Arch based distributions (inactive)
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This is list of inactive Arch derivatives, sorted by latest activity from a project. Purpose of this page is historical reference.
2015
alphaOS
alphaOS has been discontinued as of 18.01.2015 [1]. alphaOS is a simple and minimalistic Linux distribution for the x86-64 architecture, built using Linux Live Kit set of scripts developed by Tomas M. It is based on Arch Linux and uses pacman as the default package manager. This operating system features highly configurable and lightweight Openbox window manager. Modular by design, alphaOS makes it easy to add desired functionality.
- Homepage: http://alphaos.tuxfamily.org/
- Forums: http://alphaos.tuxfamily.org/forum/
- Screenshots: forum thread
2014
Arch Linux MIPS
Arch Linux MIPS is a Linux distribution built from the source of Arch Linux with minimal changes necessary to successfully build for & run on the MIPS architecture. Currently the distribution is available for machines capable of executing mips32r2el hard float binaries.
- Homepage: https://github.com/Arch-Linux-MIPS
Mesk Linux
Mesk Linux is a project aiming at showcasing Arch to Arabic-speaking users . The project is also working on localizing Arch tools and documentation, providing a varitey of installable live mediums (usb, dvds ... ). The distro is using OpenRC.
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://mesklinux.org/
2013
Arch Hurd
Arch Hurd is a port of Arch Linux to the GNU/Hurd platform.
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://www.archhurd.org/
CDN Linux
CDN Linux is a system based on Arch GNU/Linux. CDN is designed to servers and routers. It is developed by Polish Freesco Group.
- Forum thread: http://forum.freesco.pl/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=18935
2012
Arch Linux PPC
Arch Linux PPC is a port of Arch Linux to PowerPC architechture.
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://archlinuxppc.org/
ArchServer
ArchServer is a derivative work of Arch Linux designed to be more stable in order to be suitable for server use.
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://www.archserver.org
ConnochaetOS
ConnochaetOS will be a free operating system for the desktop with old computers in mind but with modern software. ConnochaetOS will contain only free software, according to the GNU Guidelines for Free System Distributions, follow the KISS principle (Keep it small and simple), need as few resources as possible, be modern, but stable. We aim for minimal hardware requirements, as low as a Pentium I processor and 64 MB RAM for a graphical desktop. We decided to base ConnochaetOS on Arch Linux, but completely rebuild, since we want to support i586, and replace some packages with our own ones, because of footprint, stability or freedom.
- Homepage: http://www.connochaetos.org/
Kahel OS
Kahel OS is the first and remains to be the only Filipino Linux Distro with the rolling release model on Arch Linux + GNOME. In the community, it is the first to release (non-beta) such Linux OS on Arch Linux + GNOME.
- Homepage: http://www.kahelos.org/
LDR
LDR stands for Linux Done Right. It is an Arch Linux derrived GNU/Linux distro which has many software components pre-configured so you can just install and get on with it!
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://www.tommed.co.uk/ldr/
Nosonja
Nosonja is Arch Linux based computer operating system that uses Xfce as the default DE. The goal of Nosonja is to get Arch close to all beginners who want Linux on their computers, but do not want to reinstall their os every 6 months.
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://nosonja.org/
2011
archlive
Archlive is a Simple-Chinese live system based on Arch GNU/Linux. It is distinct from the Arch Live! distribution, adding Chinese language software and packages, but it is based upon Arch Live!
- Homepage: http://code.google.com/p/archlive/
CTKArch
Formerly CTKArchLive. A lightweight Arch-based liveCD using c²DE (openbox) that includes English and French locales.
- Homepage: http://ctkarch.org/
Elegance
Elegance is a Arch Linux spin-off that is heavily influenced by ArchBang. It comes with a small number of programs to start you off on building your own custom desktop.
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://k2z.com/elegance-a-arch-linux-spin-off-2/
live.linuX-gamers.net
The linuX-gamers Live DVD is a bootable medium with a collection of popular 3D games. It contains both the NVIDIA and ATI proprietary Linux drivers and includes the following games: BzFLag, Enemy Territory, Glest, Nexuiz, Sauerbraten, Torcs, Tremulous, True Combat: Elite, Warsow and World of Padman. Although the live DVD is based on Arch Linux, it does not offer any desktop Linux functionality except gaming.
- Homepage: http://live.linux-gamers.net/
2010
ArchPwn
ArchPwn is a security based Linux Live CD/DVD system that aims to be a fully working swiss army knife for pentesting purpose. It is based on the Arch Linux distribution, and follows the Arch philosophy. It keeps the original system intact, and creates on top of it a package repository with all tools that a pentester needs.
- Homepage: http://www.archpwn.org/
Chaox
Chaox is a live environment based on Arch Linux focusing on pentesting and forensics. We feature current snapshots of aircrack-ng, the dedected toolkit and forensic applications such as testdisk or foremost, along with the usual tools.
