The LWN.net Linux Distribution List
You have found the LWN.net Linux Distributions List. LWN
has been tracking Linux distributions since 1999. Early versions of the
list consisted of links on the side bars of the weekly Distribution
page. By 2001 the list had grown to fill both sidebars of the weekly
page, often trailing far below any actual mid-page content. So the list
was moved to a flat file and released on October 11, 2001.
The next major release was on February 7, 2002. Additional information
was added to each entry, and in the process links were fixed, entries
moved to different categories and dead distributions were removed. Minor
revisions have been made almost every week since then. A table of
contents was added on May 9, 2002. There have been no major releases
since then, however new distributions are added when found, dead
distributions are removed when found, and link checking remains an
ongoing process.
Someday this list will hopefully move to a searchable database, making it
easier than ever to find what you are looking for. In the meantime, we
hope you will enjoy this celebration of Linux diversity, with over 500
distributions; large and small, specialized and generalized, old and
new.
Table of Contents
Leading Distributions
Leading distributions have usually been around for a while and are
well-established. They will support several architectures from low-end
x86 versions to high-end versions for IBM mainframes and the latest
64-bit technology. Some come from companies that supply service and
support contracts for their products, others are community projects.
Leading distributions usually support many languages.
- Debian GNU/Linux
http://www.debian.org/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/debian/
The Debian Project is one of the oldest distributions and is currently
the largest volunteer based distribution provider. The distribution
supports many languages and hardware platforms, for example the Etch
release supports i386, amd64, powerpc, alpha, arm, hppa, ia64,
mips/mipsel, sparc and s390. Several architectures offer a choice between
32-bit and 64-bits kernel.. The old stable version (still supported)
is Debian 3.1 (sarge) - initial release June 6, 2005 - now at revision 8
released April 13, 2008. The current stable version 4.0 (etch) was
released April 8, 2007 - now at revision 4 released July 26, 2008.
Debian users who want a more current desktop distribution are encouraged
to use the testing branch, which is where the next stable release
(currently codenamed Lenny) is prepared and which should normally be
quite stable. A Live CD image of Debian Lenny beta1 was released August
27, 2008. Debian Developers and users who want to live on the bleeding
edge can run the unstable branch (Sid) or even try packages from
experimental.
- Fedora
http://fedoraproject.org/
Fedora Project wiki
http://freshmeat.net/projects/fedora_project/
The Fedora Project is Red Hat's community distribution. It is intended
to be a fast-paced distribution for those that like to stay on the
leading edge of technology. It is also a test-bed for Red Hat's
Enterprise Linux products. The Fedora contains all the packages
necessary to run a functional desktop or small server. The first Fedora
Core release was dated November 5, 2003. Fedora strives for a new
release every 6 months and releases will be supported for 13 months.
The old stable version is Fedora 8, released November 8, 2007. The
current stable version is Fedora 9, released May 13, 2008. The first
alpha of Fedora 10 was released August 5, 2008.
- Gentoo Linux
http://www.gentoo.org/
Gentoo Linux is a source-based distribution that can be optimized and
customized for just about any application or need. Gentoo offers extreme
performance, configurability and a top-notch user and developer
community. Users keep their systems up-to-date using Portage, which is
based on BSD Ports. Gentoo is a meta-distribution with a large number of
packages available (nearly 11,000 as of April 2006). Gentoo Linux 2005.1 is
currently available for Alpha, AMD64, PPC, PPC64, SPARC, X86, IA64 and
SPARC32. Gentoo Linux 2006.0 was released February 27, 2006. Gentoo
Linux 2006.1 was released August 30, 2006. Gentoo Linux 2007.0 was
released May 7, 2007. Gentoo Linux 2008.0 was released July 6, 2008.
Gentoo 2008.0-r1 fixes some live CD issues.
- Mandriva Linux
http://www.mandrivalinux.com/
Mandriva
Mandriva Brazil
Mandriva is a new name for two popular distribution companies resulting
from the merger of the French company Mandrakesoft and the Brazilian
company Conectiva. Mandriva has also acquired Lycoris assets and hired
Lycoris founder and CEO, Joesph Cheek on June 15, 2005. Mandriva Linux
2006 merged technology from MandrakeSoft, Conectiva and Lycoris. This
version became generally available on October 13, 2005 and reached an end
of support on April 13, 2007. Mandriva Linux One is a combined live and
install CD, first released in March 2006. The Mandriva Corporate Server
4.0 was released September 19, 2006. Mandriva Corporate Desktop 4.0 was
released June 21, 2007. Mandriva Linux 2008 was released October 9,
2007. ML 2008.1 was released April 9, 2008. ML 2008.1 Xfce edition was
released May 1, 2008. Mandriva Linux 2009 RC1 was released September 4,
2008.
- Red Hat Enterprise
http://www.redhat.com/
Red Hat, Inc. provides one of the the best known distributions in the
world. In 2003 the company announced its decision to drop its popular
Red Hat Linux in order to concentrate on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux
line. The Fedora Project (see above) has replaced the Red Hat Linux line
for the home user or small business. Red Hat Linux 9 was released April
7, 2003, and official Red Hat support ended on May 1, 2004. Red Hat
Enterprise Linux comes with service and support contracts for those Red
Hat customers who require a stable, supported system. Red Hat Enterprise
Linux 3 was released October 22, 2003. The seventh update for RHEL 3 was
released March 15, 2006. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 (Nahant) was
released February 15, 2005. The sixth update for RHEL 4 was released
November 15, 2007. Version 4.7 was released July 24, 2008. RHEL 5
was released March 14, 2007. RHEL 5.1 was released November 7, 2007.
Version 5.2 was released May 21, 2008.
- Slackware Linux
http://www.slackware.com/
Slackware German forum:
http://www.slackforum.de/
Slackware (Italian style)
http://www.slack.z00.it/slack/slack.html
http://freshmeat.net/projects/slackware/
The Slackware project is headed by Patrick J. Volkerding, with a cast of
volunteers and a loyal following. It is the oldest active Linux
distribution with the first release dated July 16, 1993. The official
Slackware project supports only x86 platforms, however others have made
ports to other platforms. Slackware 10.2 was released September 14,
2005. Slackware 11.0 was released October 3, 2006. Slackware 12.0 was
released July 1, 2007. Slackware 12.1 was released May 2, 2008. KDE 4.1
is now available in Slackware -current.
- SuSE Linux
http://www.novell.com/linux/
openSUSE
Nuremberg based SuSE Linux AG is one of the older Linux distributions.
It became the the European UnitedLinux partner, and supplied much of the
code base for UnitedLinux and for Sun's Java Desktop System (both now
unsupported). SuSE was later acquired by US company Novell (finalized
January 12, 2004). SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) supports x86,
x86-64, IPF (ia64), POWER (32 & 64bit, ppc & ppc64) and
Mainframes (32 & 64bit, s390 & s390x). OpenSUSE is the community
distribution beginning with SUSE Linux 10.0, released October 6, 2005.
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) and SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop
(SLED) are available for enterprise customers. SLES/SLED 10 became
generally available July 17, 2006, now at Service Pack 2, released May
21, 2008. openSUSE 10.3 was released October 4, 2007. The 10.3 Live
edition is also available. SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time 10 was
released November 27, 2007. openSUSE 11.0 was released June 19,
2008. openSUSE 11.1 Alpha2 was released August 21, 2008.
- Ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/
Kubuntu
Edubuntu
Xubuntu
Mythbuntu
Ubuntu Studio
Supported by Canonical Ltd. and
the Ubuntu
Foundation. Ubuntu and its close cousins are freely available
distributions. Ubuntu takes a snapshot of Debian unstable and then
creates a small fork, recompiling and stabilizing the code to get a final
stable release. It usually takes 6 months between the snapshot and the
release. Ubuntu comes with the GNOME desktop, Kubuntu with the KDE
desktop, Xubuntu features XFCE and Edubuntu comes with educational
packages. Mythbuntu integrates the MythTV package. Ubuntu Studio
integrates packages for multimedia creation. Gobuntu (announced July 10,
2007) aims to be completely free (as defined
by the FSF) will be merging with gNewSense. The first Ubuntu release
(4.10 Preview released September 15, 2004) supported Intel x86
(IBM-compatible PC), AMD64 (Hammer) and PowerPC (Apple iBook and
Powerbook, G4 and G5) architectures. SPARC64 support was added for v6.06
LTS. Supported versions: 6.06 LTS "Dapper Drake", 7.04 "Feisty Fawn",
7.10 "Gutsy Gibbon" and 8.04 LTS "Hardy Heron". V6.06.2 LTS (the second
maintenance release) was made available January 21, 2008. "Hardy Heron"
aka v8.04 LTS was released April 24, 2008, available in desktop and server
editions. Ubuntu 8.04.1 LTS was released July 3, 2008. Edubuntu is now
available as an add-on to Ubuntu. Kubuntu 8.04 is available with KDE 3
or KDE 4. Other available 8.04 variants include Xubuntu, UbuntuStudio
and Mythbuntu. The next development branch, Intrepid Ibex Alpha 4 was
released August 14, 2008.
Also well-known
There is often a fine line between "leading" and "well-known"
distributions. Some polls now show that a few of these "well-known"
distributions are currently more popular than some of the "leading"
distributions.
- CentOS
http://www.centos.org/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/centos/
CentOS, the Community ENTerprise Operating System, is an Enterprise-class
Linux Distribution derived from sources freely provided to the public by
a prominent North American Enterprise Linux vendor. CentOS conforms
fully with the upstream vendors redistribution policy and aims to be 100%
binary compatible. (CentOS mainly changes packages to remove upstream
vendor branding and artwork.) Support is provided by the cAos
Foundation. This project dates back to late 2003. CentOS 3.9 was
released on July 26, 2007. CentOS 4.5 was released for i386, x86_64, and
ia64 on May 17, 2007. The CentOS 5.1 i386 Live CD was released February
18, 2008. CentOS 4.6 was released for i386, x86_64, s390, s390x and ia64
on December 16, 2007. CentOS 5.2 for i386 and x86_64 was released June
24, 2008. The CentOS 5.2 i386 Live CD was released July 17, 2008.
- KNOPPIX
http://www.knoppix.com/
http://www.knoppix.net/
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html
German:
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/
This German distribution is the original, Debian-based live CD, spawning
dozens (hundreds?) of remasters and customized live CD distributions.
Take your KNOPPIX CD with you when you're on the road and run Linux
anywhere. KNOPPIX is a complete GNU/Linux installation which runs from
CD, with automatic hardware detection and configuration for many graphics
and sound cards, SCSI devices, and peripherals. Knoppix first showed up
on May 29, 2002. KNOPPIX 5.0 Live DVD was released for CeBIT 2006.
Knoppix 5.3.0 was released during CeBIT 2008. Knoppix 5.3.1, based on
Debian Lenny+unstable, was released released March 26, 2008.
- MEPIS Linux
http://www.mepis.org/
MEPIS Linux is a Debian-based system for the desktop or as a dedicated
server. It is designed for both personal and business purposes. The
first official release was version 2003.0, dated May 10, 2003. The live
CD allows installation or functions as a recovery CD. SimplyMEPIS 3.4-3
was released February 9, 2006. SimplyMEPIS started using Ubuntu packages
starting with 6.0-beta, but with 6.9.51prebeta came another change.
SimplyMEPIS will use its own binary packages, compliled from Debian and
Ubuntu sources. Also available: MEPISLite 3.3.2. SimplyMEPIS 6.0-1
Linux Bootable DVD was released September 9, 2006. SimplyMEPIS 6.5 was
released April 4, 2007. AntiX, an Ultra-Lite MEPIS Derivative. released
v6.5 "Spartacus" on July 9, 2007. SimplyMEPIS 7.0 was released December
23, 2007. AntiX 7.5 was released August 22, 2008. The first Beta of
MEPIS 8.0 (based on Debian Lenny) was released August 26, 2008.
