We are pleased to announce the immediate availability of Element OS 1.3

This is the first edition Element OS to provide streaming content services ‘out-of-the-box’ through the inclusion of the Cooliris Media Browser. Cooliris brings to Element OS tens of thousands of web videos, tv shows, movies, and music videos from all the major networks, studios, and web channels. Categorized, searchable, and all presented in a unique 3D media wall. An incredibly piece of software that we highly recommend for searching and streaming media online. We would like to thank the Cooliris team for having provided us redistribution rights.

Lastly, Element OS 1.3 also has better wireless and hardware support through the inclusion of linux-backports-modules and updating of the Linux kernel packages to 2.6.31-22. This version is still based on and binary compatible with the Ubuntu 9.10 repositories. As a reminder Element 2.0 will not be available in fall of this year and will be based on Ubuntu 10.10.

Since the Element OS interface extensively uses XFCE 4.6 we would like to let everyone know that XFCE needs your help to finish up it’s 4.8 version, which has unfortunately been delayed. Please see the below blog posts and if you have the ability to bug test or code lend them a hand, they build a great versatile desktop environment and could use more contributors. If you want to help out with Element OS one of the best immediate ways other than bug testing for us is to contribute directly to XFCE. http://blog.xfce.org/

As usual we hope that you enjoy Element OS v1.3, further release notes and technical details can be found at the download link below.

Live CD Login Info, remember this!
Username: element
Password: just hit enter when asked

DOWNLOAD ELEMENT OS v 1.3

Unlike previous versions of Element OS the 1.3 package upgrades will not provide you all of the features present by default in the 1.3 iso. Specifically the new Firefox browser layout, it’s easy enough to duplicate though. Just follow the instructions below to upgrade to Element OS 1.3 and then match your browser to the new setup.

Get all of the new 1.3 packages:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

Or just go to AppFinder -> System -> Update Manager and then ‘check for updates’ and perform an upgrade from there.

If you encounter any errors about repository gpg keys add the element-key package from Synaptic Package Manager or just user the terminal:
sudo apt-get install element-key

Afterwards installing and upgrading your software packages visit here and add the extension to Firefox. Install Compact Menu 2 Extension

From your webbrowser you can access Tools -> Addons to customize the menu extension.

For instance if you would like to use the system icon we used for the menu it is located at : /usr/share/pixmaps/system_36.png

After adding Compact Menu right click on the Firefox toolbar and customize your toolbar buttons by dragging the Compact Menu to the far left of the toolbar to match the default look of Element OS v 1.3 Firefox setup.

One last note, if you donot have OmniBar extension installed then we strongly recommend installing it also. This extension has been present on Element OS v1.1+ but if you have been updating your system from 1.0 then you may have missed this. Install OmniBar Extension

The Element team is pleased to announce the immediate availability of Element version 1.2, albeit a week late. This version includes general package upgrades and upstream bug fixes to the application stack in addition to introducing three new utilities.

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The E-Bar Editor: A minimal and to the point configuration editor for the central launcher bar.

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NVidia HDMI Audio Switch: A simple on/off switch that channels audio through the HDMI port on ION and 8X00 series cards.

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Update Manager: A fork of the standard Update Manager from Ubuntu and Gnome. Packaged and configured for use on Element with distribution upgrade options omitted.

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Other important features and requests include the addition of Thunar File Sharing plugins, easier Bluetooth setup, removal of Compiz Window Effects (doesn’t play nice with XBMC), and an optimized package list to reduce the overall size of the iso.

We hope you enjoy. Further release notes and change logs can be found on the download link below.

DOWNLOAD ELEMENT v 1.2

Thanks,
The Element Team

Includes Brando USB Keyboard & Touchpad HTPC Remote

EightVirtues.com Computers and ElementHTPC.com are proud to announce the EVTV! An innovative Home Theater PC designed to deliver a fully functional computing environment for your television alongside web media services like Hulu Desktop, Boxee TV, YouTube XL, and more.

Visit the EVTV Main Site @ elementmypc.com/evtv

What is the EVTV?

The EVTV home theater PC redefines home entertainment by bridging the digital divide between your existing equipment and the next generation of Internet-driven set-top devices. Augment your home theater with the versatility of Element, an Ubuntu-based OS designed from the ground up for your high definition TV.

While the EVTV may look like a DVD player or cable box, don’t let the case fool you. Underneath the hood is a beast of a machine ready to render movies and games at full 1080p, digitally evoke your music library and connect you to all the sights and sounds of the Internet from the comfort of your couch.

What is Element?

Element, is a Linux-powered open source
operating system developed with your television in mind. Element
features an innovative across the room ‘ten-foot user interface’
designed specifically to be connected to your HDTV, allowing you to enjoy a digital media and internet experience from the comforts of your own living room or lounge.

Element comes stacked with familiar software and easy addons such as the Firefox Web Browser, XBMC Media Center, Hulu.com Video Desktop, and Boxee TV. You’ll also find a music player, image manager, cd/dvd burner, video encoder, torrent client, and more all adapted to Element’s easy viewing interface. Thousands of additional apps and games are freely available online at the AllMyApps.com Software Center!

Learn more about the interface and view screenshots:
http://www.elementmypc.com/evtv/interface.html

Featured Specs
AMD Phenom X3 2.4 GHz CPU (Triple-Core, 64-bit)
Palm-Sized Wireless Keyboard & Touchpad
1000 GB Hard Drive (SATA 3.0 Gb/s)
2 GB of RAM (Dual-Channel, DDR2 800)

NVIDIA GeForce 8200 Video Card
20X DVD±RW, dual-layer writer
270 Watt Power Supply
All-in-One Memory Card Reader

See the full hardware specs:

ORDER THE EVTV! Price: $599
http://www.elementmypc.com/evtv/ordernow.html

Learn more about Element @ elementhtpc.com

View all Eight Virtues PCs @ eightvirtues.com