PCLinuxOS Phoenix Mini

PCLinuxOS Phoenix Mini is an open source distribution of Linux, a minimal edition of the PCLinuxOS Phoenix operating system, built around the lightweight Xfce desktop environment and designed from the ground up to be deployed on low-end machines.

Availability and boot options

The system is available for download as a single, hybrid Live CD ISO image that can be easily burned onto a blank CD disc or written to a USB thumb drive. Both 64-bit and 32-bit architectures are supported at this time.

From the boot menu, users can start the live session with default settings, in verbose mode (without boot splash), in safe graphics mode, in failsafe mode, or by copying the entire ISO image to RAM (system memory).

Additionally, they can use the boot prompt to access a Linux console (shell prompt) in case they want to rescue a broken operating system, as well as to check the boot medium for errors (only if you're using it from a CD disc).

Beautiful Xfce desktop environment, minimal set of apps

As usual with any PCLinuxOS distribution, users will need to select a keyboard layout before entering the graphical session, which uses the Xfce desktop environment that comprises of two panels, a top one for accessing the main menu and launching apps, and a bottom one for interacting with running programs.

This edition includes fewer apps than the original PCLinuxOS Phoenix version. Among the most popular ones, we find the Musepad text editor, Ristretto image viewer, Claws Mail email clent, Midor web browser, Synaptic Package Manager, Parole media player, and Xfburn CD/DVD burning software.

Bottom line

Summing up, PCLinuxOS Phoenix Mini is a fast and lightweight Linux distribution powered by the Xfce desktop environment and engineered to offer a modern and responsive operating system for reviving old computers.

What is new in this release:

• XFCE 4.8.3 Desktop Environment a€“ Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for UNIX-like operating systems. It aims to be fast and low on system resources, while still being visually appealing and user friendly.
• Kernel a€“ The kernel was updated to version 2.6.38.8. Additional kernels are available from our repositories such as a PAE kernel for computers with more than 4 gigs of memory. A BFS kernel for maximum desktop performance and a standard kernel with group scheduling enabled.
• Xorg a€“ Xorg server was updated to version 1.10.4. Mesa updated to 7.11.2 and libdrm to version 2.4.26. This update brings enhancements to the PCLinuxOS desktop including speed, 3D desktop support for most Intel, Nvidia and AMD/ATi video cards, better font rendering, black screen fixes for most Nvidia cards, better Flash playback and more.
• The most recent versions of Nvidia and AMD/ATi video drivers are included on the LiveCD and automatically configured for you. The bad news is users with older legacy video cards included in most dated computers may not function properly due to many depreciated xorg video drivers.
• Toolchain a€“ Gcc software compiler was updated to version 4.5.2 and glibc updated to 2.13.4. Locales were updated to version 2.13.1.
• Package Manager a€“ RPM was updated to version 4.8.1. apt-get and the Synaptic Package Manager were also updated to work with the updated rpm packages. yum and yumex will be available in the coming weeks as an alternative package manager.
• Theme Update a€“ PCLinuxOS Phoenix Edition 2012-02 release received a full makeover. 2012-02 features a new brush metal theme including updates to grub, plymouth, gdm, gfxboot and application splash screens. Additional themes are also installed from the previous 3 years releases

What is new in version 2011-07:

• XFCE 4.8 Desktop Environment - Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for UNIX-like operating systems. It aims to be fast and low on system resources, while still being visually appealing and user friendly.
• Xfce embodies the traditional UNIX philosophy of modularity and re-usability. It consists of a number of components that provide the full functionality one can expect of a modern desktop environment. They are packaged separately and you can pick among the available packages to create the optimal personal working environment.
• Xfce contains a number of core components for the minimum tasks you'd expect from a desktop environement:
• Window Manager
• Manages the placement of windows on the screen, provides window decorations and manages workspaces or virtual desktops.
• Desktop Manager
• Sets the background image and provides a root window menu, desktop icons or minimized icons and a windows list.
• Panel
• Switch between opened windows, launch applications, switch workspaces and menu plugins to browse applications or directories.
• Session Manager
• Controls the login and power management of the desktop and allows you to store multiple login sessions.
• File Manager
• Provides the basic file management features and unique utilities like the bulk renamer.
• Setting Manager
• Tools to control the various settings of the desktop like keyboard shortcuts, appearance, display settings etcetera.
• Beside the basic set of modules, Xfce also provides numerous additional applications and plugins so you can extend your desktop the way you like, for example a terminal emulator, text editor, sound mixer, application finder, image viewer, iCal based calendar and a CD and DVD burning application.
• Kernel - The kernel was updated to version 2.6.38.8. Additional kernels are available from our repositories such as a PAE kernel for computers with more than 4 gigs of memory. A BFS kernel for maximum desktop performance and a standard kernel with group scheduling enabled.
• Xorg - Xorg server was updated to version 1.10.3. Mesa updated to 7.10.3 and libdrm to version 2.4.26. This update brings enhancements to the PCLinuxOS desktop including speed, 3D desktop support for most Intel, Nvidia and AMD/ATi video cards, better font rendering, black screen fixes for most Nvidia cards, better Flash playback and more. The most recent versions of Nvidia and AMD/ATi video drivers are included on the LiveCD and automatically configured for you. The bad news is users with older legacy video cards included in most dated computers may not function properly due to many depreciated xorg video drivers.
• Toolchain - Gcc software compiler was updated to version 4.5.2 and glibc updated to 2.10.1. Locales were updated to version 2.12.1.
• Package Manager - RPM was updated to version 4.8.1. apt-get and the Synaptic Package Manager were also updated to work with the updated rpm packages. yum and yumex will be available in the coming weeks as an alternative package manager.
• Theme Update - PCLinuxOS Phoenix Edition 2011-07 release received a full makeover. 2011-07 features a new brush metal theme including updates to grub, plymouth, gdm, gfxboot and application splash screens. Additional themes are also installed from the previous 3 years releases
• Remastering Tools - mylivecd was updated to work with the latest release. mylivecd added the ability to install PCLinuxOS from the boot menu without having to go to the desktop first. There are 3 compression schemes available now for remastering your installation. xz maximum compression, xz normal compression and gzip for fast compression. xz max takes longer to generate the LiveCD but produces the most compressed image where as gzip will create a LiveCD fairly quick but the compressed image will be larger. mylivecd can also generate a LiveDVD with up to 4 gigs of compressed data. Usually a 10-12 gig installation will compress into a 4 gig DVD.
• Software - PCLinuxOS Phoenix Edition 2011 LiveCD comes with the latest versions of most popular programs such as XFCE 4.8, Firefox 5.0, Thunderbird 3.1.11 just to name a few. OpenOffice Manager has been replaced with LibreOffice Manager. Due to the limited size of the LiveCD the office suite is not included but can be installed through the LibreOffice Manager either in LiveCD mode (3 gigs memory required) or preferably after hard drive installation. Addlocale has updated translations and can convert a PCLinuxOS installation into over 70 different languages. The software included on the LiveCD was based on community feedback as to what the PCLinuxOS users wanted to be included by default.