Add a nice grub theme.

[Larry Chase]

I think it would be neat to try including a nice grub theme with Budgie Remix. It could be one of the first (almost) mainstream distros to do so.

I think a modified version of Dharma (originally used by Chakra Linux) would work.

[Larry Chase (zoomer296)]

If we do this, there are a few things we should fix.

First, we should add a small margin to all the OS icons.

Second, we should make Budgie Remix identify as "Budgie Remix" in grub's "OS class" entry (It currently identifies as Ubuntu). Am I making any sense here?

And finally, we should add Budgie Remix's logo.

[fossfreedom (fossfreedom)]

That looks like BURG not GRUB.

If it is BURG then I don't think that package exists in the Ubuntu Repository - additionally - more importantly, I dont think it is a well maintained project, so would not be an acceptable project to sponsor for Debian/Ubuntu.

[Larry Chase (zoomer296)]

It's grub, I have the theme installed in my machine.

Most distros don't use grub2's full capabilities. It can even do animated themes.

[Larry Chase (zoomer296)]

Proof (of the animated theme): https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sG-Q5J4l69I

[Larry Chase (zoomer296)]

Dharma was only a suggestion, theres probably something that fits that criteria.

[fossfreedom (fossfreedom)]

ah - in that case - I am very interested. Just a question of how to-do this, who would create the theme for the team etc.

[Larry Chase (zoomer296)]

The only grub themes I could find in the default repositories are the Starfield and Breeze themes.

Then again, it's not as if the project hasn't faced bigger challenges.

[fossfreedom (fossfreedom)]

the theme we could incorporate within our plymouth package -
budgie-artwork. Just a question of how to apply the theme as part of
a debian package

On 7 April 2017 at 15:28, Larry Chase <email address hidden> wrote:
> The only grub themes I could find in the default repositories are the
> Starfield and Breeze themes.
>
> Then again, it's not as if the project hasn't faced bigger challenges.
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to budgie-
> remix.
> Matching subscriptions: budgie-remix
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1680844
>
> Title:
> Add a nice grub theme.
>
> Status in budgie-remix:
> New
>
> Bug description:
> I think it would be neat to try including a nice grub theme with
> Budgie Remix. It could be one of the first (almost) mainstream distros
> to do so.
>
> I think a modified version of Dharma (originally used by Chakra Linux)
> would work.
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/budgie-remix/+bug/1680844/+subscriptions

[Larry Chase (zoomer296)]

I'm pretty sure I misunderstanding you, but grub themes are usually distributed in a compressed file that you install by decompressing and placing in /boot/grub/themes, and use by adding the theme's path to /etc/default/grub.

[Larry Chase (zoomer296)]

*I'm

[Dustin Krysak (bashfulrobot)]

The last time I did it, you would drop the theme files in
/boot/grub/themes, and then edit the /etc/default/grub file and add
something like GRUB_THEME=/boot/grub/themes/THEMNAME/theme.txt
#PATH_TO_THEME.TXT. Then run sudo update-grub.

On Fri, 7 Apr 2017 at 09:01 Larry Chase <email address hidden> wrote:

> *I'm
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are a member of ubuntu
> budgie bug busters, which is subscribed to budgie-remix.
> Matching subscriptions: bug-busters
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1680844
>
> Title:
> Add a nice grub theme.
>
> Status in budgie-remix:
> New
>
> Bug description:
> I think it would be neat to try including a nice grub theme with
> Budgie Remix. It could be one of the first (almost) mainstream distros
> to do so.
>
> I think a modified version of Dharma (originally used by Chakra Linux)
> would work.
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/budgie-remix/+bug/1680844/+subscriptions
>
> --
> Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~budgie-remix-bug-busters
> Post to : <email address hidden>
> Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~budgie-remix-bug-busters
> More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
>
--
Dustin Krysak
Ubuntu Budgie Team Member.

[fossfreedom (fossfreedom)]

Will need to someone to come up with a great theme then and we'll package
it.

On 7 Apr 2017 17:08, "Dustin Krysak" <email address hidden> wrote:

> The last time I did it, you would drop the theme files in
> /boot/grub/themes, and then edit the /etc/default/grub file and add
> something like GRUB_THEME=/boot/grub/themes/THEMNAME/theme.txt
> #PATH_TO_THEME.TXT. Then run sudo update-grub.
>
> On Fri, 7 Apr 2017 at 09:01 Larry Chase <email address hidden> wrote:
>
>> *I'm
>>
>> --
>> You received this bug notification because you are a member of ubuntu
>> budgie bug busters, which is subscribed to budgie-remix.
>> Matching subscriptions: bug-busters
>> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1680844
>>
>> Title:
>> Add a nice grub theme.
>>
>> Status in budgie-remix:
>> New
>>
>> Bug description:
>> I think it would be neat to try including a nice grub theme with
>> Budgie Remix. It could be one of the first (almost) mainstream distros
>> to do so.
>>
>> I think a modified version of Dharma (originally used by Chakra Linux)
>> would work.
>>
>> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
>> https://bugs.launchpad.net/budgie-remix/+bug/1680844/+subscriptions
>>
>> --
>> Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~budgie-remix-bug-busters
>> Post to : <email address hidden>
>> Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~budgie-remix-bug-busters
>> More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
>>
> --
> Dustin Krysak
> Ubuntu Budgie Team Member.
>
> --
> Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~budgie-remix-bug-busters
> Post to : <email address hidden>
> Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~budgie-remix-bug-busters
> More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
>
>

