illume OS

illume OS is an open source, virus-free and completely free distribution of Linux specifically engineered to run on desktops, notebooks or netbooks computers, and designed from the ground up to be used in homes, schools, offices, and public places.

Availability, boot options and supported architectures

The operating system is based on the award winning Debian GNU/Linux distro and it's available for download as two Live DVD ISO images, one of each of the supported hardware platforms (32-bit/x86 and 64-bit/x86_64).

The ISO images can be booted from the BIOS of most computers, if deployed to DVD discs or USB flash drives. The minimal and colored boot prompt allows the user to start the live environment with default options or in failsafe mode, run a system memory test, as well as to boot an existing OS from the first disk drive.

Clean and lean desktop environment

The desktop environment is very clean, it's actually one of the cleanest and leanest graphical sessions that we've seen in a long time, not to mention unique. It is comprised of a single taskbar located on the bottom edge of the screen, from where users can access the main menu, launch applications and interact with running programs.

Default applications include the Shotwell image viewer, editor and organizer, GNOME MPlayer video player, ClamAV anti-virus, Chromium web browser, Sylpheed email client, gFTP file transfer client, as well as Flush torrent downloader.

In addition it comes with the PortSentry and Fail2Ban utilities for preventing port scanning and network attacks, Rhythmbox music player, GNOME Paint drawing editor, and many other useful and handy utilities. Please note that the username and password for the Live CD are root / pineapple.

Bottom line

Summing up, illume OS is a decent Debian-based Linux distribution that features an interesting collection of free software, which will allow users to complete all of their daily tasks with minimum effort. It can be deployed on any computer with at least 512MB of RAM.

What is new in this release:

• illume OS 3, codenamed Phobos, is now (officially) available! This release has three goals (which have been mostly fulfilled):
• Improved stability and security
• Provide a more polished user interface
• Simplify processes, system-wide
• From the beginning, illume OS's focus was to provide a high performance and resource-light out-of-the-box Linux desktop solution for general-purpose use for users who may either be new or intermediates to the Linux platform. This release has taken it a step further with the inclusion of various new performance-boosting features and security features. Despite Linux being a relatively safe platform, the hardening of illume OS ensures that all your personal data is kept out of the hands of data thieves and phishing software.
• It includes the following new features (compared to illume OS 2.1.2):
• System base:
• Upgraded base to Debian 8.1 Jessie
• Faster performance
• Added: preload, readahead
• Greatly reduced system footprint
• 64-bit only!
• User experience and interface:
• New GTK+ theme with GTK+ 3.0 support
• Improved font smoothing
• New/revamped set of desktop backgrounds
• Refreshed Help app
• Replaced the ‘Launch' menu with the built-in LXPanel menu
• Confirmation prompts for shutting down and reboots
• Basic compositing enabled by default
• Multiple user account support
• Improved interface switcher
• Software Catalog dropped
• Support for Android device syncing
• Applications:
• Web
• Iceweasel is the default web browser
• Plugins: AdBlock
• Geary replaces Sylpheed as the default mail reader
• Pidgin added for instant messaging
• Plugins: encrypted messaging, Twitter support, Microsoft Communicator & Lync support and ‘Privacy Please' plugin
• Productivity
• LibreOffice added
• Media
• DeaDBeeF is the default audio player
• Parole is the default media player
• Added Sound Converter
• Added Asunder for CD ripping
• Added Camorama to take pictures via webcam
• Development
• Geany added for all your coding needs
• g++ added for C++ code compilation
• Security
• AppArmor to ensure that applications are fixed within boundaries to prevent malicious applications from attacking your system
• clamassassin spam mail filtering
• Utilities
• PlayOnLinux front-end for Wine
• Installation and management of Windows software running on Wine much easier
• Replaced Parcellite with xfce4-clipman
• BleachBit for removing system cache
• MATE Power Manager replaces Xfce Power Manager
• The 64-bit variation of illume OS 3 was built from the ground-up on a pure Debian Wheezy 64-bit setup (and then updated to Jessie when it was released), thus making it a visually and functionally identical clone to the 32-bit version. Compared to previous 64-bit versions of past illume OS releases, the 64-bit version of illume OS 3 is far more stable and designed to take full advantage of 64-bit platforms. The 32-bit edition was dropped due to inconveniences in developing two editions at the same (hey, it's a one-man development team!).

