Black Lab Linux MATE

Black Lab Linux MATE is a completely free, traditional, responsive, beautifully designed and open source computer operating system based on the Linux kernel and derived from the world’s most popular free OS, Ubuntu. As its name suggests, the distribution is built around the MATE desktop environment.

Distributed as a 64-bit Live DVD

The MATE edition of Black Lab Linux is distributed as a Live DVD ISO image that contains software packages optimized only for computers supporting the 64-bit (x86_64/amd64) CPU architecture. The ISO image has approximately 2 GB in size and must be written by the user on a DVD disc or USB flash drive of 2GB or higher capacity in order to boot it from the BIOS of a PC.

Same boot options as other Black Lab Linux editions

When booting the Black Lab Linux MATE operating system for the first time, using the Live DVD, users will encounter a boot menu that allows them to start the live system with normal settings of in safe graphics mode, start the installer directly, perform a memory test, as well as to boot an existing OS from the local disk drive.

Beautiful and responsive MATE desktop environment

As mentioned, the distribution is built around the MATE graphical desktop environment, a clone of the old-school GNOME 2 desktop environment, which provides users with a traditional and familiar interface that consists of a single panel located on the bottom edge of the screen. However, users will be dropped to a login screen where they must use the “custom” username to login, without using a password.

Default applications

Default applications include the Mozilla Firefox web browser, Mozilla Thunderbird email and news client, Rhythmbox music player, Steam for Linux client, GIMP image editor, Inkscape vector graphics editor, Shotwell image viewer and organizer, Scribus desktop publishing software, Dropbox client, HexChat IRC client, Pidgin multi-protocol instant messenger, Transmission BitTorrent client, LibreOffice office suite, as well as Audacity audio editor.

What is new in this release:

• GNOME 3.10.4
• XFCE 4.12
• Kernel 3.13 LTS Compatible
• Kernel 3.16.0-31 Default Boot kernel
• VLC 2.2
• Firefox 36
• Thunderbird 31.5
• Rhythmbox 3.1
• FFmpeg 2.6
• Google Chrome 41
• exFAT support
• UEFI Secureboot support