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| Classics / Most well-known |
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Debian GNU/Linux - is a free operating system. Most of the basic OS tools come from the GNU project; hence the name GNU/Linux. Debian GNU/Linux provides more than a pure OS: it comes with more than 15490 packages, precompiled software bundled up in a nice format for easy installation on your machine.
Ubuntu - starts with the breadth of Debian and adds regular releases (every six months). Ubuntu ships with the latest Gnome release as well as a selection of server and desktop software that makes for a comfortable desktop experience off a single installation CD.
Kubuntu - The Kubuntu project aims to be to KDE what Ubuntu is to Gnome: a great integrated distro with all the great features of Ubuntu, but based on the KDE desktop. The team members behind Kubuntu are part of the Ubuntu community and use their infrastructure and support.
Xubuntu - Xubuntu is a complete GNU/Linux based operating system with an Ubuntu base. It is lighter on system requirements and tends to be more efficient than Ubuntu with GNOME or KDE, since it uses the Xfce Desktop environment, which makes it ideal for old or low-end machines, thin-client networks, or for those who would like to get more performance out of their hardware.
Fluxbuntu - was created for the user who wishes to utilize the massively popular and versatile Ubuntu distribution base while minimizing the impact on their system's resources. One of the tenets of Fluxbuntu is to remain consistent with the cornerstones of lightweight, productive, agile, and efficient. The design choices in Fluxbuntu are the culmination of consideration to these four choices, plus the ability to remain as friendly as possible to the end user.
Edubuntu - is a Linux distribution targeted for schools and other educational environments. It is a complete operating system, built on the popular Ubuntu distribution, that includes an office suite, web browser, many educational applications, and much more. Edubuntu is designed for a teacher or network administrator to be able to setup a complete classroom quickly and easily.
Slackware - is an advanced Linux operating system, designed with the twin goals of ease of use and stability as top priorities. Including the latest popular software while retaining a sense of tradition, providing simplicity and ease of use alongside flexibility and power, Slackware brings the best of all worlds to the table.
Gentoo Linux - is a versatile and fast, completely free distribution for x86, PowerPC, Sparc and Sparc64 that's geared towards Linux power users. Unlike other distros, Gentoo has an advanced package management system called Portage. Portage is a true ports system in the tradition of BSD ports.
Sabayon Linux - is based on the source-based distro named Gentoo. Sabayon offers a complete out-of-the-box experience, it comes with pre-installed media codecs, drivers, and games. New versions are released in a short amount of time. Sabayon is completely independent from commercial interests. It's a distribution "from users for users".
SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell - Novell has been developing great networking services that sit on top of the NetWare kernel. They're now offering these same services on a Linux kernel too. Additional Novell has entered into an agreement to acquire SUSE.
openSUSE project - is a worldwide community program sponsored by Novell that promotes the use of Linux everywhere. The program provides free and easy access to openSUSE. Here you will find a community of users and developers, who all have the same goal in mind -- to create and distribute the world's most usable Linux. openSUSE Website in deutsch.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux - "is the premier operating system for open source computing. It's sold by annual subscription, runs on seven system architectures, is certified by top enterprise software and hardware vendors, and backed by a Red-Hat Network subscription and up to 24x7 support with one-hour response". Red Hat Website in deutsch.
Fedora Project - is a Red-Hat-sponsored and community- supported open source project. It is also a proving ground for new technology that may eventually make its way into Red-Hat products. It is not a supported product of Red-Hat, Inc.
Fedora spins - are alternate versions of Fedora, tailored for various types of users via hand-picked application sets and other customizations. For example, the Fedora Games spin is aimed at providing gamers with the ultimate set of free & open source games, out of the box. The Fedora Electronic Lab consists of a hand-picked set of free & open source tools and applications for high-end hardware design and simulation.
White Box Linux - is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It retains enough compatibility with Red Hat to allow easy upgrades and to retain compatibility with their Errata srpms. Being based of RHEL3 means that a machine should be able to avoid the upgrade treadmill, or more briefly, to fill the gap between Fedora and RHEL.
Blag - is a single-cd distro based on Fedora Core with everything desktop users "expect" from a desktop, plus a collection of nice server apps. It is very fast, stable, and secure. Blag is one of the only GNU/Linux distributions officially recognized by the GNU Project and the Free Software Foundation. Blag only contains free software as defined by the FSF.
Mandriva Linux - formerly known as Mandrakelinux, is a Linux OS which specializes in ease-of-use for both servers and the home/office. It is freely available in many languages throughout the world. Mandriva was created in 1998 with the goal of making Linux easier to use for everyone.
Stampede Linux - Stampede is ceasing development for an unspecified amount of time. They decided to take a break to clear their heads. The last version of Stampede that has been released is still available on their FTP site, and that version and previous versions will still be supported.
Turbo Linux - is the leading supplier of the Linux operating system in Asia Pacific. "Turbolinux has built and maintained a leading global position as a provider of Linux distributions as a platform for further innovations that make enterprise computing simpler and more cost-effective".
Linux from Sun - Sun brings a comprehensive systems approach to GNU/Linux-based operating systems. Sun provides Java technology, x64-based servers and workstations, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and SuSE Linux Enterprise Server along with Sun's Java Enterprise System and suites. Sun also works with Canonical Ltd. to certify and support its x64 based systems and CoolThreads servers on Ubuntu Linux.
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| Newbies / Easy to use |
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Xandros Desktop Professional - is a complete, full-featured Linux desktop operating system and application suite for your business. Enjoy the ease of use, security, stability and maintainability that Linux brings to your PCs. It's a familiar Windows-like desktop and application suite that's easy to install, use and maintain-even in mixed Windows/Xandros Linux environments.
Freespire - is a community-driven, Linux-based operating system that combines the best that free, open source software has to offer (community driven, freely distributed, open source code, etc.), but also provides users the choice of including proprietary codecs, drivers and applications as they see fit.
LinuxMint - Originally launched as a variant of Ubuntu with integrated media codecs, it has now developed into one of the most user-friendly distributions on the market - complete with a custom desktop and menus, several unique configuration tools, a web-based package installation interface, and a number of different editions. Perhaps most importantly, this is one project where the developers and users are in constant interaction, resulting in dramatic, user-driven improvements with every new release.
Ylmf OS - is an Ubuntu-based Linux distro identical in look and feel to Windows XP. The developer firmly believe that Linux can do as well as Windows through their efforts and give customers more choices.
Super OS - (formerly: Super Ubuntu) is just a modified version of Ubuntu with the goal of making it more usable and trying to remain compatible with Ubuntu.
Kongoni - is the Shona word for a Gnu (also known as a Wildebeest) the animal which inspired the name of the GNU operating system. The name represents the spirit and history of Kongoni, a GNU/Linux operating system of African origin. Kongoni is a desktop oriented operating system with a strong belief in being truly free software. This means that Kongoni will neither include nor ship any software not under a license approved by the free software foundation. The system is meant to be easy to install, use and customize. Kongoni targets 32 and 64 bit Intel compatible chipsets with native versions for each. The core OS is shipped as a runnable and installable live CD. Each version is compatible with the slackware release it is based on and can natively install packages for slackware (32-bit) and bluewhite64 (64-bit) respectively.
Foresight Linux - is a desktop operating system featuring an intuitive user interface and a showcase of the latest desktop software, giving users convenient and enjoyable access to their music, photos, videos, documents, and Internet resources. As a Linux distribution, Foresight sets itself apart by eliminating the need for the user to be familiar with Linux, combining a user-focused desktop environment on top of Conary. As the most technically innovative software management system available today, Conary ensures that users can efficiently search, install, and manage all the software on the Foresight system.
Terminalserver, Schoolserver, Educational Distributions and Distributions for schools & children - K12LTSP, kmLinux, kmLinuxTSE - der Terminalserver fuer Schulen, Linux Terminal Server Project (ltsp), Edubuntu, DebianEdu / Skolelinux, Foresight Kid's Edition, Knoppix for Kids, JUXlala, LernTux, ....
BinToo GNU/Linux - is a full featured Binary Distro based on Gentoo which contains full binary packages and programs and System Installer and System Control Panel. It has many aims ranges from Technology to social and personal aims, for example: enhance the Portage performance and add some features to it, port or build a good suite of administration tools for Gentoo and Linux in general and make it easy for any one to get-started with gentoo.
