Salix OS KDE

Salix OS KDE is an open source distribution of Linux built around the KDE desktop environment and based on the well known Slackware Linux operating system. This is the installable only version of the Salix OS KDE distro.

Availability and boot options

It is distributed as two Live DVD ISO-hybrid images, allowing users to burn them to blank DVD discs using any CD/DVD burning software or write them to USB flash drives using Disks or UNetbootin applications. Both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures are supported at this time.

Just like any other Salix OS edition, this one features a basic, text-mode boot prompt that allows users to start the installation process (also in text mode) or enter specific boot parameters. In addition, it can be used as a rescue CD, simply by exiting the installation at the main menu.

Text mode installation process in the style of Slackware

To install Salix OS KDE, you will have to select a keyboard layout, choose between the step-by-step or automatic installation (recommended) methods, select the target drive and format it, select the source media from which to install Salix, and choose an installation mode: Full (recommended), Basic and Core.

When all the packages are installed, you will also have to configure and install the bootloader, set the hardware clock, choose a timezone and locale, enable or disable numlock on boot, create a new user, and select a repository mirror.

Beautiful and modern desktop environment (yet resource hungry), lightweight apps

The KDE desktop installed in this edition of Salix OS provides users with a familiar setup comprised of a single taskbar located on the bottom edge of the screen, from where users can access the main menu, launch apps, and switch between virtual workspaces.

Default applications include the Krita digital painting software, Gwenview image viewer, Kopete instant messenger, KTorrent BitTorrent client, QupZilla web browser, Clementine audio player, K3b CD/DVD burning software, Dragon Player video player, and Calligra office suite.

Bottom line

In conclusion, Salix OS KDE is a decent and stable Linux distribution that provides users with a Slackware-based operating system powered by the modern and eye-candy KDE desktop environment. It has been designed from the ground up to be used on mid-range computers and high-end machines.

What is new in this release:

• One major change since our 13.37 KDE release, that is immediately evident to the user, is that the default browser is now QupZilla, in place of Mozilla Firefox. QupZilla is a Qt-based browser that uses the webkit rendering engine that is fast, feature complete and standards compliant and it fits perfectly inside KDE.
• The Calligra office suite is also available and has replaced KOffice. Calligra is made up of several applications closely tied to KDE, including a word processor, a spreadsheet, a presentation program, a chart and graph creator, a vector graphics tool, a database report creator, a flowcharting program, an integrated data management program, a pixel graphics editor and a mathematical formula editor.
• A lot of other KDE-centric software is included in this release. Under the network section in the menu you will find KMail, KTorrent, Akregator, Kopete and more. The major multimedia applications included are Bangarang, Clementine and K3b. Of course, the Salix codecs installer application can be used, to quickly and easily install patent encumbered codecs to your system. You will also find a lot of graphics applications available, including Krita, Karbon, Gwenview, KColorChooser and KSnapshot.
• The Linux kernel that is included in this release is an updated 3.2.45 kernel that fixes several security issues. It should be noted that you will need to have at least an i686 class, PAE capable CPU for this release. Older i486, non-PAE CPUs are not supported, but anyone with a PC bought during the last decade shouldn't have a problem with this.
• As with all Salix editions, the KDE edition can be installed using three different installation modes, "Full", "Basic" and "Core". The "Core" installation mode is exactly the same that you get with any other edition of Salix and will install a console-only system that you can use to build a fully customized system. The "Basic" installation mode installs a very basic KDE system, including only the Konqueror web browser, the Gslapt package manager and the Salix system tools. Finally, the "Full" installation mode, features all software that is included in the installation or live images and will install a full featured KDE system.