BASIS 3 For Linux

BASIS is an open source and freely distributed Linux kernel-based operating system derived from the popular openSUSE Linux distribution and designed using the powerful SUSE Studio tool.

For the upcoming version, the developer joined forces with TOCA CompuGlobal, in order to deliver a greater GNU/Linux computer operating system, based on the latest stable version of openSUSE Linux.

While the latest version is built around the lightweight LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) desktop environment and supports only the 64-bit (x86_64) architecture, previous versions were based on the MATE and GNOME desktop environments, and were also available for the 32-bit (x86) architecture.

It is available for download as a Live DVD ISO image, which has approximately 1 GB in size and can be written to either DVD discs or USB thumb drives of 1GB or higher capacity. The Live DVD includes a boot prompt that allows users to try the operating system in live mode, without installing anything, perform a system memory test, as well as to boot an existing OS.

The LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) graphical desktop environment has been designed to be traditional, low on resources and user-friendly. In the BASIS distro it uses a black theme and uses a layout comprised of a single panel located on the bottom edge of the screen.

The taskbar (panel) includes various useful applets, such as the main menu, an application launcher, a workspace switcher, a task manager, and a system tray area. The desktop is clean, providing users only with a shortcut to the Live installer.

Various open source applications are included in the BASIS operating system, among which we can mention the Mozilla Firefox web browser, Leafpad text editor, Transmission torrent downloader, as well as Mozilla Thunderbird email and news client.