I have the same disappointments with the two special editions of Simplicity Linux as I find with the current and older main versions. The distro's package repositories are limited to the Puppy Linux ecosystem, so the usual fallback to using other package managers is missing. This is one area where Simplicity Linux falls behind a full-fledged modern Puppy Linux release. Puppy Linux, depending on the variety, is compatible with other package systems. The Puppy Package Manager tool that Simplicity uses handles Slackware 14.1 and Puppy-Noach/Quirky/Slack 14.1 libraries. A major weakness with Simplicity is the poorly designed website. It is very difficult, if not impossible, for a new or potential user to find much useful information or even download and installation information. Using Simplicity You can run Simplicity unchanged from the DVD, much like any live-session Linux distro. Once booted, a first-run settings panel opens with various options, such as the keyboard layout and screen resolution. Each new boot presents this panel. You also will have to set up Internet access whether you plug in a modem cable or need to access a wireless connection. Three program options are available to do this. The computer's wireless card will determine which method works best in finding your access path. Even before you get to setting up your Internet connection, you must get Simplicity correctly configured with your graphic hardware. While Simplicity uses the same process as Puppy Linux, getting beyond this initial setup is far more troublesome. A better option for continually using Simplicity Linux is to create a personal save file and set up a frugal installation on either the hard drive or a bootable CD/DVD/USB installation. To do that, use the Puppy Universal Installer. Portable, Not for Hard Drives Like Puppy Linux, Simplicity Linux does not install directly to a hard drive. While you can install Simplicity to a hard drive in what is called a "frugal installation," it is really designed to boot from an optical or a USB drive. That lets you save all of your configuration changes and software settings. If you install it to a USB drive, you can run Simplicity Linux on any computer you use and have all your saved documents always with you. To do that, run the Bootflash installer found in the Setup menu to put a bootable copy of Simplicity Linux on a USB drive. First, make sure your legacy computer supports booting from a USB drive. If not, you will have to boot from the CD/DVD and create a personal storage file on either the hard drive or a USB drive. That option is presented each time you shut down a live session unless you selected the option to boot Simplicity in a no-save session. Bottom Line I liked earlier versions of Simplicity Linux. They remain very usable computing options. The X and Mini versions are equally capable but offer a different look and feel. The LXDE desktop consumes little system resources. It loads into system memory when possible to run fast and furious without having to read from the CD/DVD or USB storage. Simplicity Linux is generally easy to use, but the Puppy Linux-centric software requires a bit of a learning curve for users used to Debian Linux derivatives. If you are looking for a solid computing experience other than the X and the Mini editions in the 16.04 betas releases, check out previous Simplicity Linux releases. They offer the Puppy Linux base but include other changes, such as Google Chrome as the default browser. Want to Suggest a Review? Is there a Linux software application or distro you'd like to suggest for review? Something you love or would like to get to know? Please email your ideas to me, and I'll consider them for a future Linux Picks and Pans column. And use the Talkback feature below to add your comments!
WOOOW
I have the same disappointments with the two special editions of Simplicity Linux as I find with the current and older main versions. The distro's package repositories are limited to the Puppy Linux ecosystem, so the usual fallback to using other package managers is missing. This is one area where Simplicity Linux falls behind a full-fledged modern Puppy Linux release. Puppy Linux, depending on the variety, is compatible with other package systems. The Puppy Package Manager tool that Simplicity uses handles Slackware 14.1 and Puppy-Noach/Quirky/Slack 14.1 libraries. A major weakness with Simplicity is the poorly designed website. It is very difficult, if not impossible, for a new or potential user to find much useful information or even download and installation information. Using Simplicity You can run Simplicity unchanged from the DVD, much like any live-session Linux distro. Once booted, a first-run settings panel opens with various options, such as the keyboard layout and screen resolution. Each new boot presents this panel. You also will have to set up Internet access whether you plug in a modem cable or need to access a wireless connection. Three program options are available to do this. The computer's wireless card will determine which method works best in finding your access path. Even before you get to setting up your Internet connection, you must get Simplicity correctly configured with your graphic hardware. While Simplicity uses the same process as Puppy Linux, getting beyond this initial setup is far more troublesome. A better option for continually using Simplicity Linux is to create a personal save file and set up a frugal installation on either the hard drive or a bootable CD/DVD/USB installation. To do that, use the Puppy Universal Installer. Portable, Not for Hard Drives Like Puppy Linux, Simplicity Linux does not install directly to a hard drive. While you can install Simplicity to a hard drive in what is called a "frugal installation," it is really designed to boot from an optical or a USB drive. That lets you save all of your configuration changes and software settings. If you install it to a USB drive, you can run Simplicity Linux on any computer you use and have all your saved documents always with you. To do that, run the Bootflash installer found in the Setup menu to put a bootable copy of Simplicity Linux on a USB drive. First, make sure your legacy computer supports booting from a USB drive. If not, you will have to boot from the CD/DVD and create a personal storage file on either the hard drive or a USB drive. That option is presented each time you shut down a live session unless you selected the option to boot Simplicity in a no-save session. Bottom Line I liked earlier versions of Simplicity Linux. They remain very usable computing options. The X and Mini versions are equally capable but offer a different look and feel. The LXDE desktop consumes little system resources. It loads into system memory when possible to run fast and furious without having to read from the CD/DVD or USB storage. Simplicity Linux is generally easy to use, but the Puppy Linux-centric software requires a bit of a learning curve for users used to Debian Linux derivatives. If you are looking for a solid computing experience other than the X and the Mini editions in the 16.04 betas releases, check out previous Simplicity Linux releases. They offer the Puppy Linux base but include other changes, such as Google Chrome as the default browser. Want to Suggest a Review? Is there a Linux software application or distro you'd like to suggest for review? Something you love or would like to get to know? Please email your ideas to me, and I'll consider them for a future Linux Picks and Pans column. And use the Talkback feature below to add your comments!