Love To Customize Your Linux Desktop? This Lightweight Distro Is Great Fun For Newbies And Experts

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Follow ZDNET: Add america arsenic a preferred source connected Google.

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• BunsenLabs Carbon is simply a Debian-based distro and CrunchBang successor.
• The latest version, dubbed Carbon, is lightweight and highly customizable.
• You tin download and instal this Linux distro for free.

BunsenLabs is simply a minimal yet elegant Linux distribution that took maine by astonishment a mates of years ago. Based connected Debian and sporting nan OpenBox desktop, BunsenLabs feels to maine for illustration a operation of Bodhi Linux and Ubuntu. On nan BunsenLabs desktop, you person a vertical sheet pinch a desktop paper that smacks of Ubuntu, a greenish theme, and a right-click desktop paper a la Bodhi Linux. There's besides Conky connected nan desktop for bully measure.

Also: You tin power your Linux PC from your Android telephone - here's how

If you're looking for a lightweight Linux distribution that's a spot disconnected nan beaten path, but still offers Debian dependability, BunsenLabs' latest version, dubbed Carbon, is what you want.

What is BunsenLabs?

A community-driven Linux distribution, BunsenLabs is nan successor to CrunchBang Linux, a celebrated lightweight distro that faded acold excessively fast. The accuracy of BunsenLabs is to create a desktop Linux that:

• Uses minimal resources without sacrificing usability.
• Provides easy-to-edit configuration files and scripts.
• Remains user-friendly for each personification types.
• Fosters unfastened improvement and community-driven contributions.

Also: Got an aged PC? Omega Linux tin make it consciousness caller again - here's how

BunsenLabs Carbon is simply a mishmash of Linux desktop components, which shines done erstwhile you spell to customize nan desktop. 

For example, you person nan nwg-look app for customizing your desktop appearance. However, aft selecting a taxable successful that app, I noticed it didn't impact nan panel. For that, I had to unfastened nan Xfce Panel Preferences app. After mounting that, I realized nan desktop paper didn't grant nan caller theme, truthful I had to spell backmost to nan desktop paper and click User Settings > jgmenu > "Sync taxable pinch OpenBox." 

It's a batch to handle, unless you're utilized to customizing nan Linux desktop.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

It's a lot, but erstwhile you get nan bent of it, nan customization becomes 2nd nature. What these options make clear is that Linux newbies will acquisition a spot of a learning curve arsenic they fig retired really to activity pinch nan desktop. However, if you instrumentality pinch nan out-of-the-box look and feel, BunsenLabs Carbon is simply a simple, point-and-click matter that anyone tin usage (as agelong arsenic you tin set to a vertical panel).

Also: Try this mini Linux distro erstwhile thing other will fresh - here's why

But wait: If you don't for illustration nan "Deskbar" sheet position, you tin ever move it to a much accepted horizontal position.

BunsenLabs Carbon, configured to look much for illustration a accepted desktop.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

You tin moreover springiness nan sheet a "float" look, arsenic you would find successful KDE Plasma.

I emotion a floating panel.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Preinstalled applications

Preinstalled applications successful BunsenLabs Carbon see Firefox ESR, LibreOffice, Conky, VLC media player, BL Media Player, FileZilla, Transmission, X Web Browser, and a ton of settings tools. There are besides nan accustomed Linux utilities, specified arsenic nan terminal app, record manager, notifications, and overmuch more.

Who is BunsenLabs Carbon for?

BunsenLabs intends to beryllium friends for each types of users. I would say, however, that this distribution is champion suited for those who for illustration to customize their desktops. If that's you, this lightweight distribution will support you enthralled for hours. It doesn't matter if you're caller to Linux aliases a seasoned user; if you for illustration to tweak things, BunsenLabs Carbon will put a grin connected your face.

If you're not 1 to customize your desktop, BunsenLabs tin still activity for you, but you mightiness not get nan astir retired of it.

Also: The champion Linux distros for beginners

Personally, I emotion a bully desktop customization, truthful BunsenLabs Carbon is correct up my alley. And fixed that it's based connected Debian, there's entree to a wide scope of apps successful nan modular repositories, arsenic good arsenic nan astonishing stableness that comes pinch nan "mother of each distributions."

If you're willing successful BunsenLabs Carbon, download an ISO image, pain it to a USB drive, footwear it up connected a spare machine, and person fun. One point to support successful mind is that, erstwhile you footwear nan ISO image, you'll want to prime nan Installer action from nan menu.