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Recent news

General Update:

February 18, 2016

First let me express my apologies for slacking on my commitment to updating the site. I have stretched myself thin with regards to work, home, life in general.

I uploaded an updated version of Cotton x64 and Cotton x86.

I have mixed feeling about some of the requests I have received. It seems an equal amount of people like the Windows branding as opposed to it.

Well I have a feeling that I might get a lot of flak with this new update. Let’s just see how it goes.

Thank you for your patience and thank you for picking Cotton :)

Cotton x86 Released!

November 13, 2014

Thank you guys for your comments and requests. Just finished uploading the 32-bit version of Cotton for x86 processors.

There are some differences between the 64-bit version and the 32-bit version with regards to installed software. Let me know what you think. A big thank you to all who downloaded and left comments.

Happy Holidays!

Cotton x86 in the works...

October 29, 2014

I just wanted to let all of you know that your requests for a 32-bit version of Cotton has paid off. :)

I have a build of Cotton for 32 bit (x86) processors and am currently configuring it.

Halloween is coming up in a few days and it’s time to get my 2 year old ready for his first trick-or-treat adventure. I have also come down with a cold (human virus) and it has slowed down my efforts to get the 32-bit version finished by the time I had hoped. Expect to see this new 32-bit version released sometime early in November, before the holiday season.

Uploaded New Release!

October 20, 2014

Thanks to your comments and suggestions I have released an updated version of Cotton x64.

Please allow me to explain the changes.

Upgraded Linux kernel to 3.17:

With a new kernel comes new features and updates. I hope this will help solve some compatibility issues that some users have reported. It took me close to 3 days to figure out how to compile the kernel to include AUFS support. (multi-tasking my fatherly duties and the frustration that comes with compiling a kernel just to find it doesnt work - to the joy of it finally working)

To see what’s new in kernel 3.17 review: http://www.themukt.com/2014/10/06/linux-kernel-3-17-released-nifty-new-features/

Reduced the M$ branding:

I had originally tried to mimic Windows as a way to keep new Linux users comfortable and familiar with the desktop environment. I noticed that most of the other distros that advertised a Windows theme did not look believable. I set out to show that the Windows experience could be made for Linux. I wanted to keep people happy by fooling windows users in believing Cotton was windows. After reading comments from both windows and Linux users, I have decided to create my own branding scheme. Login as root and then login as user, please comment if you would like to keep a Windows theme or not. You don’t need windows to pick Cotton :D

Fixed (hopefully) live desktop background:

As some of you users might have noticed, Cotton did not boot up with a custom desktop wallpaper - you most likely had to select one yourself to get rid of the solid background. Turns out the issue was related to the laptop I used to develop Cotton. I have included more options for default display types and I hope that will be the end of.

Optimized desktop composition:

Originally Cotton was released with the desktop composition settings set to settings that might not be compatible with lower end machines. To remedy this I lowered the eye-candy settings with hopes that it would make the OS more responsive. I will add tips and tricks for making your OS more feature rich with extra eye-candy.

I should have the new ISO uploaded before the day is done.

Look for LS_Cotton_x64_317.iso

(Updated screenshots and videos coming soon)

Recent Revelations

October 13, 2014

I got quite a bit a feedback; my apologies to those who did not notice the installation instructions on the Sourceforge download page. I quickly updating the home page to include installation instructions.

I got a few comments about the window manager (kwin). I will add to the list of things to do to create additional flavors of the Cotton concept to be available for people using older or less robust machines.

I have a few laptops and desktops that I use for testing out Cotton. However I do not have machines that include nvidia or amd chipsets - because of this it is hard for me to troubleshoot video issues related to graphics processors.

If anyone has noticeable visual glitches, please include the make and model of your laptop/desktop/graphics processor in your comment.

For users already attached to their current OS, I plan on releasing Cottons modified theme files as well as a tutorial for how you can implement Cotton on your own OS.

Thank you all again for taking the time to test out Cotton x64, I will try to respond to all comments in a timely fashion.

Future Improvements

October 10, 2014

Cotton x64 has been released to the public and I appreciate whole-heartedly the comments and suggestions. Here are some future improvements I will be working on.

1) Release a x86 version for computers without x64 compatible processors.

1b) Release VirtualBox and Vmware prepared appliances.

2) Adapt Cotton to be touch friendly. (Virtual Keyboard, Touch input + Gestures)

3) Patch kernel for wireless injection (optional for pentesters)

4) Add OSX theme?

Webpage improvements:

I have to admit that I threw this site up in a jiffy; its still under construction but I plan to add a FAQ and Tutorial/Tips/Tricks section. I also plan on adding screencasts for people interested in installing Cotton in a virtual environment aka VirtualBox and Vmware. Also screencasts for installing Office 2010 and for dual booting with Windows.

Please bear with me as I am the sole developer and have to juggle a full time job, a 2 year old son and a fiancée that should not have to compete with a laptop for my attention :)

Cotton x64 Released!

October 9, 2014

Cotton is a linux based operating system heavily themed to look and feel like Windows. It makes the perfect gateway Operating Systems for Windows users that are new to Linux. Words fall short of its awesomeness. :)