Point Linux is an easy-to-set-up-and-use Linux distribution, designed especially for users who are looking for a stable, fast and predictable workstation. It is targeted at experienced users, as well as at the business/IT sector.
Distributed in multiple editions
It is distributed as two editions, Full and Core. While the first one provides users with a complete collection of open source applications and utilities, as well as a full-featured desktop environment, the latter doesn’t include all the apps that are available in the first edition.
It is very important to mention here that while the Full Edition is bundled with proprietary hardware drivers and multimedia codecs, the Core Edition includes only free multimedia codecs and drivers.
A Mozilla powered Linux distribution
It is a Mozilla powered Linux distribution, featuring the latest version of the well known Firefox web browser and Thunderbird email client. Both 64-bit and 32-bit architectures are supported.
The project provides Live CDs, allowing users to deeply test the operating system before installing it. It comes with a standard boot menu that lets users to start the live environment in safe graphics mode, test the computer’s system memory (RAM) for errors, and boot the currently installed operating system.
Default applications
Default applications include the Pidgin multi-protocol instant messenger, Transmission BitTorrent client, VLC Media Player, Brasero CD/DVD burning tool, Remmina remote desktop client, as well as the entire LibreOffice office suite (Calc, Writer, Math, Draw, Base and Impress).
MATE is the default desktop environment
Its live session is powered by the lightweight MATE desktop environment, a fork of the GNOME 2 window manager. It comes with the default applications, such as the Caja file manager, Eye of MATE image viewer, pluma text editor, and MATE Terminal.
Bottom line
Point Linux is a fast, small and stable operating system that can be used on any type of hardware platform. If you’re a GNOME 2 nostalgic, you should really use the this distro.
What is new in this release:
- Inability to install from custom made flash drives fixed
- Firefox package replaced with Debian's firefox-esr
- Thunderbird is not installed by default
- Flash plugin removed due to security reasons
- Plymouth theme changed to spinner
- Up to date Debian Packages
- Do not show 'virtualbox kernel service is not running' banner
- Boot from local drive ability fixed in LiveCD boot menu
What is new in version 3.0:
- Point Linux Update Notifier
- XFce flavour replaces Gnome 3 Classic flavour
- XFce flavor comes with Compton installed by default
- Firefox 39.0
- Thunderbird 38.0.1
- Multiple Point Linux infrastructural changes
- Up to date Debian Packages
What is new in version 2.3 / 3.0 Beta 3:
- Changes in distribution:
- This is the first release featuring Point Linux GNOME 3 edition
- Firefox 34.0.5 with the Google Safe Browsing disabled by default
- Multiple Point Linux infrastructural changes
- Up to date Debian Packages
- Changes in Point Linux Installer:
- Screen locking for all users by default if autologin is not enabled during installation
- 'Install Compiz' feature removed from 'Additional software' as Compiz is no longer supported
What is new in version 3.0 Beta 2:
- The new Point Linux 3.0 Beta 2 brings you the latest MATE 1.8.1 desktop built on top of the upcoming Debian 'Jessie' release. Just like its predecessor, Point Linux 3.0 is focused on stability and ease of use.
What is new in version 2.3:
- Firefox 27.0.1
- Thunderbird 24.3.0
- LibreOffice 4.1.4.2
- New debian-backports package
- Up to date Debian packages
What is new in version 3.0 Beta 1:
- The new version uses the latest Debian 8 (jessie) packages along with MATE 1.6 desktop environment. Just like the 2.X branch, Point Linux 3.0 aims to give users the classic Gnome 2 like look and feel combining it with the new Debian codebase. Point Linux Installer 1.7 skips the 'en_US' layout installation for latin-based keyboards (e.g. French). Point Linux 3.0 Beta 1 comes in 'core' and 'full' editions supporting i386 (PAE) and amd64 architectures.
What is new in version 2.2:
- This minor release brings some notable changes and prepares Point Linux for the next big release.
- Point Linux version numbering policy has been changed. The 13.04.X release is renumbered to 2.X.
- Changes in distribution:
- Firefox 24.0
- Thunderbird 24.0
- LibreOffice 4.1
- KVM/QEMU SPICE support
- Fast User Switch enabled
- Up to date Debian packages
- Changes in Point Linux Installer:
- Vietnamese locale support
- Windows 8.1 detection
- Network Manager connections (e.g. Wi-Fi) established in the LiveCD/USB session transferred into newly installed system
- Screensaver lock enabled by default if system was installed without autologin turned on
What is new in version 13.04.1:
- Changes in distribution:
- LibreOffice 4.0.3.3;
- Firefox 21.0;
- Stable Debian 'Wheezy' packages;
- Debian repo moved to cdn.debian.net;
- Point Linux repo moved to cdn.pointlinux.org;
- ftp CLI utility added;
- MATE 1.6 migration simplified;
- Changes in Point Linux Installer:
- Installer downloads and installs IBus and input method packages when CJK languages detected;
- Installer removes VirtualBox guest additions in target system when VirtualBox is not detected;
- Installer creates /media/cdrom and /media/usb folders in target system;
- Installer creates /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/00CDMountPoint and /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/00trustcdrom in target system.
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