SolydXK

SolydXK
Developer Arjen Balfoort
OS family Unix-like
Working state Active
Source model Open source and closed source
Initial release 28 February 2013
Latest release Update Pack 2014.01.15 / Jan 15, 2014[1]
Available in Multilingual
Update method APT
Package manager dpkg (custom UpdateManager, Synaptic)
Platforms i386, AMD64
Kernel type Monolithic (Linux)
Default user interface KDE Plasma 4 (default in SolydK), Xfce (default in SolydX)
Official website solydxk.com

SolydXK is a Dutch semi-rolling release Linux distribution based on Debian.[2] It aims to be simple to use, providing an environment that is stable, secure, and ideal for small businesses, non-profit organizations and home users.[3]

SolydXK includes proprietary software such as Adobe Flash, Steam and optional closed-source drivers to provide initial multimedia usage and gaming on Linux.[4]

History

SolydXK originated in 2012 as an unofficial version of "Linux Mint Debian edition" (LMDE) using the KDE Plasma 4 workspaces.[5]

In November 2012, Linux Mint ceased maintaining both the KDE and Xfce versions of LMDE.[6] SolydXK was started to support these two desktop environments. "SolydX" refers to the Xfce version, while "SolydK" refers to the KDE version. The web site url is an amalgam of the two names.

Features

The two core editions for SolydXK, SolydX and SolydK, are both available in 32-bit and 64-bit LiveCDs with installers.

The distribution installs with common software such as Firefox, Abiword/LibreOffice, Xchat/Quassel, Pidgin/Kopete, and GIMP for a variety of common tasks. Both editions also provide Steam and PlayOnLinux installed for gaming, and a driver manager to easily enable the best gaming performance.

SolydK BE[7] is the Business Edition. This version has less "state of the art" software since it is build on Debian stable, where SolydXK is build on Debian Testing. The BE version is more suitable for offices where stability is more important than having the latest versions of the software.

SolydK BO (Back Office)[8] edition adds an emphasis on small businesses and non-profit organizations. It contains software for employee management (OrangeHRM), customer relations (Zurmo), invoicing (SiWapp), and internal information streams (LetoDMS). SolydK BO is downloadable as a LiveCD with an installer, or any SolydXK distribution can be converted by installing a metapackage from the repository.

The distribution provides updates using a moderated rolling release model.[9] Updates are released every three months as "Update Packs," which are tested snapshots of Debian-testing packages. To further increase security both Firefox and Thunderbird are being built from source if there are new versions available. These packages do not necessarily follow the UP frequency, but will be released whenever they are available. This process delivers current, yet at the same time stable software to the end user, in contrast to a pure rolling release model, which has greater potential for buggy software. In addition, the rolling model allows SolydXK to remain current without ever reinstalling the operating system, in contrast to Xbuntu and Kubuntu.

References

  1. ↑ "UP 2014.01.15 ready". Retrieved 15 Jan 2014.
  2. ↑ http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=solydxk
  3. ↑ http://solydxk.com/about/solydxk/
  4. ↑ SolydXK hands on: Two good Linux distributions with a solid base, By J.A. Watson for Jamie's Mostly Linux Stuff, December 9, 2013, zdnet.com
  5. ↑ http://www.kde.org/download/distributions.php
  6. ↑ "Monthly Stats – November 2012". Retrieved 16 Aug 2013.
  7. ↑ http://solydxk.com/business/solydkbe/
  8. ↑ http://solydxk.com/business/solydkbo/
  9. ↑ http://solydxk.com/homeedition/update-packs-explained/

External links

Reviews