ArchEX is an open source distribution of Linux based on the well known Arch Linux operating system and built around the lightweight LXDE desktop environment, providing users with a fast, stable and modern OS that runs well on old computers.
Availability, supported platforms and boot options
The operating system is distributed as a single, dual-arch Live DVD ISO image compatible with the 64-bit and 32-bit hardware platforms. It is a hybrid ISO image that can be burned onto a DVD disc or written on a USB flash drive.
The boot prompt is quite identical with the one found on the original Arch Linux distribution, allowing users to boot the live environment for the x86_64 or i686 platforms, start an existing operating system installed on the first disk drive, run a memory (RAM) test, view detailed information about the hardware components of your computer, as well as to reboot or power off the machine.
Fast, modern and lightweight desktop environment
As mentioned, this Arch Linux-based operating system uses the LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) project for its graphical session, which comprises of a single panel located on the bottom edge of the screen. However, the Live DVD will drop users to a shell prompt from where they must type the startx command to enter the live environment.
The panel will help users to launch applications, switch between virtual workspaces, as well as to interact with running programs and the functions implemented in the system tray area, such as volume mixer, network connections, clock and calendar.
Default applications include the GIMP image editor, Mozilla Firefox web browser, Leafpad text editor, PCManFM file manager, LXTerminal terminal emulator, GPicView image viewer, Wicd network connection manager, Zenmap network scanner, AbiWord word processor, LXMusic audio player.
Bottom line
Summing up, ArchEX is a decent, fast, stable and reliable Linux distribution that provides users with the latest technologies of the powerful Arch Linux operating system into a single Live DVD image that can be easily installed on low-end machines or computers with old and semi-old hardware components.
