Features

Modern and Full-Featured

is a modern computer operating system, with an attractive and easy to understand user interface. Its update manager keeps not only the operating system itself, but all of its installed applications updated to the current release. The operating system is more secure, and better supported than operating systems that come pre-installed on most home computer hardware today.


Pre-Configured Yet Flexible

Using provides you with the freedom to run a complete, full-featured operating system, pre-configured with most, if not all, of the applications you will need for your daily computing - or to change anything about the way it looks, the way it works, or the applications it runs to suit your taste.


Built-In Security

is designed with security in mind. Unlike operating systems that update only once a month, receives updates continuously. The updates include security patches for and all of its components. Security updates for all of its installed applications are also provided on the same schedule. This ensures that you have the latest protection for all of your computer's software -- as soon as it's available!


can get viruses and other infections... but it is rare. Rapid and timely updates make it difficult for viruses, root kits and other malware to be installed and run without conscious intervention by you, the user. Even if you do accidentally invite in an infection, chances are it's designed to attack Windows and won't do much, if any damage to .


Another significant security feature of is that its users are not superusers by default. Superusers (also known as "root" users or administrators) on any computer system have permission to do anything they want, including the ability to damage the system.

For example, other operating systems look at the name of a file to determine which program should open it, then immediately attempt to open it. That design makes it easy for an intruder to attack a computer. opens a file based on what the file is, not based on its name. So even if a malicious program disguises its identity by using the name "Last Will and Testament.txt" will recognize the file as a program. The system provides a warning that the file is not a text file, but that it is a program that will be run if you give it permission to continue. To be extra secure, requires you to provide your administrator password before that permission is granted. Every single time.


Powerful Applications

While budgie-desktop provides the essential user interface to control and use a computer, adds a collection of additional applications to turn your computer into a truly powerful workstation.

Productivity

Chromium Firefox delivers safe, easy web browsing. A familiar user interface, enhanced security features including protection from online identity theft, and an integrated search to let you get the most out of the web.


LibreOffice is a full-featured office productivity suite that provides a near drop-in replacement for Microsoft(R) Office; its clean interface and powerful tools let you unleash your creativity and grow your productivity. LibreOffice embeds several applications that make it the most powerful Free and Open Source Office suite on the market:

  • Writer, the word processor.
  • Calc, the spreadsheet application.
  • Impress, the presentation engine.
  • Draw, the drawing and flowcharting application
  • Math, for editing mathematics.


Entertainment

Rhythmbox is a very easy to use music playing and management program which supports a wide range of audio formats (including mp3 and ogg). Originally inspired by Apple's iTunes, the current version also supports Internet Radio, iPod integration and generic portable audio player support, Audio CD burning, Audio CD playback, music sharing, and Podcasts.


GNOME Photos gThumb is a digital photo organizer. It allows you to import photos from disk or camera, organise them in various ways, view them in full-window or full-screen mode, and export them to share with others. It is able to manage a lot of different image formats.


GNOME MPV GNOME Videos is a media player. It plays MPEG, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, MOV, WMV, QuickTime, WebM, FLAC, MP3, Ogg/Vorbis files, DVDs, VCDs, podcasts, and multimedia streams from various network sources.


... And a whole lot more!

Naturally you'll also find a document/photo scanner and printer management all included in . And this is just the start. The GNOME Software includes best-in-class applications for most tasks and a single click will give you access to thousands of applications suitable for just about any professional or recreational pursuit.


Games

In the last couple of years Linux has become a first class gaming platform thanks to Valve bringing their Steam platform to Linux. At the time of writing Steam has more than 2000 high quality indie and AAA titles available for Linux. is fully compatible with Steam for Linux.

While Steam is a major step forward for gaming on Linux, there are also many high quality and enjoyable Open Source games titles available for . It doesn't matter if you like flight simulators, motor racing, first person shooters, jump and run or card games, you'll find something to keep you entertained.