On the DVD
On the DVD

antiX 21 and Haiku R1/Beta 3
antiX 21 (64-bit)
Based on Debian stable, antiX 21 is designed to be light and efficient. The full installation version available on this month's DVD is 1.45GB and requires 256MB RAM. However, for older computers, antiX also has a 800MB base version, a 440MB core version, and a 180MB net version. The core and the net versions only install from the command line and without encryption. Both are recommended for those who want total control over the installation, which is necessary for a secure system. From within antiX, users can also set up a live flash drive from which to boot a computer. In addition, antiX is one of the rapidly diminishing number of distributions that still includes a 32-bit version.
One of antiX's standout features is its installer, which gives concise, clear help at each step of the process. The installer is notable for its unobtrusive security features, including a choice between a legacy kernel, which is more secure, and a modern kernel which might have more bugs, as well as a small graph that indicates password strength. Once installed, antiX offers a desktop with a system summary widget and a menu with prominently displayed administrative tools that include numerous command-line tools.
Don't let antiX's drab default wallpaper deceive you: It can be easily changed. Users of any level can appreciate antiX's speed and minimalism, as well as its emphasis on hands-on computing.

Haiku R1/Beta 3 (64-bit)
In the late 1990s, BeOS was a proprietary operating system with cult followers. BeOS was among the first operating systems to use multiple processors and extensive multithreading. It was known for its speed, stability, and its focus on home users. BeOS failed commercially, but its spirit lives on in Haiku, a small open source project that began with BeOS source code.
Haiku has yet to reach general release, but with this version, it is stable enough for most purposes. It installs with its own apps plus a selection of KDE apps. Other standard apps like LibreOffice and Firefox are available in the repositories. Advanced users might be especially interested in Haiku's package management system, in which packages are block-compressed system images that are loaded at bootup. When uninstalled, packages are saved in a special folder, making rollbacks a matter of moving the uninstalled packages back to their original position.
For all users, installing Haiku is a chance to see an operating system in development. Installation is fast and simple, and Haiku's desktop includes several features that are unique among open source interfaces.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Direct Download
Read full article as PDF:
Price $2.95
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Find SysAdmin Jobs
News
-
MNT Seeks Financial Backing for New Seven-Inch Linux Laptop
MNT Pocket Reform is a tiny laptop that is modular, upgradable, recyclable, reusable, and ships with Debian Linux.
-
Ubuntu Flatpak Remix Adds Flatpak Support Preinstalled
If you're looking for a version of Ubuntu that includes Flatpak support out of the box, there's one clear option.
-
Gnome 44 Release Candidate Now Available
The Gnome 44 release candidate has officially arrived and adds a few changes into the mix.
-
Flathub Vying to Become the Standard Linux App Store
If the Flathub team has any say in the matter, their product will become the default tool for installing Linux apps in 2023.
-
Debian 12 to Ship with KDE Plasma 5.27
The Debian development team has shifted to the latest version of KDE for their testing branch.
-
Planet Computers Launches ARM-based Linux Desktop PCs
The firm that originally released a line of mobile keyboards has taken a different direction and has developed a new line of out-of-the-box mini Linux desktop computers.
-
Ubuntu No Longer Shipping with Flatpak
In a move that probably won’t come as a shock to many, Ubuntu and all of its official spins will no longer ship with Flatpak installed.
-
openSUSE Leap 15.5 Beta Now Available
The final version of the Leap 15 series of openSUSE is available for beta testing and offers only new software versions.
-
Linux Kernel 6.2 Released with New Hardware Support
Find out what's new in the most recent release from Linus Torvalds and the Linux kernel team.
-
Kubuntu Focus Team Releases New Mini Desktop
The team behind Kubuntu Focus has released a new NX GEN 2 mini desktop PC powered by Linux.