[Larry Chase (zoomer296)]

Since grub will be booting multiple OSs, I think the design should be kept somewhat neutral.

Dharma is kind of OS X like, but it's still a good example. At the very least, we don't want it to scream "Ubuntu Budgie".

[Larry Chase (zoomer296)]

And grub themes can be pretty complex (Yes, that's grub, not burg.):

[Larry Chase (zoomer296)]

I'd suggest keeping the theme simple so it's easier to fix and modify.

[Dustin Krysak (bashfulrobot)]

Even just following the colours and a logo would be good. Sometimes simple
is more.

On Fri, 7 Apr 2017 at 11:05 Larry Chase <email address hidden> wrote:

> I'd suggest keeping the theme simple so it's easier to fix and modify.
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are a member of ubuntu
> budgie bug busters, which is subscribed to budgie-remix.
> Matching subscriptions: bug-busters
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1680844
>
> Title:
> Add a nice grub theme.
>
> Status in budgie-remix:
> New
>
> Bug description:
> I think it would be neat to try including a nice grub theme with
> Budgie Remix. It could be one of the first (almost) mainstream distros
> to do so.
>
> I think a modified version of Dharma (originally used by Chakra Linux)
> would work.
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/budgie-remix/+bug/1680844/+subscriptions
>
> --
> Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~budgie-remix-bug-busters
> Post to : <email address hidden>
> Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~budgie-remix-bug-busters
> More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
>
--
Dustin Krysak
Ubuntu Budgie Team Member.

[Larry Chase (zoomer296)]

@Dustin Krysak (bashfulrobot): I think we should make it somewhat neutral, it's also going to be booting operating systems other than Ubuntu budgie.

Also, we may want to include include simple operation instructions somewhere on it as well (example included).

[Larry Chase (zoomer296)]

I've checked, and the Dharma grub theme is (in its own words) "licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 License".

This means we can use it without issue, but we cannot modify it (unless we get permission), and we must credit the creator (Malcer). Unfortunately, almost all online traces of them have vanished.

I haven't tried emailing them yet though, it's "<email address hidden>"

[fossfreedom (fossfreedom)]

cheers for checking that out. the license is too restrictive for our
purposes I'm afraid.

On 9 Apr 2017 16:25, "Larry Chase" <email address hidden> wrote:

I've checked, and the Dharma grub theme is (in its own words) "licensed
under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 License".

This means we can use it without issue, but we cannot modify it (unless
we get permission), and we must credit the creator (Malcer).
Unfortunately, almost all online traces of them have vanished.

I haven't tried emailing them yet though, it's "<email address hidden>"

--
You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to budgie-
remix.
Matching subscriptions: budgie-remix
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1680844

Title:
  Add a nice grub theme.

Status in budgie-remix:
  New

Bug description:
  I think it would be neat to try including a nice grub theme with
  Budgie Remix. It could be one of the first (almost) mainstream distros
  to do so.

  I think a modified version of Dharma (originally used by Chakra Linux)
  would work.

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/budgie-remix/+bug/1680844/+subscriptions

[Larry Chase (zoomer296)]

That means we'll either have to make our own, or find another one. Unfortunately, most good grub themes are made by artists, and they're usually very protective of their work.

[Larry Chase (zoomer296)]

If we make our own, here are some guidelines I think we should probably go by:

1. The background should be near or the same color as the Plymouth background color. This will make the process of booting less jarring for new users.

2. Simple usage instructions such as "Use the up, down, and enter keys to select the OS you wish to boot" should be included in plain view, probably at the bottom.

3. Keep it somewhat neutral. Color schemes are okay, but making Arc: The Grub Theme or sticking a giant, Ubuntu Budgie logo on it would probably be overdoing it.

That's all I can really think of.

Can someone set the importance of this to "wishlist"?

[Larry Chase (zoomer296)]

Hey @fossfreedom, I think I've found something. KDE Neon's default grub theme is simple, provides basic instructions, is probably available in a .deb, and most importantly, is licensed under GPL.

[fossfreedom (fossfreedom)]

Closing this here since the request is on the launchpad.net/ubuntubudgie tracker