PCLinuxOS - often abbreviated as PCLOS, is a free, easy-to-use Linux-based operating system for the home. PCLinuxOS is distributed as a LiveCD, and can also be installed to a local hard drive. PCLinuxOS was originally based on Mandriva and shares many features of Mandriva such as the Control Center and the Draklive Installer.
aLinux - is an advanced Office/Multimedia RPM based GNU/Linux distribution.
Onebase Linux - Its speciality is an advanced package manager called Onebase Linux Management (OLM). It supports both binary and source installations.
Xandros - is developing a customized Debian-based Linux distribution that is derived from the Corel LINUX OS.
Ark Linux - is a Linux distribution designed especially for desktop use, primarily for people without prior Linux experience. Ark Linux is designed to be easy to use.
EIS/FAIR - ist ein einfach zu installierender Internet-Server, der als zugrundeliegendes Betriebssystem Linux verwendet. Es wird ausschliesslich freie Software verwendet.
UserLinux - is based from Debian, but streamlined to a smaller set of default applications.
SimplyMEPIS - is a (pre-configured for simplicity and ease of use) Debian based desktop Linux that runs from Live-CD (allows you to test and try the software before you install to your harddrive), but is also easy to install. Installation wizard guides you through simple installation step-by-step.
Linux-XP - "To start working with Linux XP Desktop, your Windows-experience is all you need. You do not have to read tons of files on your screen, buy mountains of manuals, search the Internet for answers or call your Linux-guru every hour for help. Just install Linux XP Desktop and use it". A special edition Linux XP for schools is available too. It includes special software packages for education and easy fileserver for small workgroup configuration.
Vixta - is a Brazilian distribution that looks almost identical to Windows Vista. Vixta is based on Fedora.
YES Linux - a distribution that is focused on ease of use, user experience, and the internet. In 2 screens a secure server is installed and administered from a browser. A user should not have to use the console, but can if they wish.
Independence - is a Linux distribution aiming to make Linux easier to use and more attractive for non-nerds. It is developed by volunteers on a not for profit basis.
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| Linux for Netbooks |
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Fuduntu - earns its name by its design to fit somewhere in-between Fedora and Ubuntu. It is a Fedora remix optimized for Netbook and other portable computers.
DebianEeePC - The goal is full support for the Asus Eee PC in Debian. They make Debian itself run on your Eee using the DebianPureBlends approach. See this summary about what has been achieved so far and where they are heading.
Ubuntu Netbook Remix - is the netbook operating system by Ubuntu. You can test your netbook's compatibility by running UNR as a "live" image on the flash drive before installation.
Eeebuntu - is a customised distribution of Ubuntu specifically developed for the EeePC range of netbooks. By incorporating the three key technologies of Ubuntu, the Array Kernel and the EeeConfigure system, users of EeePC's who want to try running Linux on their machines now have an easily installed distribution which works out of the box with no configuration needed.
Moblin - is an open source project focused on building a Linux-based platform optimized for the next generation of mobile devices including Netbooks, Mobile Internet Devices, and In-vehicle infotainment systems.
Easy Peasy - is an Ubuntu based operating system for netbooks. It's optimized for netbooks and favors the best software available by delivering Firefox with Flash and Java, Skype, Google Picasa, Songbird etc. out of the box.
Leeenux Linux - is an operating system for netbooks, mainly for ASUS Eee PC with 7" screen, but works on all netbooks. It is based on Ubuntu and easypeasy and contains only free and open source software.
fluxflux-eee - is a remaster of PCLinuxOS, specialized for using on the eeePC. It is "designed" to use as a live system and also to be installed on to the internal SSD of the eeePC (there is a special installer, easy to use). To have most of the system resources for the eeePC, fluxflux-eee does not use KDE as windowmanager, but Openbox or Fluxbox (the user can choose). The available programs are stable and well tested GTK2 programs.
fluxflux-wind - a special release for the MSI Wind U100.
fluxflux-one - Auf diesen Seiten finden sich Informationen über das PCLinuxOS-Remaster fluxflux in der Version für das ONE A110 der Firma Brunen IT (fluxflux-one).
gOS (good Operating Systems) - has been praised for being the most beautiful and easiest to use Linux operating system on the market.
Jolicloud - was built for netbook users to leverage the Cloud and make their life easier. Keep your data locally but with the ability to save anything on the Cloud and control which services you want to use.
cloud - is a browser operating system for web, email, and chat, and toggling into a different operating system such as Windows or Android.
Xandros - offer you an easy mode, a familiar Windows-like desktop, an advanced touch interface, or a combination of options in multiple languages.
Linpus - is a Linux OS targeted at low coast computer market.
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| Live Linux (Live CDs / DVDs / USB) |
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Knoppix - is a bootable Live system on CD or DVD, consisting of a representative collection of GNU/Linux software, automatic hardware detection, and support for many graphics cards, sound cards, SCSI and USB devices and other peripherals. KNOPPIX can be used as a productive Linux system for the desktop, educational CD, rescue system, or adapted and used as a platform for commercial software product demos. It is not necessary to install anything on a hard disk. Due to on-the-fly decompression, the CD can have up to 2 GB of executable software installed on it (over 8GB on the DVD "Maxi" edition).
grml - is a bootable CD (Live-CD) originally based on Knoppix and nowadays based on Debian. grml includes a collection of GNU/Linux software especially for system administrators and users of texttools. You can use grml as a rescue system, for analyzing systems/networks or as a working environment. It is not necessary to install anything to a harddisk; you don't even need a harddisk to run it. Due to on-the-fly decompression grml includes about 2.1GB of software and documentation on the CD. You don't have to pay anything to use grml because it is free software!
MooLux - is a Live USB Linux distribution based on Slackware that utilizes the KDE desktop environment. MooLux is a portable operating system that can be taken with you containing tools for Internet browsing, email, chat, multimedia, office and software for C, Python, Perl programming tasks.
Elive - is built on top of Debian GNU/Linux and uses the Enlightenment window manager. The Enlightenment window manager provides a desktop featuring a fast, light, very flexible environment which still offers eye candy and all the necessary resources to run your day to day applications.
SliTaz - is a free operating system, working completely in RAM and booting from removable media such as a cdrom or USB key. SliTaz is distributed as a LiveCD, and weighs less than 30MB. The system is quick and responsive, clean and robust. SliTaz is simple and intuitive, providing a lightweight, elegant desktop, detailed documentation and easy to use configuration tools.
PelicanHPC - is a live CD image that let's you set up a high performance computing cluster in a few minutes. A Pelican cluster allows you to do parallel computing using MPI. You can run Pelican on a single multiple core machine to use all cores to solve a problem, or you can network multiple computers together to make a cluster.
Xfld - "Xfce live demo" is a liveCD , demonstrating the latest version of Xfce desktop environment and providing a complete Gnu/Linux operating system (based on Ubuntu), which could be run directly from the CD. In contrast to the Xubuntu install CDs, the Xfld CD contains all tools and applications necessary for both productive usage with graphical interface and command line interface. Furthermore the main purpose of Xfld is demonstrating the latest Xfce.
ClusterKnoppix - is basically a modified Knoppix with the openMosix kernel.
Quantian - is a remastering of Knoppix, the self-configuring and directly bootable cdrom/dvd that turns any pc or laptop (provided it can boot from cdrom/dvd) into a full-featured Linux workstation. Quantian also incorporates clusterKnoppix and adds support for openMosix, including remote booting of light clients in an openMosix terminal server context. Quantian differs from Knoppix by adding a set of numerical or scientific programs.
Freeduc CD - is based on KNOPPIX/Debian. The idea of the live Freeduc system on CD-ROM is to let the end user - mainly teacher - to easily access the free education application.
Knoppix for Kids - was created by OSEF in conjunction with Tux4Kids. It's goal is to bridge the information gap between educators and technology professions regarding Free and Open Source Software on the educational desktop.
JUXlala - ist eine auf Knoppix basierende Live-CD fuer Kinder ab 3 Jahren mit Programmen, mit denen Kinder spielerisch erste Erfahrungen mit dem Computer machen sollen; erlaubt das Speichern von Benutzerdaten auf einem USB-Stick und die Installation auf einer lokalen Festplatte.
LernTux - ist eine LiveCD mit einigen Lernprogrammen und weiteren Anwendungen. LernTux richtet sich vorwiegend an Kinder und Jugendliche da aber auch das Bueropaket OpenOffice und das professionelle Bildbearbeitungsprogramm Gimp enthalten sind, ist LernTux auch fuer Erwachsene sehr interessant.
