BuluoOS GNOME

BuluoOS GNOME is a freely distributed and open source Linux-based operating system built around the modern GNOME desktop environment and designed from the ground up to be used by people from the Chinese Linux community. It is based on the Linux From Scratch (LFS) project.

Availability, supported platforms, supported languages and boot options

The OS is available for download from the dedicated section (see above) as a single Live DVD ISO image or around 1GB in size. In order to uses it, users will have to write the ISO image to a USB flash drive or burn it onto a blank DVD disc. However, be aware that only the 64-bit (x86_64) architecture is supported at this time. The distribution uses the RPM Package Manager.

From the boot prompt, users can try the operating system without installing anything on their computers, as well as to enter the recovery mode, from where they can rescue a broken system. It supports only the Chinese language, but support for other languages can be easily installed (read the project's documentation for details).

Pure GNOME desktop experience, powerful applications

It comes with the latest version of the GNOME desktop environment, as well as with state-of-the-art software packages like systemd, Glibc library and Mesa 3D graphics library. The GNOME session is untouched, offering a great desktop environment that comprises of a single panel located on the upper part of the screen, from users can interact with running programs, launch new applications, as well as to switch between virtual workspaces.

Default applications include the LibreOffice office suite, VLC media player, Mozilla Firefox web browser, FileZilla file transfer client, uGet download manager, GIMP image editor, Transmission BitTorrent downloader, Pidgin multi-protocol instant messenger, Evolution email and calendar client, Empathy IM client, and many other GNOME apps.

Bottom line

In conclusion, the GNOME edition of the BuluoOS Linux distribution provides users with a really great operating system built from scratch and engineered to be installed on mid-range and high-end machines that only support the 64-bit instruction set architecture. It can be installed on a local disk drive using the included graphical installer provided on the desktop.

What is new in this release:

• Updated packages:
• glibc-2.19
• linux-3.14.1
• mesa-10.1.1
• xorg-server-1.15.1
• GNOME Core 3.12.1
• libreoffice-4.2.3.3
• VLC-2.1.4
• firefox-24.4.0
• filezilla-3.8.0
• uget-1.10.4
• thunderbird-24.4.0

What is new in version 3.0.3:

• Updated packages:
• Archive-Zip-1.37
• clutter-1.16.4
• clutter-gst-2.0.10
• cogl-1.16.2
• dbus-1.6.18
• elfutils-0.158
• empathy-3.10.3
• evolution-3.10.4
• evolution-data-server-3.10.4
• gdk-pixbuf-2.30.4
• gedit-3.10.4
• glamor-egl-0.6.0
• gnome-online-miners-3.10.3
• gnome-shell-3.10.3
• grilo-0.2.8
• grilo-plugins-0.2.10
• gssdp-0.14.7
• gst-plugins-bad-1.2.3
• gst-plugins-base-1.2.3
• gst-plugins-good-1.2.3
• gstreamer-1.2.3
• gtk+-3.10.7
• gtksourceview-3.10.2
• gupnp-0.20.10
• harfbuzz-0.9.26
• ibus-1.5.5
• iso-codes-3.51
• libchamplain-0.12.7
• libdrm-2.4.52
• libgsf-1.14.29
• libgweather-3.10.2
• libpng-1.6.9
• libreoffice-4.1.4.2
• libvorbis-1.3.4
• meld-1.8.4
• Mesa-9.2.5
• mutter-3.10.3
• nspr-4.10.3
• nss-3.15.4
• numpy-1.7.2
• pango-1.36.2
• pciutils-3.2.1
• pidgin-2.10.9
• poppler-0.24.5
• Python-2.7.6
• ruby-2.0.0-p353
• telepathy-glib-0.22.1
• telepathy-mission-control-5.16.1
• udisks-2.1.2
• webkitgtk-2.2.4
• xf86-input-synaptics-1.7.3
• xf86-video-ati-7.3.0
• xf86-video-mga-1.6.3
• xf86-video-modesetting-0.8.1
• xorg-server-1.14.5

What is new in version 3.0.2:

• Updated packages:
• brasero-3.10.0
• epiphany-3.10.3
• evolution-3.10.3
• evolution-data-server-3.10.3
• firefox-24.1.1
• gdk-pixbuf-2.30.2
• gedit-3.10.3
• gedit-plugins-3.10.1
• gimp-2.8.10
• gnome-desktop-3.10.2
• gnome-online-miners-3.10.2
• gst-plugins-bad-1.2.1
• gst-plugins-base-1.2.1
• gst-plugins-good-1.2.1
• gstreamer-1.2.1
• gtk+-3.10.6
• gupnp-0.20.9
• libburn-1.3.4
• libgdata-0.14.1
• libisofs-1.3.4
• linux-3.11.10
• librsvg-2.40.1
• meld-1.8.3
• mesa-9.2.4
• poppler-0.24.4
• thunderbird-24.1.1
• tracker-0.16.4
• unrar-5.0.14
• upower-0.9.23
• vlc-2.1.1
• webkitgtk-2.2.3
• xf86-input-keyboard-1.8.0
• xf86-video-nouveau-1.0.10

What is new in version 3.0.1:

• Updated packages:
• at-spi2-atk-2.10.2
• at-spi2-core-2.10.2
• caribou-0.4.13
• cheese-3.10.2
• clutter-1.16.2
• empathy-3.10.2
• eog-3.10.2
• epiphany-3.10.2
• evince-3.10.3
• evolution-3.10.2
• evolution-data-server-3.10.2
• file-roller-3.10.2.1
• folks-0.9.6
• gdk-pixbuf-2.30.1
• gedit-3.10.2
• glib-2.38.2
• glib-networking-2.38.2
• glibmm-2.38.1
• gmime-2.6.19
• gnome-calculator-3.10.2
• gnome-control-center-3.10.2
• gnome-online-accounts-3.10.2
• gnome-screenshot-3.10.1
• gnome-settings-daemon-3.10.2
• gnome-shell-3.10.2.1
• gnome-system-monitor-3.10.2
• gnome-terminal-3.10.2
• gnome-tweak-tool-3.10.1
• gnome-user-docs-3.10.2
• gnome-user-share-3.10.1
• gssdp-0.14.6
• gtk+-3.10.4
• gtkmm-3.10.1
• gucharmap-3.10.1
• gupnp-0.20.8
• gvfs-1.18.3
• libsoup-2.44.2
• mutter-3.10.2
• nautilus-3.10.1
• network-manager-applet-0.9.8.8
• pango-1.36.1
• pygobject-3.10.2
• tracker-0.16.3
• vala-0.22.1
• webkitgtk-2.2.2

What is new in version 3.0:

• Systemd 207
• Linux Kernel 3.11.1
• Glibc 2.18
• Mesa 9.2
• GNOME 3.10.1
• LibreOffice 4.1.2.3
• VLC 2.1.0
• Firefox 24.0