Black Lab Linux (formerly OS4 OpenLinux) is an open source Linux distribution that mixes the stable base of the Ubuntu Linux operating system with the lightweight Xfce desktop environment, providing users with a modern and user-friendly computing environment.
Distributed as a 64-bit Live DVD
The system is distributed as a single Live DVD ISO image that supports only the 64-bit instruction set architecture. The boot medium can be written to a USB flash drive using the UNetbootin application, or burned on a blank CD disc using a CD/DVD burning software.
It comes with built-in support for Nvidia, AMD Radeon and Intel video cards, as well as out-of-the-box support for numerous hardware components. The minimum hardware requirements for this operating system are a 64-bit 1Ghz CPU or newer, 1GB of RAM, 15GB free hard drive space, VGA graphics, keyboard, and mouse.
Boot options
Besides starting the live environment with default settings or in safe graphics mode, the boot medium can be used to run a memory test, boot an existing OS, or install Black Lab Linux directly without testing it (not recommended).
Uses the Xfce desktop environment
The live session loads pretty fast and the Xfce desktop environment is comprised of a single taskbar located at the bottom edge of the screen, from where users can start their favorite apps, interact with the system tray area, manage running apps, switch between virtual workspaces, and access the main menu of the system.
Includes a vast amount of applications
Default applications include the Google Chrome web browser, Pidgin multi-protocol instant messenger, Steam for Linux client, Mozilla Thunderbird email/news client, Transmission torrent downloader, XChat IRC client, GIMP image editor, Shotwell image organizer and viewer, Audacious audio player, VLC Media Player, and LibreOffice office suite.
In addition, it includes the official Dropbox client, gMTP tool for connecting portable devices, Audacity audio editor, MilkyTracker music production studio, OpenShot video editor, RecordMyDesktop screen recorder, Xfburn CD/DVD burning tool, Camorama webcam viewer, BleachBit system cleaner, and Scribus desktop publishing software.
Bottom line
All in all, the Black Lab Linux operating system proved to be reliable, stable and mature enough to be deployed on any type of computer, but it’s specifically designed to run on low-end machines.
