Origin: Netherlands
Category: Desktop, Web kiosk
Desktop environment: KDE, IceWM
Architecture: x86
Based on: Knoppix
Wikipedia (de): Morphix
Media: Live CD
The last version | Released: 0.5-pre6 | September 2007
Morphix – a live Linux distribution based on Knoppix.
Morphix is a modular distribution so it means that it consists of a number of parts which together form a working distribution.
Morphix flavours:
Morphix LightGUI – Aimed at lower-end PCs, LightGUI features the XFCE4 desktop and contains a reasonable amount of lighter tools. It was the initial version of Morphix, and the aim has been to keep LightGUI small enough to have it fit on 210MB CDR(W). LightGUI includes Abiword, Gnumeric, Dillo, Firefox, Gaim, Xchat, GIMP.
Morphix Gnome – (formerly: Morphix HeavyGUI) was for some time the only conterpart of LightGUI. Including Gnome, OpenOffice.org, Mozilla, and the kitchen sink, Morphix Gnome was aimed at office users with more recent machines.
Morphix KDE – it contains the whole KDE suite of programs, as well as Mozilla and other applications. Morphix KDE sits inbetween LightGUI and Gnome when it comes to size, and fills up approximately 400MB of space on your CD-ROM.
Morphix Game – An odd-ball in Morphix, this flavour contains the very light IceWM and a very large number of Open Source games: BZflag, Frozen Bubble, Freecraft, and many, many others, as well as it includes one or more demo versions or free full versions of commercial Linux games.
Morphing-Morphix – it provides the quick way to start Morphing and making your own LiveCD. Just boot the CD and start Morphing, no need to install tools, compile applications or switch operating systems. All is required is some space on a connected hard drive.
All the official Morphix live CDs contain the Morphix installer, as stated above. This tool allows users to easily install their Morphix (or derivative) live CD onto a hard disk.
Morphix was under development by Alex de Landgraaf between 2003 and 2007.
There are many derivatives created on the top of Morphix, such as: Dreamlinux, Elive, GNUstep Live-CD, Clusterix, Freeduc-Sup, GNIX, Sork, NepaLinux, TOBIX, ZoneCD, etc.
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Nostalgia-101-Morphix
Nostalgia-100-Musix GNU/Linux
Origin: Argentina
Category: Multimedia
Desktop environment: Fluxbox, GNOME, IceWM, KDE, LXDE, Openbox
Architecture: x86
Based on: Debian
Wikipedia: Musix GNU/Linux
Media: Live DVD
The last version | Released: 3.0.1 | March 13, 2014
Zobacz po polsku Zobacz po polsku: Musix GNU/Linux
Musix GNU/Linux – a Linux distribution, based on Debian GNU/Linux and targeted to music and video creators.
Musix contains a large set of pre-installed free applications for audio production, graphic design and video editing.
The live system can be installed on a hard drive. It also can be used as a Live system from a DVD or USB, with an option of stored live settings (persistent).
KDE is the default desktop environment, but there are a few other desktops available too: GNOME, LXDE, Fluxbox and IceWM.
The main language used in the Live system is Spanish, with Portuguese, English and French support as well.
Musix GNU+Linux is one of the few GNU/Linux distributions recognized by the Free Software Foundation as completly free.
The initiator and co-director of the project is Marcos Germán Guglielmetti.
The project started in 2005 (?).
The live system user name: user
Password: live
Nostalgia-99-MINIX
Origin: Netherlands
Category: Others
Desktop environment: EDE, JWM
Architecture: x86
Based on: independent
Wikipedia: MINIX
Media: Live
The last version | Released: 3.4.0rc6 | May 9, 2017
Zobacz po polsku Zobacz po polsku: MINIX
MINIX – an open source and standalone operating system from the Unix family.
The system was created in 1987 for the i386 class machines. It was written by Andrew Tanenbaum of Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. It was an addition to his book Operating Systems: Design and Implementation.
The system was created for educational purposes, most of its code was published in the above-mentioned book.
From version 3.x, Minix is also designed to support embedded devices.
Linus Torvalds started working on the Linux kernel inspired by the Minix system.
Minix is available under the BSD license, which allows for its free modification and distribution.
Nostalgia-98-SimplyMEPIS
This was probably was the beginning of my Linux adventure.
Origin: USA
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: KDE
Architecture: x86, x86_64
Based on: Debian
Wikipedia: MEPIS
Media: Live DVD
The last version | Released: 1.5_11.9.92 | July 29, 2013
Zobacz po polsku Zobacz po polsku: SimplyMEPIS
SimplyMEPIS – a live Linux distribution based on Debian stable and uses the KDE desktop environment.
It can be installed onto a hard drive or used as a Live DVD, which makes it externally bootable for troubleshooting and repairing many operating systems. It offers automatic hardware configuration, NTFS partition resizing, ACPI power management and WiFi support.
MEPIS was started by Warren Woodford and the eponymous company MEPIS LLC in 2002, and the first version was based on Knoppix.
The next releases were based on Debian stable, until version 6.0 (July 2006) and 6.5 which were based on Ubuntu. After that, SimplyMEPIS turned to Debian again.
The last available version of SimplyMEPIS 1.5 was released in July 2012, and was based on Debian “Wheezy”.
There are a few other distributions based on SimplyMEPIS:
– antiX – used very lightweight IceWM and Fluxbox window managers. It was based on SimplyMEPIS which is based on Debian stable, then changed its base to Debian testing. The last version of antiX 15 has been built using Devuan scripts and packages.
– MX – built on the top of antiX by MEPIS and antiX community members; it is based on the packages of Debian stable and uses Xfce desktop environment instead of IceWM.
Nostalgia-97-MCNLive
I used this on a regular basis because it originated from Mandriva Linux.
Origin: Netherlands
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: KDE
Architecture: x86
Based on: Mandriva
Wikipedia:
Media: Live CD
The last version | Released: Kris RC1 | April 9, 2010
MCNLive – a live Linux distribution, based on Mandriva Linux which works from an USB flash or CD disk.
It is designed as a LiveCD version for desktop and laptop computers. The system contains all programs needed for proper operation: internet applications, office software, network tools, multimedia software. Like any other Linux distribution, MCNLive automatically detects hardware, so you don’t have to manually configure each device.
MCNLive allows you to recover files from broken systems and can also be an excellent demonstration system of the power and richness of Linux.
The live system uses KDE desktop environment as default and RPM packages.
