Spotlight on Linux: Linvo GNU/Linux

Susan Linton — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:00:00 +0000

After an earlier quick look, it seemed Linvo GNU/Linux was worthy of a spotlight. Linvo is a Slackware-based distribution featuring GNOME 2.32 and is shipped as a live image. The desktop is pretty and features a handy set of applications. In addition, additional applications are available through a popular one-click format.

Linvo has been in development since early 2009 and was recently added to Distrowatch's distribution database. Slackware has long been known as rock solid and stable, and Linvo dresses it up and brings some advantages over Slackware itself.

Some advantages over Slackware might be:

1. Live image
2. GNOME desktop (for those users)
3. Easy graphical installation in live environment
4. Additional packages
5. More packages through one-click Web interface
6. Desktop customizations & eyecandy

The Live Environment

Linvo live boots quickly straight into its pretty GNOME desktop. (Slackware is known for providing applications and desktops just as the developers release.) It takes advantage of autoconfiguration of the X Server and renders an autoprobed resolution. In testing, this resolution tends to be on the safe side of optimal. NVIDIA drivers are available from Linvo, but no proprietary ATI/AMD drivers are listed.

Linvo plays it safe with GNOME 2.32 and its familiar typical setup. This usually, and does in Linvo, consist of an upper panel housing a few applets on the right and the three menus on the left. Below is the other panel for the application taskbar and desktop pager. In the application menu are applications such as GIMP, OpenOffice.org, Evolution, Chromium, Brasero, Totem, plus lots of accessories and tools.

The hard drive installer is quick and easy as well. It only asks a few questions in a compact user-friendly format. It does its job fast with no problems. The only complaint is that it installs a bootloader automatically without giving the user a choice or the choice in systems added. It adds an entry for every system available (as most would want).

The Installed System

The installed desktop is practically identical to the live environment minus the Install icon on the desktop. One icon one might notice instead is the Getting Started. This will open a browser to Linvo's Website where users can peruse information about Linvo, visit user support forums, or install extra applications through what some may call one-click links. The forum isn't really busy, but it appears questions are promptly answered.

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