MEPIS
MEPIS was founded in 2002 by Warren Woodford, who at the time was unhappy with the way Linux for desktops was offered by the existing distros. Warren created a very user friendly, KDE based distro with some unique features, which surpised many users at the time.
Feel free to edit the MEPIS description on our community Wiki!
Pic 1. MEPIS - random desktop
Products and features
MEPIS offers a number of different products. The flagship is the free SimplyMEPIS distro, a desktop oriented distribution that can be installed on x86 compatible architectures. This includes Pentium (32 and 64 bit), AMD (32 and 64 bit) and dual core processors, for which an SMP enabled kernel is offered. All modern hardware is normally recognized and configured correctly by MEPIS.
Hardware support
For ATI and Nvidia graphic cards users, MEPIS offers the possibility to install the native (3d enabled) drivers directly from the GUI. Laptop users will be delighted to find that their wireless connection in many cases is configured without further hassle. In case a Linux driver does not exist for a specific wireless card, don't worry, MEPIS has a built in feature that allows you to use the Windows driver (ndiswrapper). MEPIS also offers excellent support for USB devices and even an iPod.
OnTheGo disk
A unique MEPIS feature is the OnTheGo disk, allowing you to take your own personal desktop and data with you wherever you go.
Desktop and apps
SimplyMEPIS comes with a KDE desktop environment and a balanced package of software already installed, such as OpenOffice.org (a very good replacement for Microsoft Office), Firefox (with all common plugins already available), the Thunderbird mail client, the media players Amarok for music and Kaffeine for video, Azureus for bittorrent, K3b for burning Cds and DVDs, photo software, etc.
Package management
Since MEPIS is based on Ubuntu / Debian, it uses the excellent apt-get system to install and upgrade software. The power of apt-get is offered via the graphical tool Synaptic, so even the most inexperienced Linux user can get software installed without effort or previous knowledge.
Configuration tools
MEPIS comes with a couple of extra utilities for configuring display, wireless, user accounts and setting specific system parameters.
Security
The default installation of MEPIS provides Guarddog, an easy to use firewall that is already configured for the most common situations. Since version 6.0, Thunderbird comes with Enigmail set up, allowing users to send / receive encrypted mail out of the box. The taskbar holds a little icon that warns the user of software updates, so essential security fixes can be installed as soon as they are available. Although Linux is virtually free of viruses, MEPIS installs the Clamav virus detection tool, a plus for people that want to make sure not to be sending out any virus to Windows users out there.
Community and support
On the official site for MEPIS you'll find announcements, FAQs, a support forum and the ever expanding wiki. An even more active forum, renowned for its friendliness, is to be found at MEPISlovers.com. New users will feel quickly at home here, since no question is considered dumb and people are treated with respect and willingness to help.
Apart from SimplyMEPIS, a number of Value Added MEPIS products are offered via Technalign. This business model enables MEPIS to sustain its development and keep offering a free and open source desktop solution for everybody.
Why MEPIS?
What is the reason to use MEPIS if there is Ubuntu? Well, the question could be also put vice-versa. MEPIS gives the users everything for almost no effort. Ubuntu is a more advanced project but since it's free software, it requires some effort to get all the non-free codecs and apps installed. It's a personal choice, but if you are afraid of Ubuntu's command line, you should give MEPIS a try.
External MEPIS resources
- Official MEPIS website
- Description on Wikipedia
- MEPIS@Linux.com
- MEPIS@DistroWatch
- Warren Woodford founder and chief maintainer, is looking for a new abode
- Get Mepis. An OS for the 21st Century
News
Documentation, guides and tips
Help, forums, community
- Official forum
- MEPISlovers
- MEPIS subforums: LinuxQuestions, Linux Forums, TuxForums
- Mepis Nightcrew — MEPIS IRC user group
Reviews
- 7.0: www.raiden.net, www.linux.com, www.linuxseekers.com, adventuresinopensource.blogspot.com, kmandla.wordpress.com
- 6.5: www.linux.com, shiftbackspace.com, www.techiemoe.com, distrocenter.linux.com, friendlylinux.org, TriedIT, Linuxseekers, tuxmachines.org
- 6.0: Raldz.Dot.Tech, Linux for the Average User, KnoLinux, free-bees.co.uk
Interviews
- Warren Woodford: madpenguin.org, dot.kde.org
- Steven J. Vaughan Nichols
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3 Comments
- A hyperlink: <a href="polishlinux.org">GNU/Linux for everyone!</a>,
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I installed Mepis two weeks ago.I’d like to know how I could install codecs for playing DVDs on Kaffeine and also installing aMule and Kopete or Trillian.
it’s a big problem for me i don’t know what i can do. i have to use this programs on whindows ’till i find the way to install them on linux.
thank
margarit
Look for the libdvdcss2 package. If not found, add the correct repository and try again. You can also try to find info on installing it under Debian. It’s the same.
I’ve been using Mepis for almost 3 years now. I love it. One of the most common phrases you read from the Mepis forums is “…it just works!”
…that’s another awesome point: The forums are extremely friendly and helpful, and quick to respond. That in itself is almost enough reason to stick with Mepis.
Out of love for Mepis I put together: http://www.GetMepis.com to help spread the word.