After a few years of using Linux on the desktop, the first one I met and started using was the late Kurumin; I currently use Ubuntu. I realized that many Brazilian distros simply disappeared from the map or are dead projects that were not yet buried by their first creators. Due to this fact I decided to research to find out which Brazilian districts are still in the process of development and what are their differentials, and to make understanding even easier, I decided to divide them into 3 groups: community, mostly developed by a single person who has in-depth technical knowledge; public, developed and developed by public and private bodies, these are maintained by companies.
The ones developed and maintained by the community
We will start with the "community" distributions. The lack of qualified staff within the development teams and, above all, the lack of financial support are the biggest challenges faced by this type of distribution. Its maintainers cannot establish the means to make them financially self-sufficient, so there is only free time left to develop, and many projects fail to keep up with the rampant pace with which new versions of major systems are being launched, as well as a lack of launch planning and clear ideas about the objectives of some projects:
Big linux
This distribution is developed by Bruno Gonalves and collaborators, but like other Linux distributions, the hard work is mostly done by Bruno. Big Linux is seen by many as a complete computing solution with a primary focus on desktop use, combining practicality, security, stability and beauty. The project is still alive, with a very active forum, but the lack of a new version has been bringing rumors that do not help the development of it. The base system is Kubuntu and the latter is thinking of using the Liquorix kernel as the default instead of the Kubuntu kernel. It is an excellent Linux distribution mainly for novice users.
More information on the project website at
Metamorphose Linux
Not to say of the project creator himself " a complete operating system geared toward novice or advanced users; Here you will find over 150 applications including games (emulators, 3D and educational games), publishers (HTML, animation, video and audio), plus a wide range of multimedia and office applications. All of these features can be used by running the system via LIVE-CD without changing anything on your hard drive system, ideal for Linux newbies. You also have the option of installing it on HD, with a very practical and easy installation wizard."
Metamorphose is a Debian-based distro. The main differences of the project are: system-ready structure, such as scripts, panels, programs and own compiled kernel. According to the creator himself "Metamorphose now supports almost 2000 file types from a variety of programs, but is all programmed to do the right thing by opening a file from any source, and has a much larger support for exe programs than any other distribution because it uses a wine compiled and modified exclusively for it, ie 95% of programs will be opened with two clicks, Windows or Linux. Not to mention network support, printing, automatic 3g": which would make it much easier for more lay users to use Linux. The creator Ailton Nacimento de Mattos who for the time being develops the project alone and who kindly responded to the author of this article by exposing the advantages and differentials of the Metamorphose project.
More information on the project page:
Epidemic GNU / Linux
The Epidermic "Free Operating System designed to be fast, efficient, modern and yet simple and easy to use"This project seems to be well organized and led by James Benedito de Oliveira. The project is not only focused on the Brazilian public, but also on Spanish and English language users. It has a well-finished look coupled with a good performance. Epidermic It brings a very nice look and own tools that aim to facilitate the installation of some applications and the use by the end user.
You can learn more about the project at:
Free OS System
"Based on Debian Stable Free OS a complete operating system designed to cater to those who need to use a variety of tools such as editors, spreadsheets, browsers, media, etc. However, they have no time or even interest in understanding how an operating system works. indeed. The central focus of this distribution is to make it easier to use a GNU / Linux operating system.". The current version of Free OS, was updated a few days ago, and named 14-bis, continuing the tradition of developers adopting the names of Santos Dumont inventions in the system versions. Free OS, now based on Debian Squeeze , brings relevant news such as the new repository with more than 28,000 packages, the latest stable kernel release available (2.6.37.3), plus the adoption of the EXT4 file system as standard, improved wireless network support, among other enhancements. Interesting to use a solid and well-known Linux community base to build your system and not rely on exhaustive upgrades, the project tries to combine stability with usability and elegance.
You can learn more about the project at:
Ekkaty Linux
Ekaaty Linux Project A Brazilian distribution that, like many others, seeks greater integration with the end user, created earlier this month the blog that aims to help users and developers to use the distribution. In order to be promoting news such as new products, events in which we will be present, awards, among others, this blog (the distro) aims to achieve a closer proximity of communities to our philosophy. For a long time this distro seemed dying and the last active came back. The base of the system is also Debian.
The downloads can be done here:
ImagineOS
ImagineOS, new name of the old GoblinX, a complete system that can be run without installation. is a Linux distribution based on Slackware Linux. according to your website, "geared towards the user interested in high quality utilities and applications, as well as those interested in the most beautiful and practical work environment possible"
The system can be downloaded here:
The site, despite being .br, is all in English, which seems to be due to the fact that it is of strong international appeal and the vast majority of users are foreigners.
BrDesktop
BrDesktop is the Debian GNU / Linux system developed exclusively for Brazilian users. The features presented on the site to entice the user to use BrDesktop on their desktop are: simple to install and use; translated to Portuguese language; LiveCD mode, ie use without installing; the software is selected by the users themselves; safe and stable; offers updated software; beautiful, at this point not so much, there are other more friendly distros; and finally officially Debian!
