I’ve covered a lot of remastered versions of Ubuntu since DLR launched. But, every once in a while, I bump into one that is particularly interesting to review. Peppermint OS One is definitely in that category.
Peppermint OS One is a web-centric Ubuntu remaster that passes up common desktop applications like OpenOffice.org in favor of web-based alternatives such as Google Docs. And it doesn’t stop with office applications either; Peppermint OS One integrates video sites like YouTube and Hulu right into the desktop experience.
LXDE and Prism
Peppermint OS One uses LXDE for its desktop environment. This means that it’s very fast and should work well even on machines with limited CPU and graphics horsepower. Since it makes great use of the cloud, you’ll definitely need to have a network connection available to get the most out of Peppermint OS.
Mozilla’s Prism is used to integrate web apps into the desktop. When you click on a web app in your applications menu, it will open in a desktop window. Prism lets web-based apps run even if you aren’t using your browser.
You can also click Prism on the Internet applications menu to create your own launchers for other web-based applications. You’ll just need to know the URL of the site and you’ll need to make some choices such as whether you want a link added to your desktop, status messages enabled or whether you want to use navigation keys. You’ll also need to select an icon or try to download one from the application’s site.
You can add other web applications to your system by using Prism.
Cloud and Desktop Applications
Peppermint OS One comes with a good selection of cloud based applications:
Editor by Pixlr
Facebook
Hulu
Last.FM
Pandora
Seesmic
The Cloud Player
YouTube
Google Calendar
Google Docs
Although the cloud is definitely the focus of Peppermint OS, there are installed applications included as well:
Firefox
Drop-Box
Exaile
Prism
X-Chat
Transmission
See the software section of the review for a full breakdown of applications by category.
In addition to the cloud and desktop applications listed above, Peppermint OS also comes with the following:
Linux Kernel 2.6.32
Xorg 7.5
Openbox 3.4.10
PCManFM 0.9.5
LXSession 0.4.3
Linux Mint and Peppermint OS
If the name “Peppermint OS” reminds you of Linux Mint, it’s no accident. Kendall Weaver, one of the Peppermint OS developers, is also the maintainer for the Linux Mint Fluxbox and LXDE editions.
Peppermint OS also makes use of some of Linux Mint’s tools such as mintInstall (software manager) and mintInput. If you pull up the Update Manager, both of these are at the top of the update list. Given that Linux Mint is one of the best Ubuntu remasters ever created, I’m happy to see what looks like some cross-pollination between the two projects.
You can run Peppermint OS as a Live CD before deciding to install it.
(11 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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[...] one that is particularly interesting to review. Peppermint OS One is definitely in that category. Peppermint OS One is a web-centric Ubuntu remaster that passes up common desktop applications like OpenOffice.org in favor of web-based [...]
Superb distro! I love Mint, and PeppermintOS is a fantastic LXDE distribution. Lubuntu/Mint combination, super!
The wallpaper would fit best a distro called CinammonOS. :-)
I have gOS 8.04.2 or whatever the latest update is and it’s on my Gateway laptop. It is one of the oldest of the early distros that started experimenting with the Web and the cloud. Maybe I ought to replace it with this Peppermint OS. I’ll consider it. gOS has actually been a pretty good OS for me these past couple of years.
So if I add Mozilla Prism, Google Docs, and Dropbox to my Ubuntu install, do I have a cool “cloud OS” ?
Wait, for that matter, I could get an even cooler “cloud OS” by adding Google Docs, a VPN, and an online storage service to Windows Vista and I’d be living in the cloud!
[...] review on slashdot– I’ve covered a lot of remastered versions of Ubuntu since DLR launched. But, every once in a while, I bump into one that is particularly interesting to review. Peppermint OS One is definitely in that category. [...]
Looks interesting though some parts (such as links to Hulu, Last.FM, and Pandora) are useless for non US users. Still, an interesting idea in a “cloud OS”.
why the hell are you watching a video of a squirrel being skinned ?
I installed Peppermint Os today. In the past I used PcLinuxOS XFCE which I found too slow on my Thinkpad R40e. In the few hours I am using it I am very surprised about this fast distro. It looks also very stable and has all the new updates including Firefox 3.6.3. I am very enthusiastic and going to use it for a while. Therefore I want tgive the developer a compliment and advice others to use this new exciting distro.
I was about to link to this review, but that was until I saw the YouTube screenshot. Was this really the best YouTube screenshot you could find ?!? I second gino, a previous commenter on this review.
I really hope you can include another YouTube screenshot, because this takes the quality from your Peppermint review.
This seems like maybe a good candidate for netbooks, but I’m not sure – it may be light and quick and not need heavy resources, but doesn’t it also load up your net connection? If you had a slow wireless hookup, would you be bogged down?
We have issued a Fatwa against you for defaming our prophet!
Downloaded and tested it in a VBox’s vm with 256 MB allowed for RAM. After testing PCLOS Openbox with the same machine configuration, I can say Pepermint isn’t as good as the former. Moreover, if you use the cloud or the “prismatic” applications you’ll notice long lags and the system freezes.
Here typing this from the LiveCD of Peppermint. Also ran it in VMWare. In both instances it performed well. I did give it 1mb ram in the VM, and my laptop has 4gb. Not really into the cloud stuff, but I did download a few regular apps and games on the VM install. All ran well.
I would have to say this is definitely one of the better ‘buntu derivatives. Also one of the better LXDE examples.
@ tlmck:
Oops! Meant 1gb instead of 1mb ram.