British distro based on Debian offers
a blank canvas for users to explore
By Larry Cafiero
Which distro, right from the start, gives you the option to set up your distro the way you actually want it?
There are several, of course, but one of the most prominent of those Linux distros is Peppermint OS. Peppermint OS is based on either Debian or Devuan, and comes with a long history of participation in the Linux realm. It has been chosen as this week’s Distro of the Week.
While we may be getting ahead of the story, Peppermint OS “comes with nearly nothing installed other than the core packages needed to run the system and you have the choice to which packages should best fit your build.”
Which, of course, is heady stuff.
The minimum system requirements for the British distro is 1 GB of RAM and a single-core 1 GHz processor, with 10 GB of disk space and integrated graphics compatible with OpenGL 2.0. This makes it idea for older machines, but it also makes it a welcome distro for newer hardware as well. However, the recommended system requirements are 2 GB to 4 GB of RAM, a 2 GHz dual-core processor, and 20 GB or more of storage.
Installing Peppermint OS
Because Peppermint OS is light on software, the ISO weighs in at a mere 1.9 GB, which meant a fairly quick download. Once the ISO was put onto a USB drive, we were off to the races installing it on a couple of pieces of hardware.
The install process was very straightforward thanks to a Calamares install. The usual suspects pop up during the install: keyboard, disk configuration, login and password, and confirmation before clicking install and letting the program do it’s magic.
As I said earlier, we were getting ahead of the story when it comes to software already installed. Think of Peppermint OS not as lacking software but as a blank canvas where you, the artist, creates your distro on your own terms.
So we did. Using Synaptic Package Manager – one of the programs included in Peppermint OS – we added VLC media player, the LibreOffice suite of software, the GIMP image manipulator, as well as Thunderbird email client. The distro does come with a web browser already, which is LibreWolf, and it performed admirably, so there was no Firefox added as a result.
Once we got the distro to where we wanted it, it was time to give Peppermint OS a run.
Kicking the tires
The first thing one notices when booting Peppermint OS is the speed upon which the distro comes to life. It is very quick to show the login/password, after which the user is introduced to a Welcome window. This window provides a wide range of information about the distro, including an about page, suggestions regarding what the user might want to install, online documentation, and the build log for safe measure.
The Xfce 4.20 desktop environment is its usual clean and efficient self, with the Menu generated from the bottom left and a trio of icons – file manager, Xfce terminal, and Run Program icons, specifically – all on the bottom panel. The right side of the panel is complete with WiFi, Clipboard, Battery, an Update Shortcut (which is very handy to update the system), Notification, Volume, and Calendar.
The desktop photo itself in the stock download is a fox looking straight at the user. While it is a fairly calming and innocuous photo, those who have an aversion to an animal staring at you may want to change it, although the pickings were slim when it came to desktop photo alternatives.
Because Peppermint OS is aimed at a wide range of hardware, the performance of the distro is top-notch. There is absolutely no lag in calling up programs, and the speed at which the programs execute their duties have been impeccable. Multitasking with Peppermint OS is also a joy, with the distro handling each and every request with ease. It was difficult to make the distro rise above 3 GB of RAM use no matter what we did.
Additionaly, Peppermint OS played nicely with web-based programs like Google Docs and Google Drive. Of many of the distros reviewed recently, this one stands out as an all-around go-to for those seeking to use Linux.
Final thoughts
The only thing – and this is more of a “me” issue than anything – which I found a little quirky about Peppermint OS is when I wanted to turn off the machine, I couldn’t immediately find the button to do so. But it is there, actually, hiding in the bottom left in the menu next to the Settings Manager and Lock Screen. Could it be a bigger button? I would say yes, but again this is me we’re talking about and – truth in advertising – I felt a bit sheepish when I found it.
But if that’s the only, well, problem with this distro, then Peppermint OS shines as an example of what a Linux distro should be. The Xfce desktop environment is an ideal counterpart to the Debian beneath the hood, and the performance is pretty much second to none.
So where does that leave Peppermint OS on the Linux spectrum? Again, the Xfce desktop atop Debian allows for easy use by new users, while more experienced users might be uses to adding a wide array of software to the limited lineup offered by the distro.
It’s rare that we come across such a well-rounded distro with direction, and Peppermint OS is absolutely a pleasant surprise.
Give Peppermint OS a shot by downloading the ISO from the download page. You won’t be disappointed.
Do you have a distro you think would make a great feature for Distro of the Week? Don’t be shy—let me know! Email me at larry.cafiero@gmail.com and I’ll make an effort to make your choice available to the wider public … No suggestion is too mainstream!