It can be downloaded here:
Litrix
Litrix Linux It is a Linux distribution in live CD format that can also be installed as Desktop operating system on x86 computers. With Litrix you can get the best performance for your desktop and the ease you want. Based on the Gentoo system you can install a large application base via the internet, keep your system up to date.. This system was born from the late Tutoo Linux initially developed at Unicamp and also gave birth to Itatec's Librix.
The site can be accessed at:
Poseidon Linux
For this Ubuntu-based Linux distro I believe it needs no introduction to the success it has achieved within its university / scientific habitat. Poseidon Linux emerged from a group of Oceanography Postgraduate students at the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG) in 2004. Dissatisfied with the lack of an institutional policy of software, the high costs of proprietary software, etc., developed a pocket-sized operating system: software they used (thus eliminating costs from proprietary licenses), so that they would work from a CD, without installation.
The project gained popularity and in 2005 received support from FURG to host a Web site on the Internet (which in May 2008 exceeded 1,000,000 hits!). In 2006 the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) also started hosting the downloadable operating system.
Initially designed for the Brazilian scientific community, the project gained new direction from contributions from researchers and users from other countries. The current version (3.2) is available in several languages, thanks to Ubuntu, and various international sites hosting the "ISO" images from the Poseidon Linux usage / installation disc in Europe and the United States.
Today Poseidon Linux has the support of several educational and research institutions in Brazil and abroad. It is a great operating system option complete, free and free for the academic-scientific community.
The project website can be accessed at
Here Linux
The unknown "Q Linux is a GNU / Linux operating system that emerged in 2004 to facilitate and expedite the installation of a GNU / Linux OS. Slackware-based pQui is geared toward desktops and lay users who think Linux is difficult. Its main objective is to stimulate the migration from Windows to Linux on your home or business computer."
Its default interface is XFCE. So pQui Linux comes to break the taboo that Linux is difficult.
Project Website:
Dream Linux
Dreamlinux comes with a good selection of applications designed to meet most of your daily needs. based on Debian and Morphix, which means it takes advantage of its best features and adds its own development tools. Dreamlinux has a MacOS-inspired look, which is very pleasant to use. It brings a well finished set of codecs and applications.
"Being a modular Dreamlinux system, it allows you to add new modules comprising your preferred applications and build a new District to meet your needs through its revolutionary MKDistro tool. ". Currently the project is in a long beta. I hope it is no longer a deceased distraction that they forgot to bury.
More information can be found on the website:
Those developed and maintained by private companies
This type of distribution targets companies primarily, primarily through the provision of support and maintenance services, as well as being used in government-sponsored computer-cheapening programs.
BR-lix (former Famelix)
BRLix is āāan operating system for computer users. It uses a Linux base, but has all the features of the Windows operating system.
The policy of distro is a Linux with Windows XP, Vista or 7 face; It is up to the user to choose the appearance.
BRLix was born from the Famelix university project, which has since 2003 reached approximately 13 million downloads, thus ensuring the high responsiveness of the system. BRLix is āāa Linux, but it will be difficult for those using Windows to realize this. Today the BRLix maintained by Epidemus ltda, in Jaragu do Sul – Santa Catarina. It currently has two versions: one free and one free Premium which has support from the developer company and some extra applications.
Project Website:
Phoenix
The new FeniX is what we can call revolutionary, because with its intelligent hardware detection system, by detecting acceleration on video cards (even onboard) the automatically activated Beryl AIXGL, turning your system into a 3D machine with screens that close when caught. fire and more.
The distro prides itself on being: "Today is the only Linux in the world that supports the use of MSI TV @ nywhere Plus TV remote controls, and also Linux has the largest number of homologated hardware on the planet, including the Canon IP 1200 and 1300 printers" . This system comes bundled on several computers and it is not possible to download the system without having acquired a license that already comes with the computer with the pre-installed system.
Site:
Dual O / S
Dual O / S is a complete and user-friendly operating system. Made to be installed on new or old equipment that needs upgrading or has no operating system license. Dual O / S is also accompanied by Dual Training Alive (DTA), a tool that allows you to view and execute in a simple and supervised manner any step necessary for the use of the system and its applications.The system looks like Windows XP and you can test it through the trial version, which after 240 hours will issue expiration warnings.
Site:
Librix
Librix is āāthe national Linux distribution developed by Itautec with the key differentials for the secure implementation of the software in your company. It is the only system that offers the suite of hardware and software and meets all the requirements of quality, maintenance, continuous improvement and technical support. They are the best and most stable packages on the market, selected, tested and approved by Itautec thatprovides a simple interface installer and a friendly configuration environment. With the Librix system, your business will have the freedom, reliability and dynamism of free software with the quality, security and service of a company with technology excellence.
In this district it is possible to see all the work that is done by Itatec, about this company I believe that it is not necessary to extend because of the knowledge of all the quality of the developed products. When it comes to money good products come up.
