ALT Linux Xfce is a lightweight, fast and open source Linux distribution based Mandriva Linux and built around the traditional Xfce desktop environment. It is specifically designed to be deployed on low-end machines.
ALT Linux is known for being an independent GNU/Linux operating system crafted to perfection and delivered into multiple flavors (editions), each one featuring an open source desktop environment, such as GNOME, KDE, MATE, Cinnamon, LXDE, Enlightenment, WindowMaker, or IceWM.
Distributed as bootable Live CDs, offers persistent options
ALT Linux Xfce is distributed as Live CD ISO images, supporting the 64-bit architecture, as well as the 32-bit ones. An easy-to-use script placed on the desktop will help users to install the system on their computers.
Another interesting feature is the ability to save your live sessions and reuse the boot medium whenever you want (only available if the ISO is deployed on a USB flash drive and you specifically select the “Live CD with session support” option at the boot prompt).
Xfce comes with two different layouts
When used for the first time, the Xfce session will ask users if they want to use the default configuration for the panel or go with only one empty panel. We suggest to choose the first option, as it will also provide a dock (application launcher) located at the bottom edge of the screen.
Default applications
The Xfce edition of ALT Linux reviewed here provides users with a collection of carefully selected applications, among which we can mention the Mozilla Firefox web browser, Ristretto image viewer, Xarchiver archive manager, as well as the Thunar and Midnight Commander file managers.
Among other pre-installed utilities, we can mention Bulk Rename, Kerberos Ticket Watcher, Sensor Viewer, Orange Calendar, Task Manager, as well as the Xfce Terminal and XTerm terminal emulators.
Bottom line
Summing up, the Xfce edition of ALT Linux provides users with a stable, clean and reliable computing environment. We strongly recommend it to all fans of RPM-based distros and the Xfce desktop environment.
