Salix OS MATE

Salix OS MATE is an open source distribution of Linux specifically designed to be used on low-end machines and computers that no longer support installations of modern operating systems.

It is based on the Slackware Linux distribution and built around the lightweight MATE desktop environment, which provides users with a tradition desktop environment in the style of GNOME 2.

Availability and installation

The project is distributed as a single, CD-size ISO image, engineered to be deployed on both 32-bit (i386) and 64-bit (amd64) instruction set architectures. Please keep in mind that this is not a Live CD and it can only be installed on a local disk drive.

The ISO image can be written to a blank or RW CD disc or a USB flash drive or at least 1GB in size. When booting from these media, you will see a boot prompt that allows you to enter specific kernel parameters, so most users should just hit Enter.

The installation process takes place in text mode. Basically, you'll have to select a keyboard layout, choose an installation method (automatic or manual), select the target disk, select the source media (CD, USB, HDD, etc.), and choose what to install, configure and install the boot loader, set the clock and timezone, and set up users and software mirrors.

Traditional desktop environment, traditional applications

As mentioned, the distro uses the MATE desktop environment, which comprises of two panels, a top one for accessing the main menu, system tray area and launch applications, and a bottom one for interacting with running apps and switching between the virtual workspaces.

Default applications include the Leafpad text editor, Claws Mail email client, LibreOffice office suite, Pidgin instant messenger, Mozilla Firefox web browser, Transmission torrent downloader, Wicd network manager, Geany IDE, Meld diff and merge utility, Asunder Audio-CD rippper, Exaile music player, Totem video player, Viewnior image viewer, and GIMP image editor.

Bottom line

All in all, Salix OS MATE is a lightweight distribution of Linux, designed from the ground up to be used on low-end machines, providing users with a traditional, yet attractive desktop environment.

What is new in this release:

• Included in this release, along side the MATE desktop applications like the Caja file manager, the MATE Control Center and all the MATE panel applets and utilities, is the latest Firefox ESR browser, the LibreOffice suite, GIMP, the ClawsMail e-mail client, the Transmission torrent client, the Totem (Videos) media player, the Exaile music library/player, the Pidgin IM client, the Zim desktop wiki and several more useful applications. Of course all the Salix System Tools, familiar to any Salix user, are also there, including the Gslapt package manager, the Sourcery SlackBuild manager, tools for managing Users, System Services, the System Language and Keyboard settings etc.
• As with all our 14.1 releases, spi, our new command line application for easy package/SlackBuild installation is included. Users that would like to install new software from the command line would find it very helpful and easy to use.
• Of course as with every Salix release, there are three options during installation that decide how much software will be installed. A Full mode installation, installs everything included in the installation medium, but is in no way bloated, since it adheres to the "one application per task" policy that we have. A Basic mode installation will only include the MATE desktop environment, the collection of Salix System Tools and the Firefox browser, making it ideal for anyone who want to built a desktop environment with a custom application selection. Finally the Core mode installation is the same as with any other Salix release and will only install a command line based system, without any graphical environment at all.
• Installation is curses-based, but straight forward and most of all, fast! A Full mode installation should not take more that 10 mins in total on a modern system.
• Our 64-bit release includes support for installing on (U)EFI based systems, on which the installer should prompt to install ELILO instead of LILO at the end of installation. GPT partitioned hard drives are also now fully supported by both 32bit and 64bit installers.