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There are 1 reviews in our database.Latest Listings | Category: Linux Distros
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 Title: Zenwalk 2.2  | views:1809 |   Zenwalk 2.2 is one of the smaller (read: not bloated) linux distros. It is based on Slackware and available for free (as in beer) and free (as in speech). Zenwalk 2.2 runs with Kernel 2.6.15.4.
Sticking with the defaults provided I ended up here, writing this review, in about 14 minutes. This makes Zenwalk 2.2 the fastest install I have ever seen.
It properly identified my network card, my video card (Matrox G550 dualhead) and my sound card (SIS Onboard p.o.s) - without anything more than one extra [enter] key stroke.
It comes with XFCE window manager as the default desktop. It also comes well stocked with the KDE and GTK 2 libraries making it very easy to run or install anything. I have never used XFCE before this week, but have quickly adapted to it.
After a week of running XFCE, I will be hard pressed to revert back to KDE or Gnome again. Anyone who think Gnome is too simple or KDE too bloated really need to give Xfce a go. It’s everything you need, only a couple of bells and whistles, and the launchers under Zenwalk are nicely configured.
Onboard software includes FireFox 1.5.0.1, Thunderbird 1.5, Gaim and Gxine media player.
One quirk is that there is no immediate access to other programs via the menu bar. It is easily added, but it begs the question why wasn’t it included by default?
Zenwalk 2.2 comes with AbiWord, not Open Office. Some think this is a good move. Count me on that list as OO has become memory hogging bloatware since 2.0 was released.
Gftp and Bluefish are also stock - just two more of my favorite things.
Zenwalk package management is not as sexy as other distributions like Debian, Red Hat or Mandriva. This will irk newer users of Linux, while more expert users don’t really care for such things anyway.
Terminal sessions are handled by Xfterm4. I have never used Xfterm4 before Zenwalk, but I took to it like a Penguin to water. I will never use another terminal program again. Can I get it to run under other desktops, I wonder?
Thunar is the file manager (not xffm?) which handles everything quickly and directly. It’s limitations are only in the design aspect as it is not as “pretty” as some. A petty comment I suppose, as it certainly does the job faster than Konqueror or other bloated file managers.
The design, theme or template of this Zenwalk default desktop is utilitarian at best. It appears to be well short of anything inspired - unless basic utilitarian was the theme they were going for (Given the name of the distribution, I am thinking it just might be). If I had more than a week to spend with it I might spend that week redesigning the theme. I wonder though if this isn’t a sign that the developers spent their time in more important places. (I think they did).
Ultimately Zenwalk is a great distribution for those looking for a well built, stable and utilitarian Linux distribution as opposed to an over-bloated near commercial distro.
I loved my week with Zenwalk, I think anyone else would as well.
written by Strixy (A Freak Speaks but does anybody listen?)
Originally posted: http://www.3freaks.net/?p=209 |
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| Review submitted: 2006/3/20
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Love it! 
Recommend it! 
