Puppy Linux is an evolutionary operating system for computers, based on GNU/Linux. Other well-known operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Apple OSX, and MS-DOS. It is completely free and open source software.
Puppy Linux is a full-fledged operating system bundled with application suites covering a wide variety of tasks which can be used productively by general users. However, because Puppy is small-sized and can boot from many media, it is also useful as a rescue disk, a demonstration system, or for reviving old computers.
Puppy Linux was first released in June 2003 by Barry Kauler The community, is completely organic, without any formal agenda or structure. It often takes newcomers a while to realise that there aren't really any rules to Puppy, if you want to do something, make a new Puplet, offer your skills or take things in a new direction. Puppy is covered by the LGPL license, an open source license.
Puppy Linux is a Live CD Linux distribution that is very small and focuses on ease of use. If the computer has at least 64 MB of RAM (depending on the version, up to at least 256 MB of RAM), the entire operating system and all the applications will run from RAM, allowing the boot medium to be removed after the operating system starts. Applications such as SeaMonkey, AbiWord, Gnumeric, and Gxine/xine are included. The distribution is actively developed by Warren Willson and other active members of the community. Puppy is an independent Linux distribution (i.e. not based on Debian, Fedora, SuSE, etc.).
A unique feature that sets Puppy Linux apart from other Linux distributions is the ability to offer a normal persistent updating working environment on a write-once multisession CD/DVD. (It does not require a rewritable CD/DVD.) Puppy automatically detects changes in the file system and saves them incrementally on the disc. This feature works particularly well with DVDs, partly because of the much larger space available. While other distributions offer Live CD versions of their operating systems, they do not allow programs to be permanently added nor do they allow files to be written to the CD. Puppy also features sophisticated write-caching system designed to extend the life of USB flash drives that Puppy Linux runs from.
Puppy comes with a choice of 2 graphical servers: X.Org (full-featured) and Xvesa (lightweight). A wizard during the start-up process guides the user through setting up a graphical server appropriate for their video card &, monitor. At the end of the wizard the user will be presented with a desktop and window manager, the default WM in most Puppy releases is JWM.
How is Puppy Different:
&bull, Small size, usually less than 100MB! This lends itself to some very useful and unique features
&bull, 'Live' booting from CDs, DVDs, USB flash drives, and other portable media.
&bull, Runs from RAM, making it unusually fast for older or modern PCs and netbooks with solid state CF drives
&bull, Very low minimum system requirements
&bull, Boot time, well under a minute, on most systems 30-40 secs
&bull, Usability and Compatibility
&bull, Includes a wide range of applications: word processors, spreadsheets, internet browsers, games and image editors. Extra software in the form of dotpets. There is a Puppy Package Manager included ,
&bull, Puppy is easy to use and little technical knowledge is assumed. Most hardware is automatically detected including analog modems for those using dial-up.
Puppy's goals:
&bull, Easily install to USB, Zip or hard disk drive media
&bull, Load and run totally in RAM
&bull, Boot from LiveCD/DVD, and have the optical disc drive free for other purposes
&bull, Boot from LiveCD/DVD, and save everything back to the optical disc.
&bull, Boot from USB flash drives, and minimise writes to extend its life indefinitely
&bull, Extremely friendly for Linux newbies
&bull, Boot up and run extraordinarily fast
&bull, Have all the applications needed for daily use
&bull, Will just work, no hassles
&bull, Will breathe new life into old personal computers
Puppy Linux 4.2 Features:
, , , * A choice of two window managers, either IceWM or JWM, with extra themes including Clearlooks Gtk+2 theme engine,
, , , * optimized SeaMonkey 1.1.15 web browser with MonkeyMenu extension,
, , , * efficient management with Puppy Control Panel,
, , , * stay informed with Pwidgets continuously running desktop programs (clock, weather, battery, wireless, calender, RSS feed, slideshow, and many more),
, , , * audiophiles will be pleased with AlsaPlayer and Pmusic for audio entertainment using the latest audio codecs for .flac, .ogg, and .mp3 files, and, alsa-lib-1.0.19,
, , , * access to Internet radio using streamtuner,
, , , * full-screen video playback with Gxine supported by flashplayer-9.0.152.0,
, , , * essential communication via SeaMonkey Mail e-mail client, Meebo web chat, Psip VoIP and instant messaging client, and XChat IRC client,
, , , * office productivity enhanced with AbiWord word processor, Gnumeric spreadsheet editor, HomeBank personal accounting, Osmo personal organizer, and Xpad sticky notes,
, , , * spritely image viewer GPicView with slideshow capability,
, , , * super-quick archive management with Xarchiver,
, , , * enhanced boot-up and shutdown procedures with extra options at shutdown,
, , , * elegant, graphical boot loader using gfx-boot,
, , , * superior live-CD/DVD re-mastering with Remaster Xpress (RemaX),
, , , * easy access to downloads facilitated with Puppy Download Accelerator and Transmission BitTorrent client
, , , * programming versatility with tcl/tk, Glade, and freeBASIC,
, , , * new games,
, , , * free, live technical support - just click on the chat icon on the desktop,
Homepage - http://www.puppylinux.org
Size: 101 MB
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