Linux Caixa Mágica (sometimes abbreviated asCaixa Mágica,Linux CM orCM) is anopen-sourceoperating system managed by the companyCaixa Mágica Software. It is aPortuguese distribution of theLinux operating system based on theDebian distribution.^[1] It is aimed at businesses, individuals, education, and public administration. It was created in October2000^[2] with the awarding of thePrémio Milénio Expresso 2000 to three researchers from theAssociation for the Development of Telecommunications and Informatics (ADETTI): Daniel Neves, José Guimarães andPaulo Trezentos. The free version of Linux Caixa Mágica is availableonline on the official website and throughmirrors, without any support and only with access to documentation created by the user community. The paid version includes a DVD copy, access to the online manual, and phone/email support.

In 2020, the project was revitalized with the launch of the Lite Linux Caixa Mágica version, focused on digital inclusion and the reuse of hardware in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.^[3]

There are several versions and distribution methods for Linux Caixa Mágica. Free versions without support are distributed on the company's server and other mirrors, typically from educational institutions in Portugal. The paid version includes phone and email support provided by the company Caixa Mágica Software. This version also includes a DVD copy and additional benefits such as discounts on company training sessions. Digital distributions (online) are available in.iso format viahttp andftp protocols.

"Linux Caixa Mágica DVD (32-bit)", "Linux Caixa Mágica DVD (64-bit)", "Linux Caixa Mágica - Live CD Gnome" and "Linux Caixa Mágica - Live CD KDE" are free and available online on the official site and mirrors. These versions do not have phone or email support or a user manual, except for those created by the community.

"Linux Caixa Mágica Pro" is available for a fee and can be downloaded online from the company's servers. The DVD is delivered by mail or purchased in stores throughPorto Editora distribution channels. This version includes telephone and online support. The manual is only available online in a restricted area for customers of this version (and other specific cases^[4]), called the "Knowledge Network" (Rede de Conhecimento - RdC).

"Linux Caixa Mágica Mag" (Linux Caixa Mágica Magalhães,Linux CM E-Escolas,CmMag orCM Magalhães) is based on Linux Caixa Mágica and was created specifically to be incorporated into theMagalhães laptops aimed at children. It is distributed for free on DVD byJ.P. Sá Couto only to primary schools for installation on the laptops. It is also factory-included on the laptops indual boot withMicrosoft Windows XP Home or, in some cases,Microsoft Windows XP Professional. Magalhães laptops sold to the public in stores include Caixa Mágica Mag and Windows 7 Ultimate.

"Linius CM" is the operating system based on Linux Caixa Mágica, adapted for the Portuguese Ministry of Justice. It is available on the Ministry of Justice's Linius website.^[5].

Launched in 2020, this version emerged as a response to the remote work and study needs resulting from theCOVID-19 pandemic. The system was optimized for use on **refurbished equipment**, aiming to reduce electronic waste and facilitate technological access for families with fewer resources. It includes dozens ofopen-source applications for productivity, videoconferencing, and browsing.^[3]Caixa Mágica Software."Linux Caixa Mágica - Open Source Solutions".

Thesource code of the operating system is available online through aSubversion server from Caixa Mágica Software.

Linux Caixa Mágica is accompanied by about 5,000 programs, totaling 4 GB.^[6][7] Not all of these programs are available in the Linux Caixa Mágica Mag version, which contains other programs directed at children.

The main programs, in the Portuguese language, are:

• OpenOffice /LibreOffice
• Firefox
• GIMP
• KView
• Kopete
• Thunderbird
• aMule
• KNode
• K3b
• KsCD
• KMix
• amaroK
• Kaffeine
• Evaristo

Organizations and companies that fully or partially use Linux Caixa Mágica:

• Barcelos City Council.^{[citation needed]}
• J.P. Sá Couto - since September 2008, it has includedLinux Caixa Mágica Mag since the launch of the Magalhães laptops it produces for children, except for those sold to the public in stores.
• Portuguese secondary schools, in classrooms for the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) subject taught to 9th and 10th-grade students. Linux Caixa Mágica Desktop 8.1 Pro was installed on approximately 13,000 computers indual boot withMicrosoft Windows XP, except for classroom servers which use onlyMicrosoft Windows Server 2003. Installation was achieved through a protocol between the Ministry of Education andSun Microsystems, which in turn signed a memorandum of understanding with Caixa Mágica Software.^[8]
• PortugueseMinistry of Justice - specific version of Linux Caixa Mágica.^{[citation needed]}
• On January 28, 2008, it was integrated into the laptop offering of thee-escola program, through a partnership withTMN andFujitsu Siemens.^[9][10] It was also integrated into InSYS laptops from Inforlândia.^{[citation needed]}

• Caixa Mágica Software
• Linux
• List of Linux distributions
• Comparison of Linux distributions

• Caixa Mágica Software website
• Linux Caixa Mágica

• Linux distributions
• Debian-based distributions
• Science and technology in Portugal

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• Articles with unsourced statements from April 2017