It is developed by Mandrivaclub.nl
Nostalgia-96-Linpus
I manged to find this distribution in Singapore and was very much interested in it due to Fedora base. I could never get to use in any worthwhile manner due probably due to its Chinese Origin
Origin: Taiwan
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: Cinnamon
Architecture: x86_64
Based on: Fedora
Wikipedia: Linpus Linux
Media: Live DVD
The last version | Released: 2.2-lite | July 11, 2014
Linpus – an operating system from the Linux family based on the Fedora distribution, created by the Taiwanese company Linpus Technologies Inc, aimed in particular at the Asian market, hence having full support for the languages available there – Chinese and Japanese.
Thanks to cheap laptops from China, it also became popular in Europe. The available system versions are: Linpus LINUX Desktop, Linpus LINUX Server, Linpus Media Center and Linpus LINUX Lite. This latest edition is intended for installation on netbooks and other computers with weak hardware. The system in this version has been optimized for portable devices with small screens, hence it supports low resolutions such as VGA (640×480). Some netbooks: Acer, Aspire One and Northtec Gecko have Linpus LINUX Lite pre-installed.
Linpus Lite Desktop Edition is an extremely powerful yet versatile desktop, notebook, hybrid and ultrabook Linux operating system.
It stands out from with other its rivals in several key areas: It has added functionality specifically designed to make the most of the touch screen and other tablet functionality of the newest classes of convertible notebooks.It is built with a big nod to the future with deep integrated support for HTML5 applications and cloud services.It has best in its class power saving and faster boot than most other Linux distributions.
The Lite part of the name certainly does not mean lacking functionality – Linpus Lite is a robust, full functioning operating system with as much detail paid to productivity as well as entertainment. The Lite part of the name came from our focus on creating Linux solutions that were easier to use and faster to boot. For us, Lite signified fun, fast, quick to learn; light on difficulty. In keeping with this, Linpus Lite was one of the first Linux distributions to offer a fully customized UI and dual launchers with a user experience specially designed for those new to computing (past iterations have been at the forefront of the netbook revolution as well as quick boot). Now we continue to strive to innovate around the user experience in the light of new trends; integrating web apps, touch, and adapting for the PC’s new role as part of an ecosystem of devices connected by the cloud.
Features:
– HTML5 app launcher – The UX of this launcher is designed with a web experience in mind, is super fast and designed to organize web apps better. You can separate apps by category, benefit from the high fps, and get app great touch support.
– Web app support – More than 2000 web apps can now be easily discovered in our app center, they launch full screen, and are seamlessly integrated with our launchers.
– Chrome app integration – Log into your Chrome app account and all the apps will sync across with our launchers. Log out and into another Chrome account and it will sync those apps instead.
– Touch – There is deep support for touch with key apps like photo viewer, browser, and the app center customized to allow touch scrolling and multi-touch resizing.
– Latest chipsets – Optimization for all the latest notebook and PC chipsets including Haswell.
– Virtual keyboard – Next word and punctuation prediction, error correction and 33 languages.
– Auto backup – Automatic backup of your email & data.
– Impress remote control support for Android phone.
– Powerful security with UEFI secure boot, VPN, firewall and security tools.
– Quick launch panel for fast network and screen configuration.
– Smart icon notifications for weather, upgrades, email, new apps and 1000s of applications.
Nostalgia-95-Liberté Linux
Origin: Russia
Category: Security
Desktop environment: LXDE
Architecture: x86
Based on: Gentoo
Wikipedia:
Media: Live CD
The last version | Released: 2012.3 | September 1, 2012
Liberté Linux – a secure, reliable, lightweight and easy to use Gentoo-based LiveUSB/SD/CD Linux distribution with the primary purpose of enabling anyone to communicate safely and covertly in hostile environments. Whether you are a privacy advocate, a dissident, or a sleeper agent, you are equally likely to find Liberté Linux useful as a mission-critical communication aid.
Liberté Linux is shipped with the Hardened Gentoo kernel, which includes all grsecurity/PaX security enhancements — radically improving system’s resistance to software exploits. Measures like service privileges separation provide additional protection.
All persistent changes are kept in a secure LUKS/OTFE volume, easily accessible from any operating system. This includes application settings that are archived upon shutdown, as well as any documents explicitly stored in the encrypted volume. The OTFE volume is just a file on the boot media that can be copied, backed up, or transparently resized from inside Liberté.
All networking activities like browsing and chatting are automatically Torified, with I2P locations transparently available as well. After the system receives a network address, the only external traffic it emits is encrypted communication on HTTP(S) ports (used by Tor). No other traffic is sent — not even DNS requests. I2P traffic is routed through Tor, too: you will be able to use I2P even behind the most restrictive firewalls. In addition, a special Unsafe Browser is available for the express purpose of registration in open Wi-Fi hotspots, if necessary. Liberté can be also booted in non-anonymous mode, with all other security features left intact.
Besides the encrypted volume on the boot media, Liberté leaves no traces in the system without explicit user consent (such as manually creating files on external automuonted media). Moreover, all volatile memory is thoroughly erased upon shutdown in order to prevent cold boot attacks — whether an orderly shutdown, or an immediate one due to abrupt removal of the boot media.
The project developer is Maxim Kammerer.
Nostalgia-94-LAMPPIX
Origin: Germany
Category: Specialist
Desktop environment: Xfce
Architecture: x86, x86_64
Based on: Knoppix, Damn Small Linux
Wikipedia:
Media: Live CD
The last version | Released: 1.1 | June 5, 2004
LAMPPIX – a Live CD with the web server Apache, the database MySQL and the programming languages PHP and Perl. It’s based on Klaus Knopper’s KNOPPIX and Damn Small Linux. LAMPPIX allows you to burn your web projects (i.e. PHP presentations or Perl scripts) onto a CD-ROM and give them away to others.
The LAMPPIX Mini-CD is difference to the desktop version of LAMPPIX, it includes only the necessary tools for running a web server (XAMPP 1.4.5) and Mozilla Firefox 0.9 from CD. It’s mainly intended for making presentations. Additionally, it includes PostgreSQL now the kernel is 2.6.7.
The Mini CD has no real desktop at all. While booting it starts the web server, Fluxbox and Mozilla Firefox (Kiosk mode).
Nostalgia-93-Lycoris Desktop/LX
Origin: USA
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: KDE
Architecture: x86
Based on: Caldera
Wikipedia: Lycoris (company)
Media: Install CD
The last version | Released: 1.4 | September 13, 2004
Lycoris Desktop/LX – a Linux distribution developed by Lycoris company (formerly Redmond Linux Corp.) located in Redmond, Washington, was founded in 2000 with a vision of making Linux simple enough for everyone, and pioneered the Linux-based home user desktop. Lycoris packages Open Source applications for the consumer market and integrates them into Desktop/LX, its simple, robust OS.
Lycoris GamePak gaming suite including 5 full action-packed games in the trademark Lycoris easy install package, plus access to WineX, TransGaming Technologies’ cross platform gaming software that gives users the ability to play over 150 Windows games on Desktop/LX.
