In my twenty years of reviewing Linux distributions and writing about open-source, I’ve developed an interest in Linux products that aren’t traditional Linux. Most often, the most interesting Linux distributions are found among a growing number of independent distros.
There are two examples of relatively new Linux distributions with a lot of potential. Carbon Linux and Blend are both unique in the developers they represent.
Over the years I have extensively used and reviewed many Linux distributions created by large companies and communities of volunteers, as well as single developers. Most of the interesting Linux builds come from independent Linux builders.
Some of these distros include PCLinuxOS (also known as Tiny Core Linux), Slackware Linux (4MLinux), KaOS (also known as Linux From Scratch), Solus, MakuluLinux and NixOS. Puppy Linux is one of my favorites, and there are a number of distros which have a similar look and feel.
In my latest search for promising new distributions, I came across two very special projects. My search also revealed that developers and users are shifting their allegiances between these distribution categories.
BlendOSAs its name implies, it combines software from different Linux projects. The Gnome and KDE desktops are available as an option.
CarbonOSWhile not built from the base code of other Linux families it uses Gnome for familiarity. It also has an upgrade and maintenance system that is fail-proof.
Meet Overlapping Goals
Recently, while browsing news and information about Linux distributions I came across an Evans Data report from September 2020. The report’s findings revealed that at the time, non-commercial Linux distributions or free Linux were more popular among software developers than commercial Linux.
Clarification: commercial Linux products charge a fee to provide user support. Non-open-source applications and drivers that are bundled together can give businesses an advantage over their own IT departments.
In contrast, a group of volunteers develops free and non-commercial Linux Distributions. They then distribute them as noncommercial products. This Linux category is sometimes called community-based Linux.
Surprising Linux Distro Statistics
Users from both categories are often drawn to Independent Linux Distributions. Independent Linux distributions are developed without relying on the code base of a larger Linux Project.
The term “built from scratch”, therefore, is quite accurate. The developers build their own independent distributions by using their unique tool sets, libraries of coding, and software packages that they have created or modified themselves.
Evans Data found that 20% of developers do not believe commercial Linux versions offer advantages over noncommercial Linux versions. The Evans Data study revealed that the most important advantages of non-commercial Linux distros were their ease of usage and lower costs of maintenance and upgrading.
Independent distribution developers have the ability to modify existing code in order to fit their needs. Independent distributions are not dependent on Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu Fedora Arch Linux SUSE and Red Hat.
Take a look at two Linux projects. BlendOS, which is further along in its development, is an excellent choice for Linux beginners, but it can also be a good alternative for seasoned Linux enthusiasts. CarbonOS, a concept that is still in its infancy but has a lot of potential, isn’t yet suitable for Linux novices or experts.
BlendOS Overview
Rudra Saraswat is the developer of this Linux distro. He released “Avial” version 2 on April 22, incorporating more computing options into the original mix. Users can now install Arch Linux directly from the system depots and AUR repositories.
Saraswat calls himself a 13-year old tech geek. Do not let the young age of Saraswat deter you.
He runs a home laboratory and uses Ubuntu. He is also a member of Ubuntu Linux and the project leader and creator of Ubuntu Unity. Ubuntu Unity is a remix distribution of Ubuntu with the Unity7 Desktop Environment. Unity was Ubuntu’s default desktop environment from 2010 until 2017.
BlendOS is a new alternative for Linux veterans. It’s also a great option for Linux novices.
BlendOS’ latest version automatically displays applications and binary files installed in containers from multiple distributions on the base system. Saraswat created a new system based on priority to avoid conflicts. This allows users control over which containers’ binaries and applications should be given the preference.
Version 2 is based on a system of flavors and remixes, in which remixes are developed by the community. Users can choose from the official BlendOS build page to create and submit a blendOS remix.
Blending Includes Android Too
This new Linux distribution comes with Android apps pre-installed using Waydroid. The Waydroid Project is an open source container-based solution that allows you to run the Android operating system on your Linux machine.
This is the same as Google Chromebooks’ built-in Android apps support. The installer allows you to download apps from F-Droid, Aurora Store, and Google Play Store.
The developer’s release notes stated that the installed Android apps behave like native windowed Linux applications. This is helpful for Android developers who can test their apps in Android Studio just like they would with regular Linux apps.
Web apps and Progressive Web Apps can be installed or used just like desktop applications. Users can also submit web apps to blendOS’ web store. A overlay system allows you to use the pacman packages manager on an Arch installation.
If something goes wrong, I love the feature of being able to go back to an existing snapshot. Saraswat is planning to add support for merging overlays with the root file system.
BlendOS was based on Arch Linux. However, it is not the official Arch Linux distro. You can install any app on any Linux operating system or distro. This feature is still under development.
In December, this distro celebrated its fourth birthday. This distro has a lot to give and is on its way to modernizing Linux computing.
CarbonOS Highlights
Adrian Vovk released a beta build of carbonOS – a Linux OS for general use – recently. This new Linux distro’s main selling point is the user-friendly security.
The design of carbonOS is minimalistic and intuitive. The carbonOS design is minimal and intuitive.
The updating process of blendOS is also very smooth, so there are no upgrade problems. The system is updated in the background. Changes are applied with a restart. CarbonOS undoes any updates that have been faulty automatically if a mistake occurs. You can reverse the process yourself.
This distribution adds an additional security layer, which is nearly impenetrable, that makes all system files “read-only”. Even the apps that you install run in sandboxes and are therefore more secure.
Vovk claims that his new Linux distribution is unique for another reason. It’s one of only three distros using OSTree. Endless OS and Fedora Silverblue make up the other two.
CarbonOS is an example of simplicity, efficiency and reliability.
The OSTree advantage
OSTree provides a way to track updates for Linux-based OSs. It is a user-space application that runs on any Linux filesystem.
Vovk’s explanation of the process reveals that the operating systems exist in a repository. The /usr is a read-only directory.
The system state is stored in the directories /home/var/etc. Just clearing out those three directories will return you to the stock state.
This is done by selecting the older version in the bootloader and rebooting. This is a simple process that is very similar to Chromebooks’ upgrade.
Upgrades are much easier than in other Linux distributions. Updates are much smaller because they only require binary changes from carbonOS’s previous version. The full package is not downloaded.
Vovk wants to simplify the Linux operating system. He said that stock carbonOS was simplified to run Flatpak applications, manage hardware, and not get into your way.
CarbonOS is in an early alpha version. So trying it now is for testing purposes only — but it is definitely a Linux distro to keep in mind as the development matures.
Suggestions for a Review
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