JNode

JNode is an open source project, a distribution of Linux built from scratch around the Java runtime environment. It includes a complete and functional graphical desktop environment written entirely in the Java programming language.

It is distributed as a 32-bit ISO image

The distribution is available for download as an ISO image archived with the gz compression method. It has only 250MB in size and contains software packages optimized only for the 32-bit (x86) instruction set architecture. However, you can also boot it on 64-bit machines.

Offers advanced boot options

From the boot menu, which is powered by GRUB, the user will be able to boot the live system with default configuration, with all plugins or with a minimal shell. In addition, it is also possible to start the live system with all plugins in safe graphics mode using the VESA display server, run JNode via DHCP with all plugins, as well as to boot the JNode tests.

The desktop environment is written in Java

JNode was dubbed “A new Java Operating System” by its developers. It features a desktop environment written entirely in the Java programming language, which uses a traditional layout comprised of a single panel located on the bottom edge of the screen. It allows you to run any Java application, fast and safe.

What is new in this release:

• progress with OpenJDK integration
• class library updated to OpenJDK6 b13
• JNode now builds with both Java 6 SE and OpenJDK6+IcedTea
• javac source level and target level raised to 1.6
• introduced mauve based regression testing
• improved isolate support
• added isolate invoker
• added Russian keyboard support
• improved NTFS support
• added HFS+ formatter
• progress with Bjorne shell
• improved modal dialogs
• console & shell improvements
• a large number of bug fixes and improvements in the overall system
• aiming better Java compatibility, stability and performance
• real world applications starting to work: Jetty + recent Servlet/JSP examples, PHP with Jetty + Quercus, JEdit, Groovy