Redmond Linux was founded by Joseph Cheek.
In 2001 it merged with company called DeepLinux, what made the Redmond Linux Corporation.
The company was renamed to Lycoris in January 2002 and it was acquired by Mandriva on June 15, 2005.
Nostalgia-92-Klikit Linux
Origin: Mexico
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: KDE
Architecture: x86
Based on: Kubuntu
Wikipedia:
Media: Live DVD
The last version | Released: 0.1-9RC2 | April 28, 2008
Klikit Linux – an informal project focused on developing a modern, free, user-friendly and fun Linux desktop. It uses the well known, award winning KDE environment. It can run as a LIVE-CD on practically any PC (x86), and can be installed to your hard drive in just a few minutes.
Klikit-Linux is based on the latest release of Kubuntu, taking advantage of many of its best features, and then adds its own touch, depending on the desires of the community. The release dates of Klikit-Linux will depend on the stability of the latest Kubuntu packages.
It comes with a collection of applications that will meet most of your daily computer needs, such as office, graphic, multimedia, and internet work.
Klikit-Linux is and always will be completely free, You will be able to use it, modify it, distribute it and do whatever you want with it. You will always have the freedom of choice.
The DVD version comes with everything needed to do a complete installation.
With the CD (LE) Edition, the system will need to download from the web around 120 MB extra to finish the installation.
The following things are NOT included in the CD (LE) version: flash, java, quicktime, w32codecs, The Gimp and extras, OpenOffice (the CD comes with KOffice), Kompozer, Games, Akregator (RSS feed reader), Kasablanca (ftp client), Konversation (IRC Client), KTorrent (Bit torrent Client), Kaffeine, KAudioCreator, VLC, Kontact, KArm, Katapult, KMouseTool, Skim, KDE Groupware Wizard, linux-headers, language packages, some fonts.
Nostalgia-91-Kiwi Linux
Origin: Romania
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: GNOME
Architecture: x86
Based on: Ubuntu
Wikipedia:
Media: Live CD
The last version | Released: 12.08 | September 6, 2012
Kiwi Linux – slightly modified an Ubuntu Desktop/Install CD for the i386 architecture, with support for German, English, Romanian and Hungarian languages.
The live CD offers the support of multimedia codecs, encrypted DVD support, Flash and Java plugins for Firefox, PPPoE GUI for accessing local Internet services and write support for NTFS partitions.
It also features an old-school graphical desktop environment, powered by GNOME 3.4. It uses a two-panel layout, providing users with both a traditional and familiar interface.
The last version of Kiwi Linux 12.08 was released in September 2012.
Kiwi Linux was started by an Ubuntu core developer, Jani Monoses.
Nostalgia-90-KateOS
Origin: Poland
Category: Desktop, Server
Desktop environment: Xfce
Architecture: x86
Based on: Independent
Wikipedia: KateOS
Media: Live CD, Install CD/DVD
The last version | Released: 3.6 | September 17, 2007
Zobacz po polsku Zobacz po polsku: KateOS
KateOS – an independent Linux distribution, originally based on Slackware.
The first version of Kate Linux 1.0 ‘Rabbit’ was released in October 09, 2004.
Kate Linux 2.0 ‘Zyklon’ released in April 09, 2005.
KateOS 3.0 ‘Virgin’ released in July 09, 2006.
Started from version 3.0, KateOS package manager uses TGZex (.tgz) packages, which unlike Slackware packages support dependency tracking (optional), internationalized descriptions, and was designed for ease of update. KateOS uses its own, native package manager tools: PKG and Updateos. Updateos is similar in work to Debian’s ‘apt-get’, and due to cooperate with PKG could install TGZex with all needed dependencies.
The system could be installed on a hard drive via the Core version installer or via PHP-GTK based graphical installer available on the live image.
KateOS was under development between 2003 and 2009, and the last version of 3.6 (including the live image) was released in September 2007. There was released version 4.0 pre1 in July 26, 2008 too, but development of the project has been finished the next year.
The founder and the lead developer of KateOS was Damian Rakowski.
Nostalgia-89-KahelOS
Origin: Philippines
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: GNOME
Architecture: x86
Based on: Arch Linux
Wikipedia:
Media: Live DVD
The last version | Released: 030712 | March 7, 2012
KahelOS – the first and remains to be the only Filipino Linux Distribution with the rolling release model based on Arch Linux + GNOME.
KahelOS comes with pre-configured GNOME as the default desktop environment. It uses suggested applications for Gnome, which makes everything tightly integrated. Default Gnome Applications for Office, Multi-Media and Web- Browsing and other popular GTK+ and GNOME applications.
KahelOS, the same as Arch Linux, uses the pacman package manager, a rolling release model for updates,
The distribution comes in the form of a live DVD which includes a graphical system installer.
The latest version of KahelOS was released in March 2012.
Nostalgia-88-Julex
Origin: Australia
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: Fluxbox
Architecture: x86
Based on: Knoppix
Wikipedia:
Media: Live CD
The last version | Released: 0.5.2.26 | June 9, 2005
Julex – a live-on-CD Linux distribution designed mainly for system repair and maintenance, but also as a basic internet workstation. Using the Fluxbox shell, it runs smoothly on lower end computers. Julex is based on Knoppix and is small in size.
Julex aimed at users that want to get files back from there hard drive after there computer fails to boot, Trouble shoot there pc, Get on the net in a hurry or just as a small light (no bloat) distro to use on there old (or new if so inclined) computer.
Nostalgia-87-INSERT
Origin: Germany
Category: Security
Desktop environment: Fluxbox
Architecture: x86
Based on: Knoppix
Wikipedia:
Media: Live CD
The last version | Released: 1.3.9b | February 27, 2007
INSERT (Inside Security Rescue Toolkit) – a self-contained Linux system with graphical user interface that boots from a credit card-sized CD-ROM.
It is heavily based on KNOPPIX which is based on Debian, some ideas were taken from DamnSmallLinux as well.
On INSERT you’ll find a lot of useful applications to aid you in various situations:
– network analysis (e.g. tcpdump, nmap, iptraf)
– data recovery (e.g. partimage, gpart, testdisk)
– virus scanning (clam antivirus, F-Prot-downloader with GUI xfprot)
– full write support for NTFS-partitions using ntfs-3g or ntfsmount
– computer forensics (e.g. chkrootkit, rkhunter, foremost)
– surf the internet (e.g. and advanced version of the web browser dillo)
You have access to some important applications via the Fluxbox menu, which can be reached with a right mouse click over the background.
Additionally you will find a few tools in the Tools directory on the CD which can be of use when running Windows (e.g. ext2ifs, putty, winscp).
