{"id":38766,"date":"2019-10-31T22:25:48","date_gmt":"2019-10-31T19:25:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prohoster.info\/blog\/astra-linux-orel-common-edition-est-li-zhizn-posle-windows\/"},"modified":"2019-10-31T22:25:48","modified_gmt":"2019-10-31T19:25:48","slug":"astra-linux-orel-common-edition-est-li-zhizn-posle-windows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prohoster.info\/en\/blog\/administrirovanie\/astra-linux-orel-common-edition-est-li-zhizn-posle-windows","title":{"rendered":"Astra Linux \"Eagle\" Common Edition: is there life after Windows","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

We received an in-depth review from one of our OS users that we'd like to share with you.<\/i><\/p>\n

Astra Linux is a Debian derivative created as part of the Russian initiative to transition to open-source software. There are several versions of Astra Linux, one of which is designed for general, everyday use \u2014 Astra Linux 'Eagle' Common Edition. A Russian operating system for everyone \u2014 by definition, it's interesting, and I want to talk about 'Eagle' from the perspective of someone who daily uses three operating systems (Windows 10, Mac OS High Sierra, and Fedora) and has been loyal to Ubuntu for the past 13 years. Based on this experience, I will examine the system in terms of installation, interfaces, software, basic developer capabilities, and convenience from various angles. How will Astra Linux perform compared to more widely used systems? And can it replace Windows at home?<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n<\/a><\/noindex><\/p>\n

Installing Astra Linux<\/h2>\n

\nThe Astra Linux installer is quite similar to the Debian installer. Perhaps the former is even simpler, as most settings are fixed by default. It all begins with a general license agreement set against a not-too-high-rise building. Perhaps even in Eagle.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nAn important point in the installation is the selection of software that comes with the system by default. The available options cover standard office and work needs (for 'non-developers').<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nThe final window includes an additional set of settings: blocking interpreters, console, tracing, setting execution bits, etc. If these terms mean nothing to you, it's better not to check any boxes. Besides, all of this can be configured later if needed.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nThe system was installed within a virtual environment with modest resources (relative to modern systems). There were no complaints regarding speed and performance. The configuration on which the testing took place is described below.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nThe installation procedure is standard: we mount ISO image<\/a><\/noindex>, install through the standard system installation process, and burn the GRUB bootloader.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nThe system is not resource-hungry upon booting \u2014 about 250-300 MB of RAM required at startup for desktop mode.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n<\/p>\n

Alternative launch options: tablet and phone modes.<\/h2>\n

\nUpon logging into the system, you can choose from several launch options: safe, desktop, mobile, or tablet.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nFor use on touch devices, the on-screen keyboard can be enabled.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nLet's see what's interesting in different modes. The desktop mode is the standard one, where the system resembles Windows.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nThe tablet mode is suitable for large touch screens. In addition to the obvious visual differences that can be seen in the screenshot below, there are other interface features. The cursor in tablet mode is invisible, and the application close button is moved to the taskbar. Full-screen applications behave slightly differently, and files in the file manager are also selected differently.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nIt's worth mentioning the mobile mode \u2014 here it is quite similar to Android. The Fly graphical environment is used. Long press functionality works in touch modes, which can bring up the context menu. The mobile mode consumes a bit more resources compared to the desktop and tablet modes.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\n\"Astra
\n
\nHaving different modes of operation is convenient. For example, if you're using a tablet with a detachable keyboard, allowing for both touch and non-touch usage scenarios.<\/p>\n

System Update<\/h2>\n

\nBefore you start using the system, it needs to be updated. Mainly the repository<\/a><\/noindex> Astra Linux has 14 thousand packages (stable<\/a><\/noindex>, testing<\/a><\/noindex> and experimental<\/a><\/noindex> branch). The experimental branch will soon receive unstable updates, so we will be testing the testing branch. We switch the repository to testing.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nWe start the repository update and update the system. For this, click the 'Update' button at the top left, then 'Select all updates', and then 'Apply'. We reboot.<\/p>\n

User policy<\/h2>\n

\nNew users are created in the system using the security policy management utility.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nBy default, remote login is enabled (Control Panel \u2014 System \u2014 Login).<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nIn addition to the regular separate and remote session, an embedded session can be started (Start \u2014 Shutdown \u2014 Session).<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nThe first two are straightforward. An embedded session is a session that is initiated in the current session's window.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nSessions can actually be terminated after a delay: you don't have to wait for long operations to finish, but can simply set up an automatic shutdown.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n<\/p>\n

Interface and standard software of Astra Linux<\/h2>\n

\nAstra Linux Common Edition resembles Debian as it was a few years ago. It is noticeable that Astra Linux Common Edition is trying to look more like Windows.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nNavigation and file system work is closer to Windows than to Linux. The system image comes with a standard set of software: office, networking, graphics, music, and video. System settings are also grouped in the main menu. By default, four screens are available.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\nAs you can see, the LibreOffice suite is installed as the office package in the system.<\/i><\/p>\n

