In September, the team has released iMagic iMagic OS 2009.9. The iMagic OS is a distribution with many strengths to attract the public. It offers a modern desktop and easy to use, with all the media codecs and plugins that a common End User expects from a desktop operating system. As a bonus, the iMagic also claims to be able to run Windows applications right away. The project leader iMagic, Carlos La Borde, was kind enough to provide us a copy of the latest version of the program for me to assess.

As usual, test and evaluate the iMagic on two machines. The first is a generic desktop CPU 2.5 GHz, 2 GB of RAM and NVIDIA. I also tried the iMagic OS on my laptop LG with 1.5 GHz CPU, 2 GB of RAM and an ATI video card. To complete, also ran the iMagic OS in VirtualBox.

Currently, iMagic can be downloaded in the form of a DVD. The DVD is both an installer when a live system, with about 1.6 GB. The download gave me time to read about this distro that claims to be "The Future of Linux". The site iMagic is easy to read, you look nice and contains information about the features of the latest version. There seems to be a lot of documentation to aid installation or troubleshooting, but there is an email contact for technical support. IMagic The operating system is a commercial investment, and the product costs $ 29.99.

After confirming the checksum (checksum), I started to work. IMagic The installer is very similar to the Anaconda of Fedora, and is a good example of a program to interface point-and-click easy to use. The partition manager sets good standards, and create customized partitions is very simple. I was also happy to see that the installer has support for file systems more common in Linux, including ext3, ReiserFS, and for those interested in creating a shared space across multiple operating systems, FAT. I was also asked to create a User Account and define a common password.

During installation, I could not find an option to choose packages that would be installed in the system. That means some 4.5 GB of data are copied to the hard drive shot. Then it's time to restart. One thing that I liked the installer is that if you make a mistake or if the installation is canceled, the iMagic loads the desktop "live", instead of shutting down the machine.

At first launch, iMagic opened very quickly and offered me a graphical login screen. After entering my credentials, I came to a KDE desktop and live (the KDE version that comes with iMagic OS is 3.5.10, but is using a theme that makes it appear to version 4.3). The colors are blue and black, with some bright icons on the desktop for common tasks like browsing the Internet, use instant messaging and explore the file system. At the same time, was shown the license agreement, End User and a help screen. The license agreement is pretty conventional for those who have used software licensed under the GPL or the LGPL, with no surprises. The help screen is aimed at newcomers to Linux or computers as a whole. She gives advice brief and easy to understand how to install software, run joint programs and more help. It would be nice to have more documentation, but it started well.

The system did well with my hardware. My video card was detected correctly, and my desktop was displayed with the correct resolution. The sound card worked without much configuration, and installation of the printer did not work at all.The network connection was detected and configured automatically. The only problem I found with the hardware on both computers, has been with the board of the mobile network, the network manager could not detect it. Until about a year ago this was a problem common good, and I probably could have made it work using kppp, if necessary.

My first unpleasant surprise came when he spotted the Google Desktop application in the system tray. Whenever I tried to use or configure Google Desktop, an error appeared saying that the application could not connect to the local machine.I closed the application from Google and went forward.

The iMagic comes with a vast collection of open source software, including OpenOffice.org, a PDF reader, WINE, several digital audio and video software for burning CDs, Firefox 3.0, Skype, a bittorrent client, instant messenger applications, management of digital cameras, the GIMP, the usual collection of simple games, configuration tools and the GNU Compiler Collection. All of these packages worked as expected without problems. The biggest surprise was the application MagicScan, which seems to be an interface to the ClamAV. The virus is a little slow in responding to commands, but it works. Another thing I was happy to see the system extremely user-friendly backup. With a few clicks, users can archive your important files and recover them later. It's great to see such a thing, and I hope more distributions facilitate the backup to your users without requiring the installation of additional software.

A quick look at system services shows that the most common daemons are disabled by default. For example, there is an SSH server running (and not installed) on iMagic by default. However, the exception to the rule is a surprise: the Apache web server is already enabled. In fact, I found to stop the Apache makes the help system iMagic stop working as well. I do not know exactly why the team decided iMagic display help files through a web site rather than simply pointing your browser to a local folder, but it seems that this is exactly what they did. At least the firewall system is configured to block all incoming traffic. In fact, the implementation of the web server seems to be the only thing out of place in this distribution. In my opinion, everything else is configured so as to attract newcomers to the Linux desktop. Mirando in public, iMagic comes with codecs to play most audio and video. The Flash plugin for Firefox is also included.

Taking care of most of the management is the APT package and related tools such as Synaptic. The package manager connects to the Ubuntu servers and offers all the software and updates expected from Ubuntu. The system will search for new updates and offers to install them when the User logs in for the first time. I was surprised to find that the RPM and YUM also been installed on the iMagic. I have not tested the RPM, but YUM does not work right (missing a dependency).

