Exquisite

Exquisite is an open source, freely distributed and easy to use desktop-oriented operating system derived from the world’s most popular distribution of Linux, Ubuntu. It has been designed from the ground up to be as simple and familiar as possible.

It’s distributed as a dual-arch Live DVD

The Exquisite operating system is distributed as a dual-arch Live DVD ISO image, which has been engineered to be used on computers that support both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x86_64) instruction set architectures.

How to use the ISO image to run the live system

After the ISO has been downloaded, write it onto a blank DVD disc using any CD/DVD burning utility or on a USB thumb drive of 1GB or higher capacity using UNetbootin or GNOME Disk Utility (Disks) in order to boot it from the BIOS of a computer. Currently, the ISO image has approximately 1GB in size.

Boot menu à la Ubuntu Linux

The boot menu is unchanged from the Ubuntu Linux distribution. By default, it will automatically load the live system and ask you to choose between the live or install modes. To reveal the boot menu, press any key on your keyboard during the 7-second timeout at the boot.

Default boot options include the ability to try the operating system without installing or the ability to start the graphical installer directly. In addition, you can perform a system memory diagnostic check, verify the integrity of the bootable medium (only if using a DVD disc) or boot from the local drive.

The interface is unique, built around Xfce

The unique graphical interface of Exquisite is built around the lightweight Xfce desktop environment and comprises of a single taskbar, which allows the user to access the main menu, launch applications, as well as to interact with running programs.

The software selection is great, includes useful apps

Default applications include the Evolution email and calendar client, Mozilla Firefox web browser, Pidgin multi-protocol instant messenger, Skype VoIP, Dropbox client, Gwibber social networking client and Transmission torrent downloader.

In addition, the OpenOffice.org office suite, Gedit text editor, Tomboy note-taking app, Pinta image editor, Simple Scan image scanner, Banshee music player, Brasero CD/DVD burning software, PiTiVi video editor, Minitube YouTube player and VLC Media Player are also included.