Introducing Lorma Linux 4.0

Xeroid · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2003 3:15 am Post subject:

I decided to give this a try. I'm downloading now. 53% done. I'll report back once I get a chance to install it on my test box.

If this works out well, it might ge a good distro to hand out to new Windows converts since it contains the basics, is based on Fedora, and fits onto 1 CD.

Xeroid · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 5:18 am Post subject:

I'm installing now. Very Happy

It detected my I810 chipset integrated graphics, integrated soundcard, & M$ wheel mouse on my test box on the first try.

I'll write a short review tomorrow.

Xeroid · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 6:01 am Post subject:

The install was painless. Very Happy

Everything seems to work. This is one slick little distro considering it was from just one CD. It doesn't contain a lot of extra stuff but everything you need to start in Linux is here.

I'll post screenshots and a review tomorrow

Germ · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 12:59 pm Post subject:

Very cool. It does sound like a good one to start converts on. I'm anxious to hear how it is. Wink

_________________
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Xeroid · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2003 2:15 am Post subject:

Here is a link to a screen shot. This what the desktop looked like on first boot after install.

Lorma Linux Desktop

Review:

This is a little distro based on Fedora. It's contained on just 1 CD which makes it nice for folks with slow download speeds. The fact that it's only 1 CD was also appealing to me because it would be cheap to burn and mail to new Windows converts wanting to install Linux. It doesn't contain a lot of redundant applications (like 3 web browsers) but includes extras that Fedora left out like MP3 support for XMMS and preinstalled flash.

I installed Lorma Linux on my test box (PIII 550, 96mb sdram, mATX). The test install was set up as a dual boot with Windows to simulate a new Linux user who wants to experiment with Linux but still keep his existing operating system.

The Good-
1- Lorma Linux detected and configured my Intel 810 chipset onboard video and sound on the first try.

2- Grub was the default boot loader. During the install process, Grub allowed me to keep Windows as my default operating system or choose Linux as the default. I felt this was important because I've seen many people who install Linux for the first time complain that they would have preferred keeping their current Windows installation as the default choice instead of a new operating system that they are unfamiliar with and just learning.

3- The installation process was laid out in a clear and easy to follow manner. This is a bonus if you are unfamiliar with installing Linux. I was able to get Lormar Linux up and running with little effort.

4- As you can see from the screen shot above, the desktop was attractive on the very first boot. I've used some distributions that frankly looked pretty bad after installation and I've had to play with the screen fonts and icons to improve the appearance. The default is Bluecurve but you can also choose from some nice theme, window decoration, and styles. Also available was Conective Crystal icons, Keramik style, and Keramik window decoration.

5- Lorma Linux came with a good choice of software considering it's all contained on 1 CD. Available titles were Real Player, GnuCash, The Gimp, Kbear, K3B, KSCD, xine, XMMS, Open Office, Scribus, Kate, Quanta Plus, Samba, Synaptic Package Manager, Mozilla Web Browser, 15 educational titles, Evolution Email, Gaim, X-chat, Yahoo messenger, and 15 graphics applications.

The bad

1- Lorma Linux did not automatically mount my windows partition like some distributions do. While this is a small complaint it would cause a new user to seek help to accomplish this task.

2- I was disappointed to see that Lorma Linux did not include a partition resizing tool. A new user would have to use a 3rd party software to resize their windows partition if they didn't have an extra partition to give to Linux or they would have to install an extra hard disk. I installed another hard disk in my test box so I could try Lorma Linux.

Conclusion:

All things considered, this is a good distribution. It's painless to install, contains a good selection of software considering its small size, and works flawlessly with my integrated motherboard. I was impressed with this because I have run into problems installing some other distributions on motherboards that have integrated graphics and sound.

rhlinuxgeek · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2003 5:41 pm Post subject:

What about redundency checking? Does Lorma Linux check for application dependencies like RH Linux does? That's the only issue I have with RH at the moment. It's a little disturbing when you go to install an application in RH and it fails with a laundry list of dependency apps that it needs before the install will take. Then, when you go and install one of the dependent apps, another list of dependencies pops up. Let me know. I'm interested.

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Dan Calloway
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crouse · Site Admin Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 11857 Location: Iowa

I tried downloading it last night.... MD5SUMS .. didn't match. May try again tonight.

Xeroid · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2003 6:25 pm Post subject:

Xeroid · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2003 11:37 pm Post subject:

LormaLinux Handbook

This is not complete at this time but it covers the install process pretty well.

MrPotatoHead · Member Joined: 27 Nov 2003 Posts: 126 Location: NY State

sorry about posting the same topic twice .. before I posted I searched for lorma but I typed lorna instead and of course that didn't find anything .. mmh wasn't there also a post about TYPOS.. well i am a no good german immigrant still trying to learn the english alphabet... plus I got caught up in the excitment of putting linux on my wife's puter..... I promise to be better.

MrP

I fixed some apostrophes and whatnot. Keep us posted! mmmna

Xeroid · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2004 12:02 am Post subject:

Xeroid · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2004 5:45 am Post subject:

ERRATA:

Known bugs
The test installation media at startup does not work. Just click "skip" to continue installation of Lorma Linux.

Germ · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2004 12:26 pm Post subject:

Probably just a md5sum check ala Red Hat.

Thanks for the info. This distro really sounds promising. Very Happy

_________________
Laptop: Mandriva 2010.1 PowerPack - 2.6.34.2-tmb-laptop-1mdv
Desktop: Mandriva 2010.1 PowerPack - kernel 2.6.34.2-tmb-desktop-1mdv

Xeroid · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 2:17 am Post subject:

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