IMagic The site says that the distribution wheel common Windows programs such as MS Office, Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer. This is all courtesy of the compatibility layer of WINE, and iMagic works in the same way it works in other distros. I borrowed from a friend a copy of Office 97 and tried to install it, without success. I managed to install and run some other applications and Windows games without problems. This reflects my experience with WINE in general, and it seems that the installation of WINE in iMagic is not very different from other distributions.

The iMagic seems to be based on Kubuntu 8.04 "Hardy Heron", which is a version that supports the long term. There are some references to Ubuntu around the system. In fact, the booting in text mode, a copyright notice of Ubuntu is displayed. If this is relevant or not depends on the iMagic OS is just a Kubuntu with a new brand and some extra packages or be its own entity. I expected to get an answer to this question in MagicOnLine.

The MagicOnLine is a repository of software developed for people to download and install packages using an interface point-and-click simple. With the default repository, the iMagic provides access to software is not included in Ubuntu.MagicOnLine The site also reports that the software packages can be grouped to help with the installation of these components on multiple computers. In fact, I empaquei at one point. I made my registration for an account MagicOnLine and soon after, I received an email confirming my User Name and password. I returned to the project site and tried to login. I was told that my account was not active, and I would have to follow the link provided in the confirmation email to activate it. This is where the problem is: that link did not come in the confirmation email. At this point, I could have come into contact with iMagic so that the account was activated, but did not want to bother the support, since they have to support customers who are paying.

The iMagic is a great distro, and it is difficult to summarize the experience I had last week and simply approve or reprove him. Beginners should find the operating system and easy to use, but it still needs some finishing touches. Google Desktop does not work and MagicOnLine are the best examples of areas that need work. Moreover, it comes with proprietary codecs and plugins, and with all the software you need, which is great. The operating system is a little heavy.The installation requires almost 5 GB hard drive, and as shown by tests in the virtual machine, it needs about 500 to 600 MB of memory to perform common tasks like browsing the web or writing a document. With less than 1 GB of RAM the system is very slow.

Despite the fact that iMagic be commercial and have some loose ends, I liked the operating system. With your virus protection and is compatible with Windows included the factory, it seems to be a good entry point for Windows users looking to try Linux. Who comes to Windows should feel safe and reasonably comfortable with it, which also offers the benefits of a wide selection of open source software. I have stumbled often in people who do not try Linux just because it is free. They think that the result is proportional to the price. A friendly distro for beginners and low price is a good opportunity to convince these people. For Ubuntu users who want all your software in a quick and they like the KDE iMagic is also a good option. I would not recommend it to people who like small Linux distributions, or those with outdated hardware or staunchly oppose the proprietary software - they are not the target audience of the product.

I would add that although the poster is iMagic DistroWatch, nobody asked me to do this analysis, nor was there an expectation that I would facilitate things for distribution. I myself approached the sr. La Borde and asked for a copy of iMagic OS. He was kind enough to give me a link to a DVD without restrictions, and offered to answer all my questions about iMagic OS.

During installation, I could not find an option to choose packages that would be installed in the system. That means some 4.5 GB of data are copied to the hard drive shot. Then it's time to restart. One thing that I liked the installer is that if you make a mistake or if the installation is canceled, the iMagic loads the desktop "live", instead of shutting down the machine.

At first launch, iMagic opened very quickly and offered me a graphical login screen. After entering my credentials, I came to a KDE desktop and live (the KDE version that comes with iMagic OS is 3.5.10, but is using a theme that makes it appear to version 4.3). The colors are blue and black, with some bright icons on the desktop for common tasks like browsing the Internet, use instant messaging and explore the file system. At the same time, was shown the license agreement, End User and a help screen. The license agreement is pretty conventional for those who have used software licensed under the GPL or the LGPL, with no surprises. The help screen is aimed at newcomers to Linux or computers as a whole. She gives advice brief and easy to understand how to install software, run joint programs and more help. It would be nice to have more documentation, but it started well.

iMagic OS 2009.9 - the KDE desktop and Konqueror file manager

The system did well with my hardware. My video card was detected correctly, and my desktop was displayed with the correct resolution. The sound card worked without much configuration, and installation of the printer did not work at all.The network connection was detected and configured automatically. The only problem I found with the hardware on both computers, has been with the board of the mobile network, the network manager could not detect it. Until about a year ago this was a problem common good, and I probably could have made it work using kppp, if necessary.

My first unpleasant surprise came when he spotted the Google Desktop application in the system tray. Whenever I tried to use or configure Google Desktop, an error appeared saying that the application could not connect to the local machine.I closed the application from Google and went forward.

