Berry Review: A Linux Distribution That's Gaining Popularity

This Berry Review focuses on a fairly new Linux distro (distribution) developed by Yuichiro Nakada, from Japan. While Berry is based on Fedora, users of Fedora might not necessarily find it familiar, especially if they prefer the GNOME desktop environment. Berry Linux, which has a Japanese and English version, certainly has some very useful applications that come "bundled" with the flavor and just might be appealing enough to some to cause them to switch to it.

Applications For the Casual User and Home Office

A Berry review wouldn't be complete if it didn't make mention of the extremely valuable software that is freely included with this distro. Database development can be accomplished with Base, electronic spreadsheets that are compatible with Microsoft (MS) Excel and presentations are easily created with the program known as Impress which can not only read, but also create MS PowerPoint compatible files. All of the office applications are a part of the popular open source software suite known as OpenOffice, available for download at OpenOffice.org. In addition to Base, Calc, and Impress, Berry Linux also comes with Writer, a powerful application for word processing. There's also Math, a formula editor and Draw for creating electronic illustrations.

Berry Review For Multimedia

Unlike the Fedora distribution which doesn't include proprietary codecs for functions such as the playback of MP3 files, Berry Linux does. Users can rely on the program Audacious which is a multimedia and audio player. Also, an application known as K36 comes with the distro for burning Compact Discs (CD's) and Digital Versatile Discs (DVD's). Kaffeine is another media player and there's even TVtime for viewing television on a Personal Computer (PC).

Graphics, Games, and the Internet Under Berry Linux

The GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) and Inkscape SVG Vector Illustrator is provided for people who work heavily with graphics such as graphic and web designers. Anyone who has worked with Adobe Photoshop should be able to quickly begin work in the GIMP and appreciate this powerful image manipulation software that is totally free of charge. Users of Berry Linux can surf the Internet with Mozilla Firefox or with Konquerer. Gaming is limited with the default installation, but those who remember the better and safer days of non-violent video computer games might enjoy the inclusion of the once famous Pacman. This Berry review is based on the 1.0 release so users of other releases might find slight differences in their work with this Linux distro. The operating system can be downloaded free of charge at berry.sourceforge.jp. and purchased at a very economical price from DiscountLinuxDVD.com.