Issue #870: [Feature Request] Configurable "button scrolling" on mouse settings

    • Priority: Low
    • Status: Open
    • Last Updated: 1 day ago
  4. Issue #868: Scrolling outside of window

    • Priority: Medium
    • Status: Open
    • Last Updated: 1 day ago
  5. Issue #867: SUGGESTION: Option to have the whole screen to the maximized application

    • Priority: Low
    • Status: Open
    • Last Updated: 1 day ago

Notable Anomalies and Themes

  • A recurring issue is the interaction between applications and the COSMIC environment, particularly with full-screen apps causing crashes or unexpected behavior.
  • Several users have reported problems with keyboard shortcuts not functioning correctly, which could hinder productivity and user experience.
  • There are multiple feature requests aimed at improving usability, such as customizable workspace behaviors and enhanced notification systems.
  • The presence of high-priority bugs related to building from source indicates potential barriers for developers looking to contribute or test the environment.

These themes suggest that while there is enthusiasm for COSMIC, significant work remains to stabilize the environment and enhance its usability before it can be considered a viable alternative to more established desktop environments.

Summary of Key Issues

  • Issue #880 highlights a bug where switching workspaces leads to disappearing workspaces.
  • Issue #878 addresses a critical bug affecting maximized custom applications.
  • Issue #876 presents a significant obstacle for developers trying to build from source due to version mismatches.
  • User feedback indicates a desire for more customization options and improved performance across various hardware configurations.

This analysis underscores both the challenges faced by COSMIC as it develops and the active involvement of its user community in identifying and reporting issues.

Report On: Fetch pull requests



Overview

The analysis of the pull requests (PRs) for the COSMIC Desktop project reveals a total of 2 open PRs and 83 closed PRs. The majority of the closed PRs focus on updating installation instructions, fixing dependencies, and enhancing documentation, reflecting an active development environment aimed at improving usability and accessibility for users across various Linux distributions.

Summary of Pull Requests

Open Pull Requests

  • PR #335: add issue picker
    Created 109 days ago, this PR introduces an issue template to streamline user reporting by helping them select the appropriate repository for their issues. It has been edited recently and has garnered positive feedback from the community, indicating its potential utility.

  • PR #218: feat: add cosmic-player
    Created 189 days ago, this PR aims to add a new component called "cosmic-player." However, it faces build failures attributed to network issues and missing dependencies. The author is actively working to resolve these issues.

Closed Pull Requests

  • PR #845: Add Gentoo Linux Install Instructions
    Closed 5 days ago after being merged, this PR adds installation instructions for Gentoo users, demonstrating responsiveness to community needs.

  • PR #836: Arch Install Instructions updated
    Closed 7 days ago without merging, this PR aimed to update Arch installation instructions now that COSMIC is available in the official Arch repository.

  • PR #777: cosmic is out of the aur
    Closed 7 days ago after being merged, this PR updates the README to reflect that COSMIC is no longer in the AUR (Arch User Repository), which is crucial for users relying on AUR for installation.

  • PR #752: Update installation for Arch
    Closed 10 days ago without merging, it proposed changes based on the availability of prebuilt binaries in Arch's extra repo.

  • PR #503: Clarify README
    Merged 5 days ago, this PR made minor readability improvements to the README file, emphasizing ongoing efforts to enhance documentation clarity.

  • PR #387: Update README.md for openSUSE tumbleweed
    Merged 5 days ago, it added step-by-step installation instructions for openSUSE users, showcasing a commitment to multi-distribution support.

  • PR #662: Update README.md pre-alpha to alpha since Pop!_OS alpha release
    Merged 21 days ago, this PR updated the project's status from pre-alpha to alpha, reflecting its development progress.

  • PR #454: Add a DEBUGGING.md file with some information useful for debugging
    Merged 39 days ago, this addition provides a centralized resource for debugging information related to COSMIC.

Analysis of Pull Requests

The pull requests submitted to the COSMIC Desktop project reveal several key themes and trends indicative of an active and engaged development community.

Documentation Improvements

A significant number of closed PRs focus on enhancing documentation across various Linux distributions. For instance, PRs like #845 and #387 provide tailored installation instructions for Gentoo and openSUSE respectively. This emphasis on clear documentation is critical as it aids users in navigating the complexities associated with installing and using an alpha-stage product. The community's feedback on these PRs suggests that such enhancements are well-received and necessary for user adoption.