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://blag.chaox.net/
uArch
The goal of the uArch project was to build super lightweight, scalable and stable micro packages. Suitable for use on Desktops, Laptops, Routers, PDA and Cellphones
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://code.google.com/p/uarch/
UKnow4Kids
The UKnow4Kids Live DVD is a Linux distribution compiling educational software for children 2- to 10-years-old. The distribution is intended for broad usage by a non-technical audience (regular parents). Development stalled in mid 2010.
- Uses Arch Linux as the core, LXDE/OpenBox as the window manager, SLiM as the display manager, and mastered using gradgrind's Larch scripts.
- It is essentially indestructible for children's use, and it is impossible for the hard drive of the host PC to be affected when the live CD is running.
- Runs well on old Intel hardware, so it should run fine on a Pentium II with 256 MB RAM (that's what my kid uses) or better.
- Provides a familiar Windows-like/Mac-like user experience, requiring only minimal computer experience to run.
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://www.uknow4kids.org
Uzume Linux
Uzume Linux is a remix built upon Arch that features releases designed for specific platforms for users that are newer to linux, or just don't want to bother with all the pre-configuration of arch, but still want the speed and flexibility arch provides, along with the support of its community.
- Forum thread: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?pid=717249
2009
archlive-i586
Arch Linux is an i686 optimized distribution, but sometimes members of the community ask how to install it on VIA C3 (mini-itx systems) or AMD Geode based systems. Since these CPUs are not fully i686 compatible, there is the need for an i586 port. There have been some past attempts to create an i586 port of Arch Linux. Some were successful, but they are not maintained anymore. The goal of archlive-i586 is to have an up to date i586 installation CD, with a reasonably sized package repository with at least 4-5 mirrors.
- Homepage: http://code.google.com/p/archlinux-i586/
Firefly Linux
Firefly Linux is a lightweight operating system designed with netbooks in mind. Firefly Linux Float, the main edition of Firefly, comes with the small and fast LXDE desktop environment. It also includes many popular applications to help the user get the most out of a netbook. Firefly Linux is powerful and is not limited to a "netbook-oriented" interface. Being relatively lightweight, Firefly can also be used for low-end systems.
- DistroWatch Entry: http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=firefly
Shift Linux
Shift Linux was a work in progress that aimed to be a desktop distro based on a solid Arch foundation.
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://shiftlinux.net/
Maryan Linux 2
The Maryan Linux 2 Project is designed to enable older hardware to run a fast and beautiful dekstop. For this reason, Maryan uses Enlightenment 17, which is a lightweight and very visually appealing desktop environment. The Maryan Linux developers strongly believe that this desktop environment is mature, stable (most of the time), and one of the most efficient for minimal computer resources usage.
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://en.maryanlinux.com/
2008
Arch Linux Modified
Light-weight version of Arch Linux that will accomodate most users without the need to download and configure packages.
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://rusher.webhop.org/wordpress/?page_id=143
Archie
Archie was a complete live Arch linux system run from a CD/USB-stick, built with the KISS philosophy in mind. It provided a full Arch linux system, yet it delivered fast performance without extensive bloating. Archie used its own hw-detection tool, lshwd, to support a wide range of hardware with fast detection time. Archie also provided extended features such as multiple languages, nesting capabilities, and hd-install.
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://archie.dotsrc.org/
FaunOS
FaunOS was a portable, fully integrated Linux operating system with over 600 pre-installed packages. Based on Arch Linux, it was specifically designed to run from a portable USB memory device (such as a USB Flash drive). It could also be configured to boot from other media, such as DVD, and even the internal hard drive. FaunOS was a live desktop system designed to run without setup on most modern x86-based systems.
- DistroWatch entry: http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=faunos
2007
March Linux
March Linux aimed to be a simple, lean and fast GNU/Linux distribution for the desktop, which urged the users to learn Linux instead of holding their hands at every step. At the same time, it was usable and fully functional with a generous package choices. While it was heavily based on Arch Linux, the author prefered to call March an Arch "distrolet". The default desktop environment in March Linux was Fluxbox.
- Homepage: http://marchlinux.wikidot.com/
2006
Aegis Project
The goal of the Arch Environmental/Geographical Information Systems (Arch EGIS) project was to increase awareness of and accessibility to the very latest, free, open-source GIS applications, sample data and other useful geographical and statistical tools, through the development of an Open Source GIS toolkit.
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://arch-egis.berlios.de/news.php
Lowarch
A Linux distribution based on Arch Linux and aimed at low-end systems
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://sourceforge.net/projects/freshmeat_lowarch/
Minimax
30 MB micro-LiveCD
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://www.kotek.net/minimax/
2005
Underground Desktop
Underground Desktop was a GNU/Linux distribution targeted at the desktop user. It was based on Arch Linux. Its main features were ease of installation, kernel optimisation for modern processors (i686), and the KDE desktop.
- DistroWatch entry: http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=underground
2004
The Arch Linux Embedded Project
- Homepage at Rollback Machine: http://www.datavibe.net/~essiene/ale/