4 days ago
11
ZDNET's cardinal takeaways
- Sparky Linux is simply a lightweight organisation based connected Debian 13.
- With Sparky Linux, you tin instal from implicit 20 desktops.
- Sparky Linux is simply a large option, adjacent for caller Linux users.
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Sparky Linux is well-known arsenic a precise bully lightweight Linux distribution. Typically, Sparky defaults to the LXQt desktop, but offers versions with MATE, Xfce, and KDE Plasma. When I considered investigating Sparky Linux, I considered what would beryllium the champion enactment for those who are caller to Linux, but besides privation to payment from a much lightweight distribution, truthful they tin resurrect older hardware (such arsenic those computers moving Windows 10 that bash not enactment Windows 11).
With that successful mind, I decided to spell the KDE Plasma route.
I similar KDE Plasma. I find it's the cleanable desktop situation for those who are caller to Linux, but besides mightiness privation to beryllium capable to configure their desktop nevertheless they privation (and without struggle). This is simply a spot of an unusual combination, fixed that KDE Plasma isn't precisely known for being a lightweight environment. That whitethorn beryllium true, but KDE Plasma has proven itself to beryllium rather capable, adjacent with lesser strategy resources.
Also: 6 reasons wherefore I've stuck with Ubuntu-based Linux distros for the past 20 years
With the operation of Sparky and KDE Plasma, I was excited to spot however it would enactment out… particularly for idiosyncratic caller to Linux. I downloaded the Plasma variation of Sparky Linux 8 (which is based connected Debian 13) and I wasn't disappointed.
A beauteous desktop
To beryllium honest, I was expecting a alternatively uneventful, bland instrumentality connected KDE Plasma, but recovered it to beryllium alternatively appealing. Although it whitethorn not beryllium tricked retired similar immoderate different Plasma-based distributions, it's not excessively shabby. The Sparky instrumentality connected KDE Plasma offers a spot of transparency, a floating panel, and (to my relief) it defaults to a airy taxable (although it does vessel with 3 variations of a acheronian theme). Of course, you tin besides download caller themes from the KDE Settings app (from wrong Colors & Themes > Global Theme). I added the Se7en Aero theme. Because I'm utilizing Sparky successful a virtual machine, I had to instal the Guest Addons earlier I could use the caller theme. If you similar the look of a glassy desktop, you'll admit this one.
The Se7en Aero taxable is gorgeous.
After I had the desktop conscionable however I wanted it, it was clip to springiness the organisation the erstwhile and doubly over.
Out of the box, you get each of the apps you request to beryllium productive. You'll find LibreOffice, GIMP, Firefox, Riseup-VPN, Thunderbird, VLC media player, and more.
Browsers, browsers, browsers
If you unfastened the Sparky Welcome app, you tin unfastened the AppCenter, which takes a spot antithetic attack to the likes of GNOME Software. The Spary Aptus Appcenter places everything successful elemental categories, specified arsenic Accessories, Desktops, Development, Internet, and more.
I clicked Internet and past Web Browsers to find a ample enactment of options. There are acquainted browsers and ones that I've ne'er really heard of (such arsenic Blisk, Dooble, Iron, Min, Otter, and Slimjet. The default browser is Firefox ESR, but I decided to spell with Opera (because it's my default connected everything else). During the installation of the web browser, you are prompted to reply if you privation to update the caller browser on with your system. What this means is that the bundle manager volition adhd the indispensable repository, specified that immoderate clip you upgrade the software, the caller browser volition beryllium upgraded arsenic well.
You'll find browsers you've ne'er heard of here.
Opera worked to perfection connected Sparky Linux, opening arsenic rapidly arsenic immoderate different exertion (which is beauteous speedy). On apical of that, Opera offers a superb theming engine, which means it won't consciousness bland against the caller KDE Plasma theme.
Also: The easiest mode to effort retired Ubuntu Linux
The Welcome app handles each upgrades. Open the tool, click Upgrade, benignant your idiosyncratic password, and if determination are upgrades available, they'll beryllium applied. You tin adjacent adhd immoderate desktop effects (such arsenic the model descent backmost effect). To my surprise, adding immoderate desktop effects didn't origin immoderate issues with performance. In fact, I recovered the show of KDE Plasma connected Sparky to beryllium impressive. Sure, it mightiness not beryllium rather arsenic snappy arsenic Sparky with, say, Xfce, but fixed I wanted to trial a much implicit environment, I was blessed to observe KDE Plasma performed similar a champ connected Sparky Linux.
You tin instrumentality attraction of each sorts of things from the Welcome app.
Even much desktops
Remember the Web Browser installer? Sparky gives desktop environments the aforesaid treatment. Go to the app center, click Desktops, and you'll find 27 antithetic desktops to install, from Awesom, Budgie, CDE, Cinnamon, Enlightenment, GNOME, i3, MATE, Openbox, Sway, and more. I decided to trial this retired and instal Budgie to spot however palmy it would be. After a speedy reboot, I logged into a Budgie desktop. The setup of the Budgie desktop was beauteous bland (especially compared to my customized KDE Plasma), but Budgie allows for a batch of customizations, truthful I could tweak it arsenic overmuch arsenic I needed.
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I did find that Budge felt adjacent faster than KDE Plasma, which is simply a bonus.
In the end…
After each was said and done, my decision astir Sparky Linux is this: If you privation a snappy desktop operating strategy that gives you the enactment to prime from a batch of antithetic browsers and environments, portion besides offering the stableness and reliability of Debian 13, Sparky makes for an outstanding option. It mightiness not beryllium the sexiest organisation available, but I'd happily urge it for users of each types.
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