GeeXboX is a free embedded Linux
Despite his tiny ISO image size, the distribution comes with a complete and automatic hardware detection, not requiring any driver to be added. It supports playback of nearly any kind of audio/video and image files and all known codecs and containers are shipped in, allowing playing them through various physical supports, either being CD, DVD, HDD, LAN or Internet.
GeeXboX also comes with a complete tool-chain that allows developers adding easily extra packages and features but that might also be used to give birth to many dedicated embedded Linux systems.
The curent version of GeeXBox is 1.2-beta1 with major changes of adding widescreens and HDTV screens support and adding X11 video acceleration for most graphic cards (Intel, nVidia, ATI, S3, SiS, VIA ...).
The whole distributions is now modularized to best detect your hardware and load ony what is needed. Many drivers have been added and installation has been completely reworked for better usability.
This beta version that can be downloaded here, also has been optimized for various platforms like EeePCs
ComFusion is a pioneer in the distribution operating CompizFusion Mode DVDLive, ie without installing anything on your computer, operating at the same memory. ComFusion is an Ubuntu-based live DVD featuring out-of-the-box support for a variety of Compiz Fusion effects and a Mac OS X-like user interface.
The latest version, 2.0, was just announced. Built from Ubuntu 8.04, ComFusion 2.0 brings a choice of two desktop environments - GNOME 2.22.1 (default) and Xfce 4.4.2, both with complete support for Compiz effects and with a Mac OS X-style Wbar for quick access to popular applications.
Other features include enhanced support for wireless network cards, a variety of Compiz Fusion utilities and scripts for downloading restricted media codecs, inclusion of several Google Applications, Skype and other non-free software, a collection of games, office and development software, support for English, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish languages.
In this new version, including a selection of programs, scripts and system settings, following the philosophy of ComFusion, trying to do more interesting and attractive, if anything, the Linux world, in the face of new users coming from other operating systems.
It try to make a distro that merges the best of other distributions without losing the essence of ComFusion, which is reflected in a new motto for this version 2.0:"ComFusion. . . The Easy way of Linux..." "ComFusion... The Easy way of Linux ..."
However, designed to fit on an 8cm DVD / 1.4 Gb, 100% portable. Btw, you can download this new version of ComFusion at Here.
Notes:
The user of the Live-DVD by default is: comfusion and the default password: comfusion
You will need to switch desktop, for example Gnome to Xfce, or vice versa.
