The Integration of Yandex Services into the MSVSphere 9 OS: A New Era for Russian Software
September 28, 2024, 4:03 pm
In the spring of 2024, the Russian IT infrastructure and cybersecurity company, Inferit, launched a new version of its operating system, MSVSphere 9, based on the Linux kernel. This release includes two editions: MSVSphere ARM 9 for workstations and MSVSphere Server 9 for server infrastructure. The mission is clear: make computer use simple, secure, and enjoyable for every user. The intuitive interface and extensive features of MSVSphere ARM 9 empower users to tackle tasks of any complexity, whether for work, study, or leisure.
A significant highlight of this release is the integration of Yandex services into the GNOME Online Accounts feature of MSVSphere ARM 9. This integration is a game-changer, as it allows users to manage their Yandex accounts seamlessly within the GNOME desktop environment. Before this development, GNOME Online Accounts did not support Russian services like Yandex or VKontakte. Inferit recognized this gap and took the initiative to bridge it.
The integration process began with the implementation of Yandex Auth via OAuth tokens. This method allows users to connect their Yandex accounts and manage their emails, calendars, and contacts directly from the desktop. The development team meticulously crafted a list of supported properties for the Yandex provider, including authorization addresses and token retrieval methods. For instance, the user ID is extracted from the default_email field returned by the Yandex login info page.
Once a Yandex account is added through the management center, it appears in the system's account list. This streamlined process simplifies user interaction with multiple online services. The email client Evolution, included in MSVSphere ARM 9, was chosen for testing the email integration. Initially, Evolution did not recognize the new Yandex provider. However, the team manually added the provider by modifying the evolution-data-server package, enabling Evolution to retrieve tokens and account parameters from GNOME Online Accounts.
The integration with Yandex Mail proved straightforward. Users can now receive emails without additional authorization steps, thanks to the seamless connection established between Evolution and GNOME Online Accounts. This success inspired the team to tackle the next challenge: integrating Yandex Calendar.
The integration with Yandex Calendar presented some hurdles due to its unique authorization header requirements. To test the API's functionality, the team developed a Ruby script to read events from the calendar. The script successfully established a connection, but it required specific adjustments to accommodate Yandex's OAuth token authentication. After some coding tweaks, the calendar integration was up and running, allowing users to access their Yandex Calendar events directly from the GNOME environment.
Next on the agenda was integrating Yandex Disk. The team explored two options: connecting via Yandex REST API or using the WebDAV API. They opted for the latter, as the gvfs package already supported WebDAV for other services. After some testing, the integration was successful, and Yandex Disk appeared as a folder in the Nautilus file manager, making file management a breeze.
The final piece of the puzzle was integrating the Yandex address book. While Evolution supports the CardDAV protocol, accessing Yandex contacts via OAuth tokens proved problematic. The team discovered that Yandex's API did not allow contact access through OAuth, necessitating a different approach. They created test accounts and scripts to explore both basic and OAuth authentication methods. The results were telling: basic authentication worked, while OAuth returned a 404 error, indicating that contact access was not available through this method.
This discovery prompted the team to reach out to Yandex's technical support for clarification. The integration with the address book remains on hold, pending further guidance.
In summary, the integration of Yandex services into MSVSphere 9 marks a significant milestone for Russian software development. It enhances user experience by providing seamless access to essential online services. This initiative not only fills a gap in the GNOME ecosystem but also demonstrates the potential for innovation within the Russian tech landscape. As the integration process continues, it sets a precedent for future developments, paving the way for a more interconnected digital experience for users in Russia.
With the successful implementation of Yandex services, MSVSphere 9 stands as a testament to the capabilities of Russian software engineering. It embodies a commitment to user-centric design and the integration of local services into global platforms. As technology evolves, so too will the opportunities for collaboration and innovation within the Russian IT sector. The future looks bright, and the journey has only just begun.
A significant highlight of this release is the integration of Yandex services into the GNOME Online Accounts feature of MSVSphere ARM 9. This integration is a game-changer, as it allows users to manage their Yandex accounts seamlessly within the GNOME desktop environment. Before this development, GNOME Online Accounts did not support Russian services like Yandex or VKontakte. Inferit recognized this gap and took the initiative to bridge it.
The integration process began with the implementation of Yandex Auth via OAuth tokens. This method allows users to connect their Yandex accounts and manage their emails, calendars, and contacts directly from the desktop. The development team meticulously crafted a list of supported properties for the Yandex provider, including authorization addresses and token retrieval methods. For instance, the user ID is extracted from the default_email field returned by the Yandex login info page.
Once a Yandex account is added through the management center, it appears in the system's account list. This streamlined process simplifies user interaction with multiple online services. The email client Evolution, included in MSVSphere ARM 9, was chosen for testing the email integration. Initially, Evolution did not recognize the new Yandex provider. However, the team manually added the provider by modifying the evolution-data-server package, enabling Evolution to retrieve tokens and account parameters from GNOME Online Accounts.
The integration with Yandex Mail proved straightforward. Users can now receive emails without additional authorization steps, thanks to the seamless connection established between Evolution and GNOME Online Accounts. This success inspired the team to tackle the next challenge: integrating Yandex Calendar.
The integration with Yandex Calendar presented some hurdles due to its unique authorization header requirements. To test the API's functionality, the team developed a Ruby script to read events from the calendar. The script successfully established a connection, but it required specific adjustments to accommodate Yandex's OAuth token authentication. After some coding tweaks, the calendar integration was up and running, allowing users to access their Yandex Calendar events directly from the GNOME environment.
Next on the agenda was integrating Yandex Disk. The team explored two options: connecting via Yandex REST API or using the WebDAV API. They opted for the latter, as the gvfs package already supported WebDAV for other services. After some testing, the integration was successful, and Yandex Disk appeared as a folder in the Nautilus file manager, making file management a breeze.
The final piece of the puzzle was integrating the Yandex address book. While Evolution supports the CardDAV protocol, accessing Yandex contacts via OAuth tokens proved problematic. The team discovered that Yandex's API did not allow contact access through OAuth, necessitating a different approach. They created test accounts and scripts to explore both basic and OAuth authentication methods. The results were telling: basic authentication worked, while OAuth returned a 404 error, indicating that contact access was not available through this method.
This discovery prompted the team to reach out to Yandex's technical support for clarification. The integration with the address book remains on hold, pending further guidance.
In summary, the integration of Yandex services into MSVSphere 9 marks a significant milestone for Russian software development. It enhances user experience by providing seamless access to essential online services. This initiative not only fills a gap in the GNOME ecosystem but also demonstrates the potential for innovation within the Russian tech landscape. As the integration process continues, it sets a precedent for future developments, paving the way for a more interconnected digital experience for users in Russia.
With the successful implementation of Yandex services, MSVSphere 9 stands as a testament to the capabilities of Russian software engineering. It embodies a commitment to user-centric design and the integration of local services into global platforms. As technology evolves, so too will the opportunities for collaboration and innovation within the Russian IT sector. The future looks bright, and the journey has only just begun.