We received a detailed review from one of the users of our OS, which we would like to share with you.
Astra Linux - derivative Debian, which was created as part of the Russian initiative to transition to open source software. There are several versions Astra Linux, one of which is intended for general, everyday use - Astra Linux Oryol Common Edition. A Russian operating system for everyone is inherently interesting, and I want to talk about Oryol from the perspective of someone who uses three operating systems daily (Windows 10, Mac OS High Sierra and Fedora) and has been faithful for the last 13 years UbuntuBased on this experience, I will examine the system from various perspectives in terms of installation, interfaces, software, basic developer capabilities, and usability. How will it perform? Astra Linux compared to more common systems? And can it replace Windows at home?
We put Astra Linux
Installer Astra Linux bears a strong resemblance to the installer DebianThe first is perhaps even simpler, as most parameters are fixed by default. It all begins with a general license agreement against the backdrop of a relatively low-rise building. Perhaps even in Orel.
An important point in the installation is the choice of software that comes with the system by default. The available options cover standard office and work needs (for "non-developers").
Also, the last window is an additional set of settings: blocking interpreters, consoles, tracing, setting the execution bit, etc. If these words do not tell you anything, it is better not to tick anywhere. In addition, all this, if necessary, can be configured later.
The system was placed inside a virtual environment with modest resources (relative to modern systems). There were no complaints about speed and performance. The configuration on which the testing took place is described below.
The installation procedure is simple: mount , install through the standard system installation process and burn the GRUB bootloader.
The system is undemanding to resources at boot - about 250-300 MB of RAM at startup for desktop mode.
Alternative launch options: tablet and phone mode
When you sign in, you can choose from several launch options: secure, desktop, mobile, or tablet.
You can turn on the on-screen keyboard for touch devices.
Let's see what's interesting in the different modes. Desktop is the normal mode, where the system is similar to Windows.
Tablet mode is suitable for large touch screens. In addition to the obvious external differences that can be seen in the screenshot below, there are other interface features. The cursor in tablet mode is invisible, the button to close applications is placed on the taskbar. Full-screen applications work a little differently, files in the file manager are also selected differently.
It is also worth mentioning the mobile mode - here everything is about the same as in AndroidThe Fly graphical environment is used. In touch modes, a long press is available, which opens the context menu. Mobile mode consumes slightly more resources than desktop and tablet modes.
The presence of different modes of operation is convenient. For example, if you are using a tablet with a pluggable keyboard and, accordingly, touch and non-touch usage scenarios.
System update
Before you can start using the system, you need to update it. Mostly Astra Linux 14 thousand packages (, и branch). The experimental branch will soon receive unstable updates, so we will test the testing branch. Change the repository to testing.
We start the repository update and update the system. To do this, click the "Update" button at the top left, then "Mark all updates", then "Apply". We reboot.
User policy
New users are created in the system through the security policy management utility.
By default, the remote login function is provided (Control Panel - System - Login).
In addition to the usual separate and remote session, you can start a nested session (Start - Shutdown - Session).
The first two are clear. A nested session is a session that starts in the window of the current session.
Sessions, by the way, can be ended after a delayed time: do not wait for the end of lengthy operations, but simply set up automatic shutdown.
Interface and standard software Astra Linux
Astra Linux Common Edition reminds Debian, as it was several years ago. It is noticeable that externally Astra Linux Common Edition is trying to get closer to Windows.
Navigating and working with the file system is closer to Windowsthan to LinuxThe system image comes with a standard set of software: office, networking, graphics, music, and video. System settings are also grouped in the main menu. Four screens are available by default.
As you can see, LibreOffice is installed as an office suite in the system.
The control panel is similar to Windows/Mac/etc and groups the main settings in one place.
The file manager has a two-pane interface and is able to mount archives as folders.
The file manager can calculate checksums, including .
Mozilla Firefox is installed as the default browser. It looks quite ascetic, but it is quite adequate. For example, I opened and looked through fresh Habr. Pages are rendered, the system does not crash or hang.
The next test is graphics editing. We downloaded the picture from the title of Habr's article, asked the system to open it in GIMP. There is nothing unusual here either.
And so, with a slight movement of the hand, we finish writing the efficiency test for one of the articles. In principle, there are no differences from the standard ones. Linux-there are no systems.
