Kumander Linux is a refreshing mix of Debian 11.3 working the Xfce desktop redesigned with the appear and feel of Home windows 7.
Quite a few standard Linux distros already model themselves as Home windows-centric saviors wrapped right into a Linux working system taste. These embody distributions akin to Zorin OS, Linux FX, Kubuntu, Solus, and Linux Mint.
Most attempt to mimic the look of Home windows 7. A number of attempt to replicate the texture of Home windows 10 or 11. Surprisingly, few go so far as bundling the Wine software to really let Home windows crossovers run Microsoft applications inside the Linux OS.
Kumander Linux goes one higher. It ships with one of many newest environments to run Home windows software program on Linux: Bottles.
Kumander Linux ships with Bottles, one of many newest environments to run Home windows software program on Linux.
I feel it’s misguided to hawk as a characteristic for brand new Linux customers the notion they may have Home windows-like interfaces which can be acquainted to them. Linux efficiency is way superior to that of Microsoft Home windows. A number of Linux distros use that very same strategy with Mac-like appearances by tweaking the desktop model with comparable performance.
Usually, at this time’s higher Linux distro developments have eradicated the information interchangeability between how productiveness purposes, particularly for graphics and enterprise, look, really feel, and carry out in comparison with their Home windows software counterparts.
Kumander solves that lacking hyperlink properly with its Bottles iteration. The distro makes it straightforward for customers to run their favourite Home windows apps and video games as in the event that they have been working of their native atmosphere. This potential provides to the attract of this new Linux OS.
For instance, the next picture exhibits the newest LibreOffice Impress, a Microsoft PowerPoint clone, working on full display screen in Kumander OS’s native atmosphere.
Kumander Linux comes with different top-notch open-source purposes which can be pretty much as good or higher than their proprietary counterparts. These embody Blender, Inkscape, and Gimp for graphics and multimedia enhancing — and creation instruments akin to Passion, Audacity, Kdenlive, and VLC media participant.
Making an Early Good Fame
I’m fairly impressed with Kumander Linux’s efficiency in its 1.0 debut. Philippines’ resident Roy Hoejgaard has developed a singular distro that continues to be true to the Home windows 7 look coupled with the Linux core.
Hoejgaard’s modifications to the Xfce desktop make the computing atmosphere pleasant and comfy. Linux newcomers will discover it straightforward to make use of, and seasoned Linux followers will likely be shocked by the extent to which they will configure and alter dozens of usability tweaks.
Kumander Linux has an uncluttered desktop with ample settings choices packaged in separate classes.
During the last three many years of my love affair with Linux, the Cinnamon and Xfce desktops have admirably met my wants. What may need been lacking from one desktop alternative had options that made up for it.
Kumander’s Xfce resolution is a mixing of each choices for me. I like that it has dependable applets I can add to the taskbar and the flexibility to pin favourite apps to the desktop, a favorites record in the primary menu, or the taskbar.
Proper-clicking anyplace on the desktop not coated by an open window at all times pops up a launcher menu and different instruments with out having to activate the primary menu.
Switching amongst digital workspaces or desktops is a breeze, and including a desktop switcher software to the taskbar is simple. With Kumander, there was nothing I had to determine or perhaps a have to view the included fast begin video.
Home windows Philosophy Infused With Linux
As Hoejgaard tells it, he named his distro the equal of the English “Commander” after rejecting “Komodoro,” derived from the identify of his first pc, the Commodore VIC-20.
He added the connection to Home windows 7 as a result of he considers that Microsoft launch to be that proprietary OS’s peak growth, so he picked up the place Microsoft left off.
His growth technique contains colourful icons, eye-catching background pictures of scenes round The Philippines, and software program “with actual soul.”
Colourful icons and attention-grabbing backgrounds spotlight the particular content material in Kumander Linux.
Add to that the low system necessities that permit Kumander OS to run on any outdated or new {hardware}. The Home windows 7 aura lets customers deal with friendliness, openness, and ease to offer a way of at all times being in management.
Minimal system necessities are a single-core 1GHz 64bit or dual-core 1GHz 64bit central processing Unit. It runs with a minimum of 2GB of RAM and 20GB of storage. However 4GB RAM doesn’t harm, both.
I say that with a way of authority.
I wiped the mud off two early-model Dell laptops that share these meager reminiscence specs and loved very usable efficiency. It completely flies with 8GB of RAM on a Dell laptop computer working Core I5 innards.
