It has been ages since I delved into the nightmarish and barbaric world of Ubuntu Satanic Edition. Much has changed since I first dared to install it back when I worked for ExtremeTech. Is Ubuntu Satanic Edition still as evil as it used to be? Find out in this review as I take you on a journey into the dark side of Ubuntu Linux. Together we’ll explore…the distro of the beast!
Before I get into the review, here’s my usual disclaimer about religious or mystical themed distros:
Desktop Linux Reviews does not endorse any particular religion or spirituality, nor does DLR endorse no religion or spirituality.
I have covered these kinds of distros in the past and will continue to do so. If reading about them is not your thing, please stop right now and go over to JimLynch.com You can read some of the excellent tech commentary and reviews available there (I know it’s excellent because I wrote all of it…heh).
I just wanted to put that out there for the folks that dislike the idea of DLR covering any kind of distro with religious or mystic themes to it. Okay, with that out of the way, on with our demonic review.
Launching Firefox will take you to hell on the web! (The Satanic Portal)
What’s New In This Release
Here’s a list of what’s new in Lucifer’s Legion:
Plymouth bootup theme with new Satanic logo
Wallpaper with new Satanic logo
GDM theme support
Revenge icon theme updated
New sataniconf helper script makes configuration easier
Please note that Ubuntu Satanic Edition is not an officially sanctioned derivative of Ubuntu. Since this release is based on Ubuntu 10.04, all of the new features in generic Ubuntu are now in its satanic counterpart. Here’s a brief list of the general new stuff found in Ubuntu itself, for my commentary on them please read my review of Ubuntu 10.04. I don’t want to regurgitate all of that again here.
F-Spot replaces the GIMP
PiTiVi video editor added
GNOME 2.30
New themes: Ambiance and Radiance
New wallpaper
Linux kernel 2.6.32
New nVidia hardware driver
Gwibber social media application
Faster boot time, with a different look and feel on the bootsplash screen
Ubuntu One adds contacts and bookmark sharing
Ubuntu One music store integrated into Rhythmbox
Ubuntu Software Center 2.0
The desktop with an alternate wallpaper.
This distro comes with plenty of additional evil wallpaper.
On the next page, I’ll look at the hardware requirements and the install routine.
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Well, I guess that I’ll have to be the “Goody Two Shoes” in the bunch. I’ve already tested multiple variations of the Ubuntu 10.04 series. All along during the development, I closely monitored the Kubuntu developments, mainly because I am interested in the track that KDE has been taking, and the test releases of Kubuntu, Mandriva Cooker, and OpenSUSE, track the KDE progress better than most others (unless you want to track them with Arch, Gentoo, or Linux from Scratch).
Though Jim is not a fan of Kubuntu, I find the Kpackagekit and the mostly generic implementation of KDE to be what I want, because I want to be able to evaluate a mostly unaltered implementation and compare it to the customized versions. Kubuntu, during the relatively rocky recent history of the KDE project, has provided a reasonable, usable platform, though it has certainly faithfully shared the KDE 4 defects, and both the good and the bad.
Based on testing, not only Kubuntu, but also Xubuntu, Ubuntu, Lubuntu, Peppermint, and Mint, all of which use the Ubuntu repositories, I am confident that this release would have functional similarities to the others. The differences would be more in visual appearance and the choice of tools. Given that I have no particular urge to view or hear anything beyond what I’ve already seen or heard, I will pass on downloading this one. I will say, however, that based on what I’ve already tested, those who may be interested in this will, more than likely, find a very easy to install, reliable to use system.
Of course you’ll write about it in the future as well. You hope it’s controversial.
But, I have to admit it, this satanic crap – and it’s neither a religion nor spirituality, btw – evens out nicely all that mushy Nelson-Mandela crap from the original Ubuntu.
God I hate extremism(s).
And no, of course I won’t download it and try it. Ubuntu Loudmouth Lemming is bad enough. No more Ubuntu!
What is so special about the Satanic Edition that you accord it the status of a separate distro? All it is is Ubuntu with some Goth eye candy. There is NO special Satanic software to distinguish it from the run-of-the-mill Ubuntu. At least the Christian Edition has some Bible related software.
BTW – what’s with the Anti-AdBlock popup at the end of your review???
> God I hate extremism(s).
Hate is an extreme.
Perhaps you meant “God I dislike extremism(s).”
Love and hate are both extremes. In the middle? Apathy.
On-topic though, I find the satanic edition creative and rather tongue-in-cheek. Which is nice. I still just run regular brown/purple Ubuntu myself though.
Cheers.
IMHO, it’s so stupid, as same Linux distribution can be…
If it was really a satanic distribution it would have an EULA copied from Windows.
@ John:
Now thats funny right there. I dont care who you are.
Nice post Jim. Here is how you could actuallt install Ubuntu Satanic themes and other eyecandy in Ubuntu.
http://www.techdrivein.com/2010/07/ubuntu-satanic-edition-1004-features.html
@ John:
How do you know? or is it winodws will copy from open source?
John wrote:
Hahah! Good one, John!
In Nomine Dei Nostri Satanas-Luciferi:
Corrections: a really ‘Satanick’ distro would most certainly NOT have an EULA copied from M$W, nor would it contain ‘Mephistophelian’ bug-code, for the simple reasons that [LaVeyan] Satanism emphasises individual excellence rather than the conformist uniformity demanded by M$W, & places great value on quality. The Satanic edition exemplifies the Ubuntu value of customising & therefore having a more individual distro, although the ‘true Satanist’ would make a truly one-off personal version that expressed & satisfied his/her egotism, & so would probably not even bother with this version.
Nevertheless, it is hilariously funny, & proves that not all geeks are nerdy!
I shall give it a try.
SHEM-HA-MEPHORASH!
If you want this site to be taken seriously, you should at least get the basic facts in and be correctly informative. You should state in the beginning that this is not a recognized derivative or special edition of Ubuntu. It is simply plain vanilla Ubuntu with an elaborate (if juvenile) “theme” applied. As such, your review should limit itself to the quality of the artwork and how well integrated it is. Personally, I am extremely impressed by the quality of the artwork even though, in the end, it is childish and ugly.
Ralph, good point on the official distinction. I added some text to cover that.
[...] Ubuntu Satanic Edition 10.04 (Lucifer’s Legion) [...]
@ John:
Agree. MS still wins regarding devilish ties.
I saw this review wasn’t mentioned in Distrowatch, maybe because they use the Uxxxxx word. One could think this copyright© thing is the evil while the fun these guys have is quite on the good side.