Peppermint OS


Peppermint OS is a Linux OS based on Lubuntu, which itself is a derivative of the Ubuntu Linux operating system that uses the LXDE desktop environment. It aims to provide a familiar environment for newcomers to Linux, which requires relatively low hardware resources to run.

Design principles

Peppermint OS ships with few native applications and a traditional desktop interface. What originally made Peppermint unique is its approach to creating a hybrid desktop that integrates both cloud and local applications. In place of traditionally native applications for common tasks, it ships with the custom Ice application to allow users to create site-specific browsers.
In Peppermint OS, the open-source Firefox browser is used as a way to enable a site-specific browser for cloud applications. Instead of opening a browser and then visiting an application site, there is a dedicated browser window that is integrated into the system for a specific application. Support for the Firefox web browser was added to the custom Ice application in the fall of 2015, allowing the creation of SSB's in a web browser window.
Peppermint OS is a project where you can marry the cloud to the desktop, as with any Ubuntu based OS it is possible for users to install applications natively from Ubuntu compatible repositories, allowing one to run cloud based applications right alongside desktop software. Like any other Linux distribution, one can install packages like LibreOffice, GIMP, VLC, Skype, etc. Peppermint is an Ubuntu spin and supports whatever Ubuntu supports. Peppermint OS ships with mintInstall, Synaptic, and GDebi to facilitate this.

Nomenclature

Peppermint's namesake is Linux Mint. The developers originally wanted to make use of configuration and utilities sourced from Linux Mint coupled with an environment that was less demanding on resources and more focused on web integration. They felt that the concept was a "spicier" version of Mint, so the name Peppermint was a natural fit.
While Linux Mint is known for its Cinnamon desktop, Peppermint uses a default desktop that is a hybrid based mainly on selected components from LXDE and XFCE that is significantly more lightweight.
Peppermint has been consistently releasing updates on a decent cadence since at least 2010, when it was first released.

History

Peppermint OS was initially conceived at the Black Rose Pub in Hendersonville, NC, USA during a night of drinking and discussion about the future of desktop Linux. Peppermint was originally designed to be a social media-centric distribution.
Pre-alpha development builds consisted of a wide array of potential directions before the decision to fork Lubuntu was made. There was quite a bit of experimentation with KDE, E17, Adobe Air, and several different code bases during January and February 2010. Alpha builds using the Lubuntu 10.04 code base started in March 2010. Peppermint was released to a small group of private beta testers in April 2010 where it remained private until the first public release.
On January 14th 2020, Peppermint CEO Mark Greaves died in hospital. After taking over Peppermint from Shane Remington and Kendall Weaver shortly after Peppermint 5, Mark devoted his life to Peppermint with his family's support and went on to release more versions of Peppermint up to Peppermint 10 and a respin of Peppermint 10. The official announcement was made on the Peppermint forum and a memorial fund has been set up by his family to honour Mark's legacy.

Packaged software

Cloud applications
Native applications
Peppermint OS uses a hybrid release schedule. Updates are rolled out as needed in a rolling release fashion, but it is not a "true rolling release".
Essentially, Peppermint is a system that has rolling application updates and some system updates. Periodically, a Respin is released which incorporates minor bug fixes and recent updates.

Releases

Peppermint One