Let's try to go beyond simple scripts and install standard packages via apt-get.
After updating indexes:
sudo apt-get updateFor the test, we installed python3-pip, zsh and went through the installation of oh-my-zsh (with an additional git dependency). The system worked normally.
As we can see, the system performs well within the framework of standard everyday user scenarios. If you expect to see the usual Debian/Ubuntu programs, you'll have to install them manually (for example, if you need packages like ack-grep, you can install them using curl/sh). You can add repositories to sources.list and use the familiar apt-get.
Own utilities Astra Linux
The tools described above are just a fraction of what is available to users. Astra LinuxIn addition, the developers have created about a hundred additional utilities that can be installed through the same repository used for system updates.
To find utilities, it is enough to search for the word "fly" - all the necessary utilities have such a prefix.
It is difficult to tell about all the applications within the framework of one review, so we will choose a few useful ones from the point of view of a simple user. The weather application displays the forecast for selected cities in Russia, it is optimized for the Russian region.
There is also a simple graphical utility with several filters and options for searching through files.
There is its own battery monitoring utility and various modes, the transition to which is configured through a timer - turn off the monitor, sleep, hibernation.
The choice of executable files for commands is also wrapped in a graphical shell. For example, you can specify which "vi" the system will select when running a command.
With a separate admin utility, you can configure which applications will start at system startup.
There is also monitoring of GPS / GLONASS, rather useful in a phone / tablet (in which the corresponding module is usually present).
It also has its own simple PDF reader, for tests it is launched on the Free Culture book by Lawrence Lessig.
You can read about all Fly utilities in on Astra Linux, in the "Help" section on the virtual desktop.
Contrast with major systems
In terms of interface and control logic, the system is more reminiscent of a classic Windows XP, and sometimes individual elements of Mac OS.
In terms of utilities, console and hardware, the system is similar to the classic one. Debian, which is quite good and familiar to the same users Ubuntu and Minted, although the most advanced will miss the usual range of packages from all repositories.
If I apply my experience to the profile of potential users, I have positive expectations regarding the new system. Based on my experience working with Windows/Mac, regular users will be able to get used to it without any problems Astra Linux General Edition. And more advanced users Linux Using standard Unix utilities, they can configure everything as they see fit.
Current version Astra Linux based on Debian 9.4, it also has a fresh kernel available from Debian 10 (4.19).
Of course there are newer versions Ubuntu, but there is one small but significant nuance - they are not LTS (Long Term Support). LTS versions Ubuntu are on par with Astra Linux by package versions. I took the data from Astra Linux (certified Astra Linux Special Edition (to make it easier to track the release dates of OS versions) from W, compared with the release dates of LTS versions Ubuntu, and this is what happened:
LTS release Ubuntu
Release Astra Linux special Edition
date
Version
date
Version
17.04.2014
14.04 LTS
19.12.2014
1.4
21.04.2016
16.04 LTS
08.04.2016
1.5
26.04.2018
18.04 LTS
26.09.2018
1.6
Verdict
Main advantages Astra Linux "Eagle" Common Edition:
- It does not fall, does not freeze, no critical glitches were noticed.
- Successfully mimics interfaces Windows NT/XP.
- Ease and convenience of installation.
- Low resource requirements.
- The main software is preinstalled: the LibreOffice office suite, the GIMP graphics editor, etc.
- A large set of additional utilities.
- Package versions are older than the latest versions Ubuntu.
- Your repository is smaller than Ubuntu и Debian.
Conclusion: latest, non-LTS versions Ubuntu for home users they are more suitable than Astra.
However, for home users, using an LTS distribution may not be practical, but for organizations, it's a perfectly acceptable option. Therefore, the developers' choice Astra Linux, aimed at the corporate segment, is clear and logical.
As for the disadvantages, they are more likely to be true for those who are used to working with Linux, because externally Astra Linux "Eagle" is much closer to Windowsthan to Linux.
Astra Linux The Eagle Common Edition looks like a decent replacement for the Office version. Windows as part of the government's free software transition program, but for home use it may seem a bit conservative.
From the company Astra LinuxWe're constantly communicating with users of our operating system. We regularly receive feedback—not only from those who've recently switched to our OS, but also from long-time users. If you have insights you'd like to share and describe your experience with Astra, please share them in the comments and on our social media.
Source: habr.com
