Create your own Linux distribution
Adaptable
The AryaLinux derivative lets you customize the desktop. A variety of tools is available in the System | Control Center (Figure 2). Other tools, such as the Fusilli Settings Manager or Rotini Theme Manager, located under System | Preferences | Look and Feel, offer a variety of options for customizing the desktop.
Additional Software
If you want to include additional applications in the system, several hundred applications are available for installation. These cannot be integrated easily into the system using a graphical tool but have to be built manually. The AryaLinux Packaging System (ALPS) is used in this case.
Although ALPS resolves dependencies, it is not a full package management system like RPM or DEB; it is primarily intended to facilitate the task of creating packages from the sources, which explains why there is no graphical front end, like Synaptic or YaST. Entering the alps help
command at the prompt shows the tool's capabilities in an overview.
Working with administrator privileges, you can add new applications to the system with the
alps install <program>
command. To install the Java 7 Runtime Environment, for example, just type:
alps install java7
This prompts ALPS to integrate the corresponding OpenJDK version.
The installation takes significantly longer than with pre-built RPM or DEB packages because of the programs that need to be compiled. You can discover which applications can be installed by checking out the /var/cache/alps/scripts/
directory: The system lists all programs available in the form of installation scripts.
Chain Reaction
AryaLinux's unique selling point is the option for creating an individualized operating system. Other distributions (e.g., PCLinuxOS) implement such an option by customizing the existing system; however, the new operating system is created completely from the sources in AryaLinux using pre-built scripts, which means the system has no unnecessary "ballast" that could affect the working speed. AryaLinux offers a chain of scripts (the "toolchain") that lead to predefined workflows. The chain ends with the complete operating system.
« Previous 1 2 3 Next »
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.