mateu For Linux

mateu is an open source distribution of Linux derived from the world’s most popular free operating system, Ubuntu, and built around the traditional and lightweight MATE graphical desktop environment, a fork of the GNOME Classic interface.

The distribution is available for download as two Live DVD ISO images or approximately 1GB in size each, one for each of the supported hardware platforms (32-bit and 64-bit).

Both Live DVD images use a standard bootloader that allows the user to start the live system with default boot options and drivers or in safe graphics mode, perform a memory diagnostic test, start the installer directly, as well as to boot an existing operating system from the first disk drive detected by the BIOS.

Unfortunately, the distribution has been designed in such a way that it will drop users to a login screen where they must enter the “mateu” users name (without any password) to log into the system.

The MATE desktop environment uses a two-panel layout, one on the upper part of the screen from where you can easily navigate the main menu and launch applications, and another one located on the bottom edge of screen and designed for quick interaction with running programs.

Despite the fact that it weights approximately 1GB in size, the operating system includes a small collection of software, such as the VLC Media Player, Midor web browser, Wicd network manager, GDebi Debian/Ubuntu package installer, as well as all the MATE-specific applications.

Summing up, mateu tries to be the unofficial MATE edition of Ubuntu, providing users with a classic graphical desktop environment in the style of GNOME 2. It is suitable for low-end machines or computers with old hardware components. Keep in mind though, that it is no longer under active development.