wattOS MATE Edition

This is the MATE edition of the open source and energy-efficient wattOS Linux operating system, a remaster of the latest stable Debian GNU/Linux release, built around the traditional MATE desktop environment, a clone of the GNOME 2 window manager. Previous versions were based on the world's most popular free operating system, Ubuntu Linux.

Availability, supported platforms, boot options

wattOS MATE is available for download as Live DVD ISO images or approximately 800MB each, supporting both 32-bit (x86/non-PAE) and 64-bit (x86_64) instruction set architectures. In order to boot them from the BIOS of their computers, users can write these ISO images to blank DVD discs or USB sticks.

It provides users with the same boot menu as the LXDE or Microwatt editions, allowing them to start the live environment with default options or in failsafe mode, as well as to boot an existing operating system from the first hard disk or run a memory diagnostic test.

Traditional desktop environment with a familiar set of apps

The MATE project is known for offering a fast, lightweight and traditional desktop environment inspired by GNOME 2. It comprises of a top panel for accessing the main menu and launching applications, as well as a bottom panel for interacting with running programs and cycling between the two virtual workspaces.

Default applications include the Shotwell image viewer, editor and organizer, FileZilla file transfer client, Transmission torrent downloader, Audacious audio player, Xfburn CD/DVD burning software, Baobab disk usage analyzer, and Iceweasel web browser.

The standard MATE applications are also included, such the Caja file manager, Pluma text editor, Eye of MATE image viewer, Atril PDF document viewer, Engrampa archive manager, and MATE Terminal terminal emulator.

Bottom line

Just like all other wattOS editions, the MATE flavor will run very well on any low-end machine with a Pentium 3 class CPU or better, as well as a minimum of 256MB of RAM (system memory). Start using wattOS to save our planet today!

What is new in this release:

• Debian based instead of Ubuntu
• Microwatt changed from PekWM to customized Openbox
• Microwatt includes Qupzilla browser
• Non-pae support continues for 32bit systems/processors
• Changed to iceweasel browser for all versions except Microwatt
• Broad inclusion of wireless chipset support and their related drivers
• All versions built from scratch on base Debian images
• New simple installer (with tips and tricks taken from LMDE and Point Linux and their excellent installer implementations)

What is new in version 7.5:

• The addition of the 32 and 64bit MATE-Desktop versions
• The addition of the Lubuntu software center for LXDE and MATE-Desktop versions
• This greatly eases adding new software for casual users
• Microwatt Changes from Qupzilla to Midori Browser
• Multiple bug fixes on all versions including better software update support
• Better language support
• Updates to all versions to the latest upstream app and kernel updates
• Focus on slimming things down and making things simpler
• Changed login manager back to slim from lightdm
• Removed abiword and gnumeric
• MATE-Desktop simple menus and core apps only - very gnome classic like setup