Bespin 0.1: Mozilla's Collaborative Web Code Editor
Firefox provider Mozilla has released a new Web development tool called Bespin. The project should not only make programming Web applications easier, but make it a collaborative effort worldwide.
Mozilla promises through its Bespin code editor that Web designers can more quickly and easily rework large amounts of data, even when distributed across the globe. Mozilla began the project in October 2008 with the core group of Ajax experts Dion Almaer and Ben Galbraith. In an introductory video on their project page, the two developers show the current results of their work: "As part of this announcement, we’re also releasing an early experimental prototype to demonstrate some of the concepts of Bespin and the possibilities that it opens up." Ease of use is one of Mozilla's priorities: "The editor experience should not be intimidating and should facilitate quickly getting straight into the code," according to the project page.
The alpha version already provides essential editing possibilities. Examples include syntax highlighting, undo/redo, previewing files in the browser and importing/exporting projects. Real-time collaboration allows colleagues to share live coding sessions. Even command line users will get editor tools akin to vi and Emacs. The Bespin team especially wants people involved and to provide suggestions. Users can extend functionality through the plug-in API and Ubiquity-like commands. "All of the source code underlying the Bespin experiment is being released as open source software under the MPL," or Mozilla Public License, according to the project page.
The Bespin 0.1 release is primarily and quite explicitly a prototype. A demo, video, the source code and further details are available on the Bespin webpage. Mozilla requests community test feedback to Mozilla Labs.
Issue 261/2022
Buy this issue as a PDF
News
-
KaOS 2022.06 Now Available With KDE Plasma 5.25
The newest iteration of KaOS Linux not only adds the latest KDE Plasma desktop but sets LibreOffice as the default.
-
Manjaro 21.3.0 Is Now Available
Manjaro “Ruah” has been released and includes the latest Calamares installer, GNOME 42, and much more.
-
SpiralLinux is a New Linux Distribution Focused on Simplicity
A new Linux distribution, from the creator of GeckoLinux, is a Debian-based operating system with a focus on simplicity and ease of use.
-
HP Dev One Linux Laptop is Now Available for Pre-Order
The System76/HP collaboration Dev One laptop, geared toward developers, is now available for pre-order.
-
NixOS 22.5 Is Now Available
The latest release of NixOS with a much-improved package manager and a user-friendly graphical installer.
-
System76 Teams up with HP to Create the Dev One Laptop
HP and System76 have come together to develop a new laptop, powered by Pop!_OS and aimed toward developers.
-
Titan Linux is a New KDE Linux Based on Debian Stable
Titan Linux is a new Debian-based Linux distribution that features the KDE Plasma desktop with a focus on usability and performance.
-
Danielle Foré Has an Update for elementary OS 7
Now that Ubuntu 22.04 has been released, the team behind elementary OS is preparing for the upcoming 7.0 release.
-
Linux New Media Launches Open Source JobHub
New job website focuses on connecting technical and non-technical professionals with organizations in open source.
-
Ubuntu Cinnamon 22.04 Now Available
Ubuntu Cinnamon 22.04 has been released with all the additions from upstream as well as other features and improvements.