- PCLinuxOS
http://www.pclinuxos.com/
GetPCLinuxOS
TinyMe
Forum
PCLinuxOS 2K4 started out as a live CD based on Mandriva. These
days it's popular KDE-centric desktop distribution in own right. The
2007 release has been rebuilt from the ground up with Gcc 4.1.1 and
contains lots of cutting edge software. PCLinuxOS 2K4 Preview 4 was the
current version as of December 17, 2003. PCLinuxOS 0.93a MiniME was
released August 4, 2006. PCLinuxOS 0.93a Junior was released August 9,
2006. PCLInuxOS Full Edition aka Big Daddy was released August 21,
2006. PCLinuxOS 2007 was released May 20, 2007. TinyMe is a smaller
version of PCLOS (less than 200 MB on a live CD). TinyMe 2008.0 was
released May 23, 2008. PCLOS Gnome 2008 was released April 1, 2008.
PCLinuxOS MiniMe 2008 was released January 7, 2008.
- Turbolinux
http://www.turbolinux.com/
Turbolinux supports a variety of platforms and Asian languages. They
were the Asian arm of UnitedLinux. March 15, 2004 Turbolinux became a
wholly owned subsidiary of Livedoor, a large Japanese ISP. Turbolinux 10
Desktop was released October 2, 2003. Turbolinux 10 F, designed for home
computer users, was released April 27, 2004. Turbolinux 10 Server (10S)
was released October 5, 2004. Turbolinux 10 for AMD64/EM64T preview
edition was released February 16, 2005. Turbolinux FUJI Desktop Version
11 was released November 2005. Turbolinux FUJI Version 11 became
generally available May 30, 2006. Turbolinux 11 Server was released
November 29, 2007. Turbolinux 12 (Client 2008 Net User Package) was
released August 29, 2008.
Non-technical desktop
These are designed to be user-friendly, easy to install
distributions with plenty of desktop applications.
- AltimatOS
http://www.altimatos.com/
AltimatOS is an easy to use desktop with the K Desktop Environment. The
project was announced April 9, 2008 and is currently is under heavy
internal development by the core development team, as we build the
various components and create numerous new tools to make the desktop
experience friendlier to use. An installable live DVD is expected to be
released in late April or early May.
- Ark Linux
http://www.arklinux.org/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/arklinux/
Ark Linux is a Linux distribution designed especially for desktop use,
primarily for people without prior Linux experience. Its main goal is
ease of use, and the inclusion of many tools end users will need. Early
Ark Linux was based on Red Hat 7.3 / 8.0, with KDE, with the initial
Freshmeat announcement of version 1.0-0.alpha7.1, released March 14,
2003. Ark Linux 2006.1 and Ark Linux Live 2006.1 were released August 3,
2006. Ark Linux 2008.1 was released May 14, 2008.
-
Athene Operating System
http://www.rocklyte.com/athene/
Athene is a commercial operating system developed by Rocklyte Systems for
use in the home and office. Athene combines years of Rocklyte's R&D
with the latest Linux technology to create one of the fastest operating
systems available today. With boot times as fast as four seconds and
advanced graphics technology not available in standard Linux
distributions. Athene 5.0 Beta 4 was released February 22, 2007.
- BabelDisc
http://www.babeldisk.com/
BabelDisc is a Linux live CD distribution aimed at Windows users. The
company provides BabelBank, online, password protected storage data, for
a small monthly fee.
- DARKSTAR
http://www.darkstarlinux.ro/
DARKSTAR Linux is a desktop oriented, easy to install, configure and use,
distribution that targets the beginners in Linux. This Slackware based
distribution has a lot of easy to use GUI tools, a lot of applications of
office, multimedia and games. The operating system is designed to work
out of the box. DARKSTAR Linux 2008.1 was released January 8, 2008.
- DeLi Linux
http://www.delilinux.org/
http://delilinux.de/
http://delili.lens.hl-users.com/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/delilinux/
DeLi Linux stands for "Desktop Light" Linux, a desktop distribution for
older computers, from 486 to Pentium MMX 166 or so. Slackware 7.1-based
DeLi includes plenty of desktop software such as email clients, a
graphical Web browser, an office package with word processor and
spreadsheet, etc. A full install, including XFree86 and development
tools, needs no more than 300 MB of harddisk space. DeLi uses the 2.2.19
kernel for a smaller footprint and rocksolid stability on older hardware.
Initial version 0.1 was released November 3, 2002. Version 0.7.2 was
released May 17, 2007. DeLi Linux 0.8.0 was released May 28, 2008.
- eAR OS
http://www.earos.dk/
eAR OS is a state-of-the-art Operating System. It can run directly from a
Live-CD and optionally be installed to a hard disk. eAR OS comes with
the eAR Media Center. Furthermore, eAR OS comes with the newest version
of following applications: Wine for using Windows applications, Audacity
Sound and Recording Editor, Audio CD extractor with FLAC and MP3 support,
k3B CD- and DVD Burner, Kaffeine for DVB-S and DVB-T TV and DVD playback,
VLC for Broadband TV, Firefox 3.0 Webbrowser, Thunderbird E-mail/News,
Pidgin internet Messenger for MSN, F-Spot Photo Manager, GIMP Image
Editor, and several utilities and accessories. With its package manager
you can further install more than 15000 applications. eAR was added to
the list May 20, 2008 with the release of eAR OS Free Edition version
1.08. eAR OS Free Edition v1.10b was released June 23, 2008.
-
ELX, Everyone's Linux
http://www.elxlinux.com/
Elx provides an easy-to-use desktop (BizDesktop) distribution and a
server offering (ISPserver). BizDesktop 4.0 is based on kernel 2.4.20
and contains a variety of applications suitable for business and home
usage. ELX BizDesktop 4.0 became available for free download January 10,
2005. This site shows several products for sale, from desktops to
servers, but no download area that I found on April 24, 2008.
- FoX Desktop
http://www.foxlinux.org/
FoX Desktop is based on Fedora Core and designed for the desktop. It
offers a single CD install with a KDE desktop and lots of other desktop
software, optimized for i686. FoX joins the list with FoXDesktop 1
released December 25, 2005. FoX Desktop 1.0 Professional was released
April 4, 2006. FoXLinux Community 2.0 was released August 4, 2007.
- Freezy Linux
http://www.freezylinux.com/
Freezy Linux is a free, easy-to-use Linux-based operating system for the
home. The initial version was based on Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron and the
GNOME desktop environment. It comes as a live CD which can be installed
to the hard drive if desired. FreezyLinux 1.0 was released in late April
2008.
- GKLinuxOS
http://www.gklinuxos.net
GKLinuxOS is based on PCLinuxOS 2007 and comes with lots of applications
including OpenOffice.org and other office software, graphics and drawing,
multimedia audio-video programs, programs for web-browsing, email and
chat, and much more. GKLinuxOS 2008 was released May 14, 2008.
- OpenGEU
http://opengeu.intilinux.com/
Formerly called Geubuntu, OpenGEU is an Ubuntu-based desktop distribution
that uses parts of GNOME with Enlightenment DR17. OpenGEU 7.10 Luna
Nuova was released December 6, 2007. OpenGEU 8.04 Luna Crescente Beta
was released August 13, 2008.
- gOS
http://www.thinkgos.com/
gOS is an Ubuntu based distribution that aims to be a simple, user
friendly, beautiful desktop for normal people. It features the
Enlightenment window manager. The initial version was based on Ubuntu
7.10 and Enlightenment E17. gOS 2.0 "Rocket" was released January 7,
2008. gOS 3 Gadgets BETA (based on Ubuntu 8.04.1) was released August 6,
2008.
-
Granular Linux
http://www.granularproject.org/
Granular is a Linux operating system that is easy to use, user-friendly
and filled with lots of fun. Designed for both newbies and experienced
Linux users, Granular is based on PCLinuxOS and features easy switching
between the KDE and XFCE desktop environments. Granular 0.90, code-named
Esto Vello, was released July 3, 2007. Granular FunWorks 2007 was
released October 7, 2007. Granular 1.0 RC was released July 1, 2008.
-
Ignalum Linux OS
http://www.ignalum.com/index.php
Ignalum Linux OS is an intuitive graphical environment that works right
out of the box and offers compatibility with Microsoft Windows and
Ignalum's Internet-sharing and IPv6-over-NAT capabilities. Currently at
version 9.0b, released September 13, 2004. Ignalum 9.2 Yum Repository
went live April 7, 2006.
- Klikit-Linux
http://klikit.org/
Klikit-Linux is a non-formal project oriented on developing a modern,
free, user-friendly and fun Linux desktop. It is based on Kubuntu and
uses KDE (K Desktop Environment). Klikit-Linux can run as a LIVE-CD on
practically any PC (x86), and can be installed to your hard drive in just
a few minutes. It features the Klikit-Linux Storehouse, a free, easy,
one-click on-line service to install and remove Linux programs
(packages), libraries and drivers. Klikit joins the list at version
0.1-7B (beta), released October 17, 2007. DVD image: 0.1-9 (release
candidate 1) was released February 27, 2008.
- Linspire
http://www.linspire.com/
LinspireEspanol
Freespire
Linspire (once known as Lindows) was first announced in October 2001 as
LindowsOS. The distribution was renamed Linspire in April 2004 and the
company was renamed the following September. Linspire is a Debian-based
distribution targeted at non-technical Windows users and it comes in a
live CD version as well as a fully installable desktop. Some proprietary
software is bundled into Linspire, easily available with CNR.com (Click
and Run). Version 4.5, released December 16, 2003, supports English,
Spanish, French, Italian, German, and Portuguese. Freespire Linux OS 1.0
was released August 7, 2006. Freespire 2.0 was released August 8, 2007.
Freespire 2.0.3 was released Septmeber 24, 2007. Linspire 6.0 was
released October 10, 2007. Linspire was acquired by Xandros, announced
July 2, 2008. Xandros plans to discontinue Linspire. Freespire 5, due
out in late 2008, will be based on Debian Lenny. Freespire will be the
base for future releases of Xandros Desktop Professional.
- Linux Mint
http://linuxmint.com/
Linux Mint aims to produce an elegant, up to date and comfortable
GNU/Linux desktop based on Ubuntu. Linux Mint is like a customized
version of Ubuntu. It uses the same repositories and the same
packages. It follows the Ubuntu releases and innovations. Basically, it
is 98% Ubuntu, with a few differences, notably the default inclusion of
patented or proprietary technologies for an easy-to-use desktop out of
the box. Linux Mint 2.0 "Barbara", based on Ubuntu 6.10, was released
November 13, 2006. Linux Mint 4.0 Daryna is based on its predecessor,
Celena, and Ubuntu Gutsy. Daryna is also available in the XFCE
Community Edition, the KDE Community Edition, Fluxbox CE, and the Debian
Edition. Linux Mint 5 Elyssa was released June 8, 2008. Linux Mint 5
Elyssa XFCE CE RC1 (BETA 025) was released July 17, 2008. Linux Mint 5
Elyssa KDE CE RC1 (BETA 045) was released August 5, 2008.
- Linux XP Desktop
http://www.linux-xp.com/
Linux XP Desktop is a full-featured PC operating system like Windows but
based on Linux. Thousands of Windows applications have been tested for
compatibility, so you can run them on your Linux XP Desktop. If you dual
boot you can use data from your Windows data drives, share folders or
even logon to Windows. The Linux XP Desktop was first developed as a
simple, friendly OS for the Russian market. Some proprietary software is
included in this distribution. The first version was released in
December 2005. Linux XP Desktop 2006 SR2 was released September 21,
2006. Linux XP Desktop 2008 was released April 8, 2008.
- Myah OS
http://myah.org/
Myah OS is a performance destkop operating system originally based on
Slackware, but more recently it has been rewritten from the ground up.