Kanotix - is a rock-solid Linux based on Debian-Sid, which contains the newest packages and recognizes more modern hardware than any other operating system in use today. Kanotix will run as a LIVE-CD on practically any computer -- automatically detecting and configuring virtually any piece of hardware. It is ideal for analysis, data rescue, forensic work, removal of viruses on Win-PCs - or simply for safe surfing and mailing in an internet cafe. It installs to your hard drive in just a few minutes and is ideal for use on your desktop workstation or notebook, or as a server.
SkoleLinux / Debian Edu - is a complete and free "out of the box" software solution for schools that reduces costs, prolongs the lifetime of hardware and covers almost every aspect of the schools' IT needs.
Kurumin - is a Brazilian Knoppix based Distribution.
KnoppiXMAME - is a Bootable OS on a CD for running the popular Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator.
Ubuntu Privacy Remix (UPR) - ist eine modifizierte Live-CD die auf Ubuntu Linux aufsetzt. Das Ziel von Ubuntu Privacy Remix ist, eine abgeschottete Arbeitsumgebung bereitzustellen, in der vertrauliche Daten sicher bearbeitet werden koennen. Die Gefahr des Diebstahls solcher Daten geht heute nicht mehr nur von gewoehnlichen Internet-Kriminellen und ihren Trojanischen Pferden, Rootkits und Keyloggern aus. Vielmehr ergreift in vielen Laendern der Welt auch der Staat Massnahmen, die Computer der Buerger mit solchen Mitteln zu bespitzeln und zu ueberwachen. Ubuntu Privacy Remix ist ein Werkzeug, um seine Daten gegen unbefugte Zugriffe zu schuetzen.
Debian Live - is a Debian operating system that does not require a classical installer to use it. It comes on various media, including CD-ROM, USB sticks, or via netboot. Although the Debian Live project is about the framework to create your own customized Live system, they offer some prebuilt images. Currently, builds for three desktop environments (GNOME, KDE and Xfce) as well as the standard system are available.
Simplix Linux - ist eine Linux-Distribution, die sich speziell an deutschsprachige Heimanwender richtet. Die Distribution besteht zu 100% aus Debian GNU/Linux (stable-Zweig). Es handelt sich um eine LiveCD, die aber auch auf Festplatte installiert werden kann. Simplix Linux setzt auf einen übersichtlichen, schnellen Desktop (JWM) und einfache Bedienbarkeit. Die Programmauswahl orientiert sich an den Anforderungen eines Heimanwenders (Internet, Texte, Tabellen, Bildbearbeitung, Musik), aber auch einige nützliche Zusatzprogramme wurden integriert.
GNUstep - contains a lot of software for GNUstep, a free implementation of the OPENSTEP and Cocoa framework . The topical version is based on Debian Sid.
Mandriva One - is a full Linux operating system on a single CD for both new and experienced Linux users, it is fast to download and install, and also safe to try with a live mode.
Unity Linux - is a live-CD derived from Mandriva. Currently, Unity Linux offers both 32-bit and 64-bit LiveCDs. Nearly 7,000 packages are available after installation.
gNewSense - is a free as in freedom GNU/Linux distribution, that takes all the non-free blobs out of a rather popular distribution.
PCLinuxOS - is a free, easy-to-use Linux-based operating system for the home. PCLinuxOS was founded by Texstar, and is headquartered in Houston, Tx. PCLinuxOS is distributed as a LiveCD, and can also be installed to a local hard drive. PCLinuxOS has a script called mklivecd, which allows the user to take a "snapshot" of their current hard drive installation (all settings, applications, documents, etc.) and compress it into an ISO CD/DVD image. This allows easy backup of a user's data and also makes it easy to create your own custom live CD/DVD.
Money-Penny CD-Rom - ist eine fuer Homebanking spezialisierte Live-CD. Sie beinhaltet die Software Money-Penny, die Homebanking mit hoechstem Sicherheitsstandard und einfacher Bedienung bietet.
Cool Linux CD - is a full functional linux system with XFree86 and some free and demo soft.
Devil-Linux - was originally intended to be a dedicated firewall/router but now Devil-Linux can also be used as a server for many applications. Attaching an optional hard drive is easy, and many network services are included.
MoviX - The MoviX project is a series of three different tiny Linux CD distributions containing all the software to boot from a CD and play multimedia files through the MPlayer, the best multimedia player in the Unix world.
WOMP! - is a micro linux distribution focussed on multimedia, it takes only 13 to 18 MB on a bootable CD, and allow playing multimedia files (video/audio/image) without installing any software on the computer's hard drive.
Jollix - is designed for games and multimedia purposes; it's basis is the famous Gentoo Linux, that is capable of automatic hardware detection and configuration.
dyne:bolic - is shaped on the needs of media activists, artists and creatives, being a practical tool for multimedia production.
GeeXboX - is a Live CD with the main purpose to play DivX movies with the MPlayer. Nearly every kind of media files can be played from GeeXboX.
LinuxConsole - is a a live & modular Linux distro. You can start LinuxConsole from CDROM, Hard disk, floppy, or USB key (Flash Disk).
ByzantineOS - is 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 32MB (or 48MB) of media and should work on any PC.
Damn Small Linux - is a business card size (50MB) Live CD Linux distribution. The applications on it are the best compromises between function and size.
Slax - is fast and beautiful Linux operating system which fits on small (3.14") CD-ROM disc. It runs directly from the CD (or USB) without installing. The Live CD described here is based on the Slackware Linux distribution and uses Unification File System (also known as unionfs), allowing read-only filesystem to behave as a writable one, saving all changes to memory.is based on Slackware GNU Linux. There are also available all scripts and source codes, which can be used to build your own live CD.
Blin - is a Slackware-based Ukrainian live CD with support for Ukrainian and Russian. It is designed for novice users who have just started using Linux as well as for experienced system integrators.
Feather Linux - is a small Knoppix remaster and tries to include software which most people would use every day on their desktop.
eLearnix - is for people wondering what linux is like. eLearnix lets you try linux without making any hard drive changes. eLearnix is a fun way to learn Linux.
MEPIS - is a desktop Linux that runs from Live-CD, but is also easy to install. Installation wizard guides you through simple installation step-by-step.
Gentoo Linux - Live CDs - Gentoo Linux is a versatile and fast, completely free x86-based Linux distribution geared towards developers and network professionals.
Gentoo LiveCDs for the PowerPC - Simply boot one on your NewWorld PowerPC (iMac or newer) and enjoy the great performance and functionality of Gentoo Linux/PPC.
MiniCD - is designed to run off 185 MB CDs. It features automatic hardware detection, a full desktop (KDE) and is based on Mandrake Linux.
OnebaseGo - is a portable OS that comes in a CD with all the features of Onebase Linux. It is very handy for travellers and apart from being used for presentations, demos it has the capability to perform as a full-blown operating system. With OnebaseGo you can have a hard-disk installed Onebase Linux within 10 mins.
Morphix - is a modular distribution, with live-cd support. Also, installing Morphix on a harddisk is a breeze, if you want to. ISO's with XFCE, Gnome, KDE, a game iso and a large number of derivatives are available.
ZeroShell - is a small Linux distribution for servers and embedded devices aimed at providing the main network services a LAN requires. It is available in the form of Live CD or Compact Flash image and you can configure and administer it using your web browser. The main new features of the last release is the presence of a QoS manager and the layer 7 filters. Using both these components it is possible to obtain the Quality of Service by setting the priority, the guaranteed bandwidth and the maximum bandwidth on a lot of types of traffics.
Sentry Firewall CD - is a CDROM-Based Firewall/ Server/ IDS. You boot from this CD, and with a few preconfigured files on a floppy (on which you've flipped the write-protect switch to read-only) you have a running firewall.
Local Area Security - (aka L.A.S. Linux) contains over 200 information security and administration related tools.
ThePacketMaster Linux Security Server - is a Live Security / Forensics Linux Distribution, built from scratch and packed full of tools useful for vulnerability analysis, penetration tests, and forensic analysis.
STD (security tools distribution) - is a Linux-based Security Tool. Actually, it is a collection of hundreds if not thousands of open source security tools. It's a Live Linux Distro, which means it runs from a bootable CD in memory without changing the native operating system of the host computer. Its sole purpose in life is to put as many security tools at your disposal with as slick an interface as it can.
Operator - is a Debian based Live-CD. The Operator contains an extensive set of Open Source network security tools that can be used for monitoring and discovering networks. Operator also contains a set of computer forensic and data recovery tools that can be used to assist you in data retrieval on the local system.
