Open2x: Kernel Loading Screens

[DJWillis]

Hi,

I just thought I would post here to see if there was any interest from the budding artist types to help us cleanup the kernel boot logos used by the Open2x firmware and create some cool default themes people could use.

On the stock GP2X firmware you have a static bootlogo that is displayed for the duration of the loading process.

Recently with the Open2x kernel I implemented a very primitive status/animation system that enables us to add a little bit of glitz to the boring bootup process.

I have documented the technicalities of how this works here on the WiKi for those that are so inclined to create logos (I know the article needs work, let me know what I can do to help make it easier to get started, assuming your fairly technically savvy to start with and I will try and do what I can).

In simple terms the Open2x kernel bootlogo now consists of a single 320*240 image and a definition file that defines areas within that image to use for various things such as a progress bar, status text from the kernel load, warning and error logos etc..

I will try and add some pictures that show how this works later, but art is not my strong point .

You can think of it as a simple 0-100% progress bar or something a little more elaborate such as messages saying "Initialising Display", "Starting USB Support", "SD Card Initialised", "Starting Menu" all that sort of stuff. Any part of the kernel load can be wired up to a message if appropriate and sensible.

Anyway, any comments/ideas .

 

[kevcal]

Those links give me..:
Parse error: parse error, unexpected $end in c:\Sites\Single18\djwillis\webroot\open2x\wiki\LocalSettings.php on line 107

May want to sort out your php script or is it a firefox thing?

 

[DJWillis]

Those links give me..:
Parse error: parse error, unexpected $end in c:\Sites\Single18\djwillis\webroot\open2x\wiki\LocalSettings.php on line 107

May want to sort out your php script or is it a firefox thing?

Fixed, I was in the middle of fixing a typo in a config file and my FTP client only sent the 1st 800 bytes

 

[gp2x.info]

You work is greatly appreciated, so if i find any time i can see what i can do.
It looks complicated at first glance, would be nice to have an example, doesn't mind if it's crappy.

 

[rokdcasbah]

would it be possible to do something like the computer loading screens that they had on macs before osx and (last i checked) kde uses? like there's a row of icons that get colored in as the various things load...i don't know i just like those for some reason.

 

[thumpgun]

i would like anything as the boot up screen is so boring....would love to see it bootup like the old arcade machines .....heres hoping you dont brick your 2x

 

[DJWillis]

Did anybody ever look at this, if people could that would be great.

We are gearing up for an Open2x release in the near future and I would love to have a decent startup screen system in place with themes before then (my attempts are hardly great).

 

[BenRoshi]

We need something like this:

But seriously: Vynx released a bunch of fractal images awhile ago and they all look great, we should use one of those.

 

[Shadowsithe]

Maybe?

 

[sand_man]

Linux boot log possible? That would be cool (in a non cool nerdy kind of way)

 

[Yorper]

Linux boot log possible? That would be cool (in a non cool nerdy kind of way)

Gets my vote, with maybe a little Tux logo in the corner holding a GP2X

 

[DJWillis]

Shadowsithe,

Cheers, I have an idea for that, let me think on it.

sand_man,

It wont make the upcoming release candidate but I had something like that in mind if you held down a specific button. Logo for normal boots, logo and detail if you boot holding R trigger etc.

Ok, as for logos,

Here are the 2 main logos we use in test builds at the moment.

The 1st one is a static logo.
The 2nd one shows boot info and a progress bar in the middle box using the methods shown in this post.

1st one by Khato, 2nd by EvilDragon.

1:

2:

 

[Vimacs]

How about

?

)

 

[Trip]

How about an oldie but goody..

This was rushed but you get the idea

p.s. We would need to make different versions for the people with joy pads fitted or it wont look realistic

 

[Megatog615]

My submission:

Status info area displays what's going on.
The boxes below it display an image of what is loading(like KDE).

The .xcf is available if it is required.

 

[Trip]

Look great Meg
A little drop shadow on the X though, just to give it that 3D effect maybe?

 

[Yorper]

This one is really good. Hell they're all pretty good. Too much choice

 

[BenRoshi]

Using one of the fractal images I mentioned:

Something of my own design:

 

[Trip]

Using one of the fractal images I mentioned:

This one looks very professional
The fractal image looks a little too much like a flower for my liking though lol

 

[DJWillis]

All,

Thanks for the designs, there is some very cool stuff in there and nothing to stop us offering 'custom kernel logo' kernels with some of these in.

Anyway, if anybody wants to have a crack at putting a config together as per the wiki for there screen to support the progress and status updates then please do and I will get them working and include them in SVN as logo choices.

Other then that, I think EvilDragons one we are currently using will be in for the 1st few releases as I already have the script worked out for that one and I was hoping others would do there own configs to go with there screens .

Megatog615,

Nice logo but there is no way to offer boot 'pictures' like KDE in the current code so it is just text and status icons etc.

Cheers,

John