Myah OS joined the list at version 2.2, released September 19, 2006,
which used Slackware 11.0 packages. Now Myah OS is made for home use
with a focus on Internet, Office, and multimedia. It has been optimized
for i686 processors for fast performance. Myah OS is now an original Linux
distribution, compiled from build scripts written by Jeremiah Cheatham.
Myah OS 3.0 beta 2 Box Edition was released April 12, 2008. Myah OS 3.0
Mouse Pro with Xfce 4.4, was released June 1, 2008. Myah OS 3.0 Box was
released June 12, 2008. Myah OS 3.0 Dragon (with KDE 3) was released
June 26, 2008.
- PC/OS
http://www.pc-os.org/
http://pcos08.wordpress.com/
PC/OS is a Linux based distribution that provides ease of use out of the
box. It provides all multimedia codecs out of the box, an easy to use
and simplified interface, and great compatibility with older hardware.
PC/OS 2008v2, released August 30, 2008, is a remix of Ubuntu 8.04.1, with
extra packages, with bug releases and distribution updates.
- PCFluxboxOS
http://pcfluxboxos.wikidot.com/
TinyFlux
PCFluxboxOS is a remaster series of PCLinuxOS with Fluxbox as the window
manager. PCFluxboxOS gives you all the power of PCLinuxOS through
Synaptic and the Control Center, whilst delivering a lightning fast
operating system, even on older hardware. TinyFlux is a related project
with an even lighter footprint. MidiFlux 0.6.1 beta was released
September 27, 2007. TinyFlux 1.0 was released November 2, 2007.
- Pioneer Linux
http://www.tapioneer.com/
Pioneer Linux by Technalign is a desktop distribution for home or
business. It is based on Kubuntu and MEPIS. You can download the
distribution for free, but Technalign is also selling box sets, Pioneer
Linux OnTheGo on a USB key and, of course support and customization.
Available for x86 and x86_64 now, with PPC in the works. The initial
release of Pioneer Linux in 32 and 64 bit versions is dated December 4,
2006. Pioneer Rifleman Alpha 2 (eye candy edition) was released April
13, 2007. Pioneer Explorer 1.1 community edition was released September
7, 2007, followed by the Server Final release on September 12, 2007.
Pioneer Basic 3.0, including MigrationSERVER and Stagecoach, was released
September 21, 2007. Pioneer Basic and Pioneer Explorer 3.2 were released
June 17, 2008.
- Shift Linux
http://www.shiftlinux.net/
Shift Linux is an attempt by the Neowin community to create a Linux
distribution. It's based on Morphix/Debian and the project was started
in late June of 2006. Shift Linux 0.3.1 Gnome was released October 17,
2006. Shift Linux 0.5 was released November 25, 2007. This version
includes GNOME, KDE or Fluxbox. Shift Linux 6.0 was released January 26,
2008. Shift Linux 0.6.5 was released March 24, 2008.
- SaxenOS
http://saxenos.de/
SaxenOS (formerly STX Linux) is a desktop Linux distribution especially
targeted to older hardware. It also works quite well on new PC's.
Version 1.0 is based on Slackware 10.2 with a hard disk installer
borrowed from Pocketlinux. STX Linux joined the list at 1.0 rc3,
released December 29, 2005. STX Linux 1.0 final was released January 9,
2006. Zenwalk 4.2-based SaxenOS Desktop 1.1 RC2 was released January 26,
2007. English 1.1 rc2 iso with a graphical installer was released
February 13, 2007. There will be no 1.1 final release. SaxenOS 2.0
was released March 17, 2007. SaxenOS 2008 Beta 2 was released March 30,
2008.
- Symphony OS
http://www.symphonyos.com/
Symphony OS is based on Debian and KNOPPIX. It uses a lightweight window
manager, includes its own package mangement system that can install deb
packages, source packages and Symphony binary packages, and includes the
Orchestra application development environment. Beta 1 Preview 1 was
released October 25, 2005. SymphonyOS 2006-12 was released December 13,
2006. Symphony OS 2007.06 (the first Ubuntu-based release) was released
June 6, 2007. SymphonyOne 2008.1 (based on Ubuntu 7.10) was released
April 11, 2008.
- Ulteo
http://www.ulteo.com/
Ulteo strives to be the easiest system to use on computers. Ulteo is a
new concept of an easy-to-use open-source operating system which could
change the way we all use computers. The project was founded by
Mandrake/Mandriva founder Gaël Duval, in late 2006. Ulteo currently
consists of the Ulteo Online Desktop (Ulteo OD, version 1 - released
March 18, 2008) and the Ulteo Application System. Ulteo AS "Sirius" was
released July 22, 2008.
-
Vidalinux Desktop OS
http://desktop.vidalinux.com/
http://www.vidalinux.com/
Vidalinux Desktop OS aims to be a powerful, stable and easy-to-use Linux
distribution. It comes from Puerto Rico. The desktop OS is based on
Gentoo Linux and uses the GNOME desktop environment, OpenOffice, Ximian
productivity suite with Evolution mail and calendar client, and Mozilla
browser. Vidalinux features Porthole, a GUI front-end for and the
portage package manager. Vidalinux Desktop OS also includes additional
multimedia and productivity applications for the home user including
media players, browser plugins for Flash, RealPlayer, PDF viewer, media,
graphics design and administration tools. Vidalinux was still in its
first beta edition when added to the list on July 14, 2004. VLOS 1.2,
based on Gentoo Linux and Red Hat's anaconda graphical installer, was
released August 2, 2005. VLOS 1.3 was released October 18, 2006. VLOS
1.3.1-rc1 was released December 2, 2006. Got to a CentOS/Apache test
page for the desktop page, on May 30, 2008. Let's see if it comes back.
- Vixta.org
http://vixta.sourceforge.net/
Vixta.org is Linux distribution that tries to capture the look and feel
of Windows Vista. The project goals include: Absolutely free, in every
sense, spread linux to the "masses", ABN - Absolutely No Config,
User-Frendly, Eye-catching, and Familiar look and Feel. Vixta joins the
list at v094, released October 6, 2007. 099 PRO Edition, Live DVD
(Beta2) is available as of May 30, 2008.
- Webconverger
http://webconverger.com/
Webconverger uses Debian Live technology to provide a Web platform for
kiosks, thin clients, or anywhere else you want a secure, dedicated web
browser. It runs from a live CD or USB device. A hard drive install
option will probably be available in the future. The maxi version of
Webconverger has good support for CJK languages, such as Korean. This
entry was added to the list April 23, 2008 when the latest version was
Webconverger 3 beta with Firefox 3 beta. Webconverger 3.2 with Iceweasel
3 was released July 19, 2008. Webconverger 3.3 beta was released August
29, 2008.
- Xandros Linux
http://www.xandros.com/
Xandros Desktop OS (formerly Corel's Debian-based distribution) is a
desktop system designed to peacefully co-exist and inter-operate
with Windows desktop and server systems. The first version of the
Xandros Desktop OS was released October 22, 2002. Xandros Server is also
out. Xandros released an enterprise package with the Xandros Business
Desktop and OS on March 11, 2004. Xandros Desktop OS version 3.0 was
released December 8, 2004, and went into open circulation February 14,
2005. Version 3 of the Xandros Business Desktop OS was released June 8,
2005. The Xandros Server, Standard Edition began shipping on May 1,
2006. Xandros Server for 64-bit processors was released June 1, 2006.
Xandros Desktop 4 Home Edition and Home Edition - Premium were released
June 21, 2006. Xandros Desktop 4 Professional was released November 28,
2006. Note: May 30, 2008 - products seem current, but without version
numbers or dates. Xandros acquired Linspire July 2, 2008.
General Purpose
These distributions should be suitable for desktop and server
applications. Most should have current versions available.
- Absolute
http://www.pcbypaul.com/absolute/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/absolute-os/
Absolute is a customized Slackware distribution, assembled to make
installation and maintenance of Slackware easier. It's built for speed,
stability, security, ease of use and development. It is lightweight and
should run on older hardware. Absolute joined the list with the release
of v12.0, July 16, 2007. Absolute Linux 12.0.7 was released October 12,
2007. Absolute 12.1.06 was released August 3, 2008.
- ALT Linux
http://www.altlinux.org/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/alt-linux/
LWN distribution survey completed May 3, 2002.
ALT Linux got its start as a Linux-Mandrake Russian Edition Spring 2001
and it is well-known in Russia. Designed to be a universal distribution,
ALT is suitable for servers, user workstations, software development,
etc. ALT Linux has diverged from its roots and is a unique distribution
with several sub-projects. The unstable, development
branch Sisyphus, changes
daily. ALT Linux Master 2.2 was released March 7, 2003. ALT Linux
Junior 2.2 (Plum) was released March 26, 2003. ALT Linux Compact 3.0.4
was released June 28, 2007. ALT Linux Server 4.0.1 was released June 27,
2007. ALT Linux 4.0 Personal Desktop was released August 29, 2007.
- Arch Linux
http://www.archlinux.org/
Arch Linux is an i686-optimized Linux distribution. It is lightweight and
contains the latest stable versions of software. Packages are in .tar.gz
format and are tracked by a package manager that is designed to allow
easy package upgrades. Arch is designed to be streamlined while allowing
for a customized configuration, with newer features such as reiserfs/ext3
and devfs. The inital version, 0.1, was released March 11, 2002.
Arch Linux released Pacman 2.1 (package manager) on August 22, 2002.
Arch released an x86_64 edition April 12, 2006. Arch 0.8 (Voodoo) for
i686 and x86_64 was released March 31, 2007. Archlinux 2007.08-2 "Don't
Panic" was released October 7, 2007. Archlinux 2008.06 "OverLord" was
released June 24, 2008.
- ASPLinux
http://www.asplinux.ru/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/asplinux/
ASPLinux is an RPM-based general purpose Linux distribution. It features
an intuitive GUI install with integrated partition resizer (supported
types are ext2fs, fat16, fat32, and ntfs) and comprehensive packages
set. The distribution provides full compatibility with Red Hat RPMs, and
it is available in English, Russian, Korean, and Chinese languages. ASP
7.3 (vostok) was released August 13, 2002. ASPLinux 11 was released
March 6, 2006. ASPLinux 12 was the current version in August 2008.
-
Business Edition Linux (BEL)
http://www.pclosbe.org/
Business Edition Linux (BEL) is a business version of PCLinuxOS. Its
goal is to present PCLinuxOS in a way that benefits small business needs.
By "re-wrapping" PCLinuxOS as both servers and business oriented
desktops, this project aims to bring the best of the PCLOS experience to
the small business market. This entry was added August 25, 2008.
-
BLAG Linux and GNU
http://www.blagblagblag.org/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/blag/
BLAG Linux and GNU by the Brixton Linux Action Group is an operating
system. It comes with everything you need to get a computer up and
running--it needs no other software. It has Internet, graphics, video,
sound, office, security, file sharing, and more applications. It's fast,
reliable, runs on older machines, and flies on fast boxes. You can
install miniblag (the smallest install at less than 350 Megs), deskblag
(includes a Gnome desktop with all the typical apps), serverblag (all the
server daemons but no GUI) or get it all with blagblagblag. BLAG starts
with Fedora and adds applications from Dag, Freshrpms, NewRPMS, and
includes custom packages. BLAG9000 was the current version when the
entry was added, November 11, 2003. BLAG 60001 was released May 10,
2007. BLAG 70000 (sugarwater) was released November 12, 2007. BLAG
90001 (oxygen) was released July 21, 2008.
