Crunchbang Linux

So recently I took the dive and started to learn the ways of Linux, I started off with a basic Ubuntu dual boot process, but I thought this was too….simple. I then tried out several obscure debian-branch distro’s. Those were not stable enough for me (most were in alpha testing). And then I heard about Crunchbang Linux.

From Wikipedia: CrunchBang Linux (often referred to simply as “#!” because of its logo) is a lightweight Ubuntu based Linux distribution created by Philip Newborough. It uses the Openbox window manager and is especially suitable for low-end hardware with limited resources. (e.g. the ASUS Eee PC). It is provided as an installable Live CD.

I am running it on a Core 2 Duo laptop with 4GB of RAM, so resources are not an issue for me, but I wanted something barebones and with a very snappy response time.

Some features of Crunchbang Linux:

CrunchBang Linux is designed to offer a good balance of speed and functionality. It has been reported to boot faster than Ubuntu by Softpedia, but also includes a larger number of applications by default than a standard Ubuntu installation. It operates better under low resources than Ubuntu and is faster than a normal Ubuntu distribution. CrunchBang Linux has been developed completely from Ubuntu sources with the exception of few packages.

Unlike Ubuntu, CrunchBang includes several non-free or patent encumbered applications and libraries such as out-of-the-box support for severalmultimedia formats including MP3, Adobe Flash as well as DVD playback. CrunchBang also replaces some applications that are included with default Ubuntu, such as:

• Openbox Window Manager instead of the GNOME Desktop Environment
• ROX-Filer and Thunar (replaced by PCMan File Manager in CrunchBang 8.10.02) are used as file managers instead of Nautilus
• AbiWord and other GNOME Office components instead of OpenOffice.org
• Skype VoIP client instead of Ekiga
• CrunchBang also uses a different GTK theme, icon set and default wallpapers.

Crunchbang comes in 2 different flavors: Crunchbang Linux, and Crunchbang Lite, which the latter is made for PC’s/Laptops with low RAM and especially low HDD space.

If you want to learn a bit about Linux, but still want a stable and usable Linux desktop OS, I can’t recommend Crunchbang (or #! as we call it) enough. Their forums are very helpful and filled with friendly people.

PROS:

Lightweight

Fast

Infinitely customizeable

Surprisingly stable

CONS:

Such heavy reliance on Ubuntu repo’s can be a negative.

Lack of OpenOffice by default my be a negative to some.

Review Score: 9.75/10.