The release of Ubuntu 10.10 has insured that many derivative distros have also been updated. One of the less known but very useful ones is Pinguy OS 10.10. Pinguy OS takes generic Ubuntu 10.10 and adds quite a bit of additional software and value to it.
If you are totally unfamiliar with Pinguy OS, you might want to peruse the full review of the 10.04 version I did on Desktop Linux Reviews. You can also get more background on the distro from its creator on the Pinguy OS site.
Here’s a brief sample of that:
Ubuntu is a great OS and undoubtedly the most popular and easiest Linux based Distro to use but even with its default setup and chosen programs it’s still lacking functionality and ease of use for most new users. So what I decided to do was build a Distro that looks good, could do everything most user would ever want to do and that was very simple to use.
I started out by listening to what my friends and family wanted to use their PC for and found the most user friendly programs for the task they wanted to do. After a while I got a good idea what most people use their PC for and what programs where the easiest to use. Like using Shotwell for easily uploading images to Facebook, gtkpod for putting music, photos and video on a ipod/iphone and mvPod for converting the video to a iPod friendly format.
What’s New
Here’s a sample of what’s new in this release:
Update Wine to 1.3 from 1.2
Added zeitgeist datasources
Installed the missing firmware packages that haven’t been added.
Fix java sound.
Change default wallpaper and login
added ppasearch
Remove usb-creator due to people having problems
Fix TED menu entry
Added easy-union-nautilus
Added giver
Configured samba
Added virtualbox-ose-guest-x11 to 10.10.1
Wine
System Requirements
Here’s what you’ll need to run this update:
- 700 MHz x86 processor
- 384 MB of system memory (RAM)
- 8 GB of disk space
- Graphics card capable of 1024×768 resolution
- Sound card
- A network or Internet connection
Install
Don’t worry about installing Pinguy OS 10.10; it uses the same installer as Ubuntu. It’s very easy and fast. Total install time for me was about 10 minutes or so.
Note that you can opt to download updates while the install happens, and you can also install third party software. I recommend doing both; it will save you time later on after the install has finished.
Install 1
Install 2
Next, I’ll look at some of the software included with this distro, and I’ll share my experiences using it.
(6 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)
Loading ...
Thanks for the Quick Look! I agree with the comments about appearance. I tend to like waterfront scenes, whether a beach, ocean, waterfall, riverbank, or something similar, and I also tend to enjoy a field or the woods. Of course, things of that nature only provide a first visual impression, but as we also know, first impressions do matter, and the first impression here is positive.
Thanks also for the video look. Since I’ve now seen it, I have fewer reasons for actually checking it out. I think your summary about Pinguy fitting in somewhere between Mint and Ultimate Edition is a good positioning, and from what I’ve tried in the past, along with your update, I think this distribution could be useful for those who are looking for a somewhat larger inclusion of software than what is included by default in either Ubuntu or Mint.
Glad to see that there is this much choice in an area that is already quite rich with choices. To me, it sure beats not having the variety and choices available, though for my own needs, I already have the systems in place that meet every extreme for my every day computing tasks.
I like this distro a lot and use it.
Everything works well and all apps are up to date.
Go Pinguy!!
The desktop is a bit busy for my tastes but was easy to configure to my liking. So far the system has run smoothly and all the additional software I have added has worked as well. I am sure some folks will really enjoy this release.
Looks like a pretty neat distro. I have been in the position a few times where I probably could have suggested/installed Ubuntu for someone, but haven’t. This project seems like it has some smart principals behind it, which is making it a much easier transition for most computer users. Nice that it lets you get the non-free plugins out of the way during install too!
I just loaded this up on an older Athlon64 box with 1.5Gb of RAM, and it absolutely screams. Very quick response, current software versions – and it’s pretty!
This is the best I’ve seen in a long time.
Normally I’d find myself tweaking and downloading for an hour or two after I loaded up a new distro. PinguyOS, however, is good enough to use ‘as is.’ And while I may have different preferences when it comes to which applications get included by default, I can’t say anything the Pinguy team picked was a bad choice. In some cases, I actually liked what they chose better than what I’m currently using. Live & learn…
This distro just might become my new homebase. It’s that good.
[...] OS 10.04.1.2 | Desktop Linux Reviews There's also a quick look of the more recent Pinguy OS: Quick Look: Pinguy OS 10.10 | Eye On Linux Hope those help. New to the DLR forum? Welcome! Great to have you with us! Feel free to [...]