- cAos
http://caos.caosity.org/
http://www.caosity.org/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/caos/
cAos is a Linux distribution created by the community, for the
community. The purpose is to provide a stable Linux solution for
organizations and individuals that do not need or want to purchase their
Linux solution. The kernel and almost every application that makes up a
Linux distribution are free and supported by their respective development
groups. cAos is simply a project that allows them to integrate together
into a usable product. This distribution is focused on becoming an
enterprise level community produced solution. The project was announced
November 8, 2003, followed by the first alpha release on December 1,
2003. cAos 2 was released May 13, 2005 for ia32 & x86_64. Caos
Server 3.0 BETA-1 was released September 20, 2006.
- Catapulta
http://www.catapulta.org/
Catapulta is an Ubuntu-based server platform that is designed and
packaged specifically for high-performance network monitoring
applications using commodity hardware. Catapulta distinctly incorporates
enhancements tailored for high-speed packet capture, including kernel
modifications and software optimizations. It integrates PF_RING, a
zero-copy packet capture technology, and Streamline, a fast stream
reassembler and filter -- as standard kernel features. Catapulta RC2 was
released February 19, 2008.
- CCux Linux
http://ccux-linux.de/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/ccuxlinux/
CCux Linux is especially optimized for i686 and higher processor
architectures. For package management it uses the RPM format in
connection with the apt tools, which give it automatic dependency
resolving when installing new software and therefore makes the
installation of new software much easier. CCux Linux joins the list with
the Alpha 0.9.4 release, dated October 14, 2004. CCux Linux 0.9.9
was released August 4, 2008.
- CRUX
http://www.crux.nu/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/crux/
CRUX is a lightweight, i686-optimized Linux distribution targeted at
experienced Linux users. The primary focus of this distribution is
"keep it simple", which is reflected in a simple tar.gz-based
package system, BSD-style initscripts, and a relatively small
collection of trimmed packages. The secondary focus is utilization
of new Linux features and recent tools and libraries. Version 1.1 was
released March 24, 2003. CRUX 1.3.1 for PowerPC was released February
25, 2004. CRUX 2.2 was released April 9, 2006. Crux PPC 2.2.0.2rc1 was
released February 10, 2007. CRUX 2.3 was released March 20, 2007. CRUX
2.4 was released December 22, 2007.
- Draco GNU/Linux
http://www.dracolinux.org/
Draco is a semi source based GNU/Linux distribution. It has roots in
Slackware and uses pkgsrc, a package management system from NetBSD.
Draco separates the system from the third-party packages, for a simple
and clean distribution to use as you see fit. Draco joined the list at
v0.3.0, released April 10, 2008.
-
Eadem Enterprise Linux
http://www.eadem.com/
Eadem is a Canadian company providing service and support for Eadem
Enterprise Linux. Eadem Enterprise V3.0 was released March 17, 2004.
-
EzPlanet One Linux
http://www.EzPlanetOne.com/
EzPlanet One is a Linux distribution tuned for Enterprise solutions.
EzPlanet One integrates advanced technologies, flexibility, quality and
security. Built with the Enterprise in mind, it features also several
tools for the Professionals and Individual users, that make its use more
fun. EzPlanet One version 2.0 was released January 2005.
- FaunOS
http://www.faunos.com/
FaunOS is a portable (easy-to-carry), fully integrated Linux operating
system with over 500 preinstalled packages. It is specifically designed
to run from a portable USB Memory Device (USB Flash Drive). It can also
run from a DVD. Hard drive install is also supported. FaunOS
fortytwo-0.3.2 was released September 5, 2007. FaunOS
shadow-0.5.4-stable was released March 14, 2008.
- Fluxbuntu
http://fluxbuntu.org/
Fluxbuntu is a LPAE-standard compliant, Ubuntu-based distribution. It is
lightweight, swift and efficient. These features support the Fluxbuntu
Linux Project's Goal of running on a wide range of mobile devices and
computers (low-end & high-end). The first test release is expected
July 19, 2007, timed with the Gutsy Tribe 3 release.
-
Foresight Desktop Linux
http://foresightlinux.com/
http://www.foresightlinux.org/
Foresight Linux is a Distribution which showcases some of the latest and
greatest from GNOME. Some of the things that may not be mature enough for
some of the other distros. As of March 10, 2005 Foresight includes GNOME
2.10, Mono 1.1.4 and many Mono applications, GNOME Office, Howl, Conary
and more. Foresight 0.9.3 was released December 15, 2005. The first
Foresight LiveCD, released March 7, 2007, includes GNOME 2.18.0 Release
Candidate (2.17.92). Foresight Linux 2.0.3 (with GNOME 2.22.3) was
released July 2, 2008. Foresight 2.0.4 and the first Foresight GNOME
Lite Edition were released July 23, 2008.
- free-EOS
http://free-eos.org/modules/news/
Free-EOS is a French distribution with the aim of being incredibly easy
to set up and get a set of services running. Version 1.1 was released
June 14, 2003. Version 1.3-1a was released November 27, 2004.
-
Frugalware Linux
http://frugalware.org/news.php
Frugalware is general purpose Linux distribution, designed for
intermediate users. It has a current, a testing and a stable branch.
The current branch is updated daily, with packages pushed to testing
about every two months, and plans to update the stable branch every 6
months. Frugalware Linux 0.3-i686 was released October 13, 2005.
Frugalware 0.8 (Kalgan) was released March 11, 2008. Frugalware 0.9rc2
(Solaria) was released August 26, 2008.
- FullPliant
http://fullpliant.org/
http://pliant.cx/
Uses Pliant as an whole operating system on top of a Linux kernel.
Release 93 is dated November 7, 2004.
-
GenieOS
http://genieos.toluenterprises.com/
GenieOS is a Debian based system that aims to provide a new-user-friendly
install while remaining compatible with Debian repositories. Version 0.5
was released December 18, 2005.
- gNewSense
http://www.gnewsense.org/
gNewSense is a GNU/Linux project that aims to remove all the binary blobs
out of a rather popular distribution and make it all free. So far the
project has produced a set of scripts to create a GNU/Linux Distribution
based on Ubuntu. Version 0.91 (beta) was released August 23, 2006.
gNewSense 1.1 was released January 22, 2007. gNewSense 2.0 "DeltaH", was
released May 1, 2008. This version is based on Ubuntu Hardy, with Blag's
deblob scripts for removing binary blobs from the kernel. DeltaH live CD
2.1 gNewSense was released August 24, 2008.
- G-ZyX
http://www.g-zyx.com/
G-Zyx is a Fedora based distribution with a collection of open source
software that runs from a single CD/DVD. Optional configurationless
installation (smart caching) to available hard disk or flash based
storage is supported. G-ZyX is the flagship manifestation of the ViROS
distribution generation platform. ViROS leverages popular open and free
RPM based *nix distributions to generate custom purpose live-CDs.
G-ZyX's predecessor cousin TVOS is suited for home theater applications,
while G-ZyX is suited for general purpose computing and development.
G-ZyX was still in alpha development when this entry was added, November
15, 2005.
-
H3Knix
http://h3knix.open-element.net/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/h3knix/
H3Knix is a small, source-based, desktop Linux distribution. It provides
a custom package management system based on "capsules", which allows the
user to select the functionality they require (e.g., "Dialup Internet
access"), and it will automatically retrieve all required applications,
including relevant dependencies. H3Knix joins the list at version 1.2
released July 14, 2004. Version 2.2 was released May 27, 2005.
- Hedinux
http://hedinux.org/
Hedinux (formerly Octoz GNU/Linux) is inspired by Linux From Scratch.
Version 0.1rc1 was released September 27, 2005. Hedinux GNOME live-cd
2006.1 alpha2 (with GNOME 2.14) was released March 27, 2006.
-
Heretix GNU/Linux
http://www.h-e-r-e-t-i-x.org/
Heretix was once known as Rubyx. Heretix is a Gnu/Linux based operating
system, built and maintained by heretix, a simple script written in the
ruby language. The heretix script can download and build the entire os
from source to your exact specifications, handle all subsequent package
management and can even create a bootable iso image. Heretix is not for
beginners, but it is designed to be simple and reliable. If you have a
grasp of partitioning and formatting disks and some understanding of boot
loaders, you can install Heretix.
- Hidden Linux
http://www.hiddenlinux.com/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/hidden/
Hidden Linux is an enterprise grade Linux distribution, created to
address the needs of organizations wishing to develop a secure Internet
presence. It is designed for experienced Linux administrators and can be
used as a mail, Web, database, FTP, print, Samba (PDC), PPTP, IPSec
gateway server and client, firewall, DHCP, cache/proxy, and time server.
Hidden joins the list at version 1.2, released July 2, 2004.
- IBLS
http://www.ibls.org/
IBLS (Itty Bitty Linux Server) is a compact, easy to use webserver that
you can run from a live CD, even on older hardware. It will run on a
P133 with 32MB RAM, or possibly less. IBLS got its start in the UK,
using Damn Small Linux as a base. It has since been rebuilt from scratch
by an international community of developers. IBLS is modular and uses
its own package management system, designed to run from the CD or from a
hard drive. IBLS was updated December 31, 2005 to use the 2.6.14.5
kernel.
- IDMS Linux
http://idms.lbsd.net/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/idms-linux/
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=30440
IDMS Linux is NOT a home user distribution. It is intended solely as the
base for high end server software. No GUI's, No X, No fancy stuff. The
initial Freshmeat announcement was for version 2.0.25, dated June 22,
2002. Version 3.0.3 was released July 26, 2004.
- Kate OS
http://www.kateos.org/
Kate OS is a multitasking operating system from Poland. Kate OS aims for
high efficiency, safety, reliability and low system requirements for
programmers, webmasters, administrators and home users. Kate OS contains
full support for generally used multimedia. Kate OS 2.3 was released
December 7, 2005. KateOS 3.0 LIVE was released September 4, 2006. KateOS
3.2 was released December 21, 2006. KateOS LIVE 3.2 beta was released
February 12, 2007. KateOS 3.6 was released September 17, 2007.
- Lineox
http://www.lineox.com/
Lineox Enterprise Linux is built from modified Red Hat Enterprise Linux
sources. The Finnish company Lineox offers customers an enterprise level
Linux operating system without bundled support options. The Always
Current Lineox Enterprise Linux makes updates and errata available to
customers. Lineox Enterprise Linux was first released January 29, 2004.
Lineox Enterprise Linux Desktop v3.140 with Update 7 was released March
17, 2006. An Advanced Server 2.1 edition was released August 30, 2004.
Lineox Enterprise Linux 4.0 was released February 25, 2005, Lineox
Enterprise Linux 4.0 x86_64 and Always Current x86_64 Lineox Enterprise
Linux 4.x Versions released March 14, 2005. Always Current Lineox
Enterprise Linux 4.076 with Update 4 was released August 13, 2006.
- Linux4Geeks
http://www.linux4geeks.de/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/linux4geeks/
Linux4Geeks is a LFS-based small distro which works around several
problems and issues mainstream Linux distributions have. It offers
different versions compiled for each architecture and has all the
packages required for a slim installation including a firewall and
network administration tools, amongst others. Version 0.01 was released
June 11, 2003.
- Lunar-Linux
http://www.lunar-linux.org/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/lunarlinux/
Lunar-Linux began as a fork of Sorcerer GNU/Linux. Lunar-Penguin, the
development group behind Lunar-Linux, say they plan for this fork to
stay close to the bleeding edge. This is a source-based Linux
distribution with a unique package management system that builds each
software package or module for the machine it is being installed
on. Although a complete installation can take some time, it tends to be
quite fast once installed. The initial ISO image lunar-20020321.iso.bz2
was released March 21, 2002. Lunar-1.5.0 "Indium Phosphide" was released
May 23, 2005. Lunar 1.6.1 installer iso "Moose Drool" was released for
i686 and x86_64, February 18, 2007. Lunar 1.6.2-beta1 (i686) ISO was
released July 29, 2007.
