ALT Linux Cinnamon is an open source and full featured Linux operating system built around the beautiful Cinnamon desktop environment and based on the Mandrake (Mandriva) Linux distribution.
ALT Linux is known for being an independent operating system that comes with a wide range of editions, including LXDE, Xfce, MATE, GNOME, Razor-qt, IceWM, KDE, WindowMaker, as well as server and rescue flavors.
Distributed as Live CDs for 64-bit and 32-bit computers
It is distributed as Live CD ISO images that support both 64-bit and 32-bit hardware platforms, and can be used from either a USB flash drive or a blank CD disc. A persistent environment is provided for the USB version of the distro, allowing users to save their live sessions and reuse the boot medium whenever they want.
Boot options
Users can start an existing operating system or run a memory test from the boot menu of the Live CD. Installing the operating system directly, without testing it, is not possible (a dedicated installation script is provided on the desktop).
Powered by Cinnamon
As mentioned, the live session is powered by Cinnamon, a clone of the GNOME 3 desktop environment. It comes only with a taskbar, located on the bottom edge of the screen, from where users can manage running apps, interact with the system tray area, access the main menu and launch applications.
Default applications
Default applications include the Mozilla Thunderbird email client, Mozilla Firefox web browser, Pidgin instant messenger, Totem movie player, Rhythmbox music player, gThumb image viewer, and Evince document viewer.
Among some other pre-installed applications, we can mention the GIMP image editor, Brasero CD/DVD burning software, Cheese webcam viewer, gedit text editor, Midnight Commander file manager, and Synaptic Package Manager.
Bottom line
All in all, the Cinnamon edition of ALT Linux provides users with a great computing environment that includes only the applications that they really use on a daily basis, as well as a desktop environment crafted to perfection and suitable for both low-end and high-end machines.