Community Engagement

The discussions within several PRs highlight a vibrant community willing to contribute actively. For example, in PR #335 regarding the issue picker template, contributors provided constructive suggestions that could enhance its functionality. This collaborative spirit is essential for projects in early development stages like COSMIC Desktop as it fosters a sense of ownership among users and developers alike.

Technical Challenges

Several open and closed PRs indicate ongoing technical challenges faced by contributors. For instance, PR #218 concerning the addition of "cosmic-player" has encountered build failures due to dependency issues. This reflects common hurdles in software development where external factors such as network reliability can impact progress. Additionally, multiple PRs related to Arch Linux installations (#752, #836) illustrate the complexities involved in managing dependencies across different package management systems.

Anomalies and Disputes

There are notable disputes regarding how issues should be reported or addressed within the community. In particular, comments on PR #434 indicate tension between contributors about how best to manage AUR-related problems without overwhelming maintainers with numerous requests. This highlights a potential area for improvement in communication strategies within the project’s governance structure.

Lack of Recent Merge Activity

While there is a healthy number of contributions being made through open and closed pull requests, there appears to be a lack of recent merge activity in some areas. For instance, many older PRs remain unmerged despite being relevant or beneficial (such as those addressing installation instructions). This could indicate resource constraints or prioritization challenges within the project team that need addressing to maintain momentum in development.

In conclusion, while COSMIC Desktop shows promise with its active development and community involvement, there are areas requiring attention—particularly around managing technical challenges and improving merge responsiveness—to ensure sustained growth and user satisfaction as it progresses towards a stable release.

Report On: Fetch commits



Repo Commits Analysis

Development Team and Recent Activity

Team Members and Recent Contributions

  1. Tristan Andrus (steelswords)

    • Recent Activity: Clarified GDM configuration changes in README.md.
    • Collaboration: Co-authored with himself.
  2. Rerum02

    • Recent Activity: Added openSUSE Tumbleweed instructions to README.md.
  3. Hadi Chokr (silverhadch)

    • Recent Activity: Added Gentoo Linux install instructions to README.md.
    • Collaboration: No direct collaborators mentioned.
  4. Jacob Kauffmann (jacobgkau)

    • Recent Activity: Updated conjugation in README.md to match new sentence structure.
    • Collaboration: No direct collaborators mentioned.
  5. Killertofus

    • Recent Activity: Made multiple fixes in README.md, including grammar errors.
    • Collaboration: No direct collaborators mentioned.
  6. Craft (crftbt)

    • Recent Activity: Updated README.md to reflect changes from pre-alpha to alpha.
    • Collaboration: No direct collaborators mentioned.
  7. Jeremy Soller (jackpot51)

    • Recent Activity: Contributed significantly with 3 commits totaling 69 changes across 20 files, including updates to submodules and the addition of a tagging script.
    • Collaboration: No direct collaborators mentioned.
  8. Ian Douglas Scott (ids1024)

    • Recent Activity: Added a DEBUGGING.md file for debugging resources.
    • Collaboration: No direct collaborators mentioned.
  9. Ashley Wulber (wash2)

    • Recent Activity: Involved in multiple updates and fixes across various components, including CI integration.
    • Collaboration: Worked with Ian Douglas Scott on CI-related tasks.
  10. Victoria Brekenfeld (Drakulix)

    • Recent Activity: Actively updated components and documentation, including installation instructions and submodule management.
    • Collaboration: Collaborated with various team members on multiple PRs.

Patterns and Themes

  • The recent activity shows a strong focus on improving documentation, particularly the README.md file, which is crucial for user guidance as the project is still in alpha.
  • Contributions are primarily centered around adding installation instructions for various Linux distributions, indicating an effort to broaden the user base and facilitate easier adoption.
  • There is a notable emphasis on fixing grammar and clarity issues within documentation, reflecting a commitment to quality in communication.
  • Collaboration appears limited in terms of co-authorship; however, several members are actively merging PRs which suggests a cooperative development environment.
  • The presence of ongoing work such as adding debugging resources indicates that the team is preparing for more extensive testing and user feedback as the project evolves.

Conclusion

The COSMIC Desktop development team is actively engaged in enhancing both functionality and documentation of the project. Recent contributions highlight a collaborative effort to improve user experience through clear instructions and ongoing bug fixes, setting a solid foundation for future development as the project progresses towards stability.