- MostlyLinux
http://mostlylinux.com/
MostlyLinux is a software company based in Jharkhand, India. The company
does mostly the same things other Linux companies do including enterprise
support and service, corporate training and custom distributions. They
also are building a distribution called MostlyLinux. MostlyLinux 9.1 is
the latest offering. The distribution is based on Fedora core 1 with
lots of additional software, including multimedia applications, LTSP
packages and more. This entry added August 24, 2004.
-
MURIX Linux
http://murix.sourceforge.net/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/murix/
MURIX is a distribution based on LinuxFromScratch for building bootable
CD-ROMs. Since you build it from source, MURIX should function on almost
any hardware. Version 20020205, the initial release, became available on
February 24, 2002. Version 1.1 was released November 24, 2002. Version
2004.2 was released December 25, 2004.
- NetMAX
http://www.netmax.org/
http://www.netmax.com/
Cybernet Systems makes the NetMAX server and NetMAX Desktop. The server
product does not appear to be available for download, but the NetMAX
DeskTOP Live CD, 1.7 beta released May 18, 2005 is completely GNU GPL
free software.
-
Nitix
http://www.net-itech.com/products/nitix.php
Net Integration Technologies Inc. presents Nitix, a server OS with
autonomic computing features -- self-management, self-healing,
self-configuring and self-optimizing capabilities.
- NixOS
http://nix.cs.uu.nl/nixos/
NixOS is a Linux distribution based on Nix, a purely functional package
management system. NixOS is an experiment to see if we can build an
operating system in which software packages, configuration files, boot
scripts and the like are all managaed in a purely functional way, that
is, they are all built by deterministic functions and they never change
after they have been built.
- OEone HomeBase
http://www.axentra.com/
Axentra provides Internet appliances for servers and desktops using the
OEone Linux-based operating system.
- Onebase Linux
http://www.ibiblio.org/onebase/
Onebase Linux (OL) is an independent meta source distribution originally
created in July 2003. It aims to be a free distribution, both powerful
and easy to use. OL 2005 was released April 30, 2005. OnebaseGo 3.0 and
GamesGo 1.0 were released July 12, 2005. Onebase DevelopGo is a live CD
with plenty of software developement tools. DevelopGo 1.0 was released
July 30, 2005. StudioGo 1.0 was released August 17, 2005.
- paldo
http://www.paldo.org/
paldo stands for "pure adaptable linux distribution". It is a Upkg
driven GNU/Linux distribution and it's a mix of a source and a binary
distribution. Even though it builds packages like a source distribution
it provides binary packages. paldo joined the list at v1.12, released
November 5, 2007. paldo 1.15 was released August 15, 2008.
- Peachtree Linux
http://peachtree.burdell.org/
Peachtree Linux is a Linux distribution being developed by several
students/former students at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Since
it's inception in the fall of 2002, Peachtree Linux has aimed to be a
small system for the seasoned Linux user. In the interests of staying
small, this distribution does not include GNOME or KDE and generally
there is only one program per any task. Release 1 (Atlanta) is dated
February 26, 2005, and it is available for Pentium II and higher x86
systems, NewWorld Power Macintosh systems, and Digital Alpha systems.
-
Pie Box Enterprise Linux
http://www.piebox.com/
PixExcel is a UK company that
seeks to provide a maintained, stable and trusted Linux distribution
without costly support contracts. Pie Box Enterprise Linux is built from
the source RPMs of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The initial release, Pie
Box Enterprise Linux 3 AS, was made available in April 2004; AS 3 Update
9 was released June 15, 2007. Pie Box Enterprise Linux 4 AS was
released February 28, 2005; version 4 AS Update 7 was released July 29,
2008.
- easys GNU/Linux
http://easys.gnulinux.de/en/
easys (formerly known as Pocketlinux) has been founded to offer custom
Enterprise Linux solutions. The easys approach differs from most other
companies. Our aim is to integrate open source software with your
existing network to help you replace unstable and insecure closed source
software. It is based on Slackware and uses KDE Light. The first public
release of pocketlinux, version 1.1, was released August 21, 2005. easys
GNU/Linux 2.1 was released May 6, 2006. easys GNU/Linux 3.0, based on
Slackware 11.0, was released October 4, 2006. easys GNU/Linux 4.1 was
released May 1, 2008.
- ROOT Linux
http://www.rootlinux.org/
http://rootlinux.sourceforge.net/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/rootlinux/
ROOT Linux is an advanced GNU/Linux operating system. It aims to be
fast, stable and flexible. ROOT Linux is not recommended as a first
Linux distribution. People should have experience with Linux and
computers in general. Version 1.3 was released August 27, 2002. Version
1.4 was released December 16, 2004.
- rPath Linux
http://www.rpath.com/
http://www.specifix.com/
rPath Linux started out as Specifix, a Linux distribution built around
the Conary package management system. rPath Linux is a freely-available
Linux operating system distribution, built with the Conary distributed
software management system, supported and maintained by rPath, Inc. The
rPath Linux distribution contains high-quality, up-to-date software, and
is the base development platform for creating software appliances and
purpose-built distributions using rBuilder Online. rPath Linux is also a
fully functioning Linux distribution in its own right. Installing rPath
Linux is the easiest way to get familiar with using Conary to manage
software and systems. Specifix Linux 0.13 (ALPHA) was released October
26, 2004. The distribution was renamed rPath Linux with version 0.24
(ALPHA) (x86 and x86_64), released June 2, 2005. rPath Linux 1 (x86 and
x86_64) was released February 15, 2006. rPath 1.0.7 (x86 and x86_64) was
released October 12, 2007. rPath Linux: Live Images Beta was released
June 21, 2006. rPath Linux 2 was released May 16, 2008.
- Rubix
http://www.rubixlinux.org/
Rubix is a Slackware based distribution that uses the pacman package
management from Arch Linux. Rubix 1.0 was released March 5, 2006.
- Sabayon
http://www.sabayonlinux.org/
Previously known as RR4 Linux and RR64 Linux, Sabayon provides
Gentoo-based live DVD images that can be installed to a hard drive or run
from the DVD. Version 2.65.1 was released November 28, 2005. RR64 Linux
3.0 RC1 was released May 3, 2006. RR4 Linux 3.0RC1 miniEdition was
released May 14, 2006. RR4 Linux 3.0RC1 full edition was released June
18, 2006. RR4 Linux 3.0 RC1 miniEdition was released July 1, 2006.
SabayonLinux x86/x86-64 miniEdition 3.3 was released March 25, 2007.
Sabayon Linux x86/x86-64 1.0 "Business Edition" was released July 15,
2007. SabayonLinux x86/x86-64 3.4 Revision F (Stable) was released
September 7, 2007. Sabayon Linux 3.4 x86/x86-64 miniEdition was released
September 23, 2007. The Professional Edition was released October 23,
2007. Sabayon Linux 3.5 x86/x86-64 3.5 was released July 1, 2008.
-
Server optimized Linux
http://www.sol-linux.com/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/sol/
SoL (Server optimized Linux) is a product of antitachyon, an Austrian
company located in Vienna. Built from the ground up from original
sources, SoL aims to be stable and fast server distribution. SoL 18.00
was released May 18, 2004. Antitachyon also provides the SoL-DESKTOP and
XoL (Diskless X office Linux). SoL 25.00 was released June 26, 2007.
- Slack/390
http://www.slack390.org/
Slack/390 is port of Slackware Linux to IBM's S/390 hardware. Slack/390
10.0 was released February 11, 2005. The company Sine Nomine Associates will be offering
commerical support for Slack/390.
- Slamd64
http://www.slamd64.com/
Slamd64 is an unofficial port of Slackware Linux to the x86_64
architecture; despite the name containing AMD64, Slamd64 should work both
on K8 (AMD64) and EM64T (some Intel) processors. It was started from
Slackware -current in 2004, and was created by cross-compiling from
scratch, rather than using an existing 64-bit distribution as a base.
Slamd64 is a multi-lib distribution, which means that you can run 32-bit
applications easily, without a chroot. You can directly install most
packages targeted at x86 Slackware. Slamd64 10.2 was released September
15, 2005. Slamd64 12.1 was released July 2, 2008.
- SLAMPP
http://slampp.abangadek.com/
SLAMPP is a generic Linux distribution which can boot and run directly
off CD-ROM or installed to a hard drive. It is based on Slackware and
SLAX and uses Linux Live Scripts to build the Live CD. SLAMPP is
designed to be used as an instant home server. SLAMPP 1.1 was released
November 18, 2005. SLAMPPLite 2.0 was released April 11, 2006.
- SME Server
http://contribs.org/
Once known as e-smith, this server and gateway distribution has gone
through several owners, including Mitel Networks (where it became SME
server), Lycoris and Resource Strategies, Inc. Mitel released version 5.5
of the SME Server on July 3, 2002. As of March 5, 2005 Ruffdogs has
taken possession of Contribs.org and is developing a Roadmap for the
rebuilding of the Contribs.org community. SME Server 7.0 was released
July 1, 2006. SME Server 7.3 was released January 1, 2008.
-
Source Mage GNU/Linux
http://www.sourcemage.org/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/sourcemage/
Source Mage GNU/Linux is a source-based GNU/Linux distribution based on a
Sorcery metaphor of "casting" and "dispelling" programs, which are
referred to as "spells". Sorcery 0.1.3 was released into cvs on March
26, 2002. Source Mage 0.9.6 for PPC and x86 was released March 13, 2006.
Stable grimoire v0.23 was released July 21, 2008. Source Mage ISO
0.10.0-test3 was released August 11, 2008.
- StartCom Linux
http://www.startcom.org/
StartCom Ltd. is based in Eilat, Israel, offering Linux distributions,
service and support. StartCom Linux distributions are based on Red Hat
Advanced Server 3 source code, and modified to fit various tasks.
StartCom plans to release four flavors of SmartCom Linux: Enterprise
Linux, the MultiMedia Edition, the Office Edition and the Developer
Edition. The first release was the StartCom Linux Enterprise AS-3.0.0
dated August 2, 2004. StartCom Enterprise Linux AS-3.0.6 was released
August 29, 2006. The x86_64 edition of 4.0.0 was released May 27, 2005.
StartCom Enterprise Linux AS-4.0.5 was released November 25, 2007.
StartCom Enterprise Linux AS-5.0.2 was released June 11, 2008.
StartCom MultiMedia Edition ML-5.0.6 (Kessem) was released October 31,
2007. StartCom MultiMedia Edition ML-5.0.7 (Kessem) Update RC1 was
released January 15, 2008.
- T2
http://www.t2-project.org/
T2 is a flexible open source System Development Environment or
Distribution Build Kit. T2 allows the creation of custom distributions
with bleeding edge technology. Currently the Linux kernel is normally
used, but there are plans to expand to Hurd, OpenDarwin and OpenBSD, and
more. T2 started as a community driven fork from the ROCK Linux Project
with the aim of creating a decentralized development and clean a
framework for spin-off projects and customized distributions. Live CD
2.2.0-beta was released May 21, 2005. T2 2.1.1 "lychee punch" was
released January 14, 2006. The T-Resc target provides a tiny rescue
system based on uClibC and K-drive Xvesa/Xfb for minimal size, released
January 20, 2007. T2 6.0.3 "Spring Fever" was released March 28, 2007.
T2 SDE 7.0-rc2 "autumn leaves" was released November 12, 2007.
- tinysofa
http://www.tinysofa.org/
tinysofa classic server
tinysofa is an enterprise grade operating system based on the Linux
kernel. Optimized for i586 and up, tinysofa aims to be stable, secure,
well-supported, easily managed and free. Trustix Secure Linux was used
as a base for tinysofa. Version 1.0 was released April 29, 2004.
tinysofa enterprise server v2.0 Update 1 (Odin) was released February 21,
2005. tinysofa classic server (Ceara) 2.0 Update 6 was released October
17, 2006. Trustix Secure Linux 3.0.5 was released March 6, 2007.