The iMagic comes with a vast collection of open source software, including OpenOffice.org, a PDF reader, WINE, several digital audio and video software for burning CDs, Firefox 3.0, Skype, a bittorrent client, instant messenger applications, management of digital cameras, the GIMP, the usual collection of simple games, configuration tools and the GNU Compiler Collection. All of these packages worked as expected without problems. The biggest surprise was the application MagicScan, which seems to be an interface to the ClamAV. The virus is a little slow in responding to commands, but it works. Another thing I was happy to see the system extremely user-friendly backup. With a few clicks, users can archive your important files and recover them later. It's great to see such a thing, and I hope more distributions facilitate the backup to your users without requiring the installation of additional software.

iMagic OS 2009.9 - backup utility

A quick look at system services shows that the most common daemons are disabled by default. For example, there is an SSH server running (and not installed) on iMagic by default. However, the exception to the rule is a surprise: the Apache web server is already enabled. In fact, I found to stop the Apache makes the help system iMagic stop working as well. I do not know exactly why the team decided iMagic display help files through a web site rather than simply pointing your browser to a local folder, but it seems that this is exactly what they did. At least the firewall system is configured to block all incoming traffic. In fact, the implementation of the web server seems to be the only thing out of place in this distribution. In my opinion, everything else is configured so as to attract newcomers to the Linux desktop. Mirando in public, iMagic comes with codecs to play most audio and video. The Flash plugin for Firefox is also included.

Taking care of most of the management is the APT package and related tools such as Synaptic. The package manager connects to the Ubuntu servers and offers all the software and updates expected from Ubuntu. The system will search for new updates and offers to install them when the User logs in for the first time. I was surprised to find that the RPM and YUM also been installed on the iMagic. I have not tested the RPM, but YUM does not work right (missing a dependency).

IMagic The site says that the distribution wheel common Windows programs such as MS Office, Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer. This is all courtesy of the compatibility layer of WINE, and iMagic works in the same way it works in other distros. I borrowed from a friend a copy of Office 97 and tried to install it, without success. I managed to install and run some other applications and Windows games without problems. This reflects my experience with WINE in general, and it seems that the installation of WINE in iMagic is not very different from other distributions.

iMagic OS 2009.9 - installing MS Office

The iMagic seems to be based on Kubuntu 8.04 "Hardy Heron", which is a version that supports the long term. There are some references to Ubuntu around the system. In fact, the booting in text mode, a copyright notice of Ubuntu is displayed. If this is relevant or not depends on the iMagic OS is just a Kubuntu with a new brand and some extra packages or be its own entity. I expected to get an answer to this question in MagicOnLine.

The MagicOnLine is a repository of software developed for people to download and install packages using an interface point-and-click simple. With the default repository, the iMagic provides access to software is not included in Ubuntu.MagicOnLine The site also reports that the software packages can be grouped to help with the installation of these components on multiple computers. In fact, I empaquei at one point. I made my registration for an account MagicOnLine and soon after, I received an email confirming my User Name and password. I returned to the project site and tried to login. I was told that my account was not active, and I would have to follow the link provided in the confirmation email to activate it. This is where the problem is: that link did not come in the confirmation email. At this point, I could have come into contact with iMagic so that the account was activated, but did not want to bother the support, since they have to support customers who are paying.

The iMagic is a great distro, and it is difficult to summarize the experience I had last week and simply approve or reprove him. Beginners should find the operating system and easy to use, but it still needs some finishing touches. Google Desktop does not work and MagicOnLine are the best examples of areas that need work. Moreover, it comes with proprietary codecs and plugins, and with all the software you need, which is great. The operating system is a little heavy.The installation requires almost 5 GB hard drive, and as shown by tests in the virtual machine, it needs about 500 to 600 MB of memory to perform common tasks like browsing the web or writing a document. With less than 1 GB of RAM the system is very slow.

Despite the fact that iMagic be commercial and have some loose ends, I liked the operating system. With your virus protection and is compatible with Windows included the factory, it seems to be a good entry point for Windows users looking to try Linux. Who comes to Windows should feel safe and reasonably comfortable with it, which also offers the benefits of a wide selection of open source software. I have stumbled often in people who do not try Linux just because it is free. They think that the result is proportional to the price. A friendly distro for beginners and low price is a good opportunity to convince these people. For Ubuntu users who want all your software in a quick and they like the KDE iMagic is also a good option. I would not recommend it to people who like small Linux distributions, or those with outdated hardware or staunchly oppose the proprietary software - they are not the target audience of the product.

I would add that although the poster is iMagic DistroWatch, nobody asked me to do this analysis, nor was there an expectation that I would facilitate things for distribution. I myself approached the sr. La Borde and asked for a copy of iMagic OS. He was kind enough to give me a link to a DVD without restrictions, and offered to answer all my questions about iMagic OS.