BackTrack - is the most top rated linux live distribution focused on penetration testing. It's evolved from the merge of the two wide spread distributions - Whax and Auditor Security Collection.
nUbuntu - is a project to take the existing Ubuntu distribution and remaster it as a LiveCD and Desktop distribution with tools needed for penetration testing of servers and networks. The main idea is to keep Ubuntu's ease of use and mix it with popular penetration testing tools. Besides usage for network and server testing, nUbuntu will be made to be a desktop distribution for advanced Linux users.
XORP Live CD - XORP is the eXtensible Open Router Platform. This Live CD is a quick way to get a relatively secure router on demand. XORP is free. It is covered by a BSD- style license.
Linux LiveCD Router - allows you to share your broadband connection and use WIFI. You can use DSL, ADSL, Cable Modem, T1, Fixed IPs, ISDN, Dial-Up, WIFI, build you own Access Point and more.
Barebone - This is a minimal core system, a template for customized live cd`s. It contains all necessary tools to create custom livecds from this template by simply installing additional software. It contains a minimal 300Mb system with a working minimal livecd configuration, access to local network and internet (Analog/ ISDN/ DSL) resources, yum, apt, rpm package tools, mc filemanager and more.
Plan-B - runs entirely in ram or from the cd, based on a basic, stripped installation of Red Hat Linux and the fundamental workings of the SuperRescue CD. A list of tools and utilities are also included for projects such as: Forensics/ Data Recovery, System/ Network Analysis and Security Scanning, Temporary Network Device/ Server, IDS/ NIDS System, Network Status Report Creation.
Linux Live - is a set of bash scripts which allows you to create your own LiveCD from every Linux distribution.
Revisor - enables you to customize and compose your own Fedora based installation and live media. It does so by presenting you a GUI with all options you can click you way through, and a CLI and extended configuration files for the more advanced users. Features that Revisor has vary from customizing the packages available during the installation and/or installed on the live media, to fully customizing the desktop environment for the live media.
List of Live CDs - provide a comprehensive, easy- to- search list of many available Linux- based Live CDs.
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| Linux Rescue CDs |
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Repairlix - is a networked Linux distribution/bootable system intended to fit in 12MB of media - so small that an image can be burned onto a business-card-sized shaped CDROM, suitable for your wallet. It has a suite of utilities for doing system recovery.
SuperRescue - is a single very large bootable system-on-a-disk. It's based on the observation that the vast majority of systems allow you to do so much more than the minimal system. Therefore it provides a much nicer rescue environment than your average rescue floppy.
SystemRescueCd - is a linux system on a bootable cdrom for repairing your system and your data after a crash. It also aims to provide an easy way to carry out admin tasks on your computer, such as creating and editing the partitions of the hard disk. It contains a lot of system utilities (parted, partimage, fstools, ...) and basic ones (editors, midnight commander, network tools). It aims to be very easy to use: just boot from the cdrom, and you can do everything.
Livrescue - is a small Linux rescue CD. It lies somewhere between minimalist boot floppies and large full-featured rescue CDs.
ILUG BBC - Irish Linux Users Group (ILUG) Bootable Business Card (BBC).
Lubbock - is a Linux distro based on Linuxcare Bootable Business Card. This is a emergency tool with many uses.
Timo's Rescue CD Set - is an approach for an easy way to generate a rescue system on a bootable cd, which can easily be adapted to the own needs.
MiniKnoppix - has a lot of tools for system administration (backup/restore, filesystem check/creation, security, network testing, and more!).
RIP (Rescue is Possible) - This rescue distro comes in both a floppy version and a bootable CD version.
Trinity Rescue Kit - is designed to rescue/ repair/ prepare dead or damaged systems, be it Linux or Windows.
LinuxDefender - is a BitDefender re-mastered Knoppix. It was designed to provide users of both Windows and Linux computers with virus incident rescue tools.
Feather Linux Console Edition - is an edition of Feather Linux designed for rescuing corrupted or crashed systems, while still being smaller than 50Mb.
Emergency CD - is a (console) Live CD version for emergency and rescue your system.
INSERT - (Inside Security Rescue Toolkit) comes with a graphical user interface running the fluxbox window manager while still being sufficiently small to fit on a credit card-sized CD-ROM.
BG-Rescue Linux - This is a very small Linux distribution that fits on either two floppy disks or one eltorito-boot cd. You need at least a 386 machine with 16 mb ram to run BG-Rescue Linux.
Operator - is a Debian based Live-CD. The Operator contains an extensive set of Open Source network security tools that can be used for monitoring and discovering networks. Operator also contains a set of computer forensic and data recovery tools that can be used to assist you in data retrieval on the local system.
Parted Magic - employs core programs of GParted and Parted to handle partitioning tasks with ease, while featuring other useful programs (e.g. Partition Image, TestDisk, Truecrypt, Clonezilla, G4L, SuperGrubDisk, ddrescue, etc...) and an excellent set of documentation to benefit the user. An extensive collection of file system tools are also included, as Parted Magic supports the following: ext2, ext3, ext4, fat16, fat32, hfs, hfs+, jfs, linux-swap, ntfs, reiserfs, reiser4, and xfs. Parted Magic requires at least a i586 processor and 256MB of RAM to operate or 128MB in "Live" mode.
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| Linux on a Floppy Disk |
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Trinux - is a portable distribution that boots from a single floppy disk, loads it packages from a FAT/Ext2 partition, floppy disks, or HTTP/FTP servers, and runs entirely in RAM.
Fli4L - is a single floppy Linux-based ISDN, DSL and Ethernet- Router. You can build it from an old 486 based pc with 16 megabyte memory.
FloppyGate - is a on a floppy linux distribution ready to be used as an ip masquerade firewall. It is build on a debian woody distribution.
FREESCO - (stands for FREE ciSCO) is a free replacement for commercial routers supporting up to 10 ethernet/ arcnet/ token_ring/ arlan network cards and up to 10 modems.
Coyote Linux - is a set of mini Linux distributions developed to provide basic firewall services for a small home or office network. It is available in both a single-floppy version and a more advanced version that installs to an IDE device such as a hard drive or compact flash module. Both versions are easily managed from a web based interface.
BYLD - stands for: "Build Your Linux Disk". This is a little package that helps you to build a Linux distribution on a single floppy disk to use as you want (net client, rescue disk...). This is not a complete distribution: it was made only to build a mini distribution on a floppy. However you can use it as is but I suggest to configure it and build your own floppy distribution.
Tomsrtbt - stands for: "Tom's floppy which has a root filesystem and is also bootable". Tomsrtbt is "The most GNU/Linux on one floppy disk" for rescue recovery panic & emergencies, tools to keep in your shirt pockets whenever you can't use a hard drive.
a-Linux - is a single-floppy mini-distribution based on asmutils. asmutils is a set of miscellaneous utilities written in assembly language, targeted on embedded systems and small distribution.
HAL91 - distribution that fits on one floppy disk. You need at least a 386 machine (fpu not necessary) with 8 mb ram to run HAL91. The entire system runs in ram, so you can remove the floppy after booting.
BasicLinux - is a multi-purpose mini-Linux. It can boot from a floppy, or be installed to a permanent Linux native partition (where X and GCC may be added using standard packages from Slackware).
RIP (Rescue is Possible) - This rescue distro comes in both a floppy version and a bootable CD version.
Minimalsitic / Small Distributions - Bonzai, Zipslack, Crux, Tiny, muLinux, DeLi and more.
Alcolix - is a minimal linux rescue distribution. Features as a cozy shell and a multitude of partition rescue/ editing tools all based on up-to-date releases like 2.4.x kernel with USB support etc.
blueflops - is a two floppies Linux distribution with a web browser and an IRC client. One of the features is the configuration procedure. The scripts are all accessible by a "setup" script, and have a nice "dialog" front-end.
Fd Linux - is a very tiny floppy distribution of Linux, set to fit on one floppy disk (kernel and root fs are combined!). All binaries are based on Red Hat.
Alfalinux - is a standard portable Slackware on two floppy disks, that loads itself in RAM. You'll find only standard apps (ex. bash or lynx) and a "clear" system.
bootE Linux - supports only single user mode, and is intended as a repair/rescue/emergency distribution.
floppyfw - is a router with the advanced firewall- capabilities in Linux that fits on one single floppy disc.
Debian-Ham - is a floppy distribution specifically for contesting and logging. It is based on uClibc, busybox, and tlf. The current scheme uses a LILO boot floppy with a minix root floppy. Network support is included to connect to a DX cluster. The DebianHam project no longer exists. Old versions are still available.