-
Tomahawk Desktop
http://www.tomahawkcomputers.com/
Singapore based Tomahawk Computers was launched in April 2005 with the
goal of creating a modular operating system, in which most components are
open source packages, and also incorporating in-house and third-party
proprietary software. Currently the Tomahawk Desktop Lite and the
Tomahawk Desktop Standard have been release. Yet to come are the
Tomahawk Desktop Professional and the Tomahawk Server. Tomahawk Desktop
1.1 was released March 1, 2006.
-
Ultima Linux
http://www.ultimalinux.com/
http://ultima-inet.kicks-ass.org/ultimalinux/
Ultima Linux is a Slackware-based system that aims to be fast, powerful,
stable, and secure, for Intel-compatible computers. Ultima Linux 4-SP1
was released September 24, 2005. Ultima Linux 8.3 was released January
7, 2007. Ultima Linux 8.4 Beta 1 was released July 22, 2008.
-
Univention Corporate Server (UCS)
http://www.univention.de/ucs.html
Univention GmbH offers a range of Linux-based products and services,
including the Univention Corporate Server, Groupware Server and Corporate
Desktop. This entry was added July 12, 2006.
-
Voltalinux
http://www.sicurezzarete.com/voltalinux/
Voltalinux is a GNU/Linux distribution based on Slackware GNU/linux and
the pkgsrc package system from NetBSD. This project aims to deliver a
prebuilt distribution with the clean design of Slackware and the
availability of about 5400 ports (packages) ready to install. Version
1.0 was released June 9, 2006. Version 2.1 was released June 9,
2008.
-
Webfish Linux
http://webfish-linux.sourceforge.net/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/webfish-linux/
Webfish Linux is a small, stripped down Linux distribution based on GNU
source packages. Webfish is built with the more experienced user in mind
and is aimed at small, fast, secure server and workstation systems with a
minimum of installed packages. The initial release of Webfish Linux,
version 0.9b, was released June 20, 2002. Version 2.0pre3 was released
on April 21, 2004. The Webfish Linux Firewall-1 branch released its
initial verion, 1.1, on July 24, 2002. Fishwall 1.2 was released August
27, 2002. Webfish-2.0pre3 was released April 15, 2004.
- White Box Linux
http://whiteboxlinux.org/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/wbel/
White Box Linux is an effort to rebuild Red Hat's Enterprise product from
source, including only Free/Open source software. The first set of
Release Candidate ISO images were released November 17, 2003. Version
4.0 was released May 6, 2005. Version 4 Respin 2 was released June 20,
2007.
- Xline
http://www.xline.fr/
Xline is a European distribution of Linux, an advanced operating system
based on the GNU/Linux core with many additional packages. It is
compatible with the architectures x86 (included Pentium and Athlon),
amd64 (included Opteron, Athlon 64 and EM64T), Alpha/AXP, IA-64, PC-98,
UltraSPARC and PowerPC. Development is open to everyone; developers,
testers, translators, etc. GNOME is the default desktop, at least in the
initial development of Xline. Xline joins the list March 16, 2005.
- X/OS Linux
http://www.xoslinux.org/
X/OS Linux is a GNU/Linux distribution for business and enterprise
users. It's based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux sources and the company
offers long term availability of security updates and software
enhancements. X/OS Linux 3 was updated October 7, 2004 to include
updates from RHEL3 update 3. X/OS Linux 5.1 was released January 1,
2008.
- YES Linux
http://www.yeslinux.org/
YES (YourESale) provides the YES business appliance, an easy-to-use
Business in a Box designed specifically for the small businesses and
non-profits to be able compete with the larger businesses. YES Linux, at
the core of the appliance, contains the tools needed to create a
website, set up email and more. YES Linux joins the list at version
2.0.8, released May 23, 2004. YES Linux 2.2.2 was released September 11,
2005.
- Yoper
http://www.yoper.com/
Yoper (Your Operating System) is a product of Yoper, Ltd., a New Zealand
based consulting company. Yoper is a fast and stable operating system
for the business user's i868 desktop. Ydesktop-3.2.1 Release Candidate 3
released January 12, 2003. Yoper Ydesktop V2 was released July 12,
2004. Yoper Linux 2.1.0 was released August 25, 2004. Yoper 3.0.1
'TITANIUM' was released October 4, 2007. Yoper 3.1 beta was released
April 22, 2008.
Education
This is mix of distributions used by educational institutions, and
distributions that are designed to be educational to install and
use.
- AbulEdu
http://www.abuledu.org/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/abuledu/
AbulEdu is a Mandrake-based distribution for primary schools. It is
currently in French but most of the tools can be translated. An AbulEdu
server can handle Mac (netatalk), Windows (samba), GNU/Linux and X
terminal (with LTSP) clients. The server acts as a central gateway for
Web, mail, and printing, and facilitates the management of classes,
pupils, and teachers. Everybody can publish Web pages on an intranet
using Apache and all administration tasks are performed using a
browser. The result is that a teacher who is not a computer specialist
can install and manage a school network. Stable version 1.0.7-II was
released May 26, 2003.
-
Beyond Linux From Scratch (BLFS)
http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/blfs/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/beyondlinuxfromscratch/
Beyond Linux From Scratch (BLFS) is a project with the aim of assisting
LFS users to go beyond the base system. It contains a broad range of
instrutions for installing and configuring various packages on top of a
base LFS system. If you are wondering why you would want an LFS system
or what one is, see the entry for LinuxFromScratch below in this list.
BLFS 1.0 was released April 28, 2003 under the original BSD License.
Version 6.1 (based on LFS 6.1) was released August 20, 2005. BLFS 6.2.0
was released February 14, 2007. BLFS 6.3 was released August 25,
2008.
- BU Linux
http://linux.bu.edu/
Created at/for Boston University, BU Linux is based on Red Hat
Linux, but specifically tailored for the BU environment. They have
added security updates, made modifications to make software work
better with their setup, and added some applications. BU Linux 2.5
(a.k.a Gigantic) was released August 27, 2002. Fedora-based BU Linux 4.0
(Bossanova) was released July 14, 2004. BU Linux 4.6 (Stormy) was
released August 21, 2006.
- College Linux
http://www.collegelinux.org/
CollegeLinux is a Debian based live CD that promises to be a fully
capable PHP5, Perl and Ruby web server, pre-loaded with GEdit and Vim for
editing scripts with syntax highlighting. College Linux includes tools to
back up and restore your web site from a USB pen drive or from your
collegelinux.org account. CollegeLinux Live Server is a Debian based
live CD, first released July 13, 2006. As soon as you start, it is a
fully capable PHP5, Perl and Ruby webserver, preloaded with GEdit and Vim
for editing scripts with syntax highlighting.
-
Cross Linux From Scratch
http://cross-lfs.org/
Cross Linux From Scratch (CLFS) is a project that provides you with
step-by-step instructions for building your own customized Linux system
entirely from source. Building CLFS teaches you how to make a
cross-compiler and the necessary tools, to build a basic system on a
different architecture. For example you would be able to build a Sparc
toolchain on an x86 machine, and utilize that toolchain to build a Linux
system from source code. CLFS-1.0.0 "Bender" was released September 26,
2006.
-
Debian-Jr.
http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-jr/
This is an internal project to make Debian an OS that children of all
ages will want to use. Our initial focus will be on producing something
for children up to age 8. Once we have accomplished this, our next target
age range is 7 to 12. By the time children reach their teens, they should
be comfortable with using Debian without any special modifications.
-
Eagle Linux
http://www.safedesksolutions.com/eaglelinux/
Eagle Linux is distributed as a how-to manual that walks the user through
the steps necessary to create a customized live CD distribution. Eagle
Linux can be downloaded in ISO format as well (as of version 2.2). Eagle
Linux announced version 1.0 on November 2, 2002. The distribution was
removed from our list in October 2004, but now it's back at version 2.3,
released April 25, 2006.
-
EduLinux
http://www.edulinux.cl/index.php?id=1&L=1
http://www.edulinux.cl/
EduLinux is developed at the Instituto de Informática Educativa in
Universidad de La Frontera university and the Chilean Educational
Ministry. EduLinux is specially designed for Enlaces Educational Network
computing labs. EduLinux 2006 is based on Fedora Core 4 and was released
June 27, 2006.
-
eLearnix
http://freeloaderlinux.sourceforge.net/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/freeloaderlinux/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/elearnix/
eLearnix is a free, self contained, Linux operating system that runs from
CDROM or Compact Flash card. It creates a desktop environment that will
help people learn Linux. The newest version is also Wireless enabled,
with a 2.6 Linux kernel, GNOME 2.4, lots of applications, and an install
script to install to a dedicated hard drive or a 256MB+ Compact Flash
card. Once upon a time a distribution called Embedded Freedom Linux was
in the embedded section of this list; version 1 released December 15,
2002. EFL turned into FreeLoader Linux before morphing into eLearnix.
eLearnix 2.6.6 was released May 16, 2004.
-
elpicx
http://www.elearnit.de/live_cds/elpicx/
elpicx is a live CD Linux system that will help you prepare for the exams
of the Linux Professional Institute Certification Program LPIC. elpicx
1.1 Dual-Boot-DVD (based on Knoppix and CentOS) was released October 15,
2007. Supported languages are German and English.
-
Freeduc
http://sourceforge.net/projects/ofset
The Organization for Free Software in Education and Teaching (OFSET) has produced Freeduc, a
Knoppix/Debian-based Linux system with educational software, all on one
bootable CDROM. Version 1.1 of the Freeduc CD-ROM was released November
5, 2002. Freeduc-cd 1.5 was released May 15, 2005.
- Karoshi
http://karoshi.linuxgfx.co.uk/
Karoshi is a server operating system designed for schools. Karoshi
provides a simple graphical interface that allows easy installation,
setup and maintenance of your network. Karoshi is based on PCLinuxOS.
Version 5.1.3 was released June 11, 2007. Karoshi Beta 6.0 was the
current version July 14, 2008.
-
kmLinux
http://www.lernnetz-sh.de/kmlinux/
kmLinux is developed by the [German] national education server
Schleswig-Holstein in co-operation with the association free
software and education. It's a complete Linux system for the
personal computer, which can be installed easily. Web site in
German. Version 5.1 was released December 7, 2004.
-
Linux From Scratch
http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/linuxfromscratch/
Linux From Scratch (LFS) is a project that provides you with the
steps necessary to build your own custom Linux system using the LFS
book. The web site also contains links to other resources such as
mailing lists, mailing list archives, newsgroups, search engine, faq
and more. Released under the original BSD License. Development version
3.2-rc2 was released February 27, 2002. Stable version 3.3 was released
April 7, 2002. LFS-6.2 was released August 4, 2006. LFS LiveCD
x86-6.2-2 was released August 15, 2006. LiveCD Version x86-6.2-3 was
released September 10, 2006. LFS 6.3 was released August 28, 2007.
LFS LiveCD 6.3 was released September 1, 2007. LFS LiveCD 6.3-r2145, for
x86 and x86_64 architectures, was released December 30, 2007.
- LormaLINUX
http://linux.lorma.edu/
LormaLINUX is Lorma Colleges' very own Linux Distribution that has been
optimized and customized to meet the needs of educational institutions
and its students. It is a full-featured Operating System specifically
created for ease of installation, ease-of-use and functionality.
LORMALinux 4, based on Fedora, was released December 9, 2003. LormaLinux
2005 beta 2 was released February 21, 2005. Lormalinux Web/MySQL Server
Slackware Edition Beta 1 was released March 2005. Lormalinux LTSP-Server
Slackware Edition Beta 2 was released April 29, 2005.
