GeeXboX is a free embedded Linux distribution which aims at turning your computer into a so called HTPC (Home Theater PC) or Media Center. Being a standalone LiveCD-based distribution, it's a ready to boot operating system than works on any Pentium-class x86 computer or PowerPC Macintosh, implying no software requirement. You can even use it on a diskless computer, the whole system being loaded in RAM.
Despite his tiny ISO image size, the distribution comes with a complete and automatic hardware detection, not requiring any driver to be added. It supports playback of nearly any kind of audio/video and image files and all known codecs and containers are shipped in, allowing playing them through various physical supports, either being CD, DVD, HDD, LAN or Internet.
GeeXboX also comes with a complete toolchain that allows developers adding easily extra packages and features but that might also be used to give birth to many dedicated embedded Linux systems.
The curent version of GeeXBox is 1.2-beta1 with major changes of adding widescreens and HDTV screens support and adding X11 video acceleration for most graphic cards (Intel, nVidia, ATI, S3, SiS, VIA ...).
The whole distributions is now modularized to best detect your hardware and load ony what is needed. Many drivers have been added and installation has been completely reworked for better usability.
This beta version that can be downloaded here, also has been optimized for various platforms like EeePCs, EasyGate and bring official support of MacIntels computers. It also introduce a new port to x86_64 architecture which brings a small performance boost regarding to the 32bit edition.
ComFusion is a pioneer in the distribution operating CompizFusion Mode DVDLive, ie without installing anything on your computer, operating at the same memory. ComFusion is an Ubuntu-based live DVD featuring out-of-the-box support for a variety of Compiz Fusion effects and a Mac OS X-like user interface.
The latest version, 2.0, was just announced. Built from Ubuntu 8.04, ComFusion 2.0 brings a choice of two desktop environments - GNOME 2.22.1 (default) and Xfce 4.4.2, both with complete support for Compiz effects and with a Mac OS X-style Wbar for quick access to popular applications.
Other features include enhanced support for wireless network cards, a variety of Compiz Fusion utilities and scripts for downloading restricted media codecs, inclusion of several Google Applications, Skype and other non-free software, a collection of games, office and development software, support for English, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish languages.
In this new version, including a selection of programs, scripts and system settings, following the philosophy of ComFusion, trying to do more interesting and attractive, if anything, the Linux world, in the face of new users coming from other operating systems.
It try to make a distro that merges the best of other distributions without losing the essence of ComFusion, which is reflected in a new motto for this version 2.0:"ComFusion. . . The Easy way of Linux..." "ComFusion... The Easy way of Linux ..."
However, designed to fit on an 8cm DVD / 1.4 Gb, 100% portable. Btw, you can download this new version of ComFusion at Here.
Notes:
The user of the Live-DVD by default is: comfusion and the default password: comfusion
You will need to switch desktop, for example Gnome to Xfce, or vice versa.
Puppy Linux, a small, light and mini Linux has released the version 4.1. As described on its release notes, Puppy 4.00 was a major upgrade from 3.01, with just about everything overhauled and updated.
Now, the version 4.1 continues the hectic pace of development, with ground-breaking new applications and under-the-hood architectural improvements over 4.00. Ground-breaking apps include our new Psip VOIP and PPLOG personal blog. Under-the-hood includes faster boot times, much better hardware detection, and new 'pup_event' architecture (including desktop drive icons).
The live-CD file is 'puppy-4.1-k2.6.25.16-seamonkey.iso' at 94.1MB and 'puppy-4.1retro-k2.6.21.7-seamonkey.iso' at 94.6MB. The latter is a more conservative kernel that perhaps suits older systems.
You can get this new version of Puppy Linux at Here.
Toorox is a Linux Live-DVD based on Gentoo that starts as a bootable media using KNOPPIX technology. While the system is booting, all necessary drivers will be included automatically.
Toorox is only using the memory and an existing swap partition at runtime, so your hard disks won't be touched by default. Currently, Toorox use the latest stable KDE 4.1.0.
Minimum equipment:
i686 CPU (Pentium II and faster) + 256MB RAM + DVD
Optimum equipment:
Multi-Core CPU + 1GB RAM + DVD
Some examples to use it:
- Backup data
- Secure internet browsing
- Look and feel for Linux rookies
- Hard disk installation
Owners of Radeon VGA-Cards should notice improvements, because the free radeonhd driver is now installed and has been added to the hardware-detection. The 3D-Desktop should run well now, too after installing the proprietary ATI driver.
It contains the brand-new Firefox 3.0 and Epiphany has now been added to Toorox. for web browsing, too. Wine was updated to Version 1.0.Kontact and Kmail are back now in Toorox-KDE4.
More info and download links about this distro can be reached at here.
