Unity Linux is a rolling release

Rolling release

In software development, a rolling release development model refers to a continuously developing software system; this is opposed to a standard release development model which uses software versions that must be reinstalled over the previous version...

 GNU/Linux distribution

Linux distribution

A Linux distribution is a member of the family of Unix-like operating systems built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions are operating systems including a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players, and database applications...

 maintained by a group of volunteers and is meant to be a base on which other distributions can build. Its default desktop environment

Desktop environment

In graphical computing, a desktop environment commonly refers to a style of graphical user interface derived from the desktop metaphor that is seen on most modern personal computers. These GUIs help the user in easily accessing, configuring, and modifying many important and frequently accessed...

 is Openbox

Openbox

Openbox is a free window manager for the X Window System, licensed under the GNU General Public License. Originally derived from Blackbox 0.65.0 , Openbox has now been totally rewritten in the C programming language and since version 3.0 is not based upon any code from Blackbox.Openbox is designed...

. Unity Linux is available as both a 32-bit

32-bit

The range of integer values that can be stored in 32 bits is 0 through 4,294,967,295. Hence, a processor with 32-bit memory addresses can directly access 4 GB of byte-addressable memory....

 and 64-bit

64-bit

64-bit is a word size that defines certain classes of computer architecture, buses, memory and CPUs, and by extension the software that runs on them. 64-bit CPUs have existed in supercomputers since the 1970s and in RISC-based workstations and servers since the early 1990s...

 Live CD

Live CD

A live CD, live DVD, or live disc is a CD or DVD containing a bootable computer operating system. Live CDs are unique in that they have the ability to run a complete, modern operating system on a computer lacking mutable secondary storage, such as a hard disk drive...

 that can be installed and is free software

Free software

Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...

.

Principles

The primary goals of Unity Linux are:

• Providing core packages for other distributions.
• Providing tools to make it easy to remaster.
• Ensuring interoperability between packages.
• Provide a reliable platform for remaster.

Contents

Unity Linux core system is made up of one CD that tries to provide a small base on which others can build off of. Because the target audience of Unity Linux is not end-users, nothing else is included. For example, server-centric applications and development tools are not part of the core system.

Even though many applications are not included in the core distribution, the system can be installed piece meal using the Smart Package Manager. A number of branches and remasters has provided Unity Linux core-based distributions available as LiveCDs.

Additionally, a separate online repository of unsupported software (this includes software that's free to use, but not open source

Open source

The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...

, such as codec

Codec

A codec is a device or computer program capable of encoding or decoding a digital data stream or signal. The word codec is a portmanteau of "compressor-decompressor" or, more commonly, "coder-decoder"...

s) is available.

Package management

Unity Linux uses Smart Package Manager along with RPM5 to manage its packages. The smart package manager is preconfigured to fetch updates and packages from the extensive Unity mirrors.

Release history

There is no need to reinstall when a new release is made—since the repositories get updated regularly, a user automatically gets the new release by running a smart update && smart upgrade.

The first test release is Beta 1 and is the first of many test releases. Subsequent test releases include Beta 2 on 4 January 2010 and RC1 on 9 March 2010.

There are Unity Linux-based distributions already in the works:

• Granular Linux
  Granular Linux
  Granular, or Granular Linux, is a Linux distribution targeted at the common desktop users. Granular is based on PCLinuxOS and comes as an installable live CD. The CD version of Granular features two desktop environments - KDE and a development version of Enlightenment...
  
   — KDE Plasma Desktop
• Producer Edition Linux
• TinyMe
  TinyMe
  TinyMe is a lightweight Unity Linux-based operating system, using the Openbox window manager. It is aimed at making the computing experience as bloat- and lag-free as possible and is well-suited to older computers, enthusiasts devoted to small/fast systems, or users who just want a minimal...
  
   — Openbox
• Unite17 (formerly PCe17OS) — e17
• SAMity Linux
  Sam Linux
  SAMity Linux is a GNU/Linux distribution, with Xfce as its default user interface. It is an open-source operating system for personal computers aimed at ease of use.-External links:*...
  
  — Xfce
• HUMANity Linux — e17 with ecomorph (external link)
• ChameleonOS (external link)

External links

• Unity Linux official website