Bluestar Linux Desktop is an open source Linux distribution, a simple desktop edition of the Bluestar Linux operating system. It is based on Arch Linux and built around the KDE desktop environment.
Bluestar Linux is a fast and optimized for performance distribution that includes a wide variety of always up-to-date applications, as well as a separate editions with complete development, desktop and multimedia environments.
Distributed as 64-bit and 32-bit Live DVD
This edition is available for download either as a 64-bit Live DVD ISO image or as a 32-bit one, deployable on USB thumb drives or blank DVD discs. The boot menu of the Live DVD is exactly the same as the ones found on other Bluestar Linux flavors.
It can be used to run a memory test, detect hardware components, boot an existing operating system, as well as to reboot and shutdown the machine. When booting the live environment, users can choose between two options, one for netbook computers and another one for any other PC or laptop.
Powered by KDE
As mentioned, the live session is powered by the KDE Plasma Workspaces and Applications project, providing users with a modern and eye-candy desktop environment. It is comprised of a taskbar, placed on the upper part of the screen, a hidden dock on the left side of the screen, a hidden panel on the bottom edge of the screen, as well as two widgets.
While the first desktop widget allows users to monitor their computer (CPU, disk space, network traffic) and view basic information about hardware components, the second one will enable them to navigate the folders from the Home directory.
Comes pre-loaded with numerous applications
The distribution includes three different web browsers (Mozilla Firefox, Chromium and Konqueror), two email clients (Mozilla Thunderbird and KMail), FileZilla FTP client, Pidgin multi-protocol instant messenger, KGet download manager, Transmission torrent downloader, Gwenview image viewer, GIMP image editor, VLC Media Player, SMPlayer video player, and the LibreOffice office suite.
Bottom line
During our tests, Bluestar Linux Desktop proved to be a very responsive and stable Linux operating system. Considering the fact that it’s based on Arch Linux and follows the same rolling-release model for updating its apps, we recommend it to all of you who are looking for a powerful, KDE-based workstation.