What is new in version 3.0 Build 182 (RC2):

• New launch menu icon
• Refreshed power-off panel
• Made interface load/save function unique to each user
• Change My Password in Preferences menu
• Change Root Password in Preferences menu
• Window compositing (shadows below windows) disabled by default

What is new in version 2.1.2 / 3.0 Build 180:

• Replaced Transmission with Flush
• Replaced Geary with Sylpheed
• Added driver for Bluetooth printing (CUPS)

What is new in version 3.0 Build 177:

• Added g++ compiler
• Transmission added to replace BitStorm
• Pidgin with encryption plugin, Twitter support, Microsoft Communicator & Lync support and 'Privacy Please' plugin

What is new in version 3.0 Build 176:

• Missing installer link put on desktop
• Put back Time Zone option in Preferences menu
• Updated Debian to 8.1
• Post-install reboot bug fixed by removing kexec-tools
• Replaced Xfce Power Manager with the one from MATE
• Removed gFTP and BitstormLite
• Replaced menu icon with circle

What is new in version 3.0 Build 174:

• The 64-bit edition will now be the default and only edition of illume OS
• Custom apps and settings folders replaced by built-in LXPanel menu
• LibreOffice now included
• Printing support and drivers included again
• Noto Sans is now the default system font
• New wallpapers

What is new in version 3.0 Beta 2:

• Attempted to fix startx issue (please give feedback here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1eB_Pmmy49zNEXwwn4v0VUSLJ5IjTr0BD_FE2TBO0aqw/viewform?usp=send_form)
• DEFAULT USERNAME: root
• DEFAULT PASSWORD: pineapple

What is new in version 3.0 Beta 1:

• Improve stability and security
• Provide a more polished user interface
• Simplify processes system-wide
• System base:
• Upgraded base to Debian 7.5 Wheezy
• Upgraded kernel to Linux 3.2.0-4
• Faster performance
• Greatly reduced system footprint
• Greatly reduced ISO image size
• Improved 64-bit support
• User experience and interface:
• New GTK+ theme with GTK+ 3.0 support
• Improved font smoothing
• New icon sets by sixsixfive and VisualPharm
• New/revamped set of desktop backgrounds
• New task bar layout (removed ‘Launch' menu)
• Compositing enabled by default
• Multiple user account support
• Improved interface switcher (internal)
• Software Catalog revamped (access temporarily restricted)
• Support for Android device syncing
• Applications:
• Midori is the default web browser (again)
• Gmusicbrowser is the default audio player
• Added Sound Converter
• Added Asunder for CD ripping
• Replaced Transmission with BitStorm Lite
• Replaced Parcellite with xfce4-clipman
• Refreshed custom one-click app installer
• BleachBit for removing system cache

What is new in version 2.1.2:

• Fixed bug where Chromium icon is removed when Midori is installed
• Added more ClamAV signatures
• Added chkrootkit

What is new in version 2.1.1:

• Help icon on desktop by default
• Installer icon on desktop by default (Live DVD and USB only)
• Fixed wallpaper bug for classic mode and lite mode

What is new in version 2.1:

• PortSentry, prevents portscanning
• Fail2Ban, blocks a€˜foreigna€™ IPs if malicious activity is detected
• More ClamAV components added
• GNOME Nettool
• Additional artwork

What is new in version 2.0:

• After a tiring 1 and a ½ years of development, the final release of illume OS 2.0 is finally complete! The goal for this new release is to improve the usability and stability of the illume OS experience to make illume OS usable for a wider audience of users. The installation process of illume OS has been simplified thanks to Remastersys's graphical installer and the new Help system with a step-by-step guide on how to install illume OS (with screenshots for each step). The installation of software has been simplified as well thanks to the new one-click installer system and the new Software Catalog website.
• New features:
• Updated Linux kernel
• Added security patch to kernel
• Faster boot up
• Updated to Debian 6.0.7 as base
• Updated media codecs
• Added HD video codecs
• Added Loseless audio codecs
• 64-bit ISO image
• Updated user experience
• Graphical GTK installer
• Basic user guide included
• Installer guide slideshow included
• Automatic ‘apt-get update' at boot up
• Prelink enabled for quicker system performance
• Software Catalog for downloading apps & system updates
• Gufw replaces Firestarter as default firewall app
• Firewall is enabled by default
• ClamAV and ClamTk included for protection against viruses and malware to enhance security
• PCManFM desktop enabled by default
• PCManFM shows Apps folder when desktop loads
• Improved printer accessibility
• Customizable keyboard shortcuts
• Chromium replaces Iceweasel
• Uget download manager included
• Rhythmbox replaces Quod Libet
• DuckDuckGo as default search engine & homepage
• Parcellite replaces Xclipboard
• Xfce Notes replaces Xpad
• GNOME Dictionary
• Currency converter app
• Clear Recent Files utility
• Set Default Web Browser utility
• New/revised web-app links
• Remmina remote desktop client
• GWorldClock time zone tracker/viewer app
• Text to Speech app
• Dropped features:
• i486 kernel
• Legacy NVidia drivers
• PulseAudio
• Skype

What is new in version 2.0 RC2:

