376 lines
No EOL
10 KiB
Markdown
376 lines
No EOL
10 KiB
Markdown
# Particle-OS: Desktop-First Immutable Ubuntu System
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## Overview
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Particle-OS is an immutable Ubuntu-based desktop system inspired by uBlue-OS, designed specifically for desktop users who want the benefits of atomic updates, rollback capabilities, and system integrity without the complexity of cloud-native tooling.
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## Mission
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Create a **desktop-first** immutable Ubuntu system that provides:
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- **Simple desktop experience** - No cloud complexity, just a great desktop OS
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- **Atomic updates with rollback** - Safe system updates with easy recovery
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- **uBlue-OS inspiration** - Familiar patterns for users coming from Fedora-based immutable systems
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- **Ubuntu ecosystem** - Full compatibility with Ubuntu software and repositories
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- **Gaming and productivity focus** - Optimized for real desktop workloads
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## Desktop-First Philosophy
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Particle-OS is built with a simple philosophy: **desktop computing should be simple, powerful, and reliable**. We reject the complexity of cloud-native tooling for desktop users and focus on what matters most:
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- **Real desktop workloads** - Gaming, development, creativity, productivity
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- **Familiar workflows** - Standard desktop applications and tools
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- **System reliability** - Atomic updates with easy rollback
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- **User control** - Easy customization and system management
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## Particle-OS Architecture
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### Core Components
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#### 1. **apt-layer** - Atomic Package Management
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- Ubuntu package management with atomic transactions
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- Live overlay system for safe package installation
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- Rollback capabilities for failed updates
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- Desktop-friendly package management
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#### 2. **composefs-alternative** - Layered Filesystem
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- Content-addressable layered filesystem using overlayfs
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- Efficient storage and fast boot times
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- Desktop-optimized layer management
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- Simple layer creation and management
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#### 3. **bootupd-alternative** - Bootloader Management
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- UEFI and GRUB integration for desktop systems
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- Multi-boot support for dual-boot scenarios
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- Desktop-friendly boot configuration
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- Simple boot management interface
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### Desktop Images
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#### Particle-OS Corona (KDE Plasma) - Aurora Equivalent
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A radiant and expansive desktop experience with KDE Plasma, optimized for gaming and multimedia.
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**Features:**
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- KDE Plasma desktop environment
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- Gaming optimizations (Steam, Wine, Lutris)
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- Multimedia support (VLC, Kodi)
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- Productivity tools (LibreOffice, Firefox)
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- Gaming performance tuning
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- Atomic updates with rollback
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**Target Users:**
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- Gamers and multimedia enthusiasts
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- KDE Plasma fans
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- Users who want a feature-rich desktop
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#### Particle-OS Apex (GNOME) - Bluefin Equivalent
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A nimble, powerful, and adaptable desktop for power users with GNOME.
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**Features:**
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- GNOME desktop environment
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- Development tools (VS Code, Docker, Git)
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- Container and cloud development support
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- Enterprise compliance features
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- Development workflow optimization
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- Atomic updates with rollback
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**Target Users:**
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- Developers and power users
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- GNOME enthusiasts
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- Users who need development tools
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#### Particle-OS Bazzite (Gaming-Focused) - Bazzite Equivalent (Planned)
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A gaming-focused system with dual desktop support and Steam mode.
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**Features:**
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- Dual desktop support (KDE Plasma + GNOME)
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- Steam mode for gaming optimization
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- Gaming performance tuning
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- Steam, Wine, and Lutris integration
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- Gaming-focused kernel parameters
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- Atomic updates with rollback
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**Target Users:**
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- Serious gamers
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- Users who want maximum gaming performance
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- Users who want desktop flexibility
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## Desktop-First Design Principles
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### 1. **Simplicity First**
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- No cloud complexity
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- Familiar desktop workflows
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- Easy-to-understand tools
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- Minimal learning curve
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### 2. **Desktop Performance**
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- Optimized for desktop workloads
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- Fast boot times
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- Responsive desktop experience
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- Gaming performance focus
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### 3. **User Control**
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- Easy system customization
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- Simple package management
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- Transparent system operations
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- User-friendly tools
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### 4. **Reliability**
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- Atomic updates prevent system corruption
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- Easy rollback when things go wrong
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- System integrity protection
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- Stable desktop experience
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## Technical Architecture
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### Package Management Flow
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```bash
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# Desktop-friendly package installation
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apt-layer.sh install steam wine lutris
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├── Transaction Start
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│ ├── Validate dependencies
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│ ├── Check disk space
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│ └── Create transaction manifest
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├── Safe Installation
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│ ├── Install packages atomically
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│ ├── Preserve system integrity
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│ └── Generate layer manifest
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├── Desktop Integration
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│ ├── Update desktop menus
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│ ├── Configure desktop shortcuts
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│ └── Set up user preferences
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└── Commit or Rollback
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├── Commit successful installation
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├── Update system state
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└── Clean up temporary files
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```
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### Filesystem Architecture
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```bash
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# Desktop-optimized layered filesystem
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composefs-alternative.sh mount desktop-image /mnt/point
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├── Layer Discovery
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│ ├── Read desktop layer manifest
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│ ├── Validate layer integrity
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│ └── Determine mount order
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├── Desktop Layer Mounting
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│ ├── Mount base Ubuntu layer
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│ ├── Mount desktop environment layer
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│ ├── Mount user applications layer
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│ └── Create overlayfs for user data
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└── Desktop Integration
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├── Configure desktop environment
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├── Set up user preferences
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└── Enable desktop features
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```
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### Boot Management
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```bash
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# Desktop-friendly boot management
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bootupd-alternative.sh register desktop-image
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├── UEFI Integration
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│ ├── Create UEFI boot entry
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│ ├── Set boot order
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│ └── Configure secure boot (optional)
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├── GRUB Configuration
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│ ├── Generate desktop-friendly menu
