Say 'hello' to Icaros Desktop v2.1.2!

The second update pack for Icaros Desktop 2.1 has been released. This time, we focused on enhancements of current features, rather than adding new ones, but we feel that new changes/additions worth the wait. First of all, we added support to Windows 7 (Vista and upwards) shared folders through SMB handler, so exchanging files between your networked computers (or, even better, from your Windows/Linux host and your Icaros VM guest, if you use VMware or a similar product) will be easier. This is a very important enhancement, which brings Icaros on par with other Amiga-like systems in this field and, if I am not wrong, this should also be the first AROS ABIv0-based distribution featuring it. But that's not the only big news in the "networking drives department": we also included Norbert Kett's handler for DropBox and a client for AmiCloud, a very interesting cloud drive service with Amiga roots from our old friend (and nice competitor) Pascal Papara. Since we're talking about him, it's right to mention we also updated the client for his e-shop IndieGO!, but you'll find these additions only in Icaros Desktop Live! edition, since there was really no more space available in the Light one. Users of Amiga productivity applications will enjoy our little big refresh of AROS M68K system files, with a new, faster RTG driver that should enhance global speed. Last but not least, we also added Mapparium 0.4 to our distribution, in Extras/Application drawer (so yes: only Live! users will get it), an astounding application from ALB42 which shows the power of his FreePascal implementation, obviously available - as usual - in the Live! edition.

Icaros Desktop 2.1.2 playing a video from a networked Windows 7 virtual machine, through SMB handler. Please notice the amount of volumes mounted on the left side of this image.

New from Icaros Desktop 2.1.1
- Added DropBox cloud drive handler
+ Added easy DropBox configuration to Prefs
+ "Gdrive" has now been replaced by Prefs/CludDrives
- Added AmiCloud client to extras/FileSystem
- Updated SMB handler, now supporting shared folders from
+ Windows 2008 Server/R2
+ Windows Vista/7/8/8.1/10
- Updated AROS M68K environment
+ New RTG driver with enhanced performance
+ ROMs and system files updated to June 2016
- Added Mapparium to applications
- Updated SQLman in applications
- Updated IndieGO! e-shop client
- Updated FlexCat

Life if sexier, when you can transfer files from Windows 7 and upwards without problems...

GOOGLEDRIVE USERS READ THIS!

Norbert Kett's handler for GoogleDrive has changed a lot since its first implementation in Icaros 2.1 (and 2.1.1). It now supports DropBox too, however this forced us to change handler location from Devs:Google to Devs:Cloud. This also required us to heavily update our setting application in Prefs, which is not called GDrive anymore, but CloudDrives. Before updating, please take note of your Google Drive client code, because on first reboot you will be required to enter it again in the new preferences program. Moreover, original .key file for write access is not compatible anymore with the improved cloud drive handler, so you'll need a updated one from Norbert. Don't worry about this, because Norbert is freely updating the .key file to already-registered users requiring it. Just send hime and email and you will get write access to Dropbox too. Unluckily, however, DropBox handler is not as functional as the GoogleDrive one: you may experience crashes and transfer stops while using it. Norbert is already aware of the issue, but he needs more free time to fix it.

Another video stored on a Windows 7 machine, faithfully played by MPlayer on Icaros Desktop...

AVAILABILITY
Icaros Desktop 2.1.2 comes in the usual flavours: Icaros Desktop Live!, tailored for DVD-ROM media and provided with an already configured QEMU virtual machine for Windows; Icaros Desktop Light, the "core system" which can easily fit on a CD-ROM and a small pendrive; and a Update Pack for current Icaros 2.1 and 2.1.1 users.

UPDATING ICAROS FROM VERSION 2.1.1 TO 2.1.2

Icaros Desktop 2.1.1 can be straightforwardly upgraded to version 2.1.2 with LiveUpdater.

Please complete the following steps:
1. download IcarosUpdate210-212.zip from our download page
2. run LiveUpdater on your current installation, set the job for next reboot or reboot immediately
3. choose File option and locate the IcarosUpdate210-212.zip file
4. wait for the updating job to finish
5. proceed with reboot
6. enjoy Icaros Desktop 2.1.1!

UPDATING ICAROS FROM VERSION 2.1 TO 2.1.2

Icaros Desktop 2.1 must be upgraded to version 2.1.2 using the improved LiveUpdater. This should make sure that some little modification to startup files will be handled correctly when upgrading to the latest release.

Once LiveUpdater has been updated, please complete the following steps:
1. download IcarosUpdate210-212.zip from our download page
2. run LiveUpdater on your current installation, set the job for next reboot or reboot immediately
3. choose File option and locate the IcarosUpdate210-212.zip file
4. wait for the updating job to finish
5. proceed with reboot
6. enjoy Icaros Desktop 2.1.1!

Update Pack for Icaros 2.1.1 will not work on Icaros 2.0.3. Icaros Desktop 2.0.x users should update their systems to Icaros 2.1 before upgrading to v2.1.2.