KaOS (Linux distribution)

Last updated
KaOS
Screenshot of KaOS 2016.03
OS family Linux
Working stateCurrent
Source model Open source [1]
Initial release2013.12 [2] / December 2013;4 years ago (2013-12)
Latest release 2018.10 / 14 October 2018;35 days ago (2018-10-14) [3]
Package manager pacman
Default user interface KDE
Official website kaosx.us

KaOS is a Linux distribution inspired by Arch Linux, that has been built from scratch. [4]

Contents

Although KaOS is currently based on the Linux kernel, the developers are "constantly evaluating" the illumos kernel, and say that "a future switch is a wish". [5]

History

The first version of KaOS was released as "KdeOS" in 2013. To prevent confusion between the distribution's name and the desktop environment KDE, the name was changed to "KaOS" in September 2013. [6]

Features

KaOS is distributed via a DVD ISO image, and exclusively supports 64-bit processors. [7]

The goal of KaOS is "to create the highest quality Distribution possible". [5]

Receptions

Hectic Geek reviewed KaOS in 2014, and wrote that the distribution was not very fast, but included all necessary applications. [8]

Jesse Smith from DistroWatch Weekly wrote a review of KaOS 2014.04. [9] Smith said the features of KaOS worked well.

Robert Rijkhoff reviewed KaOS 2017.09 for DistroWatch Weekly, and he said that "KaOS seems to be trying a little bit hard to be different". [10]

ZDNet wrote a hands-on review about KaOS 2014.06 [11] :

KaOS doesn't intend to be, or claim to be, a general-purpose Linux distribution for everyone, or a dead-easy distribution for complete newcomers to Linux. But if you are interested in a solid, carefully focused KDE-specific distribution for 64-bit systems, then I think KaOS could be a very interesting choice.

Dedoimedo reviewed KaOS 2014.12: [12]

KaOS 2014.12 is a very slick, very beautiful product. But it is not the most refined operating system out there. Sure, in terms of friendliness and accessibility, it's right there among the big names, offering everything a user might want or need. Still, to get to that point, you will need to sweat a little. Printing, installer errors, availability of software, all these are potentially critical obstacles that must be addressed before KaOS can become a familiar and well-recommended family name.

Dedoimedo also wrote a review about KaOS 2017.11: [13]

KaOS 2017.11 feels like a very buggy product. While I do like the Nvidia setup right from the start, this little gem is offset by pretty much everything else. Most other recent distros rarely had any issues with the LG RD510 laptop — apart from the ATA link reset on wake after suspend, which affects all of them — but KaOS is an exception to that rule with a rather depressing hardware record — Bluetooth, Wireless no-reconnect, smartphone support. And let's not even talk about Samba.

Jack Wallen from Linux.com stated his opinion about KaOS in 2016, and said that the distribution is beautiful. [14]

References

  1. KaOS · GitHub
  2. KaOS 2013.12 ISO released with KDE 4.12.0
  3. "KaOS 2018.10". kaosx.us. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  4. DistroWatch. "DistroWatch.com: KaOS". distrowatch.com. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  5. 1 2 "Intro". kaosx.us. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  6. "Early September Status". kaosx.us. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  7. "32bit Applications". kaosx.us. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  8. "KaOS (2014) - Fresh, Beautiful, Responsive & Worships KDE". Hectic Geek - Best Operating System Reviews (Mostly 'Linux') & App Tips. 2014-01-24. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  9. DistroWatch. "First impressions of KaOS 2014.04. DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.". distrowatch.com. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  10. DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 733, 9 October 2017
  11. Watson, J.A. "KaOS Linux: Hands-on with this solid and focused distribution | ZDNet". ZDNet. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  12. "KaOS 2014.12 review - Chaos and anarchy". www.dedoimedo.com. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  13. "KaOS 2017.11 review - Chaotic and unfriendl". www.dedoimedo.com. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  14. "KaOS Brings Serious Relevance Back to KDE". Linux.com | The source for Linux information. Retrieved 2018-08-07.