DracoLinux

DracoLinux is an open source and freely distributed operating system initially derived from the well known and powerful Slackware Linux distribution, but now independently developed. It is built around the pkgsrc package management system of NetBSD, which separates the applications from the base system.

Available as an installable only CD for the 64-bit platform

The project is available for download as a single, installable only CD ISO image that has been engineered to run only on 64-bit hardware platforms (x86_64). It must be burned onto a CD disc or written on a USB flash drive in order to be booted from the BIOS of a PC.

It provides users with a beautiful boot loader from where they can install the desktop system with default options or with in safe graphics mode, rescue a broken operating system, install the core Linux system, as well as to perform a system memory diagnostic test.

Easy-to-use graphical installation script and minimal desktop environment

Draco comes with an easy-to-use graphical installation script that requires users to select a language for the installation process, select a keyboard layout, set the machine's hostname and configure the network, choose a timezone and set the system clock, set the root (system administrator) password, and partition the disk.

After installation, you will be asked to create a default user for the system, which will be required at the login prompt. It uses the minimal Fluxbox window manager as its default desktop environment, providing users with a single panel located on the bottom edge of the screen, from where they can interact with opened programs and cycle between virtual workspaces.

To access the main menu and launch applications, simply right click anywhere on the desktop. Among the preinstall software packages, we can mention the Mozilla Firefox web browser, Thunar file manager, Vi text editor, SMPlayer video player, and Top system monitoring tool.

Bottom line

Summing up, DracoLinux proves to be an easy-to-use, simple and flexible distribution of Linux that uses a special package management system designed from the ground up to not break the installation.