You work as user insert by default. To work as root you can prefix commands with sudo , change identity with su – or just open a terminal with a root shell.
Author of INSERT is Matthias Mikuletz.
The project was under development between 2003 and 2007.
Nostalgia-86-GoblinX
Origin: Brazil
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: KDE, Xfce
Architecture: x86
Based on: Slackware
Wikipedia (PL): GoblinX
Media: Live CD
The last version | Released: 3.0 | November 2, 2009
GoblinX – a Linux live distribution based on Slackware packages and built using Linux Live scripts.
It was available in a few versions, such as:
– Standard – includes several graphical environments such as KDE, Gnome, Xfce or Enlightenment, as well as window managers such as Fluxbox and Window Maker. In addition, it includes English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and German locales
– Premium
– Noblin – uses the Gnome environment
– Mini – uses the Xfce environment
– Micro – uses the Fluxbox window manager
GoblinX 3.0 G:Noblin featured a specially prepared Netbook interface based on the Ubuntu Netbook Remix model with some ideas provided by the Foresight distribution.
The distribution developer is Flavio de Oliveira.
In the 2010, the project changed its name to Imagineos.
Nostalgia-85-Imagine OS
Origin: Brazil
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: Enlightenment, Fluxbox, KDE, WindowMaker, Xfce
Architecture: x86
Based on: Slackware
Wikipedia:
Media: Live
The last version | Released: 20110605 | June 12, 2011
Imagine OS – (formerly: GoblinX) a free Linux distribution based on Slackware.
The Standard version includes five window managers and graphical environments such as: KDE, Fluxbox, Enlightenment, Xfce and WindowMaker. KDE and Xfce are more suitable for novice users; and Fluxbox or WindowMaker as very light window managers, are ideally suited for working on older machines.
The system uses TGZ packages, like Slackware, on which it is based.
The distribution includes several languages, and the additional ones can be easily downloaded and turned on.
Imagineos is a live CD system, which means you can run it directly from the live media without need of installation.
The live CD is created by using linux-live scripts with a few modifications uses KDE as the desktop environment.
The project developer is Flavio Pereira de Oliveira.
Nostalgia-84-Igelle DSV
Origin: Philippines
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: Esther
Architecture: x86
Based on: Independent
Wikipedia:
Media: Live
The last version | Released: 1.0 | February 22, 2010
Igelle DSV – a Linux based operating system for personal computer desktops. Igelle DSV provides a general-purpose desktop operating system for desktop computers, laptops, netbooks and the like, and is in this release made available to personal computers using Intel-compatible processors (x86).
Igelle is designed to run on various different devices, including desktop/laptop computers, cellular phones, mobile internet devices and other handheld computers.
The Esther Desktop was based on LXDE and uses Gnome in combination with a Mac-style dock taskbar.
General info from the project site said:
– distributed as a live CD that can be used without installation;
– can be installed to a local hard drive, flash memory, USB disk, or other storage media attached to the computer;
– lightweight graphical desktop that does not use much memory and runs fast;
– standard desktop applications; easily install other third-party applications such as Skype, Flash player and OpenOffice.org.
– key software components: Linux kernel 2.6.27.19, glibc 2.8, GCC 4.3.2, X.Org Server 1.6.0
Igelle was independent developed and all packages were compiled straight from upstream sources.
Nostalgia-83-Hymera
Origin: Italy
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: Gnome
Architecture: x86
Based on: Debian
Wikipedia:
Media: Live DVD
The last version | Released: 20090910 | September 10, 2009
Hymera – an Italian Linux distribution based on Debian GNU/Linux, developed by Hymera Engineering.
Hymera offers user friendly a graphical interface makes this distro easy to use with the less experiences user.
It features ease installation process and out-of-the box support for 3D desktop effects.
Hymera comes with Gnome desktop environment as default and a set of open source applications, such as: Abiword word processor, Gnumeric spreadsheet editor, OpenOffice.org and KOffice office suites, Pidgin multi-protocol instant messenger and MPlayer video player.
Hymera Open is available as an installation DVD media for x86 machines only.
Nostalgia-82-gOS (good OS)
Origin: USA
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: Enlightenment, Gnome
Architecture: x86
Based on: Ubuntu
Wikipedia: gOS
Media: Live DVD
The last version | Released: 3.1 | January 3, 2009
gOS (good OS) – an Ubuntu based Linux distribution created by Good OS LLC. The company initially advertised gOS as “An alternative OS with Google Apps and other Web 2.0 apps for the modern user.”
gOS features Enlightenment window manager (up to version 2) and then Gnome desktop environment, and integration of various Google products and services. The desktop theme was similar in appearance to Mac OS X Leopard.
Time line:
This first version of gOS 1.0.1 was released in November 2007, and was based on Ubuntu 7.10 and the Enlightenment 17 window manager.
gOS v2 Rocket G was released in February 2008 and was using the GNOME desktop environment instead of E17 and the Avant Window Navigator dock.
gOS 2.9 Space was released in April 2008, and featured GNOME with Compiz-Fusion, and the Avant Window Navigator.
gOS 3.0 Gadgets was released on the gOS website on September 23, 2008, and was based on Ubuntu 8.04.1. It features Google Gadgets integrated into the desktop and includes Wine 1.0 and Mozilla Prism.
The last available version is gOS 3.1 Gadgets which was launched on January 3, 2009.
gOS was under development between 2007 and 2009.
Nostalgia-81-Foresight Linux
Origin: USA
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: GNOME, LXDE, Xfce
Architecture: x86, x86_64
Based on: Independent
Wikipedia: Foresight Linux
Media: Install DVD
The last version | Released: 2.5.3 | April 12, 2013
Zobacz po polsku Zobacz po polsku: Foresight
Foresight Linux – an independent Linux distribution, based on rPath Linux, targeted to desktop computers users. Foresight was created by Ken VanDine, and was developing by Foresight community since April of 2013 (the last version).
Foresight was using Conary package management system, which could updates those specific files in packages which need to be updated. Conary also has the advantage of very granular dependency resolution, and a relatively easy packaging process.
The system were using the rolling release model, what was very useful avoiding reinstalling the system every next iso images were released.
The main desktop environment of Foresight was GNOME, and the latest version of GNOME was always provided as quick as possible to the end users.
Starting from Foresight 2.5.0, developers offered the system with KDE and Xfce desktops as well.
The latest, available iso images of Foresight 2.5.3 can be downloaded with GNOME, LXDE or Xfce desktops of your choice.
Nostalgia-80-Firefly BSD
Origin: USA ?
Category: Server
Desktop environment: CLI
Architecture: x86
Based on: DragonFly BSD
Wikipedia:
Media: Live
The last version | Released: 1.4 ? | September 14, 2004 ?
