In a move that might just set off shockwaves through the halls of both Microsoft and Apple, Fedora has detonated its latest innovation: Fedora Atomic Desktops, a new family of Linux spins that combines cutting-edge technology with atomic precision.
Marrying the reliability of Linux with the groundbreaking rpm-ostree system not only simplifies the Fedora ecosystem but also poses a formidable challenge to traditional operating systems.
The inception of Project Atomic a decade ago marked the beginning of Fedora’s journey into atomic updates with the development of Atomic Host. This project laid the groundwork for what would evolve into today’s rpm-ostree-based spins, including the transformation of Fedora Atomic Workstation into the now well-known Fedora Silverblue.
The expansion continued with the introduction of Fedora Kinoite in Fedora 35 and was followed by the recent additions of Sericea in Fedora 38 and Onyx in Fedora 39. These developments underscore the growing interest and investment in atomic spin versions across the Fedora ecosystem.
The need for a new brand stems from several factors. Firstly, the anticipation of more atomic spins in the future. Fedora has experiments underway for additional desktop environments, such as Vauxite (Xfce) and the potential inclusion of others like Pantheon or COSMIC.
Secondly, the diversity of atomic spins has made communication about them cumbersome. The introduction of Fedora Atomic Desktops aims to alleviate confusion, providing a singular, coherent term that encompasses all atomic spins, thus simplifying discussions, documentation, and searches related to rpm-ostree implementations.
Lastly, the term ‘atomic’ more accurately reflects the nature of these spins. The atomic approach to updates offers a balance between stability and flexibility, allowing for rollbacks and rebases, which is a core advantage of using rpm-ostree technology.
The Fedora Atomic Desktops family consists of:
- Fedora Silverblue
- Fedora Kinoite
- Fedora Sway Atomic (previously Fedora Sericea)
- Fedora Budgie Atomic (previously Fedora Onyx)
This rebranding retains the names Silverblue and Kinoite due to their established brand recognition and extensive resource library. The newer spins, Sericea and Onyx, have adopted the new naming convention to align with the unified branding strategy.
Going forward, all new atomic spins will follow the “Fedora (DE name) Atomic” naming format, clarifying the desktop environment each spin is based on and ensuring consistency across the board. This change promises to eliminate confusion around naming and enhance the clarity of what sets these Fedora spins apart from their traditional counterparts.
This latest move serves as a stark warning to Microsoft and other industry giants, such as Apple, that the future of computing won’t be dictated by those who stick to the status quo.