ArchBang

ArchBang is an open source Linux operating system that combines the lightweight Openbox window manager with the powerful features and speed of the Arch Linux distribution. The main goal of this project is to provide users with an out-of-the-box Arch Linux experience.

Distributed as a dual-arch Live CD

It is distributed as Live CD ISO images, supporting both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures. The boot menu of the Live CD allows you to start the live environment powered by Openbox, with or without the Vesa driver, boot into the recovery mode, test the RAM (system memory) of your computer, reboot, or see if your hardware components are supported by ArchBang.

A modern, uncluttered desktop session

Booting the live environment will present users with a modern, uncluttered desktop session that’s comprised of a semi-transparent panel at the bottom of the screen and a widget that monitors the CPU and RAM. An interesting fact about the desktop widget is that it list some keyboard shortcuts that will presumably help users find their way around the system much more easily. The main menu can be easily accessed by right-clicking on the desktop, just like on any other Openbox-based Linux operating system.

Default applications

Default applications include the SpaceFM file manager, Mozilla Firefox web browser, DeaDBeeF music player, LXTerminal terminal emulator, Htop command-line system monitoring tool, Medit text editor, Galculator calculator utility, and ClipIt clipboard manager. An image viewer, a character map utility, a few other handy tools are also included in this minimalistic Linux operating system. In addition, users will be able to configure the panel and other aspects of the desktop directly from the main menu.

Bottom line

Being based on Arch Linux, this small and fast distrolette will provide users with a rolling-release environment, which means that you will always have an up-to-date system, without the need to download a new ISO image and reinstall the distribution. It is the perfect operating system for low-end computers.

What is new in this release:

• Based on Arch Linux 2014.03.01

What is new in version 2016.09.17:

• Based on Arch Linux 2014.03.01

What is new in version 2016.08.09:

• Based on Arch Linux 2014.03.01

What is new in version 2016.07.16:

• Based on Arch Linux 2014.03.01

What is new in version 2016.03.01 / 2016.06.07 Beta:

• Based on Arch Linux 2014.03.01

What is new in version 2016.03.01:

• Based on Arch Linux 2014.03.01

What is new in version 2015.12.03 / 2016.01.02 Beta:

• Based on Arch Linux 2014.03.01

What is new in version 2015.12.03:

• Based on Arch Linux 2014.03.01

What is new in version 2015.09.16:

• Based on Arch Linux 2014.03.01

What is new in version 2015.07.08:

• Based on Arch Linux 2014.03.01

What is new in version 2015.05.16:

• Based on Arch Linux 2014.03.01

What is new in version 2015.03.28:

• Based on Arch Linux 2014.03.01

What is new in version 2015.02.10:

• Based on Arch Linux 2014.03.01

What is new in version 2014.02.26 RC:

• New Wallpaper
• Orion Green theme
• Removal of obkey
• Added Deadbeef media player
• Full Aw0ken icon set
• New language packs for Norwegian and Polish

What is new in version 2012.12:

• Linux kernel 3.6.8
• GnomishDark Theme with Shakey-Stapler-Dark Widget
• updated openbox-menu
• dbus-launch removed

What is new in version 2012.05:

• QDarkStudio4 default GTK theme
• Shotwell picture viewer
• Improved Conky
• Epdfview replaces zathura
• Simple clean tint2 panel
• Broadcom wireless added
• virtualbox-archlinux-additions
• Mobile Broadband modem capability added to Network Manager

What is new in version 2011.09:

• Latest Linux Kernel 3.0.4-1
• New look with some wallpapers made by fans included (different than last month's screenshot afterall.
• paccheck added
• gucharmap added
• alsa replaced by OSS
• tint2 replaced by adeskbar
• xfburn replaced by graveman
• arandr replaced by lxrandr
• foxitreader replaced by zathura
• volumeicon replaced by ossxmix
• gcalctool replaced by galculator
• xcompmgr removed
• tintwizard removed
• gsimplecal removed
• aufs2 removed
• hal removed (finally!)
• dmenu removed
• gksu removed
• nouveau drivers removed

What is new in version 2011.01:

• Lighter than before
• New look
• Login as root works after installation
• Still a text-based installer but fully functional
• Documentation included
• Source Files available in the download section
• Coming with xorg-video-drivers for maximum compatibility
• We're taking advantage of OpenBox pseudo-tiling window functions

What is new in version 2.00 RC2:

• VLC removed. Replaced with Exaile and Gnome-Mplayer.
• A cleaner look and feel.
• Dynamic Conky to save desktop space.
• New Artwork and Design.
• Cleaning up and re-organizing menu.xml.
• Modification installer code and nvidia script.
• New website, bugtracker, forum links integrated with Internet -> Links [in menu.xml] for quicker access.
• Abiword replaced with Abiword-Light.
• Oblogout,Ob-autostart and gsimplecal introduced.
• CenterIM stays, weechat leaves.