Site:
Satux
100% Brazilian operating system based on free software – aims to bring innovation, practicality, security and fun, making your digital experience unrivaled.It makes it easy for you to optimize your time and get even more out of all your tools, such as educational applications that help with schoolwork, essential software such as a text editor, spreadsheets, vector images and photos. It is a distro that focuses on its use on desktops and notebooks of various companies as an operating system option.
Learn more here:
ProLinux Operating System
Verstil, complete, modern and easy, this is your ProLinux operating system, developed by Flux Softwares specialized team. Among its differential numbers, highlight the stability of the Debian-based system; selected and properly tested and translated applications; Guaranteed user support, through the Flux Softwares Support Center, your direct contact with the distribution developers; Complete set of multimedia lessons, your ProLinux usability course in an interactive and enjoyable way.
The ProLinux system was developed to meet the end user needs, both domestic and corporate.
Insigne Linux
Insigne Linux has a wide range of software that allows the development of graphic and textual applications. These features allow you to combine Insigne technology with your daily work needs, making Insigne the largest cost-effective solution on the world market.
System Website:
Linux distributions maintained by public entities
Linux distributions maintained by public entities are for the most part tasked with meeting the needs of state, municipal, and educational agencies. Below are some of the most widely used distributions in this industry:
Paran Desktop
The Paran Desktop is a customization of the Debian GNU / Linux Operating System, adapted to the needs of the Government of Paran by CELEPAR – Paran Computer Company through the Management of Environments Management (GGA).
In addition to the Operating System, customization contains the GNOME graphical interface, as well as numerous packages such as the BrOffice.org office suite (text editor, spreadsheet, presentations), Iceweasel (Mozilla Firefox) web browser, Lotus Notes (emulated via Wine), X3270 (Terminal Emulator for Mainframe access), among other products.
Desktop Paran customization makes the Debian environment very user-friendly, as well as putting together all the software most needed by users.
The system can be downloaded from the project website:
Debian Libertas
O Libertas Project has undergone several changes throughout its history. Initially he belonged Operating Environment Unit from Prodabel, Information and Information Company of the Municipality of Belo Horizonte. It later belonged to Technology Superintendence (STT). Until, in 2007, theFree Software Management for Operating Environments(GLTT) within STT to specifically take care of free software in use at Prodabel. Management lasted until December 2008, when STT was dissolved. Currently the Libertas Project one of the activities of Free Software Coordination, which is part of Software Engineering Management (GESS) allocated to System Architecture Superintendence (SAS). Currently the project works with metapackages that are compatible with Debian and Ubuntu, facilitating its development.
If you want to test it you can download it from
Educational Linux
Linux Educacional is a software solution that contributes to meeting ProInfo's purposes in a way that favors the end user regarding its use and accessibility, as well as the laboratory's responsible for the maintenance and updating of the program. solution.
Educational Linux version 3.0 was based on a GNU / Linux distribution called Kubuntu, with a simple and attractive visual identity, custom educational applications, educational content access and search tools, MEC-maintained Debian educational content repository and productivity tools. .
Pandorga
Pandorga GNU / Linux is an educational distribution created in 2006 especially for children, pre-teens, and elementary and high schools.
Its purpose is to make the computer lab a safe, fun and learning environment with many games and programs that exercise the mind without losing the pleasure of studying.
Dear to educators, parents and students, the Pandorga educational distribution has a successful track record, achievements, work and fun guaranteed from the developer to the end user, the students!
These last two distributions can be downloaded from the site:
Vix Linux
The Municipality of Vitria officially maintains the VIX LINUX distribution, the standard Linux system to be used in all schools in the capital city of Esprito Santo, Vitria and developed by FluxSoftwares. quick, safe, friendly and full of educational content to contribute to the digital inclusion of thousands of children, young people and adults from the municipal public school system.
Conclusion
As can be seen from reading the above distros, almost all seek ease of use for the end user. This is the focus of large districts and small ones as well. In this regard it seems that customizing Debian from scratch and making it an Ubuntu, Mint, life is not one of the easiest tasks to accomplish. The basis of most commercial distributions is Debian due to the undeniable stability it has.
The so-called "community" distros are actually one man's distros. And one thing many forget that these men need to work and eat. Keeping a community district alive is a big challenge. This challenge could be overcome with better human resource management in many projects.
The distractions maintained by government institutions are not so nice and beautiful, but they do well as they want. Reduce the cost of software in public offices and educational institutions, developing specific tools for a given area of āāknowledge.
Some points that I believe are primordial in a distro and to be thought by those who develop them:
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Fixed release schedule;
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Objective and no-frills graphic mode installer;
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Highest possible hardware compatibility;
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Pre-installed codecs; It's terrible to have to download proprietary but free codecs, just because it's not just opensource; most computer users have never heard of opensource, GNU or GPL;
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Nice and well organized graphic look;
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Basic applications that exist on a Windows computer to perform the same tasks on Linux.
And finally one less and one more:
- Fewer distros: No more changing the wallpaper and saying you invented the wheel.
- More collaboration among developers could create a stronger, easier-to-use distro that would have a set schedule.