PAUD - Parted And Utilities Disk - is a bootdisk from scratch with everything that the parted bootdisk has, but more. It contains mc, parted, and other utilities such as filesystem utilities for ext2, ext3, and Reiserfs. It is great for partition maintenance and for rescue purposes.
ZoolLinux - is a Mini-Distribution based on Standard Linux Kernel . Useful for floppy- based rescue systems, or to check hardware and network connections. It supports many different filesystems and has many utilities.
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| Linux for Experts & Specialized Distributions |
| | For Experts | Multimedia | Security | Router | Minimalist | Thin Clients | Terminalserver | Schoolserver | Educational | Children | |
Misc  |
Absolute Linux - is a x86 Linux distribution based upon Slackware. It concentrates on "desktop" use so that it is ready for internet, multimedia, document and general home use out of the box. Absolute is lightweight -- meaning 2 things: that it can run on on older hardware and that the OS interface stays out of your way.
Salix - is based on Slackware. It is simple, fast and easy to use. Salix is also fully backwards compatible with Slackware, so Slackware users can benefit from Salix repositories, which they can use as an "extra" quality source of software for their favorite distribution. Like a bonsai, Salix is small, light & the product of infinite care.
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.
Omega - is a completely free and open source Linux based operating system and a Fedora remix suitable for desktop and laptop users. It is a installable Live image (1.3 GB) for regular PC (i686 architecture) systems. It has all the features of Fedora and number of additional software including multimedia players and codecs by default. Omega plays any multimedia content (including MP3) or commercial DVD's out of the box.
KRUD - "Kevin's Red Hat Uber Distribution" is a Distribution which tracks Red Hat and Fedora Linux. It is updated every month, and is available by CD and CD Subscription. KRUD is based on a complete Red Hat or Fedora Linux install with all of the errata and updates included, plus extra packages added in by Kevin of tummy.com.
Zenwalk - is a GNU/Linux operating system, designed to provide the following characteristics: Modern and user-friendly (latest stable software, selected applications), Fast (optimized for performance capabilities), Rational (one mainstream application for each task), Complete (full development/desktop/multimedia environment), Evolutionary (simple network package management tool - netpkg). There are four editions of Zenwalk GNU/Linux: Standard-, Core-, Live- & Server Edition.
SoL - Server optimized Linux - is a perfect platform for servers and a perfect platform for developing server applications. SoL is developed by OSNET.at, a 100% Austrian (Europe) company. Sol was made by developers/admins for developers/admins.
Univention Corporate Server (UCS) - is an easy-to-use Linux distribution based on Debian GNU/Linux and has a central common server/client and site/platform management system. UCS can be used to replace or complement existing server infrastructures, but also to provide a complete Linux desktop that can be managed centrally. UCS enables companies and public organizations to deploy, maintain and administer Linux-based server- and client-solutions within short time and with relatively small financial effort.
CrunchBang Linux - is an Ubuntu based distribution featuring the lightweight Openbox window manager and GTK+ applications. The distribution is developed from a minimal Ubuntu install and has been designed to offer a good balance of speed and functionality.
ASPLinux - is a Red Hat based russian distribution. It includes all components for creation of a high perfomance Internet/Intranet server or powerful multimedia workstation. Installation program allows a novice to setup ASPLinux by several mouse clicks. At the same time, one can make a lot of precision settings required by professionals.
Yoper - is a high performance operating system which has been carefully optimised for PC's with either 686 or higher processor types. With Yoper it is possible to import packages from all the other major distros including rpm's, deb's, and tgz packages.
Linux on IBM System z - Built on open standards, Linux running on System z9 and zSeries servers gives you freedom of choice in middleware. System z9 and zSeries solutions incorporate workload management technology that can enable your Linux applications to share computing resources and to allocate them dynamically as needed. And with advanced virtualization capabilities, System z9 and zSeries servers running Linux can empower you to accomplish more with fewer resources.
Frugalware - is general purpose linux distribution, designed for intermediate users (who are not afraid of text mode). The developers try to make Frugalware as simple as possible while not forgetting to keep it comfortable.
Linux From Scratch (LFS) - is a project that documents how to install a Linux system by downloading, building, and installing the packages yourself. Deutsche Uebersetzung.
lfs-install - is a free script for compiling a GNU/Linux system automated from source code. It compiles based on Gerard Beekmans' Linux From Scratch. It supports compiler optimization flags for various Intel IA-32 or compatible processors and allows to create a bootable build-CDROM.
Lunar-Linux - is a source based Linux distribution with a unique package management system which builds each software package, or module, for the machine it is being installed on.
Sorcerer - provides handful of commands that give you the total control over the installation, tracking and management of software on your Linux computer. However, Sorcerer is not intended for beginners in system administration because it assumes that the system administrator (SA) knows how to (and wants to do it) configure and tweak the system and installed software to suit his/her needs.
ROOT Linux - is an advanced GNU/Linux operating system. It aims to be stable, flexible and fast. ROOT is a general-purpose system which includes software for both server and workstation use. ROOT includes the modern and powerful desktop environment KDE. It uses a simple but powerful ports system to build the latest software from source automatically. The system currently only runs on Intel 686 compatible processors. This project aims to create the best, highest possible quality GNU/Linux system for experienced users.
Arch Linux - is an i686-optimized linux distribution targeted at competent linux users. It does not provide any configuration helper utilities, so you will quickly become very proficient at configuring your system from the shell commandline.
CentOS - is an Enterprise class Linux Distribution. It is a rebuild of Redhat Enterprise Linux that conforms fully with Redhat's redistribution policy and aims to be 100% binary compatible.
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| Multimedia: |
Ubuntu Studio - is a multimedia creation derivative of Ubuntu. Ubuntu Studio is aimed at the linux audio, video and graphic enthusiast as well as professional. The aim is to assemble suites of applications aimed at creative people. Suites including the best open-source applications available.
Mythbuntu - is an Ubuntu derivative focused upon setting up a standalone MythTV system similar to Knoppmyth or Mythdora. Currently, it is a recognized as a community supported project by Canonical. Mythbuntu uses the XFCE4 desktop. All unnecessary applications such as OpenOffice, Evolution, and a full Gnome desktop are not installed for a Mythbuntu installation.
LinuxMCE - is a free, open source add-on to Kubuntu including a 10' UI, complete whole-house media solution with pvr + distributed media, and the most advanced smarthome solution available. It is stable, easy to use, and requires no knowledge of Linux and only basic computer skills.
Puredyne - is a USB-bootable GNU/Linux operating system for creative media. Simply boot your computer using the liveUSB or CD and you're ready to start using software such as Pure Data, Supercollider, Icecast, Csound, Fluxus, Processing, Arduino and more.
Omega - is a completely free and open source Linux based operating system and a Fedora remix suitable for desktop and laptop users. It is a installable Live image (1.3 GB) for regular PC (i686 architecture) systems. It has all the features of Fedora and number of additional software including multimedia players and codecs by default. Omega plays any multimedia content (including MP3) or commercial DVD's out of the box.
LinVDR - is a complete, breathing Linux system smaller than 128 MB with a complete digital Video Disk Recorder (VDR) / Personal Video Recorder (PVR) and several plugins. For easy access the developer installed additionaly the browser frontend VDR Admin and a Samba share for up- and downloading music or DVD images with Windows clients. The base system is Debian Woody compatible (only compatible, not Debian Woody itself!) with the DVB driver from Convergence and Klaus Schmidinger's unbeated Video Disk Recorder (VDR).
c't-VDR-Distribution - ist eine spezialisierte Distribution, die einen PC -- auch aelterer Bauart -- in einen perfekten digitalen Videorecorder mit allerhand Extras verwandelt. Die Grundlage bildet die freie Linux-Distribution Debian, sodass das System einfach zu erweitern und zu aktualisieren ist.
LinuxConsole - is a live distro. Previous releases were only for games & multimedia, but other kind of applications have now been included. This distro is easy to use for people that have never used linux (all is done with a GUI).
KnoppMyth - is a Knoppix based distribution that makes it trivial to setup a set-top box. Everything is included that is needed to reach this goal.
MiniMyth - is a small Linux distribution that turns a diskless computer into a MythTV frontend.
Jollix - is a Live CD designed for games and multimedia purposes; it's basis is the famous Gentoo Linux, that is capable of automatic hardware detection and configuration.
dyne:bolic - is a Live CD, that is shaped on the needs of media activists, artists and creatives, being a practical tool for multimedia production.
MoviX - The MoviX project is a series of three different tiny Linux CD distributions containing all the software to boot from a CD (Live CD) and play multimedia files through the MPlayer, the best multimedia player in the Unix world.