• Updated Linux kernel
• Added security patch to kernel
• Faster boot up
• Updated to Debian 6.0.7 as base
• Updated media codecs
• Added HD video codecs
• Added Loseless audio codecs
• 64-bit ISO image
• Updated user experience
• Graphical GTK installer
• Basic user guide included
• Installer guide slideshow included
• Automatic ‘apt-get update' at boot up
• Prelink enabled for quicker system performance
• Software Catalog for downloading apps & system updates
• Gufw replaces Firestarter as default firewall app
• Firewall is enabled by default
• ClamAV and ClamTk included for protection against viruses and malware to enhance security
• PCManFM desktop enabled by default
• PCManFM shows Apps folder when desktop loads
• Improved printer accessibility
• Customizable keyboard shortcuts
• Chromium replaces Iceweasel
• Uget download manager included
• Rhythmbox replaces Quod Libet
• DuckDuckGo as default search engine & homepage
• Parcellite replaces Xclipboard
• Xfce Notes replaces Xpad
• GNOME Dictionary
• Currency converter app
• Clear Recent Files utility
• Set Default Web Browser utility
• New/revised web-app links
• Remmina remote desktop client
• GWorldClock time zone tracker/viewer app
• Text to Speech app

What is new in version 1.1.2:

• This update to v1.1 includes a new feature designed to easily allow users to download a collection of applications at once without having to hassle with the Package Manager or the terminal. I call it, "Extras".
• You can download a copy of illume OS 1.1.2 off the download page. Extras could be downloaded in illume OS 1.1.2 by clicking on the ‘Launch' menu and selecting ‘Extras'.
• It is recommended to open the Terminal app (via Launch > Desktop > Terminal) and run the command ‘apt-get update' before installing the extras or else the the Extras installer would/will refuse to run.

What is new in version 1.1.1:

• This release is a small update to illume OS 1.1. The change log of this release is a large contrast the illume OS 1.1, with only 1 new feature. New features:
• Upgraded Linux kernel

What is new in version 1.1:

• Power off options application
• Faster shutdown & reboot
• Simplified task bar layout
• Easy access to IceWM configuration files
• NTP time syncing
• Timezone is easily reconfigurable
• More complex method of auto network connection
• New desktop backgrounds
• More Java stuff for better compatibility
• Alternate system font rendering
• Quodlibet replaces Banshee as default music player
• Xfburn replaces Brasero as default CD/DVD burning program
• Xfce Power Manager replaces GNOME Power Manager
• LXRandr application for changing the display settings
• Xpad application for sticky notes
• iPod manager application
• Alarm Clock application
• Sylpheed becomes default mail reading application
• Support for Samsung WiMax base stations
• Support for Intersil 802.11b
• X font server added
• "Reference", "Shopping" & "Settings" sub-menus in Launch menu
• Orkut link added to menu
• Yahoo Mail link added to menu
• Opera link added to menu
• Reuters News link added to menu
• Removed PostgreSQL database
• Removed Apache 2 web-server
• Removed GNOME Power Manager
• Windows Wireless Drivers installer link repaired
• Ability to sync Windows Mobile (not Windows Phone) devices
• Updated video codecs
• Updated Linux kernel
• Updated Linux base
• Updated Linux firmware
• Old & useless cache files removed

What is new in version 1.0.1:

• URL to my (the creator's) homepage/blog replaced
• Removed configuration files of applications not included with illume OS
• Removed folders of applications not included with illume OS

What is new in version 1.0 RC:

• New IceWM theme
• GTK theme changed to ‘Clearlooks'
• More wallpapers
• GNOME To Do
• Dropbox client

What is new in version 1.0.0 Preview 5:

• Linux kernel 2.6.32-38
• Debian base 6.0.3
• NVidia graphics drivers
• Display drivers
• Network drivers
• Wireless drivers
• Printer drivers
• Touch screen drivers
• Firmware drivers
• Firmware loaders
• Better SAMBA support
• Better file system mounting over networks
• Printer auto-detection
• Mouse/pointing device configuration
• Plymouth start splash to hide ugly text stuff
• XDM Display Manager (login interface)
• Iceweasel replaces Iceape
• LXMusic replaces Exaile
• PCManFM replaces Thunar
• GIMP replaces Pinta
• GPicViewer replaces Xzgv
• Sakura replaces LXTerminal
• GNOME Network Manager
• Blueman Bluetooth Manager
• Better Adobe Flash support
• GTK Record My Desktop
• On-Screen keyboard
• New default IceWM theme
• Useless stuff removed

What is new in version 1.0.0 Preview 3:

• CUPS printer driver (that means you can print on almost any printer)
• Firestarter firewall (now you'll have the safest operating system, ever)
• LXTask task manager
• GNOME Device Manager
• GNOME Power Manager
• GNOME Alsa Mixer
• Updated IceWM theme
• IceApe web browser
• Evince PDF Reader