I just installed 10.04 on an old laptop (P3 900). It is fantastic and other than adding some more themes, everything I usually do is already done!!! The only issue that I have had is that, every once in a while, the menu bar and dock “disappear” I have yet to figure out a permanent fix for this but there are work-arounds. The only reason that I installed 10.04 instead of 10.10 is that I wanted the LTS release.
Hi,
just wanted to say that I have only just started using PinguyOS and about 2 weeks ago was offered the position as Mod on the German site which has only just started.
PinguyOS is the best out-of-box OS that I have ever used; I have used many over the years but I think I am here to stay!!!.
POS is easy to use from beginner to advanced as it is based on Ubuntu; which has a solid base.
I have said enough.
Regards Wolfman
Pinguy is a one man show. The developer is a gem of a guy, but the staff that runs his forums are dicks. Sadly Pinguy is one of these distros that takes ubuntu, throws everything but the kitchen sink in it (how many applications does a distro need to have preloaded for doing the same thing?), hands it to the User preconfigured and then says gets passed off as beingthe latest and greatest thing. In reality it’s a mildly gussied up version of Ubuntu and it’s only real benefit is that if you like this configuration, or something close to it, using Pinguy will save you an afternoon of modifying Ubuntu how you want it (then again, you might have to spend some time getting rid of some of the choices Pinguy makes as well).
The big claim here is that everything works right out of the box, which is largely true. However that is mainly because if Ubuntu. another big plus that Pinguy gets a lot of props for is the use of Mint tools. I agree, they are awesome, but again they were developed by Linux mint and Mint’s integration is far better executed and much much deeper.
I like what Pinguy is attempting to do, but it is still rather rough around the edges. Personally I think Mint is a FAR better OS, is truly original and really does improve on ubuntu. If you want a much better integrated version of Pinguy without all the added bloatware, just use Mint, add the global menu package and add the dock of your choice.
That plus the Mint community is actually friendly and very helpful.
your right isthmus, Pinguy, as are many other ‘derivatives’ of Ubuntu are just that, Ubuntu with a ton of stuff thrown into it. And the level of redundant apps. is ridiculous. Ubuntu all by itself is more than enough. And I dare say anyone mildly competent
could easily add the stuff they want to this popular distro just the way they like it…
hi all
pinguy os not a very good os,i have tested this on virtual machine
it runs painfully slow and its resource hungry distro.any body who want a try of linux then go for ultimate edition 2.8 ,ubuntu based distro like pin guy but eye candy and nothing to do after installation simply sit and enjoy. lets forget not ultimate edition 2.8 was not a resource eater.
I don’t want to send a sour note over this particular distro, and I know that this is an ‘old review’ but have you paid any attenttion th whats happening with this particular remix. It’s a buggy one, suffering from a ‘bad’ Dockey udate via mint-update and a thoroughly flighty crew responsible
for this poorly done remix. what a way to greet the ‘noobs’ freshly migrating
here in Linux from the world of Winblows.
I know it’s your job to review stuff and I’m not unsympathetic to your plight, but please, give up some usefull material…
Sincerely
Stephen Green
I have been a Pinguy user for around 3 months now. Extremely satisfied with it. Recently I switched to Arch, a great distro and now using it for daily tasks since its extremely fast and light on resources. But I still leave Pinguy hanging around in my machine. A trustworthy backup :) and I recommended my friends to go for Pinguy.
I wasn’t as fortunate. Pinguy was a rough ride for me, 10.10 used the Mintupdate and a bad ‘Docky’ update turned me away. That said, the 10.04 re-visited I am using, and it’s exactly what I had hoped for to begin with.
http://eyeonlinux.com/wp-content/plugins/smilies-themer/Nomicons%20v2.0/w00t.png
Yet another review of Pinguy OS:
http://linuxblog.darkduck.com/2011/03/magical-pinguyn-tux.html
Hi fellas,
I need some help. I downloaded the Pinguy OS 10.10.1 and put it on a USB Drive with a proper application (LiveLinux). I can now use the OS from the USB Drive but it doesn’t let me install it to a Hard Drive. It just won’t go forward from the first window where you can choose to download updates and install third party software. Please help me, I’m a total newbie with Ubuntu.
Hi Randomhero,
I suggest you direct your problem directly to the PinguyOS forum:
http://forum.pinguyos.com/
Regards Wolfman