Hi, I've been working on an operating system dedicated to running BOINC on as many types of hardware and via a USB for quite a few weeks and I've finally reached the Beta stage so I thought I'd announce it here too. This is my first time posting here and I guess I'll post regularly to keep you all updated as I continue development (if it doesn't count as spam).

For context: BOINC OS is a minimalist, pre-packaged Linux distribution for performing distributed/volunteer computing on as large of range of computer hardware as possible. It is based on Arch Linux and contains tools to perform volunteer computing with BOINC as well as many more additional features. It is made to be as portable as possible and aims to be placed on a USB drive to be used between various computer systems and simplify the process of setting up a system for distributed/volunteer computing.

Official Website: https://delta1512.github.io/BOINCOS/

First Steemit Announcement: https://steemit.com/boinc/@delta1512/introducing-boincos

Beta Release Announcement: https://steemit.com/boinc/@delta1512/boincos-v2-0-beta-release

GitHub Repository: https://github.com/delta1512/BOINCOS

Hope you enjoy!

Hi, welcome to the BOINC forums and thank you up front for the work you've done.

Some questions though, if you don't mind:
1. If it's included, which BOINC version is it using?
2. Will BOINC be updated?
3. Will the OS be updated?
4. What do you mean with tools to perform volunteer computing with BOINC as well as many more additional features?
5. Is this a Gridcoin initiative?

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BOINC OS is a minimalist, pre-packaged Linux distribution for performing distributed/volunteer computing on as large of range of computer hardware as possible. It is based on Arch Linux and contains tools to perform volunteer computing with BOINC as well as many more additional features. It is made to be as portable as possible and aims to be placed on a USB drive to be used between various computer systems and simplify the process of setting up a system for distributed/volunteer computing.

Which are differences with this, for example?

Hi, welcome to the BOINC forums and thank you up front for the work you've done.

Some questions though, if you don't mind:
1. If it's included, which BOINC version is it using?
2. Will BOINC be updated?
3. Will the OS be updated?
4. What do you mean with tools to perform volunteer computing with BOINC as well as many more additional features?
5. Is this a Gridcoin initiative?

Thanks, I'd be happy to clarify:
1. BOINC is of course included and uses the latest version packaged by the Arch Linux repositories (7.6.33-5 I believe) https://security.archlinux.org/package/boinc

2 & 3. After many of the remaining features are ironed out, BOINC OS will undergo routine updates to ensure that users have an up-to-date image. I have also enabled the user to perform updates themselves as mentioned in the documentation: https://github.com/delta1512/BOINCOS/blob/master/Documentation/BOINCOS%20User%20Manual%20Beta%20v2.0.pdf

4. By "tools to perform volunteer computing" I am referring to BOINC itself as well as system monitors and means of tracking progress of computing. As for additional features, we package a web browser with the system and in the future we plan on adding our own piece of custom software to make it far more easier to use the system (especially for newbies)

5. This project was not initiated from Gridcoin nor is it directly in cooperation with it, I simply am a fan of the currency and I wish to integrate it in scientific computing. However I do wish to develop bonds later in development. I accept donations and may be running competitions using the currency.

BOINC OS is a minimalist, pre-packaged Linux distribution for performing distributed/volunteer computing on as large of range of computer hardware as possible. It is based on Arch Linux and contains tools to perform volunteer computing with BOINC as well as many more additional features. It is made to be as portable as possible and aims to be placed on a USB drive to be used between various computer systems and simplify the process of setting up a system for distributed/volunteer computing.

Which are differences with this, for example?

I've definitely seen this and it looks like a great project (haven't had time to take it for a spin unfortunately). The main difference between BILD and BOINC OS is the fact that BOINC OS aims its product at portability and user-friendliness. The OS is built to run on a USB to make it easy for users and an interface design and functionality dedicated to solely running BOINC computing (and aiding in it), nothing more.

Which are differences with this, for example?

That seems to have been released in 2015. I can't tell if it's been updated since then.

Very Nice. Wish I had this a month ago. I was running a beat-up laptop off a stick and was trying out different distros to run BOINC.

Do you know what the minimum hardware is that you can pull this off on?

Which hardware is this for? Intel/AMD 32 bit (intel_x86), 64bit (x64) or ARM?
You may want to specify that before people try to put it onto a USB stick and run it from a device that isn't supported.

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Thanks for replying and I hope this can help you with running BOINC off of your laptop.

The OS should run on most hardware as long as it is compliant with the drivers provided by Arch Linux. I've tested it on a modern(-ish) laptop and a desktop and it works flawlessly on both. It should be noted that it is difficult to get a grasp on what's compatible and incompatible in regards to device drivers however adequate help and documentation can be found online as well as on the Arch Linux Wiki which can provide an insight into possible issues.

What I'd recommend at the least is:
- Dual core x86_64 CPU
- Non-legacy (compliant with drivers) Intel, AMD or Nvidia GPU
- 8GB USB (for currently released version)
- Compatible ethernet or wireless adaptor

If you do happen to test it, it would be highly appreciated to post any problems or successes in the following GitHub Issues relating to graphics driver compatibility:
https://github.com/delta1512/BOINCOS/issues/4
https://github.com/delta1512/BOINCOS/issues/3

Which are differences with this, for example?

That seems to have been released in 2015. I can't tell if it's been updated since then.

The iso is costantly updated

Thankyou for raising this issue, I'll consider appending both the website and the documentation to include the appropriate information as soon as possible.

The current release only supports x86_64 (64-bit) CPU architectures (both AMD and Intel) as Arch Linux discontinued support for 32-bit systems a while back. It has been raised on the Steemit post that an ARM version should also be worked on which I will definitely consider as a future development goal as well as a VirtualBox version which I definitely see as an interesting project and learning opportunity.

In relation to device support, it is hard to tell what will work and what won't but the rule of thumb I've taken is that if its modern, it's almost guaranteed to work as Arch Linux packages the latest video drivers.

I've definitely seen this and it looks like a great project (haven't had time to take it for a spin unfortunately). The main difference between BILD and BOINC OS is the fact that BOINC OS aims its product at portability and user-friendliness. The OS is built to run on a USB to make it easy for users and an interface design and functionality dedicated to solely running BOINC computing (and aiding in it), nothing more.

Also BILD can run un USB....

Also BILD can run un USB....

Last time I checked the website I might not have seen the USB installer options, thanks for correcting. In that case to clarify, BOINC OS is aimed at pure user-friendliness and ease of use as well as application specific use cases (in the future) such as running a headless installation (not sure if BILD already does this)

Do you have recommend settings for running under VirtualBox??

I had no luck getting it to run either under VirtualBox or Natively.

There doesn't seem to be an actual boot system configured for the standard distro. My machines just glance right over it and VirtualBox can't find a boot system.