-
Scientific Linux
http://www.scientificlinux.org/
Scientific Linux is a free community project that rebuilds the source
packages for Red Hat Enterprise Linux and adds a handful of enhancements.
Several scientific laboratories and universities in the United States,
Switerland, and other countries are involved in this project. There are
some sites that have tweaked the base distribution a bit further, like CERN Linux and Fermi Linux.
Scientific Linux 3.0.4 Cern - i386 and x86_64 was released February 11,
2005. SL Fermi LTS v3.0.4 was released February 22, 2005. Scientific
Linux Live CD 5.0 was released for i386 and x86_64 on May 25, 2007.
Scientific Linux 5.1 - i386 & x86_64 - was released January 16,
2008. Scientific Linux 5.1 Live CD and DVD (32bit and 64bit) was
released February 19, 2008. Scientific Linux 5.2 - i386 & x86_64 -
was released June 26, 2008. Scientific Linux 5.2 Live CD/DVD was
released August 15, 2008. Scientific Linux 4.7 - i386 & x86_64 was
released September 3, 2008.
- Skolelinux
http://www.skolelinux.org/
English:
http://developer.skolelinux.no/projectinfo.html.en
Skolelinux is a free software solution designed for the resources and
needs of schools. It started in Norway, but it has become an
international community, and is synonymous with the Debian Edu
subproject. Skolelinux pr41 was released November 2, 2003. Skolelinux
1.0 (Venus) update 1 was released November 1, 2004. Debian
Edu / Skolelinux 2.0 was released March 15, 2006. Etch-based Debian Edu
/ Skolelinux 3.0 (terra) was released July 22, 2007. The first
maintenance release, v3.0r1, was released December 5, 2007. The first
alpha release of a Debian-lenny version is available for testing.
- Tadpole Linux
http://www.tadpolelinux.org/
Tadpole Linux is a live CD distribution aimed toward K-6 elementary
school students. It is based on Gentoo and features the KDE desktop.
-
TrinityOS
http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~dranch/LINUX/index-linux.html#trinityos
http://freshmeat.net/projects/trinityos/
TrinityOS is a step-by-step, example-driven HOWTO on building a very
functional Linux box with strong security in mind. TrinityOS is well
known for its strong packet firewall ruleset, Chrooted and Split DNS (v9
and v8), secured Sendmail (8.x), Linux PPTP, Serial consoles and Reverse
TELNET, DHCPd, SSHd, UPSes, system performance tuning, the automated
TrinityOS-Security implementation scripts, and much more. It was at
version 04/08/2003 released April 8, 2003 when added to the list.
Version 03/21/04 was released March 21, 2004.
- tuXlab GNU/Linux
http://www.tuxlab-os.co.za/
http://www.tuxlabs.org.za/
tuXlab GNU/Linux is a derivative of Edubuntu and Xubuntu, used in
computer labs in South Africa. An initial public release is expected in
early 2007.
Country-specific
These may provide support for other languages. Most of the websites
listed here will be in the appropriate language for the country of
origin.
Arabia
- Arabian Linux
http://arabian.arabicos.com/
Arabian Linux, also known as arl, is a bootable CD with a compilation of
GNU/Linux software, full support for Arabic/English languages and
automatic hardware detection. This Arabic live-CD uses KDE as the default
GUI, and has Arabic language enabled in consoles, pre-compiled
ready-for-use softmodem drivers and a control panel in both Arabic and
English. Arabian is recommended for beginners. Version 0.6 (Brick
in the Wall) was released April 17, 2006. Arabian Linux 0.7 Alpha 1 is
out, based on Ubuntu 6.06 LTS.
Argentina
- Ututo-e GNU/Linux
https://www.ututo.org/
Ututo-e is a Gentoo-based distribution developed in Argentina. This
comes as one CD which contains only Free/Libre software. There are
separate CD images for Intel 486, 586, and 686, as well as Athlon MP and
XP and Duron. UTUTO XS 2005.1 was released June 20, 2005. UTUTO XS 2007
was released May 28, 2007.
Austria
-
WIENUX
http://www.wien.gv.at/ma14/wienux.html
WIENUX is a Debian-based distribution launched by the City of Vienna. It
was announced January 2005, with an initial release in July 2005.
Version 1.0 was released in October 2005.
Bhutan
-
Dzongkha Debian Linux
http://dzongkha.sourceforge.net/
in
English
The Dzongkha Localization Project has created a live CD based on Debian
and localized into Dzongkha, the official language of Bhutan, a small
country located between India and China. An entirely localized GNU/Linux
distribution based on Debian GNU/Linux 3.1 was released July 19, 2006.
An Etch-based version was released August 28, 2007.
Brazil
-
APLINUX.com.br Mail server
http://www.aplinux.com.br/
APLINUX.com.br Mail Server 2005 is aims to be the server distribution for
mail and DNS servers, based on Debian Sarge. It was released June 15,
2005.
-
Console Linux
http://www.console.com.br/centro.htm
A general purpose distribution in Portuguese.
- Dreamlinux
http://www.dreamlinux.com.br/
Dreamlinux aims to be a light, modern and functional free OS that runs as
a live CD or installed to a hard drive. Dreamlinux Works edition
includes plenty of desktop applications and the XGL Edition provides
additional eye candy for people with Nvidia cards. It comes with the
XFCE desktop environment. The MkDistro tool is included to help people
create their own specialized distribution. Dreamlinux Works Edition 2.1
was released September 19, 2006. Dreamlinux 2.2 is the current release.
Dreamlinux 2.2 Multimedia GL Edition, with BERYL-AIGLX, was released June
29, 2007. Dreamlinux 3.1 was released April 5, 2008.
-
Epidemic GNU/Linux
http://www.epidemiclinux.org/
Epidemic GNU/Linux is an easy-to-use, Debian-based desktop distribution
created in Brazil. Epidemic joined the list with the release of version
2.1 (Ice Diamond), May 27, 2008.
-
Kurumin Linux
http://www.guiadohardware.net/kurumin/
Kurumin started out as a stripped down Knoppix, but it has since grown
into a unique distribution. It can be run as a live CD, or installed to
a hard drive. It comes with plenty of documentation written in
Portuguese and has many scripts capable of doing all sorts of tasks from
installing (hundreds of) programs to mounting pen drives. This entry was
added February 25, 2004, at version 2.20. Kurumin 6.1 was released
September 7, 2006. Kurumin Light, a stripped-down edition of version
6.1, was released September 24, 2006. Kurumin 7.0 Light was released
January 16, 2007. Kurumin 7.0 was released February 22, 2007. Kurumin
NG 8.06 Final was released June 17, 2008.
- Litrix
http://www.litrixlinux.org/
Early versions of Litrix were based on Slackware, but now Gentoo is used
as a base. Litrix comes as a general purpose live DVD with a choice of
desktops. Litrix 8.5 RC1 was released May 12, 2008.
- SACIX
http://www.telecentros.sp.gov.br/
SACIX is a Debian-based distribution for Sào Paulo's public
computerlabs, the telecentros. This entry was added December 16, 2003.
Canary Islands
-
mEDUXa
http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/medusa/contenidos/ infraestructuras/meduxa.html
mEDUXa is a Free Software GNU/Linux distribution developed for
educational purposes that is part of the MEDUSA project. It is based on
Kubuntu and conforms to Debian Free Software Guidelines. Version 1.0 was
announced November 24, 2006.
Chile
- WENDYX
http://www.decurauma.cl/wendyx/
WENDYX is a Knoppix-based distribution for the desktop. WENDYX 1.0,
released September 22, 2006, is based on Knoppix 5.0-ES.
China
-
Chinese 2000 Linux
http://chinese2000.sniic.com/index.php
Chinese 2000 Linux comes from Hong Kong.
- Hiweed GNU/Linux
http://linux.hiweed.com/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/hiweed/
Hiweed GNU/Linux is a Chinese Linux distribution, based on Debian
GNU/Linux. Its features include preconfigured Chinese applications, such
as Chinese input method, Chinese-English and English-Chinese
dictionaries, and Chinese true-type fonts. The Server edition is a
pre-configured Debian-based server with Apache, PHP, MySQL, mail, DNS,
and FTP. Hiweed joined the list with the Hiweed Desktop v0.3RC1,
released June 29, 2004. Hiweed Desktop v0.55 was released September
25, 2004. The Hiweed LiveCD v0.55 was released October 25, 2004. Hiweed
Server v0.3beta2 was released October 19, 2004. Hiweed-Debian Desktop
1.0 was released September 19, 2006.
- Red Flag
http://www.redflag-linux.com/
Red Flag claims to be the leading Linux OS provider in China. Redflag
Linux Desktop 3.2 beta was released August 12, 2002. Version 4.1, based
on Asianux 1.0, was released November 6, 2004. The "Workstation" release
of 5.0 (based on Asianux 2.0) for i386 and x86_64 processors became
available November 11, 2005. Red Flag Linux 6.0 (based on Asianux 3.0)
was released October 1, 2007. The Red Flag "Olympic" edition was
released August 14, 2008.
-
Sun Wah Linux
http://www.sw-linux.com/en/scripts/main/index.php
Sun Wah uses Linux in servers, embedded devices and other products. The
compay has joined the Debian Core Consortium. Sun Wah Linux released the
RAYS ES, a Debian-based commercial Linux server platform, August 2005.
Rays LX 1.5 desktop was released March 29, 2006. Sun Wah Rays 2.0 was
released October 10, 2007.
- ThizLinux
http://www.thizlinux.com/
ThizLinux Labratory Ltd., home of the ThizLinux distribution, is based in
Hong Kong. Products include Thiz Linux Desktop, Thiz Office, and Thiz
Server . All products are localized for Hong Kong users. Entry added
August 20, 2002.
-
Tom Linux
http://www.linuxaid.com.cn/
Distribution and website are in Chinese.
-
XTeamLinux
http://www.xteamlinux.com.cn/
Distribution and website are in Chinese. Version 5.0 was released
December 17, 2003.
Denmark
- Dappix
http://tyge.sslug.dk/knoppix/
Dappix is a Knoppix-based live CD. It uses the Danish language and
contains some extra programs and a large number of Danish Linux books
released under open licenses.
- Keldix
http://keldix.com/
Keldix is a Linux distribution primarily for the Small business Office
and Home Office (SOHO) market. Keldix is a live-dvd built on PCLinuxOS.
The current release was 20080329 when this entry was added to the list in
August 2008- The 20080329 release is based on PCLinuxOS 2007 with some
updates.
- Polippix
http://itpol.dk/sager/polippix/polippix-den-politisk-cd-privatlivets-fred/
Polippix is the Political Linux Distribution of Denmark. It was created
to counter the increasing amount of surveillance in Denmark, where the
ISP's will soon be required to log a lot of data. The CD has created
quite a stir in Denmark during early 2007.
Egypt
-
Resala Linux
http://resala.linux-egypt.org/
The Resala Linux Project is a single CD distribution based on the Fedora
Core Project. Its main objectives are: to make an Arabic ready
distribution, make it easy for normal users to use Linux in Arabic
speaking countries, open the doors for Arabic developers to participate
positively in the OSS, to be a test bed for Arabic application and
introduce these applications to other main stream distributions. Resala
Linux Core 1 was released June 21, 2004.
France
- Echelon Linux
http://echelonlinux.free.fr/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/echelonlinux/
Echelon Linux is a Knoppix based Linux distribution designed to monitor
and to manage your network. It features IDS (intrusion detection system),
vulnerability scanning, and services monitoring. Echelon Linux
configuration can be defined via a Web interface. Initial version 0.1
was released August 26, 2003. Version 0.2 was released July 16, 2004.
- PingOO Linux
http://www.pingoo.org/
This a Debian based distribution intended for servers. Version 3.0 was
released July 24, 2003. Version 3.0.3 was released November 14, 2003.
