RUNZ
RUNZ is a new way to run (and install) software on Linux (only Ubuntu and Super OS supported at the moment, but I plan to support as many Linux distros as possible). Think of it as a something similar to windows .exe files. (maybe even more similar to .dmg files for the Mac). The RUNZ framework is included in Super OS since version 9.10.
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Features
- Easy way to run apps (just double-click on them!)
- works on GNOME, KDE, and most recent Linux distros
- .runz files behave in a smiliar way to other executable files (ELF, bash scripts, etc...): They can be launched from the command line ( chmod +x file.runz ./file.runz ), theySome .runz files have support for something called "runz sandbox". This pseudo-sandbox is the location where the file will save it's settings instead of saving to the usual "home dir". If a file has support for "runz sandbox", to enable that you just have to create a folder called "runz" in the same folder where your .runz file is (see image). can be launched with App Runner (even has root), they work on terminals with no GUI, they accept SOME parameters (only parameters that do not rely on relative locations work! parameters like ./ or . or .. don't work! You must use the full paths!)
- Works for all users, even if they don't have root powers: no need to know the root password or use "sudo" to run .runz files.
- Safe: All files ask if the users really wants to launch the file, also, everything runs as a regular user (non-root), making it safer
- Support for Portable Apps: just create a folder named "runz" in the same location of your .runz file (see images bellow) , and if your .runz file is a portable app, it will save all it's settings to the "runz" folder
- Easy way to install SuperDebs
Possible uses of RUNZ
Note: you need the RUNZ framework to run the files bellow
- Use multi-distro installers - Google Earth 5 multi-distro installer, Adobe AIR multi-distro installer
- Use easy-to-use portable apps (more portable apps here!)- Portable XnView ALPHA, Portable Google Earth 5
- Use "SuperDebs" - Super-Deb installer of gtk-gnutella 0.96.6, SuperDeb of VLC 1.0.0 (only for Ubuntu 9.04 and Super OS 9.04)
RUNZ Sandbox
Some .runz files have support for something called "runz sandbox". This pseudo-sandbox is the location where the program will save it's settings instead of saving to the usual "home dir". If a file has support for the "runz sandbox", you just have to create a folder called "runz" in the same folder where your .runz file is to enable the "sandbox" (see image on the right).
NOTE: this sandbox is NOT a security feature, this is just a "guideline" for the portable apps. In case the app is malware, this sandbox will NOT protect your home and the malware will be free to damage your home (or the entire system if you give "root powers" to the program).
Screenshots
RUNZ integrated into GNOME
RUNZ integrated into KDE
alternative dialog mode
other alternative dialog mode
a .runz file
Question for security reasons
Portable Google Earth
RUNZ framework
To be able to open .runz files you need the RUNZ framework.
- Download: RUNZ framework 0.9.0.3 for Ubuntu (32 bits and 64 bits)
NOTE: You might need to reboot to enable the RUNZ Framework (but sometimes you only need to log-out and log-in)
Current status and stability
RUNZ seems to be very stable by now, and it seems to work fine. The only reason this is still in "beta" is because the specification is not finished yet, and it might change in the future (like it already changed once).
See also
- Blog (keep yourself informed about RUNZ news)
- Runz2self, tool to create self-extracting scripts not dependent on the RUNZ framework to run
- RUNZ FAQ
- RUNZ known issues
- RUNZ technical details
- RUNZ security
- Report bug / Send Feedback
