| dyne:bolic | |
|---|---|
 | |
 dyne:bolic XFCE User Interface Screenshot | |
| Developer | Denis Roio |
| OS family | Linux (Unix-like) |
| Working state | Current |
| Initial release | March 15, 2005; 20 years ago (2005-03-15) |
| Latest release | 4.0.0-beta / March 21, 2024; 22 months ago (2024-03-21) |
| Supported platforms | x86 |
| Kernel type | Monolithic (Linux-libre) |
| Userland | GNU |
| Default user interface | Version 4: KDE Plasma 5 Version 3: Xfce |
| License | FSDG |
| Official website | www |
dyne:bolic GNU/Linux is aLive CD/DVD distribution based on theLinux kernel. It is shaped by the needs ofmediaactivists,artists and creators to be a practical tool with a focus onmultimedia production, that delivers a large assortment of applications.[1][2] It allows manipulation andbroadcast of both sound and video with tools to record, edit, encode, and stream. In addition to multimedia specific programs, dyne:bolic also provides word processors and common desktop computing tools.[3][4]
Termed "Rastasoft"[5][6] by its author, it is based entirely onfree software, and as such is recommended and endorsed by theGNU Project.[7] dyne:bolic is created by volunteers and the author and maintainer Jaromil, who also included multimedia tools such asMusE, HasciiCam, andFreeJ in the distribution.
A decade after version 3 was released, dyne:bolic re-entered development with version 4 beta in 2021.[8]
dyne:bolic is intended to be used as Live CD/DVD. It does not require installation to a hard drive. It automatically attempts to recognize most devices and peripherals, including sound and video components. It is designed to be able to run on older and slower computers, its kernel is optimized for low latency and performance. This optimization makes the distribution ideal for audio and video production, potentially transforming PCs into full media stations. Consequently, the software included may not always be the newest version available.
dyne:bolic can be extended by downloading additional modules, such as development tools or common software likeLibreOffice. These modules areSquashFS files placed in themodules/ directory of adock or a burnt CD and are automatically integrated upon boot.
The basic system requirements for version 1.x and 2.x were relatively low. Only requiring a PC with aPentium MMX orAMD K5 (i586) class CPU, 64MB of RAM, and an IDE CD-ROM drive is sufficient. Some versions of dyne:bolic 1.x were ported by co-developerSmilzo to be used on theXbox game console; multiple Xbox installations could be clustered.[9] However, console installation and clustering are currently not supported by version 2.x and up.
Version 3.0, codenamed MUNIR and released on September 8, 2011, features higher system requirements compared to its predecessors. It is the first version to be distributed as a DVD image. Recommended specifications include aPentium II orAMD K6-2 class processor, 256 MB of RAM, and an IDE/SATA DVD-ROM drive. This version, just like its predecessors, also does not require a hard disk.[10]
The user copies thedyne/ directory from a CD or DVD to a suitably formatted partition or drive, a process referred to asDocking. This filesystem will be recognized and booted by the CD or DVD. There is an option to install a GNU GRUB bootloader or edit an existing one. Booting from a floppy disk is also supported.
User settings can be saved on a disc or USB flash drive in a writable image file containing the/home and/etc filesystems, described asNesting, which can also be encrypted for better privacy.[11]
This version, currently 4.0 Beta, is based onDevuan 5 with Linux kernel 6.8. It featuresKDE Plasma 5 as the default desktop environment.[8]
This version, currently 3.0 Beta 4, uses the Linux kernel 3.0.1 and is distributed as a DVD-ROM image.GNOME 2 is used as the default desktop environment andGrub2 as the boot loader.[12]
This version, currently 2.5.2, uses the Linux kernel 2.6 and is distributed as a CD-ROM image. The default desktop environment isXfce.[3]
In this version, dyne:bolic uses the Linux kernel 2.4 stored on a CD-ROM image and brought the ability to createnests anddocks on either a hard disk or USB drive.[11]
Some features that were initially present in dyne:bolic 1.x, but later dropped included:
