Snowlinux

Snowlinux is an open source software project that produces Debian- and Ubuntu-based distributions of Linux with the ultimate goal to be as user-friendly as possible, no bloatware, no viruses and no complex setups. It is released every six months and distributed in multiple editions, with the Xfce, MATE, Cinnamon and Enlightenment desktop environments.

Distributed as Live DVDs for the 64- and 32-bit platforms

You can easily download the distribution as Live DVD ISO images from its official website or via Softoware (see link above). Both 32-bit (i386) and 64-bit (x86_64) hardware platforms are supported at this moment.

Very minimal boot menu on the Live DVDs

The Live DVD ISO images come with a very minimal boot menu from where you can start the live session with default drivers, as well as to use the failsafe mode in case some hardware components are not recognized by the first boot option. Keep in mind though, that while the 32-bit edition will run on both 32-bit and 64-bit hardware platforms, the 64-bit flavor will support only 64-bit architectures.

Classic desktop environment powered by MATE

It is quite strange to see the MATE desktop environment on the main Snowlinux edition, when there’s already a dedicated MATE edition. It uses the same single panel layout that is used with success in the aforementioned Snowlinux flavor.

A great selection of open source applications

Default applications include the Shotwell image viewer and organizer, Mozilla Thunderbird email and news client, Mozilla Firefox web browser, Rhythmbox music player, as well as the entire LibreOffice office suite.

Bottom line

When compared with Debian GNU/Linux, Snowlinux features better software selection, an improved installer and bootloader, beautiful and clean look and feel with custom desktop and icon themes, as wel as a wide range of system improvements. The distribution is supported until May 2016 and it’s 100% compatible with the official Debian software repositories.

What is new in this release:

• Debian GNU/Linux Wheezy 7.0
• Linux 3.10
• MATE 1.6
• GPG
• SnowMount
• Firefox 24
• Thunderbird 24
• Snowlinux HD backgrounds
• Updated software
• Improved speed and response
• System improvements

What is new in version 4:

• Debian GNU/Linux Wheezy 7.0
• Linux 3.5
• MATE 1.4
• LightDM
• Snowlinux LightDM greeter
• Snowlinux Plymouth theme
• Improved Snowlinux-Metal-Theme
• Improved Snowlinux-Metal-Icons
• SnowMenu
• SnowMount
• Firefox 17
• Thunderbird 17
• Snowlinux HD backgrounds
• Updated software
• Improved speed and response
• System improvements

What is new in version 4 RC:

• Debian GNU/Linux Wheezy 7.0
• Linux 3.5
• MATE 1.4
• LightDM
• Snowlinux LightDM greeter
• Snowlinux Plymouth theme
• Improved Snowlinux-Metal-Theme
• Improved Snowlinux-Metal-Icons
• SnowMenu
• SnowMount
• Firefox 17
• Thunderbird 17
• Snowlinux HD backgrounds
• Updated software
• Improved speed and response
• System improvements

What is new in version 2:

• Improved installer (keyboard variants, UUID in fstab)
• contrib, non-free, debian-multimedia repository
• Firewall
• Apturl
• Terminal colors
• Open as administrator
• Open in terminal
• OpenJDK 6 Java
• Updated software and packages
• Better software selection
• Improved speed and response
• New look and feel
• System improvements

What is new in version 2 RC:

• Improved installer (keyboard variants, UUID in fstab)
• Firewall
• Apturl
• Terminal colors
• Open as administrator
• Open in terminal
• OpenJDK 6 Java
• Updated software and packages
• Better software selection
• Improved speed and response
• New look and feel
• System improvements

What is new in version 1:

• Better software selection
• New installer
• New bootloader
• New look and feel
• Snowlinux-Metal-Theme
• Ubuntu-Font
• Bootloader-Theme
• Improved speed and response
• System improvements

Requirements:

• x86-CPU
• 256 MB memory
• 2 GB free disk space
• Graphics card capable of 800x600 resolution
• CD-ROM drive or USB port