JayOS

JayOS is a unique Linux kernel-based operating system, a distribution of Linux based on the LFS (Linux From Scratch) software project and designed from the ground up for users who want a simple solution to automate the compilation of a full featured Linux distribution.

The operating system is available for download as a Live DVD

The JayOS distro can be downloaded from Softoware as a Live DVD ISO image that includes only 32-bit (x86) optimized software packages and has approximately 850MB in size. The image can be written to either a DVD disc or a USB thumb drive of 1GB or higher capacity.

Minimalist, yet informal boot prompt

The distro’s boot prompt is minimal, designed to instruct users on what it can do and what exactly it contains. However, in order to start the live system you only have to press the Enter key on your keyboard. For more details, do not hesitate to press the F1 key.

The graphical desktop environment is very basic, looks like Windows 95

JayOS provides users with a very basic and old graphical desktop environment that comprises of a top panel, which is hidden by default, some kind of a dock (applications launcher), as well as a system memory widget that can be hidden if clicked. Believe it or not, it looks like the graphical interface of the Windows 95 operating system.

Several useful utilities are included

The operating system includes several useful utilities that will help Linux distribution developers to create a complete OS. Among these, we can mention a Git and Subversion client, a file explorer, support for accessing Windows shares, a partition editor, a file and folder comparison tool and a disk catalogue software.

Users will be able to browse the Internet and send/receive email messages with SeaMonkey, edit images with GIMP, view multimedia files with VLC Media Player, as well as to listen to Audio-CDs with CD Player.

What is new in this release:

• This minor release fixes a kernel configuration error.
• Now the ISO image supports Xorg running under Qemu emulation again.

What is new in version 20120116:

• This version creates a new repository on github.
• It upgrades glib2 and friends to compile the latest versions of SeaMonkey/Firefox.
• It upgrades core Gnome libraries and associated programs.
• It adds gst-ffmpeg for totem plugin support of MP4.
• New programs include Balsa, Celestia, and Virtualbricks, with the video editors Avidemux, Cinelerra, and Openshot.

What is new in version 20110225:

• The distribution now tracks the latest LinuxFromScratch and BeyondLinuxFromScratch projects.
• It includes the base LFS system (version 6.7) and probably 85% of the development BLFS (no KDE, only GNOME).
• Over 700 GNU projects are used.
• The build documentation was updated with instructions that more accurately reflect the author's own successful build process.
• Support for creating bootable USB sticks for the Intel Apple Mac Mini was added.
• A major bug that prevented the Live CD from booting reliably under emulation or with external USB CDROM drives was fixed.

What is new in version 20100601:

• linux-2.6.32
• Xorg-7.5
• Apple wireless support
• fledgling x86_64 support
• a healthy smattering of blackhat security tools and libraries