PuppEX

PuppEX is an open source distribution of Linux based on the Slacko64 version of the minimal Puppy Linux operating system, which is also known as Puppy Slacko and derived from the Ubuntu Linux distribution. It uses the original desktop environment of the Puppy Slacko64 distro.

Distributed as a 64-bit Live CD

The OS is distributed as a single and minimal Live CD ISO image that has approximately 800MB in size, designed to support only 64-bit applications, but compatible with both 64-bit (x86_64) and 32-bit (i386) computers. It is a ISO-hybrid image that can be deployed to either a CD disc or a USB flash drive in order to boot it from the BIOS of a PC. It's bundled with the latest Nvidia graphics drivers and uses a PAE kernel.

Minimal boot menu à la Puppy Linux Slacko64

The Live CD features a minimal boot prompt a la Puppy Linux Slacko64, which still uses its artwork. It has been engineered to start the live environment in 15 seconds if no keyboard key is pressed. To access a basic boot menu, press the F2 key. To access an advanced boot menu, press the F3 key.

Low on resources desktop environment

Thanks to the Puppy Slacko64's graphical interface, the operating system can be easily classified as a distribution of Linux suitable for low-end machines. The traditional desktop environment uses a single-panel layout, where the panel is located on the bottom edge of the screen and includes main menu, app launcher, task manager and system tray area applets.

Includes a great set of lite applications

As expected from a Puppy derivative, PuppEX includes a great set of lightweight applications, among which we can mention the PCManFM file manager, AbiWord word processor, InkLite vector graphics editor, Viewnior image viewer, Gnumeric spreadsheet editor, Sylpheed email client, VLC Media Player, Transmission torrent downloader, GIMP image editor, Mozilla Firefox web browser, and Google Chrome web browser, which can be used to watch Netflix movies.

Bottom line

All in all, PuppEX lives up to its name, providing users with a really small, quite attractive, very fast and easy to use operating system suitable for computers with old or semi-old hardware components.

What is new in this release:

• I have added Google Chrome (for Netflix), Gimp, VLC, Emacs and some development tools. If you want more you can download and load (Menu >> Setup >> SFS-Load-on-the-fly) devx_PuppEX_2016.sfs. I have compiled a new kernel - 4.7.1-x86-pae-puppex. Kernel 4.7.1 is the second lastest stable kernel available from Kernel.org as of 160822. PAE (Physical Address Extension) increases the physical memory addressable by the system from 4 GB to 64 GB. PuppEX Xenial is compatible with Ubuntu 16.04, which means that Ubuntu packages for Ubuntu 16.04 can be installed and used in PuppEX.

What is new in version 151130:

• PuppEX Slacko 64 bit is a remaster of Puppy Linux Slacko64 6.3.0, released on November 16, 2015. Kernel 4.3.0-x86_64-puppex is used. Kernel 4.3 is the latest available stable kernel from Kernel.org as of 151130.
• I've changed kernel from 4.1.11 to 4.3.0-x86_64-puppex and installed NVIDIA Graphics driver 352.63. The Nvidia driver will be used if your computer/card is "modern" enough. I've also added Vlc and Google Chrome (just as I said to make it possible to watch Netflix movies).

What is new in version 150112:

• I've changed kernel from 3.14.20 to 3.18.2-PAE-puppex (latest) and installed NVIDIA Graphics driver 340.65. The Nvidia driver will be used if your computer/card is "modern" enough.
• I've also added Tahrpup's Service Pack 6.0.1 and Google Chrome. Just to make it possible to watch Netflix movies.
• With PAE compiled into the kernel PuppEX now can address up to 64GB of RAM.

What is new in version 141112:

• Most important changes:
• I've changed kernel from 3.14.20 to 3.17.2 and installed NVIDIA Graphics driver 340.58. The Nvidia driver will be used if your computer/card is "modern" enough.
• PuppEX Tahr 32 bit is a remaster of Puppy Tahr Linux 6.0, released October 28, 2014. PuppEX Tahr/Puppy Tahr is compatible with Ubuntu 14.04 binary packages. Kernel 3.17.2-puppex is used. PuppEX uses the original Puppy Tahr Desktop. I have added the file manager PCManFM and LXTerminal. They are more useful than ROX-Filer respectively RXVT, I think. The ISO file is on the whole 415 MB, which is due to me including compiling tools, the Nvidia 340.58 driver and Gimp. Puppy Tahr original is of only 199 MB. PuppEX is despite this still running as fast as the original, which means it runs very, very fast compared to most other Linux systems. (Puppy/PuppEX runs from RAM).

What is new in version 14.1:

• PuppEX 14.1 5.6 32bit is a remaster of Puppy Linux Slacko 5.6, released on August 12, 2013.
• Kernel 3.10.5 is used.
• PuppEX uses the LXDE Desktop interface. Unlike the original Puppy Slacko 5.6, which uses JVM, Fvwm95 and IceWM as Desktop interface.
• PCManFM and LXTerminal are more useful than ROX-Filer respectively RXV, I think.
• The ISO file is on the whole 317 MB, which is due to me including LXDE and compiling tools (devx_slacko_5.6.0.sfs).
• Slacko 5.6 original is of only 165 MB.
• PuppEX is despite this still running as fast as the original, which means it runs very, very fast compared to most other Linux systems. (Puppy/PuppEX runs from RAM).
• MOST IMPORTANT CHANGE: I've changed repositories from Slackware 14.0 to Slackware 14.1 and Slackware 14.1 "Salix".