Poseidon Linux

Poseidon Linux is a free computer operating system that bundles a wide range of open-source scientific applications. It is based on the world’s most popular distribution of Linux, Ubuntu, and inspired by Quantian Linux.

Supports only 64-bit computers

The distribution can be downloaded via Softoware or directly from the project’s official website (see link above) as a single Live DVD ISO image of approximately 2.5GB in size, containing software packages optimized for the 64-bit architecture.

The OS can be used without disk installation

When booting the ISO image from the BIOS of a computer, using either a DVD disc or a USB thumb drive, the user can start the live system with default drivers, in safe graphics mode, start the installer directly, perform a system memory diagnostic test, as well as to boot an existing OS from the local drive.

Uses Ubuntu’s Unity graphical desktop interface

The default graphical desktop environment is powered by Ubuntu’s controversial, yet modern and productive Unity interface. Keep in mind though, that the Live DVD will drop you to a login screen where you must type the “poseidon” username without any password in order to log into the live session.

Contains powerful and popular applications

Default applications include the Chromium and Mozilla Firefox web browsers, Mozilla Thunderbird email and news client, Rhythmbox music player, Deja Dup backup utility, Empathy multi-protocol instant messenger, Meld diff and merge tool, LibreOffice office suite, Totem video player and VirtualBox virtualization software.

Includes a plethora of scientific applications

The operating system is well known for its large number of scientific applications, covering areas like GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and geostatistics, 2D, 3D and 4D visualization, mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, CAD and engineering, computer graphics, image editing and vectorial drawing, numeric modelling and simulation, scientific graphs, scientific authoring, database and programming languages.

What is new in this release:

• Based on Ubuntu 8.04.1 with security updates until 2008-10-17; for the first time Poseidon Linux comes in 32-bit and 64-bit editions; updated packages - Firefox 3.0.3, WINE 1.0, GRASS 6.3, R 2.7.2, Spring 5.0 in English, MB System 5.1.1 beta 23; new additions - VirtualBox OSE, Open Universe Simulator, Gwyddion, SagCAD, Emacs (with support for Prolog and Gri), Maxima, Prolog, Xetex, ghemical, Fontforge, Hugin panorama editor, Gnumeric, Bluefish, Avidemux, Audacity; Terraview is not included in the 64-bit edition.