Firefly BSD – a commercially-supported operating system based on industry DragonFlyBSD a fork of FreeBSD. It comes with complete source and binaries for the kernel, compiler, libraries, and user utilities. In addition, thousands of contributed programs have been ported to Firefly BSD and are included in the 4-CDROM set.
A LiveCD that you can boot and run off without having to install anything on your hard drive.
A parallelized networking stack that allows for better use of multiprocessors than the serialized approach taken in FreeBSD 5.
It offers a choice of KDE 3 or Gnome 2 graphical environments on top of XFree86-4.4.0.
Ability to run Microsoft Windows network drivers to support an even wider range of network devices.
The project developer is David Rhodus.
Nostalgia-79-Fermi Linux
Origin: USA
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: GNOME, IceWM, KDE
Architecture: x86, x86_64
Based on: Red Hat
Wikipedia: Fermi Linux
Media: Install DVD
The last version | Released: 6.10 | July 25, 2018
Zobacz po polsku Zobacz po polsku: Fermi Linux
Fermi Linux – a Linux distribution based on Scientific Linux (previously on Red Hat) that provides recompiled source code from Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Fermi Linux is developed by Scientific Linux and features Linux kernel hardening patches and a modified system configuration from Fermilab. This allows system administrators to install Fermi Linux with Fermilab setup and security out of the box.
From Wikipedia:
“Fermilab (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory) – National Laboratory for Accelerating Elementary Particles Enrico Fermi – located in the USA in Batavia, 20 km west of Chicago, a research center for particle physics and high energy physics.”
Fermi Linux started out as an extension of the PC Farms Pilot Project spearheaded by Connie Sieh.
Nostalgia-78-Element
Origin: USA
Category: Multimedia
Desktop environment: Xfce
Architecture: x86
Based on: Ubuntu
Wikipedia: Element OS
Media: Live CD
The last version | Released: 1.4 | September 1, 2010
Element – an HTPC linux-based operating system designed around a unique ten-foot interface
Element is a free open source operating system for Home Theater or Media Center Personal Computers, featuring an across the room ten-foot interface that is designed to be connected to your HDTV for a digital media and internet experience within the comforts of your own living room or lounge area.
The live system is based on Ubuntu Linux distribution and uses the Xfce desktop environment as default.
live user name: element
password is empty.
Nostalgia-77-Feather Linux
Origin: United Kingdom
Category: Desktop, Mini distribution
Desktop environment: Fluxbox
Architecture: x86
Based on: Knoppix
Wikipedia: Father Linux
Media: Live CD
The last version | Released: 0.7.5 | July 04, 2005
Feather Linux – a small, Knoppix based Linux distribution which fits in under 128 MB.
It boots from either a CD or a USB flash drive, into a Fluxbox desktop environment and works in live mode, but a hard drive installation option is also available. It can run on a 486 or higher, and requires 16MB RAM to run on the console, and 24MB RAM to run the X server.
Feather Linux iso image features a set of applications for many tasks, such as: Firefox, Gaim, AbiWord, MPlayer with all the needed plugins, XMMS with a handful of plugins, Sylpheed, AbiWord, Pidgin, Rox-filer, and a lot more.
Due it is based on Knoppix (and Debian), Feather offers Synaptic for package managing.
The founder and developer of the Feather Linux is Robert Sullivan.
Nostalgia-76-SimbiOS
Origin: Brazil
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: Cinnamon, MATE
Architecture: x86_64
Based on: Debian
Wikipedia:
Media: Live DVD
The last version | Released: X9 (19.0) | September 20, 2018
Zobacz po polsku Zobacz po polsku: SimbiOS
SimbiOS – a Brazilian Linux distribution based on the stable branch of Debian GNU/Linux. SimbiOS offers a complete operating system, ready to use, with all the programs and utilities you need to use on your computer without having to download anything else.
SimbiOS was created in 2010 with Linux learning in mind. The main idea is not to disfigure Debian, but to add new features that are dormant in the standard version.
SimbiOS works in Portuguese by default (pt_BR), and is available for 64 bit machines, with MATE and Cinnamon desktops.
The project started development in 2010.
Fundamntals of Linux and Basic Langages
Binary code is the most basic form of computer code, consisting of two numbers: 0 and 1. These numbers form the basic layer of all computing systems and are the primary language of digital technologies.
Binary code uses combinations of these two numbers to represent numbers, letters, or other types of information.
This the language the Hardware Understands.
Machine does not understand our vernacular language, so three levels of languages had to be developed to communicate with hardware.
These were all incremental steps and nothing came out of the blue.
Compiler
In computing, a compiler is a computer program that translates computer code written in one programming language (the source language) into another language (the target language).
The name "compiler" is primarily used for programs that translate source code from a high level programming language to a low level programming language (e.g. assembly language, object code, or machine code) to create an executable program.
Interpreter
In computer science, an interpreter is a computer program that directly executes instructions written in a programming or scripting language, without requiring them previously to have been compiled into a machine language program.
An interpreter generally uses one of the following strategies for program execution:
Parse the source code and perform its behavior directly
Translate source code into some efficient intermediate representation or object code and immediately execute that;
Explicitly execute stored precompiled bytecode made by a compiler and matched with the interpreter's virtual machine.
Early versions of Lisp programming language and minicomputer and microcomputer BASIC dialects would be examples of the first type.
Perl, Raku, Python, MATLAB, and Ruby are examples of the second,
while UCSD Pascal is an example of the third type.
Source programs are compiled ahead of time and stored as machine independent code, which is then linked at run time and executed by an interpreter and/or compiler.
Some systems, such as Smalltalk and contemporary versions of BASIC and Java, may also combine two and three types.
Interpreters of various types have also been constructed for many languages traditionally associated with compilation, such as Algol, Fortran, Cobol, C and C++.
While interpretation and compilation are the two main means by which programming languages are implemented, they are not mutually exclusive, as most interpreting systems also perform some translation work, just like compilers.
The terms "interpreted language" or "compiled language" signify that the canonical implementation of that language is an interpreter or a compiler, respectively.
A high level language is ideally an abstraction independent of particular implementations.
Low Level Language
Low Level Language refers to a type of programming language that is closer to machine code and hardware than high-level languages. It provides direct control over the computer's hardware and resources, allowing programmers to write code at a more granular level..
High Level Language
In computer science, a high-level programming language is a programming language with strong abstraction from the details of the computer. In contrast to low-level programming languages, it may use natural language elements, be easier to use, or may automate (or even hide entirely) significant areas of computing systems (e.g. memory management), making the process of developing a program simpler and more understandable than when using a lower-level language. The amount of abstraction provided defines how "high-level" a programming language is.