Hungary
- Kiwi Linux
http://kiwi.startx.ro/
Kiwi is a modified Ubuntu live CD for the i386 architecture. It includes
Romanian and Hungarian localization, multimedia codecs, encrypted DVD
support, Flash and Java plugins for Firefox, PPPoE GUI for accessing
local internet services (Clicknet and RDS) and write support for NTFS
partitions. Kiwi uses the same software repositories as Ubuntu with one
additional source added for the handful of artwork related or slightly
modified packages. Hence it is easy to switch to and from Ubuntu and all
the security and bugfix updates from Ubuntu are getting into Kiwi
automatically. Kiwi 7.08, based on Ubuntu 7.04 with packages updated as
of August 31, 2007. The Kiwi 7.10 LiveCD for i386 was released October
18, 2007. Kiwilinux 8.04 was released May 1, 2008. Kiwilinux 8.08,
released August 29, 2008, is a Desktop CD derivative based on Ubuntu
8.04.1 LTS for the x86 architecture.
- UHU-Linux
http://www.uhulinux.hu/
UHU-Linux is a Linux distribution from Hungary. It is an easily
installable, dpkg-based distribution, with fully automatic hardware
detection (based partly on Mandrake and other distros). It is primarily
aimed at beginners. Version 1.0 was released April 18, 2003. Version
1.1 (Kamion) was released March 2, 2004. Version 2.2 (Eszter) was
released November 28, 2004. UHU-Linux 1.2, Office edition, was released
March 17, 2005. UHU-Linux 2.1 (Bumm) was released February 1, 2008.
India
-
Ankur Bangla Live
http://www.bengalinux.org/
https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=43331
The Ankur Bangla Project is working toward supporting the Bangla (Bengali)
language on the GNU/Linux operating system. The project has created a
Morphix-based Live CD with GNOME 2.4, localized into Bangla. Beta 2 of
Ankur Bangla Live was released October 8, 2003. Version 1.0 was released
December 23, 2003.
- BOSS
http://nrcfoss.org.in/
http://bosslinux.in
Download
BOSS (Bharat Operating System Solutions) is a Linux distribution
developed by the National Resource Centre For Free/Open Source Software
in India. It's based on Debian and made specifically for the Indian
environment with a pleasing Desktop environment coupled with Indian
language support (Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu and Tamil so
far) and other packages that are most relevant for use in the government
domain. Subsequent versions will support the educational domain as well.
BOSS joins the list at verison 1.0 released January 2007. BOSS 2.0 was
released September 19, 2007.
- IT@School GNU/Linux
http://www.edugrid.ac.in/
Download
IT@School GNU/Linux is a customized, single CD distribution developed by
the IT@School Project, in association with the Free Software Foundation
of India. This Debian/GNOME system a variety of educational software for
high school students and their teachers in Kerala, India.
- PunLinux
http://punlinux.sourceforge.net/
PunLinux is localized in the Punjabi dialect.
- Utkarsh
http://www.utkarsh.org/
Utkarsh is general desktop distribution localized in the Gujarati
Language. Based on the IndLinux Milan version of Morphix, Utkarsh is
live CD distribution. The initial version, 0.1 beta, was released May
27, 2004.
Iran
- Karamad
http://www.karamad.com/
Karamad means Efficient in Farsi (Persian). Karamad is built at DPI
(Data Processing of Iran-ext IBM). The Live CD also functions as an
installtion media. It can show and play most sound & video files.
Other software includes OpenOffice, Firefox, KDE 3.4, Persian Help, an
English to Persian Dictionary, and more.
- Parsix GNU/Linux
http://www.parsix.org/
Parsix GNU/Linux is a live and installation CD based on Kanotix and
Debian Sid . It is a complete GNOME-centric desktop. Parsix GNU/Linux
supports Persian keyboard and users can switch to Persian (Farsi) with
Alt+Shift keys. You can install and use Parsix GNU/Linux as your PC's
operating system. Also included is the xFarDic multilingual dictionary
and Persian free fonts from the FPF project. Parsix
GNU/Linux 0.76 was released February 7, 2006. Parsix GNU/Linux
0.80.1 was released June 19, 2006. Parsix GNU/Linux 0.90r2 "Barry" was
released October 5, 2007. Parsix GNU/Linux 1.0r1 "Ramon" was released
March 13, 2008. Parsix GNU/Linux 1.5r1 'Viola' was released July 30,
2008.
-
Sharif Linux
http://www.farsiweb.ir/wiki/Sharif_Linux
Sharif Linux is a bilingual English/Persian operating system maintained
by Sharif
FarsiWeb. It is based on GNU/Linux and is customized for the
computing requirements of Iran and the Persian language, specially for
enterprise-level and educational uses. The current version of Sharif
Linux, version 1.4, includes GNOME 2.10, including Evolution 2.2.3 and
Evince 0.4.0, OpenOffice.org 2.0.1, Firefox 1.0.7, FarsiWeb fonts 0.4,
Linux kernel 2.6.15, and much more.
Israel
-
Boten GNU/Linux
http://www.mpthrill.com/peanut/
http://freshmeat.net/projects/bgl/
Boten GNU/Linux is intended for home users and provides a fully-localized
GNU/Linux environment in Hebrew. It's especially made for those new to
Linux, though aimed to please all users, experts and newbies alike. It's
currently based around the 2.4 Linux kernel series (USB supported) and
the GNU C Library version 2.2.5 (libc6 ELF). Boten GNU/Linux could be
installed in a UMSDOS partition as well and can run on 386 systems all
the way up to the latest x86 machines. Version 9.5 h1/i1 was released
April 21, 2003.
- Ehad Linux
http://ehad.berlios.de/
Ehad is based on Mandriva Linux. A single installation CD contains a
useful assortment of Mandriva-compatible applications designed for Hebrew
speakers. Ehad 2006 was released March 26,2006.
Italy
-
Bad Penguin Linux
http://www.badpenguin.org/
An Italian distribution, currently at version 0.99.5.
- openmamba GNU/Linux
http://www.openmamba.org/
openmamba GNU/Linux is a distribution for personal computers (Intel
i686-compatible) that can be used on notebooks, desktops and servers. It
comes with a plenty of software programs for office, multimedia,
internet, games and much more. Created and maintained by mambaSoft,
openmamba is now supported by a community of developers and Open Source
software fans. openmamba is free software, with roots in the discontinued
QiLinux project. It uses APT for RPM and Synaptic as its package
management tools. openmamba was added to the list August 25, 2008.
Japan
- Berry Linux
http://yui.mine.nu/berry/
http://berry.sourceforge.jp/
Berry Linux is a bootable CD Linux with automatic hardware detection and
support for many graphics cards, sound cards, SCSI and USB devices and
other peripherals. If you have network devices, auto-configure DHCP and
you can use Internet. You will also find OpenOffice, GIMP and other free
software applications. Berry Linux can be used as a Linux demo,
educational CD or rescue system. It is not necessary to install anything
on the hard disk, but installation is possible. The initial version of
Berry Linux 0.01 Beta was released April 13, 2003. Berry Linux is based
on Fedora and Knoppix. Version 0.87 was released December 5, 2007.
-
HOLON Linux
http://www.holonlinux.com/
HOLON Linux is aimed at mass consumers. It is developed by HOLON
Inc. (in Japan). They did a TV commercial, which was (and is) an
unprecedented promotion in Japan. Their server version received a
"Good Design Award" by the Ministry of International Trade and
Industry in Japan. Their desktop version product includes 2.8GB of
commercial and multimedia applications.
- LASER5
http://www.laser5.co.jp/
Originally based on Red Hat Linux.
- Linux MLD
http://www.mlb.co.jp/
There appears to be a full distribution from Media Lab. There is
also a mini-distribution, as well as other Linux products. Version 7.0
was released August 14, 2003.
- Miracle Linux
http://www.miraclelinux.com/
Miracle Linux is a high reliability, scalability and availability server
OS for the enterprise market, according to MIRACLE LINUX CORPORATION, the
developer of the distribution. MIRACLE LINUX CORPORATION was originally
founded by Oracle Corporation Japan. (Currently Oracle Japan owns about
60% of MIRACLE LINUX.) They offer not only "MIRACLE LINUX with Oracle,"
but also "MIRACLE LINUX for Samba" and "MIRACLE LINUX for PostgreSQL."
- Momonga Linux
http://www.momonga-linux.org/
Momonga Linux is the successor to Kondara. This general purpose
distribution is developed mostly by Japanese programmers, but it supports
English just as well and the Momonga web site provides English content,
together with English-language mailing lists. One nice thing about
Momonga is its support for 8 different Japanese input method servers, a
selection of which is available directly from the GDM login screen. Best
of all, these input servers work nicely even if you choose to keep your
user interface in English (or any other language). The first stable
release, Momonga Linux 1, was released August 6, 2004. Momonga Linux 4
was released August 19, 2007. Momonga Linux 4 Plus was released February
29, 2008.
- Nature's Linux
http://www.n-linux.com/
Nature's Linux was developed by IP Telecom to provide IP network managers
with an easy to use operating system that reduces the total cost of
ownership of maintaining IP networks. Added to list March 10, 2004.
Version 1.3 was released March 23, 2005.
-
Omoikane GNU/Linux
http://www.omoikane.co.jp/ogl.html
This appears to be a Debian based distribution translated to
Japanese.
-
Plamo Linux
http://www.linet.gr.jp/~kojima/Plamo/
This is a Slackware based distribution. Plamo 4.0 was released June 25,
2004. Plamo 4.2 was released April 1, 2006.
-
Vine Linux
http://www.vinelinux.org/index-en.html
http://www.vinelinux.org/index.html
"The Supreme Linux Distribution with Integrated Japanese Environment
for Your Desktop PCs and Notebooks." Multiple platforms seem to be
supported. Vine Linux 2.5 was released April 15, 2002. Vine Linux 3.2
was released September 17, 2005. Vine Linux 4.1 was released February
22, 2007. Vine 4.2 was released December 25, 2007.
Korea
- Haansoft Linux
http://www.haansoftlinux.com/
Haansoft is an Asianux partner, offering both server and desktop
distributions localized in Korean. Haansoft Linux 2006 Workstation was
released March 2006.
- WOWLinux
http://www.wowlinux.com/
The current WOWLinux release appears to be dated May 26, 2005.
Nepal
- NepaLinux
http://www.nepalinux.org/
NepaLinux is a live CD it can also be installed on the hard drive. The
work for the installation process has been facilitated through the
European Commission supported Bhasha Sanchar Project which is
led by the Open University (UK). The first version features a 2.6.12
Linux kernel and a GNOME desktop localized in Nepali and lots more Free
Software, released December 19, 2005. NepaLinux 2.0 was released June
20, 2007.
Netherlands
-
MCNLive
http://home.tiscali.nl/berenstraat/
MCNLive is a Mandriva-based live CD developed by MandrivaClub in the
Netherlands. A graphical wizard is included to put MCNLive on a USB
Stick to run it in LiveUSB mode. The current version, MCNLive-Leuven
released April 24, 2006, is based on Mandriva Linux 2006 and enriched
with upgrades. MCNLive Cherbourg (based on Mandriva Linux 2007) was
released November 18, 2006. MCNLive-VirtualCity was released February 4,
2007. MCNLive "Delft" Final was released May 6, 2007. MCNLive "Toronto"
was released May 22, 2007.
- Nonux
http://www.nnlinux.com/
Nonux is a Slackware-based GNU/Linux distribution with Dropline GNOME and
several key applications localized in Dutch. It's available as a Live CD
and can be installed to a hard drive. Nonux CD v2.3 was released March
15, 2006. Version 4.4 was released April 10, 2008. Nonox 4.4 is also
available in an English edition.
Peru
- TumiX
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