Xandros, a leading provider of Linux-based software solutions, helped start the netbook revolution working with ASUSTeK to introduce the Eee PC. Xandros has been using Qt as the main software tool kit since Qt v1.3. During the session, Oleg will talk about this experience and benefits of standardizing on Qt as main framework throughout the R&D department, discuss specific aspects of developing GUI software components for netbooks, as well as share the experience of doing massive localization of Qt-based Linux desktop suite into 18 languages. Presentation by Oleg Noskov held during Qt Developer Days 2009 http://qt.nokia.com/developer/learning/elearning

1. Qt in Xandros’ Past, Present,
and Future

2. Xandros’ Qt Past
• Xandros has a continuous history of Qt utilization, going
back to our founding in 2001.
• Most of its original employees have been already using Qt
in their previous projects with other employers.
• Our Qt use actually goes back to 1998 – the Corel Linux
project Xandros acquired was based on KDE/Qt.
• We started with Qt 1.3, with subsequent migrations to Qt
1.42, Qt 2.0, Qt 3.0 and now Qt 4.5.
2

3. Xandros’ Qt Past, cont.
Why Qt?
• One of the very best toolkits available for Linux
• Strong UI orientation
• Rich user friendly widget set
• Reusable code
• Cross-platform ability to build Windows applications from
Linux source

4. Xandros’ Qt Past, cont.
Developers Love Qt:
• Most Xandros developers found Qt more powerful than
Gtk for UI development.
• Qt was easily picked up by new hires and coops. With
tools like Qt Designer, they could start fixing UI bugs
almost immediately.

5. Xandros’ Qt Present
We use Qt to build standalone (non-KDE) desktop
applications:
• Developers are already familiar with Qt programming.
• Consolidating on one toolkit saves time and streamlines
development.

6. Xandros’ Qt Present, cont.
Long list of projects utilizing Qt:
• Linux desktops and servers
• Custom Debian solution for the ASUS Eee PC which
helped to launch the netbook revolution!
• Presto instant-on utility for Windows desktops and
laptops
• Custom OEM solutions for Intel Atom and ARM-based
netbooks

7. Xandros’ Qt Present, cont.
The Power of Qt:
• Qt helps us to target users with a compelling, easy-to-
use device experience, regardless of the operating
system under the hood.
• Qt Webkit technology enabled us create our Presto
application store, tightly integrated with our CNR
website, in a matter of days instead of weeks.

8. Xandros’ Qt Future
• Qt will let us to take advantage of the latest Linux
technologies like D-Bus.
• Qt will enable us to rapidly create light and efficient user-
friendly apps for netbooks and other new mobile devices.
• With Qt4 we can include just the modules we need for a
given application and task, such as QtCore, QtGui, and
QtDBus.

9. Xandros’ Qt Future, cont.
Is there still room for improvement?:
• Bring Nokia/Qt up to par with Clutter Toolkit so Qt developers
can create next generation 2D/3D applications.
• Avoid unnecessary API changes in Qt (the transition from Qt3
to Qt4 painful).
• Methods were simply renamed, with no changes in
functionality.
• Conversely, other core classes (such as QString) changed
functionality without changing the method name, forcing us to
re-debug applications already released!

10. Qt in Xandros’ Past, Present, and Future
Qt is vital to Xandros’ Past, Present, & Future ...

11. Qt in Xandros’ Past, Present, and Future
Keep up the great work!!!