Examples of high-level programming languages in active use today include Python, JavaScript, Visual Basic, Delphi, Perl, PHP, ECMAScript, Ruby, C#, Java and many others.
The terms high-level and low-level are inherently relative.
Nostalgia-75-Devil Linux
Origin: USA
Category: Firewall
Desktop environment: CLI
Architecture: x86, x86_64
Based on: Independent
Wikipedia:
Media: Install
The last version | Released: 1.8.0 | April 16, 2017
Zobacz po polsku Zobacz po polsku: Devil-Linux
Devil-Linux – a special Linux distribution, which is used for Firewalls / Routers. The goal of Devil-Linux is to have a small, customizable and secure (what is secure in the internet?) Linux.
Devil Linux boots and runs completely from CDROM or USB flash drive. The configuration can be saved to a floppy diskette or a USB pen drive. Devil Linux was originally intended to be a dedicated firewall/router but now Devil-Linux can also be used as a dedicated server for many applications. Attaching an optional hard drive is easy, and many network services are included in the distribution.
Because boot/OS and (optionally) configuration [in a tarball] are stored on read-only media, Devil-Linux offers high security with easy and safe upgrades, the system being fully configurable with no writeable system device. If hard drive(s) are added for data storage, LVM is standard (easing expansion and backup) and software Raid is straightforward. Virtual machine use is also well supported, with VMware modules built-in.
Heiko Zueckerm, the developer of Devil-Linux has announced as of 7th Jan, 2018 that there is no more new releases.
Nostalgia-74-BeatrIX
Origin: Czech Republic
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: Gnome
Architecture: x86
Based on: Ubuntu
Wikipedia:
Media: Live CD
The last version | Released: 2005.1 | January 28, 2005
BeatrIX – a minimal, Ubuntu based Linux distribution, designed to run on computers with old hardware components.
It features only a few applications, such as: e-mail, instant messaging, word processing and web browse on the top of Gnome desktop environment. The liveCD fits into 80 mm discs that can store up to 200 MB of data.
It can run on machines with 64MB RAM in live mode so can be used on very old machines.
The system developer is Steven Watsky.
The latest version of BeatrIX was released in 2005, and was based on Ubuntu 4.10 “Warty Warthog”.
Nostalgia-73-BeaFanatIX (or BFX)
Origin: USA
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: GNOME
Architecture: x86
Based on: Ubuntu
Wikipedia:
Media: Live CD
The last version | Released: 2006.2_r4 | September 27, 2007
BeaFanatIX (or BFX) – a small Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. It is fully usable as a LiveCD and ISO image is smaller than 200MB. It was originally a remaster of BeatrIX but now uses a more recent Ubuntu.
BFX2 is a customized Ubuntu 5.10 “Breezy Badger” and is a very small version of it. In order to get a fast bootable CD, it uses the techniques from Knoppix, but only a small portion of all the dedicated Knoppix packages got into BFX2 and then got customized to match the needs. Some parts were actually replaced by BFX2 packages.
The latest version 2006.2_r4 is based on Ubuntu 5.10 Breezy Badger.
The project changed its name to Debris.
Nostalgia-72-Debris Linux
Origin: Switzerland
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: Gnome
Architecture: x86
Based on: Ubuntu
Wikipedia: Debris Linux
Media: Live CD
The last version | Released: 2.0 | November 29, 2009
Debris Linux (previously: BeaFanatIX, BFX) – a minimalist Linux distribution based on Ubuntu with GNOME as a default desktop. The ISO image file is about 200 MB in size and works as a Live CD, with a hard drive installation option.
After the missing of Steven Watsky (maker of BeatrIX) the community fell apart. Stephan Emmerich wanted to continue the project, but since this was no longer possible with BeatrIX, he decided to make a new distro, based on BeatrIX, called BeaFanatIX. This was later renamed to Debris Linux.
Debris offers GNOME and Openbox, a lightweight session powered only by the Openbox window manager or a traditional session with GNOME and Metacity.
The live system features software:
– Mozilla Firefox – a web browser
– Beep – a mediaplayer
– AbiWord – a text processor
– Gnumeric – a spreadsheet program
– Evolution – an e-mail client
– Pidgin multi-protocol instant messenger.
– Audacious – an audio player
– gFTP – a file transfer client
– GParted – a partition editor
– NDISwrapper – the Microsoft Wireless driver manager
– ePDFViewer – a document viewer
– GQView – an image viewer
– Leafpad – a text editor
– DebI – a custom system installer
Nostalgia-71-Core GNU/Linux
Origin: USA
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: CLI
Architecture: x86
Based on: Independent
Wikipedia:
Media: Live CD
The last version | Released: 2.0-beta | May 2, 2007
Core GNU/Linux – an extremely minimalist Linux distribution (smaller even than the base Debian system) containing only programs necessary for the system to work.
However, this is not another LiveCD rescue distribution. Rather, it is a distribution designed to build your own Linux, from scratch. Contrary to appearances, it contains almost the latest versions of packages (e.g. kernel version 2.6.21 or gcc 4.1.2).
Core GNU/Linux does not even have an automatic installer (everything is done manually), the ISO image is about 150MB. Needless to say, this is a version designed for advanced Linux users who want to build their own distribution from scratch, and for those who want to learn how a basic system based on the Linux kernel works.
Nostalgia-70-Conectiva Linux
Origin: Brazil
Category: Desktop, Server
Desktop environment: AfterStep, Blackbox, Fluxbox, GNOME, IceWM, KDE, WindowMaker, Xfce
Architecture: x86
Based on: Independent
Wikipedia (PT): Conectiva
Media: Install, Live CD
The last version | Released: 10 | July 5, 2004
Conectiva Linux – an independent Linux distribution for the Latin American market. Conectiva Linux was forked from Red Hat Linux, based on RPM packages and used APT to update and install packages.
Conectiva was a company founded on August 28, 1995 in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, by a group of friends, mostly public employees of Banco do Brasil, together with Arnaldo Carvalho de Melo, who was a pioneer in Linux distributions and free software in Brazil and throughout Latin America.
The “Crystal” icons for KDE, which were designed by Conectiva employee Esveraldo Coelho, and the “apt4rpm” port for the Debian GNU / Linux package management, were developed by Conectiva. Conectiva also developed the Synaptic graphical user interface. Conectiva employed a.o. Rik van Riel and the kernel maintainer Marcelo Tosatti.
Conectiva also developed in the area of the Linux kernel, the high availability of Linux and in the area of drivers. Also: XFree86, network protocols, firewall, Linux clusters, performance analysis and optimization, file and resource management.
