DBLab Zorin Lite

DBLab Zorin Lite is the second of two total custom Zorin OS based open source operating systems that provides users with a remix of the Zorin OS Lite distribution of Linux built around the lightweight LXDE desktop environment and using at least twice as much applications than the original OS.

Available only for 32-bit architectures

It appears that this DBLab edition is available for download only as a Live DVD for the 32-bit (i386) hardware platform, which means that it has been designed from the ground up to be installed on old and semi-old systems, especially because it uses the LXDE desktop environment. Keep in min that the Live DVD must be deployed to either a USB thumb drive or a DVD disc in order to boot it from the BIOS of a computer.

Boot options

The ISO image features a standard boot menu that is used in all other DBLab flavors. While it allows you to try the operating system without installing anything or directly start the installer, it can be very useful for booting an existing OS from the first disk or run a system memory diagnostic test. The live session can be used with default settings or in safe graphics mode.

A lite distribution with a lightweight desktop environment

Before you can actually use the live environment, you’ll have to login into the system using the “ubuntuuser” username. As mentioned, the distribution uses LXDE, providing you with a lightweight and traditional desktop environment comprised of a visible panel at the bottom edge of the screen and a hidden panel on the left side of the screen, allowing you to easily launch applications or interact with running programs.

Powerful open source applications for more than everyday tasks

As expected from a DBLab operating system, it comes with a wide range of powerful open source applications that can be used for more than everyday tasks and are not included by default in the official Zorin OS Lite distribution. Among some of the most important ones, we can mention Darktable, RawTherapee, FileZilla, Geary, Rawstudio, Fotoxx, HomeBank, Calibre, AbiWord, Furius ISO Mount, AcetoneISO, PlotDigitizer, and GNU Octave.

Bottom line

Summing up, DBLab Zorin Lite is a special project designed primarily for Zorin OS fans who want to use the Lite edition of their favorite operating system but with more preinstalled applications. It uses the lightweight LXDE desktop environment, which makes it suitable for old and semi-old computers.

What is new in this release:

• Added some new software, and a bug fix.