Kebox Linux

Kebox Linux is an open source and freely distributed operating system based on the award winning Debian GNU/Linux distribution and built around the lightweight Openbox window manager. It has been created with the live-build scripts.

Available for 32-bit PAE systems

This small distribution of Linux can be downloaded via Softoware or from its official website (see link above) as a single Live CD ISO image that has been designed from the ground up to support 32-bit PAE systems, such as i686.

Boot options

Default boot options include the ability to start the live environment with support for i486 and i686 PAE hardware platforms, as well as to copy the operating system in RAM or run a system memory diagnostic test. You can edit the default boot options by pressing the Tab key on a selected entry.

Minimal desktop environment powered by Openbox

As mentioned, the distribution’s default and only desktop environment is Openbox, which comprises of a bottom dock (application launcher) and a top panel for cycling between virtual workspaces or interacting with system tray functions and opened programs. The main menu can be accessed by right clicking anywhere on the desktop.

Default applications

Default applications include the Iceweasel web browser, Thunar file manager, Geany IDE, Xfce Terminal terminal emulator, Midnight Commander two-pane file manager, AbiWord word processor, Gnumeric spreadsheet editor, as well as the Evince document viewer.

In addition, the gFTP file transfer client, Transmission torrent downloader, Pidgin multi-protocol IM client, MPlayer video player, Audacious audio player, Remmina remote desktop client, Brasero CD/DVD burning software, GIMP image editor and GPicView image viewer are also included.

Bottom line

At the moment, Kebox Linux is based on the testing branch of Debian GNU/Linux and uses the lightweight Openbox window manager, as well as various GTK+ open source applications. It supports both English and French languages, and runs well on low-end machines.