WOMP! - is a micro linux distribution (Live CD) focussed on multimedia, it takes only 13 to 18 MB on a bootable CD, and allow playing multimedia files (video/audio/image) without installing any software on the computer's hard drive.
GeeXboX - is a Live CD with the main purpose to play DivX movies with the MPlayer. Nearly every kind of media files can be played from GeeXboX.
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| Security |
BackTrack Linux - is a penetration testing arsenal that aids security professionals in the ability to perform assessments in a purely native environment dedicated to hacking. Regardless if you're making BackTrack your primary operating system, booting from a LiveDVD, or using your favorite thumbdrive, BackTrack has been customized down to every package, kernel configuration, script and patch solely for the purpose of the penetration tester.
NetSecL - (previously ISlack) is a security-focused distro based on Slackware. It includes GrSecurity by default, has tools for security enhancements (GnuTLS, Kerberos, Cyrus, Snort, Tripwire etc.), freeware for penetration testing (Nessus, Kismet, PADS, Amap, Dsniff, Ettercap, Hydra, hping, and many others), as well as some additions like hardware recognition, MPlayer, Amarok, Qtparted, Gtkam, Krusader, Gslapt, FirewallBuilder, and other tools for multimedia and system management.
Owl (Openwall GNU/*/Linux) - is a security-enhanced operating system with Linux and GNU software as its core, compatible with other major distributions of GNU/*/Linux. It is intended as a server platform. And, of course, it's free.
EnGarde Secure Linux - is a secure distribution of Linux engineered from the ground-up to provide organizations with the level of security required to create a corporate Web presence or even conduct e-business on the Web.
IPCop - is a Linux firewall distribution geared towards home and SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) users. IPCop offers the critical functionality of an expensive network appliance using stock, or even obsolete, hardware and OpenSource Software.
tinysofa - is a server targeted, enterprise grade distribution based on Trustix Secure Linux. The meticulously crafted software packages that compose tinysofa, coupled with a focus on security, stability and manageability make it the only completely free Linux solution suitable for enterprise use.
Astaro Security Linux - is an integrated network security solution with best-of-industry features in one easy-to-manage package. It is built on an integrated management platform that makes it incredibly easy to install and administer.
Devil-Linux - is created from IT Administators for IT Administrators. Devil-Linux is a distribution which boots and runs completely from CDROM. The configuration can be saved to a floppy diskette or a USB pen drive.
ADIOS - has support for LIDS (Linux Intrusion Detection System) and SELinux (NSA Security Enhanced Linux). The ADIOS live CD uses a compressed loopback filesystem and has support for UML (User Mode Linux) virtual machines.
SmoothWall - is an open source firewall distribution, that converts an Intel or compatible PC into a dedicated firewall and gateway. Designed for ease of use, SmoothWall is configured via a web-based GUI, and requires absolutely no knowledge of Linux to install or use.
Sentry Firewall CD - is a CDROM-Based Firewall/ Server/ IDS (Intrusion Detection System). You boot from this CD, and with a few preconfigured files on a floppy (on which you've flipped the write-protect switch to read-only) you have a running firewall.
Gibraltar - is a Debian GNU/Linux-based firewall package which is bootable directly from CD-ROM, so hard disk installation is not necessary. The configuration data is stored on hard disk, floppy disk or an USB storage device.
HeX - is a Network Security Monitoring & Network Based Forensics Centric liveCD.
ThePacketMaster Linux - (aka TPM Linux) is a Live CD that has very specific requirements, mostly oriented towards security.
FIRE - is a portable bootable cdrom based distribution with the goal of providing an immediate environment to perform forensic analysis, incident response, data recovery, virus scanning and vulnerability assessment.
STD (security tools distribution) - is a Linux-based Security Tool. Actually, it is a collection of hundreds if not thousands of open source security tools. It's a Live Linux Distro, which means it runs from a bootable CD in memory without changing the native operating system of the host computer. Its sole purpose in life is to put as many security tools at your disposal with as slick an interface as it can.
INSERT - (Inside Security Rescue Toolkit) comes with a graphical user interface running the fluxbox window manager while still being sufficiently small to fit on a credit card-sized CD-ROM.
Helix - is a bootable CD based on Knoppix, with an emphasis on Incident Response & Forensics. It includes customized linux kernels, Fluxbox, Excellent hardware detection and many applications.
Operator - is a Debian based Live-CD. The Operator contains an extensive set of Open Source network security tools that can be used for monitoring and discovering networks. Operator also contains a set of computer forensic and data recovery tools that can be used to assist you in data retrieval on the local system.
BackTrack - is the most top rated linux live distribution focused on penetration testing. It's evolved from the merge of the two wide spread distributions - Whax and Auditor Security Collection.
nUbuntu - is a project to take the existing Ubuntu distribution and remaster it as a LiveCD and Desktop distribution with tools needed for penetration testing of servers and networks. The main idea is to keep Ubuntu's ease of use and mix it with popular penetration testing tools. Besides usage for network and server testing, nUbuntu will be made to be a desktop distribution for advanced Linux users.
Security Distros - is a list of many Security Distros and their descriptions.
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| Router |
XORP Live CD - XORP is the eXtensible Open Router Platform. This Live CD is a quick way to get a relatively secure router on demand. XORP is free. It is covered by a BSD- style license.
Linux LiveCD Router - is a Live CD that allows you to share your broadband connection and use WIFI. You can use DSL, ADSL, Cable Modem, T1, Fixed IPs, ISDN, Dial-Up, WIFI, build you own Access Point and more.
Fli4L - is a single floppy Linux-based ISDN, DSL and Ethernet- Router. You can build it from an old 486 based pc with 16 megabyte memory.
FREESCO - (stands for FREE ciSCO) is a free replacement for commercial routers supporting up to 10 ethernet/ arcnet/ token_ring/ arlan network cards and up to 10 modems.
Coyote Linux - is a small, embedded distribution of Linux designed to work as a firewall for small to medium sized networks (less than 200 users).
floppyfw - is a router with the advanced firewall- capabilities in Linux that fits on one single floppy disc.
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| Minimalist / Small Distributions |
Bodhi Linux - Bodhi is a minimalistic Linux distro that uses the Enlightenment desktop. Bodhi comes as a 350~meg download and only includes the following pieces of software by default: Enlightenment, Firefox, LXTerminal, Elementary Nautilus, Synaptic, RemasterSYS.
ttylinux - is a small GNU/Linux system. This small system has an 8 MB file system and runs on i486 computers, but provides a complete command line environment and is ready for Internet access. The goal this project is to make one of the smallest, up-to-date Linux systems, yet keep it similar to a larger distribution. End users may want to use ttylinux on old computers for accessing the Internet, or on a bootable USB disk for a portable system. Developers may want to use ttylinux for embedded systems.
Puppy - is extraordinarily small, yet quite fully featured. Puppy boots into a 48 - 54M ramdisk, and that's it, the whole caboodle runs in RAM. Some of Puppy's goals: easily install to USB, Zip or hard drive media; will breathe new life into old PCs, extremely friendly for Linux newbies.
Quirky - is a Linux distribution and is in the "Puppy Linux family", also known as a "puplet". However, Quirky is not a mainline Puppy release -- it is a distinct distro in its own right.
Bonzai Linux - (formerly "miniwoody") 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.
TinyMe - is a minimalist distribution of Linux aimed at making your computing experience as bloat and lag-free as possible. We do this for those of you who have old computers, like to mess around with small/fast systems, or just want a minimal environment. TinyMe is comparable to distributions like Puppy, AntiX, ZenWalk, and DSL.
ROCK Linux - is a small distribution, but it's not a "mini distribution". It comes with over 200 packages including X11 and the GNOME Desktop - but excluding menu driven configuration tools.
Lubuntu - The objective of the Lubuntu project is to create a variant of Ubuntu that uses LXDE, The Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment, as its default GUI. The ultimate goal of the Lubuntu project is to earn official endorsement from Canonical. Lubuntu is targeted at "normal" PC and laptop users running on low-spec hardware.
wattOS - is a lightweight Linux operating system remastered from the core Ubuntu Linux build. It is a free operating system that focuses on a small footprint, low power, and a simple quick interface that you can easily add whatever you want.
VectorLinux - is a Slackware based operating system that occupies less than 450 megs of hard drive space when fully installed and has a full set of preconfigured programs to handle all of your basic computing needs.
Zipslack - is a kind of Slackware that can be installed onto any FAT (or FAT32) filesystem with about 100 MB of free space. It can also be installed to and booted from a Zip disk.