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│ ├── Add recovery options
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│ └── Configure timeout settings
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└── Desktop Boot
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├── Fast boot to desktop
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├── Load desktop environment
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└── Start user session
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```
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## Desktop Use Cases
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### 1. **Gaming Desktop**
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- Steam, Epic Games, GOG integration
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- Wine and Proton support
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- Gaming performance optimization
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- Multi-monitor gaming support
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- Gaming peripheral support
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### 2. **Development Workstation**
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- VS Code, IntelliJ, Eclipse support
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- Docker and container development
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- Git and version control
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- Database development tools
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- Web development environment
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### 3. **Creative Workstation**
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- GIMP, Inkscape, Blender support
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- Video editing tools
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- Audio production software
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- Photography workflow tools
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- Design and illustration software
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### 4. **Productivity Desktop**
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- Office suite integration
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- Email and calendar tools
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- Web browsing and communication
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- File management and backup
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- Personal productivity tools
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## Installation and Setup
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### Simple Installation
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```bash
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# Download Particle-OS ISO
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wget https://particle-os.org/downloads/particle-os-corona-24.04.iso
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# Create bootable USB
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sudo dd if=particle-os-corona-24.04.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress
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# Boot and install
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# Follow simple installation wizard
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# Choose desktop preferences
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# Set up user account
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```
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### Post-Installation Setup
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```bash
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# Install additional software
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apt-layer.sh install firefox libreoffice vlc
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# Configure gaming (for Corona)
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apt-layer.sh install steam wine lutris
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# Configure development (for Apex)
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apt-layer.sh install code docker git
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# Customize desktop
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# Configure themes and icons
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# Set up user preferences
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# Configure gaming peripherals
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```
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## System Management
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### Package Management
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```bash
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# Install software
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apt-layer.sh install package-name
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# Update system
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apt-layer.sh update
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# Remove software
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apt-layer.sh remove package-name
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# List installed packages
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apt-layer.sh list
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# Search for packages
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apt-layer.sh search package-name
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```
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### System Updates
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```bash
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# Check for updates
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apt-layer.sh check-updates
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# Apply updates atomically
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apt-layer.sh update-system
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# Rollback if needed
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apt-layer.sh rollback
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# View update history
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apt-layer.sh history
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```
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### System Recovery
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```bash
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# Boot to recovery mode
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# Select recovery option from GRUB menu
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# Reset to factory state
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apt-layer.sh factory-reset
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# Restore from backup
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apt-layer.sh restore-backup
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# Repair system
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apt-layer.sh repair-system
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```
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## Desktop Customization
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### Theme and Appearance
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- Easy theme switching
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- Icon pack installation
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- Desktop wallpaper management
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- Desktop effects configuration
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- Custom desktop layouts
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### Gaming Configuration
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- Steam integration
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- Wine prefix management
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- Gaming performance tuning
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- Multi-monitor gaming setup
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- Gaming peripheral configuration
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### Development Environment
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- IDE installation and configuration
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- Development tool setup
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- Container development environment
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- Version control configuration
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- Database development tools
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## Community and Support
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### Documentation
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- User-friendly guides
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- Desktop-specific tutorials
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- Gaming setup guides
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- Development environment guides
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- Troubleshooting guides
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### Community Support
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- Desktop-focused community
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- Gaming community integration
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- Developer community support
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- User experience feedback
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- Feature request system
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### Contributing
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- Desktop-focused development
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- User experience improvements
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- Gaming optimizations
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- Development tool integration
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- Documentation contributions
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## Roadmap
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### Phase 1: Core Desktop Experience
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- [ ] Stable Corona (KDE Plasma) release
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- [ ] Stable Apex (GNOME) release
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- [ ] Basic gaming support
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- [ ] Development tool integration
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- [ ] User documentation
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### Phase 2: Enhanced Desktop Features
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- [ ] Bazzite (gaming-focused) release
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- [ ] Advanced gaming optimizations
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- [ ] Enhanced development tools
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- [ ] Desktop customization tools
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- [ ] Community features
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### Phase 3: Desktop Ecosystem
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- [ ] Software center integration
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- [ ] Theme and customization marketplace
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- [ ] Gaming community features
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- [ ] Developer tool marketplace
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- [ ] Enterprise desktop features
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## Conclusion
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Particle-OS is designed specifically for desktop users who want the benefits of immutable systems without the complexity of cloud-native tooling. By focusing on desktop-first design principles, we create a system that's:
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- **Simple to use** - No cloud complexity
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- **Powerful for gaming** - Optimized for desktop gaming
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- **Great for development** - Full development tool support
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- **Reliable and safe** - Atomic updates with rollback
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- **Familiar and comfortable** - Based on Ubuntu ecosystem
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This desktop-first approach ensures that Particle-OS remains focused on what matters most: providing an excellent desktop computing experience for real users doing real work and play. |