Genode OS Framework release 17.11 Nov 30, 2017

Most of the many improvements of version 17.11 are geared towards the practical use of Genode as day-to-day OS. They include a reworked GUI stack, new user-input features, and the packaging of many components. The new version also revises the boot concept on x86, updates the seL4 kernel, and enhances Genode's user-level networking facilities.

Whereas each Genode release is usually focused on one or two flagship features, version 17.11 accumulated countless improvements made during the practical use of Genode on a day-to-day basis. The topics range from convenience features like scroll-wheel emulation for Lenovo trackpoints, over the proper handling of keyboard modes (numlock and capslock), to a reworked GUI stack that takes new usage patterns into account. Since the forthcoming general-purpose scenario is entirely based on Genode's recently introduced custom package-management concept, it prompted us to package all ingredients of the scenario.

On the platform level, the new version streamlines the boot concept on x86 among all supported kernels. All x86 microkernels consistently use GRUB2 now. Modern kernels like seL4, NOVA, or our custom kernel are able to boot via UEFI and legacy boot. Speaking of our custom kernel, the current release wraps up a long-term internal redesign that simplifies the kernel while improving its performance.

Feature-wise, the new release further cultivates the use of the Nim programming language for native Genode components, includes a port of libretro-based emulators for game consoles, and enables the resizing of libSDL-based applications like avplay.

The complete picture is presented in the official release documentation of version 17.11...