ELKS - is the Embeddable Linux Kernel Subset, a project to build a small kernel subset of Linux (which will provide more or less UNIX V7 functionality within the kernel) that can run on machines with limited processor and memory resources. The initial proposed targets are the Intel 8086 and eventually the 286's 16-bit protected mode.
Core - is a minimal distribution designed to be the basis for a complete system constructed by the end user. A fresh installation of Core will boot into a console and provide the user with the tools needed to download, compile and install other applications. Core contains nothing beyond what is required to perform these tasks.
DeLi Linux - stands for "Desktop Light" Linux. It is a Linux Distribution for old computers, from 486 to Pentium MMX 166 or so. It's focussed on desktop usage.
Tiny Linux - is a small Linux distribution designed especially for old recycled computers. Tiny Linux is a fully functional system, supporting as much old hardware and software as possible.
muLinux - is a minimalistic Linux distribution, suitable for old computers. X11, GCC, VNC, SSH, Samba, Netscape etc. are supported on additional addon floppies. It can be installed from DOS/Win9x or Linux, without repartitioning.
BasicLinux - is a multi-purpose mini-Linux. It can boot from a floppy, or be installed to a permanent Linux native partition (where X and GCC may be added using standard packages from Slackware).
Spinix - In it's simplest form, Spinix takes up only around 130Megs and with full development and X only around 500Megs. This makes Spinix ideal for firewall installations and old systems with limited resources.
Small Linux - is a partial distribution of the Linux kernel and support files that can boot on older x86 systems with less than 5 meg of ram memory.
Minisys-Linux (Codename: Muppy) - is a very small and fast system with optional German localization. It is based on the Australian Puppylinux by Barry Kauler, and Slackware. All important programs are included, that you may expect for a modern desktop system. Extensions make it simple to use, for example, KDE, in addition to the default environment. Special versions like "Muppy-Server" offer you customizations for special purposes.
Tiny Core Linux - is a very small (10 MB) minimal Linux Desktop. It is based on Linux 2.6 kernel, Busybox, Tiny X, Fltk, and Jwm. The core runs entirely in ram and boots very quickly. It is not a complete desktop nor is all hardware completely supported. It represents only the core needed to boot into a very minimal X desktop typically with wired internet access. The user has complete control over which applications and/or additional hardware to have supported, be it for a desktop, a netbook, an appliance, or server, selectable by the user by installing additional applications from online repositories, or easily compiling most anything you desire using tools provided.
eisfair - is an easy to install Internet- Server, which uses linux as underlying operating system. The resources needed is kept as small as possible, in order to be able to start and operate even from a 16MB Compact- Flashcard.
RUNT - is Slackware Linux designed to run off of a 128 MB or more USB pen drive. It consists of a boot floppy image and a zip file, similar to zipslack. It is intended to be a fairly complete Linux installation for use as a testing tool capable of booting on any x86 computer with a USB port and a bootable floppy drive.
Monkey Linux - is a small Executable and Linking Format (ELF) distribution based on Linux kernel 2.0.30 and Libc5. The fact that it uses the UMSDOS file system makes it an ideal semi-complete distribution for GNU/Linux newbies, because no knowledge of (re)partitioning hard drives is required for installation.
muLinux - is a minimalistic Linux distribution, suitable for old computers. X11, GCC, VNC, SSH, Samba, Netscape etc. are supported on additional addon floppies. It can be installed from DOS/Win9x or Linux, without repartitioning.
Compact Flash Linux Project - is designed to run on a compact flash card in read-only mode. It currently needs around 14 MB. It includes OpenSSH, quagga, iptables, hostap, madwifi, wireless-tools, pppoe, tcpdump, bridge-utils, and more.
Flash Linux - is a free (GPL-2) customised Linux distribution initially designed to be run directly off a 256Mb USB key or other (similar) forms of bootable flash memory. It has subsequently (also) become a Linux distribution that runs directly from a CDROM, typically known as a Live-CD. Flash Linux is based on Gentoo Linux and new versions / bugfixes should track the stable Gentoo tree. Whereas Gentoo is a source distribution, this is a binary only distribution.
b00t - is a minimalistic linux system with Zero Install capabilities. It's build on top of busybox and uclibc and, of course, lazyfs a 0install. It contains a lot of 10/100Mbit NIC drivers. b00t is a part of proof of concept, nothing what can be usefull to end user.
Jailbait - is "Another Interesting Linux But Also Intimidating Too": A fully-functional Linux distribution that fits into 16 MB.
Floppy Linux - Trinux, BYLD, Tomsrtbt, LRP, RIP, Keeper, HAL91, and more.
Damn Small Linux - is a business card size (50MB) Live CD Linux distribution. The applications on it are the best compromises between function and size.
MiniCD - is a LiveCD designed to run off 185MB CDs. It features a full desktop (KDE) and is based on Mandrake Linux.
Slax - is a Slackware based small Live CD, so you can burn it to a 185 MB CD-R(W) (8 cm CD medium).
Linux Live - is a set of bash scripts which allows you to create your own LiveCD from every Linux distribution.
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| Distributions for Thin Clients |
PXES - is the micro Linux distribution allowing you to build thin clients or diskless workstations. Hardware not suitable for other uses like current desktop OS can be recycled and converted into a thin client..
DIET-PC - (DIskless Embedded Technology Personal Computer) is a Do-It-Yourself open source thin client software kitset, allowing you to construct generic- or special- purpose thin clients, or other network appliances, using commodity x86 PC or Apple Mac hardware or certain commercial embedded appliances.
Thinstation - enables you to convert standard PCs into full- featured diskless thin clients supporting all major connectivity protocols like Citrix ICA, MS Windows terminal services (RDP), X, Telnet, SSH...
Netstation - enables you to convert standard PCs into full- featured diskless thin clients supporting all major connectivity protocols. It can be booted from the network using Etherboot/PXE or from floppy/CD/hd/flash-disk etc.
2X ThinClientServer - provides a complete solution for the central deployment, configuration and management of thin clients and provides load balancing and redundancy of terminal servers.
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| Terminalserver / Schoolserver / Educational / Distributions for schools & children |
K12LTSP - is based on Fedora Linux and the Linux Terminal Server Project. It's easy to install and configure. It's distributed under the GNU General Public License.
2X TerminalServer for Linux - provides users with a secure, personal Linux desktop accessible from anywhere in the world, over any connection.
kmLinuxTSE - ist eine Terminalserver Distribution fuer Schulen, die auf auf kmLinux (eine fuer den Schuleinsatz konzipierte Distribution) basiert. Die Terminalserver- Pakete kommen vom Linux Terminal Server Project (ltsp).
kmLinux - wird vom Landesbildungsserver Schleswig- Holstein in enger Zusammenarbeit mit dem Verein Freie Software und Bildung entwickelt.
Edubuntu - is a Linux distribution targeted for schools and other educational environments. It is a complete operating system, built on the popular Ubuntu distribution, that includes an office suite, web browser, many educational applications, and much more. Edubuntu is designed for a teacher or network administrator to be able to setup a complete classroom quickly and easily.
ÜberStudent - s a free, Ubuntu-based operating system for higher education and emerging-generation high school students, those who wish to learn to excel at the tasks and habits of top students and researchers, and anyone who can benefit from easy-to-use yet powerful computing.
DebianEdu / Skolelinux - DebianEdu is a project about utilizing Debian to make the best distribution for educational purposes. Skolelinux is the name of a CustomDebianDistribution which is produced by the DebianEdu project. "skole" is Norwegian and means "school". It is tailored for the needs and use-cases in educational scenarios, preconfigured for easy installation (standalone, as well as network-wide rollout) and easy to use, maintain, and administer.
LinuxAdvanced - basiert auf Debian und verwendet den uebersichtlichen und Ressourcen schonenden Desktop Xfce. LinuxAdvanced ist auf die Beduerfnisse der Schule abgestimmt. Im Gegensatz zu aehnlichen Entwicklungen zielt LinuxAdvanced auf einen universellen Einsatz ab. So ist es wichtig, dass die Software auch einfach zu Hause von den Schuelerinnen und Schuelern eingesetzt werden kann. In diesem Sinne wurde LinuxAdvanced als LIVE-System entwickelt und kann daher auch ohne Installation direkt eingesetzt werden. LinuxAdvanced ist in verschiedenen Versionen erhaeltlich: CD, DVD, USB u. Server-Edition.
