Puppy Linux is a special edition of the Puppy Linux operating system that uses packages from the latest upstream Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (Precise Pangolin) release. The distribution is suitable for old and semi-old computers and allows users to install Ubuntu applications.
Available for download as dual-arch, minimal Live CDs
Puppy Linux Precise comes in two editions, a standard release and a Retro flavor. As expected from a small operating system, it is distributed as dual-arch, minimal Live CD ISO images of approximately 200MB in size, suitable for both 32-bit (i386) and 64-bit (x86_64) computers and deployable on either a CD disc or a USB flash drive.
Minimal boot prompt à la Puppy Linux
As this is actually an official Puppy Linux remix, it boast the same minimal boot screen that is available on other Puppy Linux editions, designed from the ground up to start the live OS in 5 seconds from the moment the user boots the Live CD from the BIOS of a PC. Advanced boot options can be entered on the boot prompt, so make sure you check out the basic and advanced help screens by pressing the F2 and F3 keys.
Ultra fast graphical desktop environment with tons of lightweight apps
It takes a few seconds for the live environment to load. Once loaded, you’ll immediately notice the snappiness of the graphical desktop environment, which is powered by IceWM and uses a traditional setup with a single taskbar located on the bottom edge of the screen and a slim main menu.
As usual, the distro is loaded with tons of lightweight apps, among which we can mention ROX-Filer, mtPaint, InkLite, Viewnior, AbiWord, Leafpad, Geany, SeaMonkey, HomeBank, Gnumeric, Figaro’s Password Manager, gFTP, Transmission, uGet, Pidgin, ISO Master, Asunder and GNOME MPlayer.
Bottom line
All in all, Puppy Linux Precise is a very fast, stable and attractive operating system for users who want to install and use Ubuntu applications on a Puppy Linux base. It also supports the standard Puppy Linux packages and can transform an old computer into a powerful workstation.
What’s new in Puppy Linux 8.0:
- This is that latest official Puppy Linux distributions. It repectively supports 32 bit x86 and 64 bit x86_64 (amd64) architectures. It also supports both legacy BIOS and UEFI booting however in the case of UEFI secure boot must be turned off.