Partaking Consumer Interface
With a few years of testing a variety of Linux distros, I normally depend on giving prime consideration to 2 issues a few distribution. I base my final thumbs-up or thumbs-down choice on the person interface (UI) and the embellishment of energy options tweaked into the desktop design.
The UI is important. If it wants a variety of determining tips on how to navigate the menus and configure how issues work, it simply received’t work for many customers, particularly these new to Linux.
Equally, if the desktop design makes utilizing the OS awkward, clunky, or unproductive, my thumbs level downward. Granted, not all Linux customers search for energy options and the newest high-tech navigational finesse. They simply need the desktop to be straightforward to make use of and practical for his or her wants.
What I like concerning the Kumander Linux UI is the fluidity amongst its three key parts. The smooth blue tones, high-contrast textual content fonts, and lack of distracting visible results contribute to a nice computing expertise.
These are all the outcomes of how the developer introduced a Home windows 7 look to a modern-looking Linux design. Add to that the quick and responsive Xfce desktop efficiency.
Stellar Look and Really feel
Apart from its nostalgic really feel, Kumander Linux affords way more than Home windows 7 recollections to love. Its UI could be very inviting.
Kumander Linux is likely one of the latest distros to supply the appear and feel of Home windows 7.
As an example, it has many built-in shortcuts. You possibly can press the Home windows key to open the primary menu and maintain the mouse over the menu button on the far-left icon on the underside panel bar to open the menu.
I particularly like with the ability to press the menu icon after which hit a letter to see a listing of apps beginning with that letter with out having to scroll by way of the person menu classes. Plus, as you kind letters within the search bar on the backside of the primary menu, you’ll be able to launch the app by urgent the enter key earlier than the identify is totally populated.
The OS comes with a set of one of the best Debian Linux software program. Hover the pointer over a title whereas scrolling by way of the menu to see an outline of what that software does.
Set up Draw back
Obtain the Kumander Linux by following this hyperlink: Kumander obtain.
Bear in mind, nevertheless, of a bothersome problem with putting in the 4.7GB ISO file.
That dimension is only a tiny scrunch over the storage capability of the DVD to which you could burn the set up information. Two workarounds provide an answer, however every requires extra steps than Linux novices would possibly like.
With out with the ability to burn the set up information to a DVD drive, you can’t run the stay session to check out the distro and even instantly set up it to your pc.
You possibly can, nevertheless, arrange Digital Field to load the saved ISO from the arduous drive to run the stay session or set up Kumander OS to the digital machine. Nonetheless, that doesn’t allow you to set up Kumander on an actual arduous drive.
You must do further work with the ISO file to get to this a part of the set up.
To resolve this downside, that you must use an software akin to Rufus or balenaEtcher that permits you to set up the information to a bootable USB drive as a substitute of a DVD medium. As soon as completed, you’ll be able to run the stay session model of Kumander OS.
Wait, there’s nonetheless an issue!
Most Linux ISOs have an set up routine you’ll be able to launch from inside the stay session. Kumander Linux doesn’t.
Which means you could exit the stay session and launch the set up routine manually from the USB drive.
Backside Line
Kumander OS is an modern, light-weight Debian-based OS. The Debian department of Linux is likely one of the oldest and most secure choices accessible.
Even in its infancy, Kumander OS 1.0 — launched in July — is a secure computing atmosphere that’s enjoyable, straightforward to make use of, and full of all of the software program that you must be productive. If you don’t see what you want, use the included software program retailer apps so as to add extra.
This new launch has an ordinary stock of Linux video games put in. It additionally comes with the Steam Recreation Platform ready within the menu so that you can click on the set up button.
Round 80% of the preferred video games on Steam work out of the field on Linux. Kumander offers you a platform to obtain and run them.
In case your typical computing workload includes creating movies, recording and mixing your individual audio scores in a house studio, and creating or enhancing printed content material, Kumander Linux instruments have you ever coated.
As a contemporary and modern tackle the Linux expertise, Kumander Linux combines the familiarity of Home windows 7 with the robustness and adaptability of Debian.
Its user-friendly interface, compatibility with a variety of {hardware}, and the inclusion of purposes like Bottles and LibreOffice make it a compelling alternative for each newcomers and seasoned Linux customers.
This new Linux entry would possibly develop in reputation quick. Test it out. It is likely one of the extra intriguing new varieties within the Linux world.
Counsel a Evaluate
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