I wrote a review article about antiX core today

This week I have been exploring Debian based systems that offer strong, flexible networking. All of them are specialized, to some degree; some are definitely special purpose systems; others are highly customizable systems that you can tailor to best meet your specific needs.

I've looked at Easy Peasy, Jolicloud, Debian Live, and I've come back to antiX core today.

Easy Peasy is what its name implies, a really easy system that is designed to work simply and well on small mobile systems, especially netbook systems. It is strong in network computing and social networking.

Jolicloud is alway what the name implies, a special purpose system designed to work exclusively in a powerful network environment with network based "Cloud" applications.

Debian Live is a great customized environment where you can request a custom build of a Live Debian ISO image that meets your specifications.

The antiX core proof of concept is similar to these other great alternatives in the sense that its name matches its function. Unlike the other released implementations of antiX software, the antiX core is just that - the core components of an antiX system, coupled with some raw, but functional tools that enable you to build a highly customized system that has only what you choose to install.

By default, the antiX core comes with only a Linux system kernel, the core GNU utilities, the Debian packaging system, and a few installation and configuration scripts, from which you boot the antiX core, install it to a device, then add the software you want to use. At its most basic state, it does not even include a graphical user environment, so those who want to use it to create a Web server environment or an ancient console based system can do that, but you can also use it in a manner very similar to an Arch Linux system, where you add only the software that you want, and nothing else.

The results can be outstanding, and they have been for me. I installed xorg, the X server, an LXDE and Xfce4 desktop environment, the Iceape, Iceweasel, and chromium-browsers, and a couple of additional text editors. Later I added a few more fonts and tools. That was it.

The result is a REALLY fast system, faster than anything else I am using in fact. I really like it. It is fast - I said that more than once for emphasis, but its also flexible, and it provides only what you configure, nothing more, nothing less. What I have built represents what I prefer to use in my personal computing environments.

antiX M8.2 Test 2

I have been using antiX M8.2 Test 2 for a week or two, on and off, and it has performed perfectly for me throughout that period of time. Being very intent on producing the very best effort, improving and extending as many features as possible, while keeping the core small, flexible, and tight, there are still a number of improvements the team is working on, especially in the areas of localization, remastering, and customizing. That work is coming along very well, and a release should be forthcoming in the not too distant future.

If you like fast, flexible systems that are still solid, even with relatively current software, or you have an aging computer that you still want to use, antiX is a great distribution to try out!

sidux, antiX, and SimplyMEPIS - still winners in 2009!

I have not changed my view of the top desktop systems for my own personal use as the landscape of distros changed at the end of 2008, nor have I changed my view as we are two months into the 2009 year. I have elevated my view of one system - Fedora. I really like the Alpha release of their Fedora 11. It shows that even at an early testing stage, they are one of the few projects that has managed to package KDE 4.2 well. When you couple that with the fact that they are already among the leaders in security and virtualization centered projects, this makes Fedora one of the leading projects to follow.

That does not put it into my top favorites list, in spite of a job well done. I still find sidux to be amazing, with cutting edge software that "keeps my face razor smooth" without inducing the bleeding often seen in some of the other bleeding edge efforts. That is why I say it is "cutting edge" - maybe that should be the Fusion Razor's Edge - five bladed smooth shaving!

The sidux project has not yet released the details for their 2009-01 release - a preview should be available some time in the next month, (at least that is what I am hoping for!) but that need not keep people away. The 2008-04 release was an excellent one. It can be downloaded, and in a very short time, you can be customizing and updating it to be newer, fresher, and more stable than any other cutting edge system.

The antiX project has also been coming along really well. Like the sidux project, there has not been a new final release yet this year, but there have been package updates, mostly changes to keep in lock step with what is happening on the MEPIS project, and also improvements in localization and appearance. There should be a new version available soon. In the meantime, an excellent test release is available. Running periodic package updates will keep this test release current, and when the final version becomes available, another update will bring the test software up to final form. It works great now in test form.

SimplyMEPIS, as of February 9, 2009, has now reached Release Candidate 3 stage. Warren Woodford has stated that he will not release the final version until the Debian Lenny release is officially finalized, but you can consider Build 96 - SimplyMEPIS-7.9.96-rc3 (otherwise known as SimplyMEPIS Version 8.0 Release Candidate 3) as a solid version, well deserving of a spot as an every day stable desktop system. I have been running mine as a "stable desktop" since Beta 4 - that would be Beta 4, Beta 5, Beta 6, Release Candidate 1, Release Candidate 2, and now Release Candidate 3. It has been excellent throughout the series of changes.

I continue to say that if you want a cutting edge desktop system, look no further than sidux. If you want a fast, lean, flexible system, then antiX is worthy of consideration. If you want a simple, easy to install and maintain system that focuses on stability, then SimplyMEPIS is the one to look at. I use all three; that way, I have systems that are well honed in each of these precise desktop niches.