Bluestar Linux Desktop Pro

Bluestar Linux Desktop Pro is a rolling-release distribution of Linux based on Arch Linux, one of the most stable and appreciated Linux operating systems in the world. It is optimized for performance and includes a wide variety of open source applications.

It is distributed as 32-bit/64-bit Live DVDs

Bluestar Linux Desktop Pro is distributed as Live DVD ISO images, supporting both 64-bit and 32-bit architectures. It can either be installed on a hard disk drive, or used directly from the live media.

How to use the ISO images

Just like any other Linux operating systems, user need to burn the downloaded ISO image to a blank DVD driver or a USB stick, and boot from it in order to test the live environment before they will actually decide to install it.

The boot menu offers standard options

The boot menu of this edition of Bluestar Linux is the same as on the other flavors. Arch Linux users will also find it familiar. It includes the usual entries for booting the currently installed operating system, test the RAM (system memory), detect hardware components, reboot and shutdown. There are two options for booting the live environment, a standard one that can be used by on desktops, and another one dedicated to netbook computers.

KDE is in charge of the graphical session

The desktop environment uses the KDE Plasma Workspaces and Application project, which provides users with a truly amazing Linux experience with eye-candy effects. On Bluestar Linux Desktop Pro everything is black and semi-transparent with a very beautiful winter wallpaper. There’s two widgets on the desktop, one with different system monitoring thingys, and another one with shortcuts for the folders included in your Home directory.

There’s only a taskbar, located on the upper part of the screen, which includes the virtual desktop switcher, a system load viewer, the system tray area, and the main menu, from where users can access all the applications. Another interesting feature is a hidden dock on the left side of the screen. It can be accessed only if you move the mouse close to the edge of the screen, and includes launchers for some of the most-used applications.

Default applications

However you can find that among the pre-installed applications there are the Mozilla Firefox and Chromium web browsers, Blender 3D modeller, GIMP image editor, Synfig Studio, Mixx DJ interface, Asunder CD ripper, XMMS audio player, Calibre ebook library management, and the entire Calligra office suite. Unfortunately for some, the Bluestar Linux Desktop Pro operating system includes way to many applications for a single task. The system works very well and it’s designed for a modern or high-end computer, but the developer should trim that huge collection of application.