The control panel is similar to Windows\/Mac\/etc., grouping essential settings in one place.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nThe file manager has a dual-panel interface and can mount archives as folders.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\n\"Astra
\n
\nThe file manager can calculate checksums, including for GOST R 34.11-2012<\/a><\/noindex>.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nMozilla Firefox is set as the default browser. It looks quite minimalist but is adequate. For example, I opened and browsed a recent article from Habr. The pages render, and the system doesn't crash or freeze.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nThe next test is graphic editing. We downloaded an image from the title of a Habr article and asked the system to open it in GIMP. Here, too, nothing unusual.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nWith a light gesture, we add a performance test to one of the articles. In principle, there are no differences from standard Linux systems.<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nLet's try to go beyond simple scenarios and install standard packages via apt-get.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Astra
\n
\nAfter updating the indexes:<\/p>\n

sudo apt-get update<\/code><\/pre>\n
\nFor testing, we installed python3-pip, zsh, and completed the installation of oh-my-zsh (along with the git dependency). The system worked as expected.<\/p>\n
As we can see, the system performs well within standard everyday scenarios for an average user. If you expect to see the usual Debian\/Ubuntu programs here, you will need to install them manually (for example, if you need packages like ack-grep \u2014 they can be installed via curl\/sh). You can add repositories to sources.list and use the familiar apt-get.<\/p>\n
Astra Linux's own utilities<\/h2>\n
\nThe tools described above are just a part of what is available to Astra Linux users. In addition, the developers have created about a hundred additional utilities that can be installed through the same repository used for system updates.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\"Astra
\n
\nTo find the utilities, simply search for the word \"fly\" \u2014 all the necessary utilities have this prefix.<\/p>\n
\"Astra
\n\u00a0
\nDiscussing all the applications in one overview is quite difficult, so we'll choose a few that are useful from a regular user's perspective. The weather application displays forecasts for selected cities in Russia and is optimized for the Russian region.<\/p>\n
\"Astra
\n
\nThere is also a simple graphical utility with several filters and settings for searching through files.<\/p>\n
\"Astra
\n
\nThere is a built-in battery charge monitoring utility and various modes, which can be toggled using a timer \u2014 turning off the monitor, sleep mode, hibernation.<\/p>\n
\"Astra
\n 
\nThe selection of executable files for commands is also wrapped in a graphical interface. For example, you can specify which version of \"vi\" the system should use when executing a command.<\/p>\n
\"Astra
\n
\nThere is a separate admin utility that allows you to configure which applications will start when the system boots.<\/p>\n
\"Astra
\n
\nGPS\/GLONASS monitoring is also available, which is more useful on a phone\/tablet (where the corresponding module is usually present).<\/p>\n
\"Astra
\n
\nThere is also a simple PDF reader, which has been tested with the book Free Culture by Lawrence Lessig.<\/p>\n
\"Astra
\n
\nYou can read about all the Fly utilities in a virtual tour<\/a><\/noindex> of Astra Linux, in the 'Help' section on the virtual desktop.
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Contrast with main systems<\/h2>\n
\nIn terms of interface and control logic, the system is more reminiscent of classic Windows XP, while at times some elements resemble Mac OS.<\/p>\n
In terms of utilities, the console, and the 'hardware' part, the system is similar to classic Debian, which is quite good and familiar to users of Ubuntu and Minted, although the most advanced users may miss the usual range of packages from all repositories.<\/p>\n
When I overlay my experience with the profile of potential users regarding the new system, I develop positive expectations. Based on my experience with Windows\/Mac, regular users will adapt to Astra Linux Common Edition without any issues. More advanced Linux users will use standard Unix utilities to configure everything to their liking.<\/p>\n
The current version of Astra Linux is based on Debian 9.4 and includes a fresh kernel from Debian 10 (4.19).\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course, there are newer versions of Ubuntu, but there's one small yet significant nuance\u2014they are not LTS (Long Term Support). The LTS versions of Ubuntu align with Astra Linux in terms of package versions. I gathered information on Astra Linux (certified Astra Linux Special Edition to track the OS version release dates) from Wikipedia<\/a><\/noindex>, compared with the release timelines of Ubuntu's LTS versions, and here\u2019s what I found:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ubuntu LTS release
\nAstra Linux Special Edition release<\/p>\n
Date
\nVersion
\nDate
\nVersion<\/p>\n
17.04.2014<\/p>\n
14.04 LTS<\/p>\n
19.12.2014<\/p>\n
1.4<\/p>\n
21.04.2016<\/p>\n
16.04 LTS<\/p>\n
08.04.2016<\/p>\n
1.5<\/p>\n
26.04.2018<\/p>\n
18.04 LTS<\/p>\n
26.09.2018<\/p>\n
1.6<\/p>\n
Verdict<\/h2>\n
\nThe main advantages of Astra Linux 'Eagle' Common Edition are:<\/p>\n