Foresight Kid's Edition - is a Linux distribution for children that features a number of education and entertainment applications, as well as the benefits of the Foresight GNOME Edition: a rolling release schedule that always keeps your desktop up to date; a revolutionary package manager, Conary; a customized GNOME desktop environment and an innovative set of excellent, up to date software applications.
Knoppix for Kids - was created by OSEF in conjunction with Tux4Kids. It's goal is to bridge the information gap between educators and technology professions regarding Free and Open Source Software on the educational desktop.
JUXlala - ist eine auf Knoppix basierende Live-CD fuer Kinder ab 3 Jahren mit Programmen, mit denen Kinder spielerisch erste Erfahrungen mit dem Computer machen sollen; erlaubt das Speichern von Benutzerdaten auf einem USB-Stick und die Installation auf einer lokalen Festplatte.
LernTux - ist eine LiveCD mit einigen Lernprogrammen und weiteren Anwendungen. LernTux richtet sich vorwiegend an Kinder und Jugendliche da aber auch das Bueropaket OpenOffice und das professionelle Bildbearbeitungsprogramm Gimp enthalten sind, ist LernTux auch fuer Erwachsene sehr interessant.
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| Linux for Power PC |
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Yellow Dog Linux - combines a minimal interaction graphical installer with support for a wide range of Power architecture hardware, leading (but not bleeding) edge kernels and stable, functional compilers for code development. And of course, the foundation applications and servers expected for web, database, email, and network services. YDL is built upon the RHEL/CentOS core.
Debian for PowerPC - was first officially released with Debian GNU/Linux 2.2 ("potato"). Support for PowerPC is maintained in the release 3.1 ("sarge").
CRUX PPC - is a volunteer driven no-profit project based on the releases of CRUX for x86. It is a port of CRUX for the Power Architecture platform. It runs on Apple NewWorld (both 32 and 64bit) PowerPC, YDL Powerstation, Genesi PegasosII and EFIKA, ACube Sam440ep, IBM RS/6000 CHRP and pSeries servers. CRUX PPC includes support for laptop-specific features, extended hardware support and server tools.
Gentoo Linux for the PowerPC - Gentoo is a versatile and fast, completely free distribution for x86, PowerPC, Sparc and Sparc64 that's geared towards Linux power users.
MkLinux - is an Open Source operating system which consists of an implementation of the Linux operating system hosted on the Mach microkernel.
ROCK Linux - is considered to be ready for production use on Apple Macintosh hardware and IBM RS/6000.
Penguinppc.org Distributions - Linux distributions known to work on PowerPC hardware of some sort.
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| Embedded Linux |
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BlueCat Linux - is a version of Linux specially tailored for use in embedded systems. It is based on the Red Hat.
MontaVista Linux - is a distribution of Linux designed and optimized for embedded systems.
ElinOS - is an integrated development environment for embedded systems with Linux. Working seamless from driver development up to applications - ELinOS offers various tools, supports adequate boot strategies, can be easily handled due to graphical tools, is available for the established embedded hardware.
Pyramid Linux - is binary linux distro for use on x86 embedded platforms. It is primarily focused on wireless applications however people have found many great uses for it. Pyramid Linux is the successor to Pebble Linux originally developed by Terry Schmidt at NYCWireless. If you are looking for a small powerful distro for wireless applications the developers suggest you try it out.
Innominate Secure Linux - Innominate has longstanding experience in the development of Embedded Linux applications. The focus of all development work has been on security and communication functions.
SnapGear - is unique in providing commercial quality tool chains and processor support in a freely downloadable open source format.
RTLinux - RTLinux building block is a tested and validated, hard real-time, POSIX operating system that runs Embedded Linux as an application platform. It is a complete development system with tested kernel and tool-chain, a fully embeddable/ network- bootable file- system, and utilities for building efficient flash file systems.
2-Disk Xwindow embedded Linux - is a very efficient distribution, implementing a net centric operating environment and user friendly GUI. It is intended to be a demonstration of Mungkie assiciates embedded appliance development environment, showing the sort of environment that can be created for small appliance GUI systems using less than 4Mb flash and 4Mb RAM.
Embedded Gentoo - This project manages embedded system support in Gentoo.
Ubuntu Mobile Internet Device (MID) Edition - Ubuntu MID Edition targets an exciting new class of computers called Mobile Internet Devices. Ubuntu MID, based on the world's most popular Linux distribution, and MID hardware from OEMs and ODMs, is redefining what can be done in mobile computing. Ubuntu MID Edition, a fully open source project, gives the full Internet, with no compromise. Custom options may include licensed codecs and popular third-party applications.
OpenWrt - Instead of trying to create a single, static firmware, OpenWrt provides a fully writable filesystem with package management. This frees you from the application selection and configuration provided by the vendor and allows you to customize the device through the use of packages to suit any application. For developer, OpenWrt is the framework to build an application without having to build a complete firmware around it; for users this means the ability for full customization, to use the device in ways never envisioned.
X-Wrt - is a set of packages and patches to enhance the end user experience of OpenWrt. It is NOT a fork of OpenWrt. The developers work in conjunction with the OpenWrt developers to extend OpenWrt.
FreeWRT - is a meta GNU/Linux distribution for embedded systems. In this context "meta" means, you can build the complete distribution from source. FreeWRT is meant to be an appliance development kit (ADK) especially designed for embedded system developers and advanced users.
DD-WRT - The initial target was just a modification of the original Linksys Firmware for supporting simple Radius Authentication. But meanwhile the maindeveloper Sebastian Gottschall decided to add some more features and some more small tools.
Moblin.org - (Mobile Linux Internet Project) is an open source community for sharing software technologies, ideas, projects, code, and applications to create an untethered computing experience across Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), Netbooks, and embedded devices.
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| Linux CDs & DVDs |
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ISO Images - "Instead of buying a Linux CD/DVD, if you have a cd writer you can download the ISO image of your favorite distribution and create your own cdrom/DVD. Here are the locations of some of the ISOs".
LinuxImages - Many Linux ISO Images, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD ISOs and more. "This machine is a mirror of many packages on the Internet. It is a joint effort of SURFnet and NLUUG (Netherlands Unix Users Group)".
Debian CD/DVD images - here you can download Debian CD/DVD images via HTTP/FTP.
Vendors of Debian CDs/DVDs - here you'll find a vendor in your own country.
EasyLinuxCDs.com - Buying Linux CDs from EasyLinuxCDs.com is a quick, simple, and safe. Upon purchase, your Linux CD will be inspected and shipped immediately via priority mail. Linux DVDs are also available for larger distros and now you can go portable with pre-installed USB flash drives.
linux-online-versand.de - verkauft weltweit Distributionen und Linux Software auf direkt bedruckten CDR / DVD.
Linux-ISO.de - bietet die offiziellen GPL ISO Images verschiedener Distributionen zu guenstigen Konditionen im Versand an.
LinISO - uebernimmt das Herunterladen der ISO-Images freier Distributionen und erstellt direkt aus diesen Dateien die CDs/DVDs, die hier dann bestellt werden koennen.
Linuxland - "Hier beim groessten unabhaengigen Vertrieb rund um Linux-Produkte bekommen Sie schnell und versandkostenfrei Linux-Software, Buecher und Fanartikel".
LinuxCDVersand.de - Auf dieser Seite kann man sich die CDs/DVDs verschiedener Linux-Distributionen, wie Mandrake, Debian, Slackware, Knoppix, FreeBSD u.s.w bestellen.
lin24.de - bietet Ihnen ISO-Images der aktuellen Linux-Distributionen auf CD/DVD.
iso-top.info - bietet Ihnen eine Auswahl an aktuellsten Linux Versionen auf direkt bedruckten CDs/DVDs an.
iso4Linux.com - bietet Ihnen verschiedene Linux-Distributionen auf CD/DVD an. Desweiteren finden Sie bei hier ein grosses Angebot an Tux und BSD Fanartikel.
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| Misc |
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Linux Online - Distributuions - offers a "menu" of sorts so you can get more information about Linux distributions developed by individuals, groups or companies.
Comparison of Linux Distributions - is an attempt to provide a basic feature list and a package comparison table of the major, some minor and regional Linux distributions.
LWN Distributions List - with over 300 distributions; large and small, specialized and generalized, old and new.
Free GNU/Linux distributions - These are the GNU/Linux distributions which only include and only propose free software. They reject non-free applications, non-free programming platforms, non-free drivers, or non-free firmware "blobs".
Live CDs - are bootable CDs without installing any software on the computer's hard drive (Demo-Linux CDs, Knoppix ...).
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