On January 24, 2005 it was announced that the company MandrakeSoft had acquired Conectiva for 1.79 million euros. On April 7, 2005 MandrakeSoft announced the change of the company’s name to Mandriva and its distributions to the name of Mandriva Linux.
The first version of Conectiva Linux 1.0 Parolin was released October 7, 1997.
The last one version 10 released July 5, 2004.
The live ISO’s user is: default/conectiva/root without password.
Nostalgia-69-College Linux
OS Type: Linux
Based on: Debian
Origin: Switzerland
Architecture: i386
Desktop: No desktop
Category: Server
Status: Discontinued (defined)
Popularity: Not ranked
College Linux is a Debian-based live CD - a fully capable PHP5, Perl and Ruby web server, preloaded 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.
Nostalgia-68-Chapeau
Origin: UK
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: GNOME
Architecture: x86_64
Based on: Fedora
Wikipedia:
Media: Live DVD
The last version | Released: 24 | September 28, 2016
Zobacz po polsku Zobacz po polsku: Chapeau
Chapeau – a high-performance, cutting-edge operating system built from the Fedora GNU/Linux distribution with the Gnome desktop environment.
Compared to Fedora Chapeau adopts an enhanced user experience and a more relaxed approach to software licences and is intended to be just as useful for advanced users as it is easy for those new to using a Linux system.
There is built-in access to third-party software & sources repositories not included in Fedora such as RPMFusion, Steam, Adobe Flash, Dropbox & Oracle VirtualBox.
Chapeau also includes system tools that makes your live DVD or USB disk a handy portable toolkit for repairing Linux and Windows installations as well as a general purpose desktop distro.
Chapeau is available for 64bit x86 PCs.
The project developer is Vince Pooley.
Nostalgia-67-ChaletOS
Origin: Serbia
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: Xfce
Architecture: x86, x86_64
Based on: Ubuntu
Wikipedia:
Media: Live DVD
The last version | Released: 16.04.2 | July 16, 2016
Zobacz po polsku Zobacz po polsku: ChaletOS
ChaletOS – an Ubuntu based Linux distribution and features the Xfce desktop environment. The goal of this project is to let anyone get used Linux.
This system is not too different from Xubuntu, on which it is based, but ChaletOS has a style that everyone knows well, appealing simplicity and an impressive speed. All this will let them to fall in love with this system quickly. Because of its small hardware requirements it will revive some old machines and refresh others, not so old.
The name ChaletOS came from the style of the mountain houses in Switzerland. The concept of these houses is similar to the concept that we had while we made this system: simplicity, beauty and recognizability. Since we want the new users to feel at home, we hope this project will meet this goal.
The project developer is Dejan Petrović.
Nostalgia-66-Buffalo Linux
Origin: USA
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: Blackbox, Fluxbox, GNOME, IceWM, KDE, WindowMaker, Xfce
Architecture: x86
Based on: Slackware
Wikipedia (NO): Buffalo Linux
Media: Live CD
The last version | Released: 1.7.3 | May 8, 2005
Buffalo Linux – a Linux distribution, a derivative of VectorLinux and thus also Slackware, and was intended for the 32-bit architecture i686. The target group users is a small companies within the business sector. The distribution came pre-installed with IBM DB2 and Oracle Database, Microsoft products, and CodeWeavers as well. The distribution cost US $ 25.
The distribution supported the i486 platform. It used the Blackbox, Fluxbox, IceVM and WindowMaker window managers and the GNOME, KDE and Xfce desktop environments.
Version 1.05 was launched on December 28, 2003, and the latest version 1.7.5 was launched on May 8, 2005
Nostalgia-65-ByzantineOS
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: Mozilla
Architecture: x86
Based on: Independent
Wikipedia:
Media: Live CD
The last version | Released: 20040404 | April 4, 2004
ByzantineOS – a software internet appliance with a home entertainment bias. It is based on a networked Linux distribution/bootable system with Mozilla providing access to a range of services and applications.
ByzantineOS fits in 48MB of media and should work on any PC.
With ByzantineOS CD-ROM, there is no need of hard-disks, floppy drives and others.
All is needed is a diskless computer with the following parts:
– CPU (Intel Pentium)
– Motherboard
– NIC (Network Interface Card) or MODEM
– CD-ROM drive (or DVD drive to play DVD-Video disks)
– RAM (128 MB minimum for full graphics)
– VESA 2.0 compliant graphic card
Nostalgia-64-Bonzai Linux
Origin: Germany
Category: Desktop
Desktop environment: KDE
Architecture: x86
Based on: Debian
Wikipedia (ES): Bonzai Linux
Media: Install CD
The last version | Released: 3.2 | January 14, 2004
Bonzai Linux – a small in size Linux distribution based on Debian GNU/Linux.
Bonzai Linux has been build to offer a Debian based Desktop-OS that fits on a 180MB CD-R(W). The Distribution includes the current stable version of KDE and has been modified for easier installation.
The latest version of Bonzai Linux 3.2 was based on Debian 3.0.
Bonzai Linux was known as “miniwoody”, a name which referred to the 3.0 version of Debian codename “Woody”.
Nostalgia-63-Bee Linux
Bee Linux – a Fedora based Linux live distribution which offers French, English and Arabic language support out of the box.
The live system is shipped with the Xfce desktop environment, a set of daily usage application, Wine for supporting applications designed for MS Windows and proprietary graphics drivers as well.
Drauger Game Linux
Drauger Game Linux
1. It is a pretty Good Linux distribution one should try, if one are a Gamer.
2. It is KDE based an neat.
3. No overhead like LibreOffice
4. It has Heroic Game Launcher, Lutris, Proton and Steam
5. It configures WiFi instantly and Firefox is the browser.
What more YOU need?
How the Linux System Boots
I come form a scientific background where standards and uniformity should rule but in the current world it does not happen even in the Linux World. Sometimes, I think Ubuntu is a pain in the but in Linux environment.
I do not use Ubuntu.
Linux comes from the framework of Unix but with a difference. System, processes not events rule the Linux world. Ubuntu comes and puts words like Events, Compositors and the like and muddy the waters. Whereas, I come from the tiniest of the Linux World, i.e; Puppy Linux and it is the only distribution when there is kernel panic it leaves behind a set of textural information from which one can recover.
That is why, I have over 20 Puppy Linux derivative (only a few are 64 bits) including Games Puppy in my download folder.
I wish Puppy Linux guys work hard and get all of them 64 bit compatible. Puppy does not have lot of overheads and it can be done but I am, too old, to invest my time on a such an adventure except write few blog pieces.
How the Linux System Boots
1. System V Init
System V (SysV) is a mature and popular init scheme on Unix like operating systems, it is the parent of all processes on a Unix/Linux system. SysV is the first commercial Unix operating system designed. Almost all Linux distributions first used the SysV init scheme except Gentoo which has a custom init and Slackware which uses the BSD style init scheme.
