This Linux distro has one of the smartest security features I've seen (and I've tested dozens)

1 day ago 4
iDeal OS desktop.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

  • iDeal OS is simply a user-friendly, Debian-based distribution.
  • It includes a useful instrumentality for other security.
  • iDeal OS is escaped to download and install.

Every truthful often, I tally crossed a Linux organisation that offers thing unique, and it ne'er fails to punctual maine however peculiar Linux is. It doesn't hap each day, but erstwhile it does, I privation to propulsion my hands successful the aerial and outcry retired a rousing, "Huzzah!"

Such was the lawsuit erstwhile I ran into iDeal OS

iDeal OS is based connected MX Linux (which is based connected Debian Trixie), and determination are 2 antithetic versions:

  • Emerald Edition - this variation gives you each of the applications you need, on with a affable desktop experience.
  • Diamond Edition - this variation turns your machine into a implicit and almighty integer workstation. You'll get a wide assortment of tools that tin heighten the workflow for entrepreneurs, freelancers, programmers, web designers, contented creators, artists, and more.

Both versions vessel with KDE Plasma 6.x, and due to the fact that it's a rolling release, you tin spot your applications are ever up to date.

Also: 7 things each Linux beginner should cognize earlier downloading their archetypal distro

But what is it that makes iDeal OS special? Other than the information that the desktop includes respective PDFs with accusation connected activating the Diamond edition, accusation astir the Emerald edition, an MX User Manual, and entree to speedy strategy information, there's 1 app successful peculiar that adds yet different furniture of information to the OS and tin beryllium utilized by anyone.

That summation is the iDeal DNS Switcher. This exertion makes it casual to power betwixt 16 antithetic DNS providers astatine the click of a button. Each of these providers were chosen based connected their information and privateness practices. Even better, each DNS supplier included is escaped to use. 

iDeal DNS Switcher.

This DNS switcher is simply a game-changer.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

You tin unfastened the iDeal DNS Switcher from the desktop paper > System > iDeal DNS Switcher. Once open, you tin prime the supplier you privation from the drop-down and click Apply DNS Provider. You tin adjacent tally a speedy DNS leak trial (to spot if your DNS work is leaking to your net work provider) by clicking Test DNS Leak. 

Also: You tin effort Linux without ditching Windows archetypal - here's how

This diagnostic unsocial makes iDeal OS intriguing.

A wealthiness of applications

Other than iDealDNS, the database of included applications offers a implicit postulation of tools truthful you tin deed the crushed running. You'll find LibreOffice, GIMP, Betterbird (email), Firefox, VLC media player, PDF Arranger, KeePassXC, the afloat suite of MX Tools, and overmuch more. 

This is simply a organisation that leaves nary chromatic unturned, truthful you don't person to interest astir installing thing erstwhile the OS is up and running. And due to the fact that iDeal OS is based connected MX Linux, which is based connected Debian, you get entree to the modular repositories, which are replete with applications. You besides get KDE Discover for casual app installation.

Also: I struggled with Hyprland for months, until this Arch-based distro fixed it

Although iDeal OS does vessel with Flatpak installed, you person to alteration enactment for it wrong KDE Discover. To adhd Flatpak to Discover, unfastened the instrumentality and click Settins successful the near sidebar. At the bottommost of the page, you'll spot Missing Backends, wherever you'll find options for Flatpak and Snap. 

Click the downward-pointing arrow for either enactment to instal support. Restart Discover and spell backmost to Settings, wherever you'll find an Add Flathub fastener astatine the apical close corner. Click that and you're bully to go.

KDE Discover.

Adding Flatpak enactment successful KDE Discover is simple.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

You besides get the Yakuake drop-down terminal, which is simply a large enactment for those who beryllium connected the terminal and privation to usage it efficiently.

Yakuake drop-down terminal.

Yakuake is an outstanding drop-down terminal for Linux.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

There's besides a tasteful Conky widget connected the desktop that displays time/date and memory/CPU usage.

Plasma goodness

Yes, this is KDE Plasma, which means you tin customize it to your heart's content. When you unfastened System Settings > Global Theme, you'll find 2 iDeal OS-specific themes (Dark and Light), arsenic good arsenic the accustomed default 3 (Breeze, Breeze Dark, and Breeze Twighlight). 

Also: This Linux distro makes openSUSE accessible to each - adjacent newbies should instrumentality a look

As always, I opt to power to the airy mentation of the theme, due to the fact that acheronian themes thin to fuss my eyes. If you don't similar immoderate of those, click Get New and you tin take from respective chill themes.

Who is iDeal OS for?

One happening astir modern Linux is that truthful galore distributions are present 100% viable for astir users, particularly distributions based connected Debian. iDeal OS follows successful those aforesaid footsteps: it's casual capable to usage that anyone, careless of skill, could log successful and consciousness close astatine home. And with the ample array of pre-installed applications, you astir apt won't person to fuss with installing thing retired of the gate.

iDeal OS impressed maine due to the fact that it felt truthful complete. It has everything you need, wrapped up successful a user-friendly package, truthful it's acceptable to go. 

If you're funny successful giving iDeal OS a try, download an ISO (it's free) from the authoritative site.

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