ALT Linux (School Master)

ALT Linux School Master is an open source and completely free GNU/Linux distribution intended to be used on educational organizations, such as schools or universities. It contains a variety of open source applications designed for educational use and supports multiple languages, including English (US), Russian, Ukrainian, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish and Belarusian.

Available for download as installable DVDs with Live mode

The School Master edition of ALT Linux is very special, as it is distributed as installable DVD ISO images of approximately 4.5 GB in size that also include a Live mode. Users can boot the distribution on either 64-bit and 32-bit machines. The Live mode allows you to use the operating system directly from the bootable medium (DVD or USB).

Distributed as part of the ALT Linux School project

This special edition of ALT Linux is distributed as part of the ALT Linux School project, which also offers the ALT Linux School Teacher, ALT Linux School Junior and ALT Linux School Server operating systems.

Boot options

From the boot menu, the user will be able to start the installation with default settings or in safe graphics mode, start the live system, perform a system memory diagnostic test, as well as to boot an existing OS from the local drive.

Built around the modern KDE desktop

The distribution is built around the modern KDE desktop environment, which offers a familiar, attractive and traditional layout, comprised of a single panel located on the bottom edge of the screen, from where users can navigate the main menu, launch apps and interact with running programs.

Default applications

A large number of applications are pre-installed in this special ALT Linux edition, among which we can mention the entire LibreOffice office suite, Mozilla Thunderbird email and news client, ownCloud client, Mozilla Firefox web browser, as well as many game and a multitude of KDE applications.

What is new in this release:

• Updated software closing known vulnerabilities as of May 22, 2015 with further updates available through Platform 7 repositories
• Updated timezones
• System Control Center is now able to join Active Directory
• LiveCDs gained RW partition support during UEFI boot as well
• "poweroff" kernel commandline parameter will cause the system to shut down upon installation to ease automated deployment
• Online repositories will always be configured, not just when found available
• Linux 3.14.41
• Mesa 10.0.5
• Firefox 31.6.0
• Various bugs were fixed with updated Intel video driver

What is new in version 7.0.4:

• This is a minor update to the 7.0.x series, adding bugfixes and SecureBoot tolerance.

What is new in version 6.0.0:

• Zero-cost end-user license fee;
• Сentralized administration of pupil computers;
• Deep customization;
• Сentralized authentication via directory service;
• Network boot of diskless nodes that store personal data on server;
• High security and virus protection;
• Graphical interface on server (disabled by default).
• Special School Server images are ready to install to Hyper-V