As years have passed by, due to some imperfections, several SysV init replacements have been developed in the quest to create more efficient and perfect init systems for Linux.
Although these alternatives seek to improve SysV and probably offer new features, they are still compatible with original SysV init scripts.SystemV is very old boot loader that comes from Unix Multi Frame Architecture dating back to 1983. If I remember right, Suse Linux used, it in the past and it has 6 level of interaction. It is a server based system and Level 1 is the single user level.One looks at the /etc/inittab file to decide the Linux run level.
Following are the available run levels
0 – Halt
1 – Single user mode
2 – Multiuser, without NFS
3 – Full multiuser mode
4 – unused
5 – X11
6 – Reboot
Init identifies the default init level from /etc/inittab and uses that to load appropriate program. Typically, the default run level is either 3 or 5.
2.System D
SystemD is a relatively new init scheme on the Linux platform. Introduced in Fedora 15, it is an assortment of tools for easy system management. The main purpose is to initialize, manage, and keep track of all system processes in the boot process and while the system is running. Systemd init is comprehensively distinct from other traditional Unix init systems, in the way, it practically approaches system and services management. It is also compatible with SysV and LBS init scripts.
It has some of the following eminent features:
Clean, straightforward, and efficient design
Concurrent and parallel processing at bootup
Better API
Enables removal of optional processes
Supports event logging using journald
Supports job scheduling using systemd calendar timers
Storage of logs in binary files
Preservation of systemd state for future reference
Better integration with GNOME desktop.
SystemD boot is a UEFI boot loader developed as part of the SystemD system and service manager, which was designed to load EFI executable images, such as Linux kernels, initramfs images and other operating systems, such as Windows.
SystemD boot is a relatively new boot loader, but it has become popular due to its simplicity and performance. It is also the default boot loader for many modern Linux distributions.
3. Upstart
Upstart is an event based init system developed by the makers of Ubuntu as a replacement for the SysV init system. It starts different system tasks and processes, inspects them while the system is running, and stops them during system shutdown. It is a hybrid init system that uses both SysV startup scripts and SystemD scripts, some of the notable features of the Upstart init system include:
Originally developed for Ubuntu Linux but can run on all other distributions
Event based starting and stopping of tasks and services
Events are generated during the starting and stopping of tasks and services
Events can be sent by other system processes
Communication with the init process through D-Bus
Users can start and stop their processes
Re-spawning of services that die abruptly and many more.This was the init on Ubuntu installations. However, Ubuntu has migrated to SystemD.
4. OpenRC
OpenRC is a dependency based init scheme for Unix like operating systems, it is compatible with SysV init. As much as it brings some improvements to Sys V, you must keep in mind that OpenRC is not an absolute replacement for the /sbin/init file.
It offers some illustrious features including:
It can run on other many Linux distributions including Gentoo and also on BSD
Supports hardware initiated init scripts
Supports a single configuration file
No per-service configurations supported
Runs as a daemon
Parallel services startup and many more
5. runit
runit is also a cross platform init system that can run on GNU/Linux, Solaris, BSD, and Mac OS X and it is an alternative to SysV init, which offers service supervision. It comes with some benefits and remarkable components not found in SysV init and possibly other init systems in Linux and these include:
Service supervision, where each service is associated with a service directory
A clean process state guarantees each process a clean state
It has a reliable logging facility
Fast system boot-up and shutdown
It is also portable
Packaging friendly
Small code size and many more
6. s6
This is the latest version of Linux based init system.
s6 offers a compact set of tools for UNIX, tailored for process supervision, similar to daemon tools and runit. It facilitates operations on processes and daemons. Designed as a low level service administration toolkit, s6 provides diverse tools that can function independently or within its framework. These tools, when combined, deliver robust functionality with minimal code.
As I had earlier mentioned, the init system starts and manages all other processes on a Linux system. Additionally, SysV is the primary init scheme on Linux operating systems but due to some performance weaknesses, system programmers have developed several replacements for it.
Syslinux
This is Windows stuff, please do not confuse with Linux booting methods. While Linux can coexist with any file system and any operating system Apple and Windows try to carve their own capitalistic domains. Fortunately, I did not become a victim or a prey.
Syslinux is a Linux's variant for FAT file systems. This is the oldest type of Syslinux boot loader. It supports FAT16, and FAT32 file systems. Syslinux is an assortment of lightweight boot loaders that enable booting from CD ROM, from the network, and from hard disks. It supports file systems such as FAT for MS DOS and ext2, ext3, and ext4 for Linux. It also supports uncompressed single device Btrfs.
Syslinux only accesses files in its own partition, therefore, it does not offer multi file system boot capabilities. It is rarely used in current systems and could be categorised as a Legacy Boot System.
Other Varieties
There are various other versions of init as well, especially on embedded platforms. For example, Android has its own init. The BSDs also have their version of init, but one is unlikely to see them on a modern Linux machine. However, some distributions have modified the System V init configuration to look like BSD style.
Identifying init
If one needs to determine theversion of the initsystem, one should look at the configuration files.
If you are not sure, check your system configuration filesas follows:
If your system has /usr/lib/systemd and /etc/systemd directories, you have systemd.
If you have an /etc/init directory that contains several .conf files, you’re probably running Upstart unless you’re running Debian 7, in which case you probably have System V init.
If neither of the above is true, but you have /etc/inittab file, you’re probably running System V init.
If your system has manual pages installed, viewing the init ( ) manual page should help to identify your version of init.
In summary, in Unix based computer operating systems, initialization (init) is the first process that starts during system booting. Init is a daemon process that continues running and until the system is shut down. It is the direct or indirect ancestor of all other processes and automatically adopts all orphaned processes. Init is started by kernel during the booting process and a kernel panic ensues, if the kernel is unable to start it, or it dies for any reason.
Init is typically assigned process identifier 1.
In Unix systems such as System V, the design of init has diverged from the functionality provided by the init in Research Unix and its BSD derivatives. Up until the early 2010s, most Linux distributions employed, a traditional init that was somewhat compatible with System V, while some distributions such as Slackware use BSD style startup scripts, and others such as Gentoo have their own customized versions.
Since then, several additional init implementations have been created, attempting to address design limitations in the traditional versions. These include launchd, the Service Management Facility, systemd, Runit and OpenRC.
Over the years, many init systems have emerged in major Linux distributions and it is bit confusing to the ordinary user but one should not worry unless system panic does occur during the boot up process. In my experience, Puppy Linux, probably the only distribution that gives running commentary, of course in textural form, in a black terminal, if kernel panic is the end result.