MEPIS

'MEPIS' refers to a set of Linux distributions distributed as LiveCDs which can be installed onto a hard disk. The most popular of these distributions is SimplyMEPIS. MEPIS distributions are based on Debian, some of them indirectly (for example, SimplyMEPIS is based on Ubuntu, which is in turn based on Debian). MEPIS distributions are created by Warren Woodford.
It can either be installed onto a hard drive or used as a LiveCD, which makes it a boot disc for troubleshooting many operating systems. It includes a free anti-virus scanner, ClamAV, and KDE, the K Desktop Environment.

Contents

History

Distributions

Name

Popularity

External links

History

MEPIS was designed as an alternative to SUSE Linux, Red Hat Linux, and Mandriva Linux (formerly Mandrake) which, in the creator Warren Woodford's opinion, were too difficult for the average user. MEPIS's first official release was on May 10, 2003. MEPIS transitioned from using Debian packages to using Ubuntu packages in 2006. Released in July 2006, SimplyMEPIS 6.0 is the first version of MEPIS to incorporate the Ubuntu packages and repositories. Announced Aug 1, 2007, SimplyMEPIS 7.0 will be returning to Debian.

Distributions

The most popular MEPIS distribution, SimplyMEPIS, is designed for everyday desktop and laptop computing. SOHOServerMepis is intended to be a simple workstation/server combination for small and home offices. MepisLite is a slightly stripped down version for older hardware, and ProMepis is designed for programmers and developers. A final distribution, ForensicMepis, is available only to qualified security professionals.
The latest version of SimplyMEPIS is 6.5.

Name

According to Warren Woodford, the name MEPIS is pronounced like "Memphis" with the extra letters removed, and, of course, not pronounced. Basically, it is pronounced "MEP-us" with a short "e" ("meppis"). Originally, the word "MEPIS" didn't mean anything in particular, it came about by mistake. When Woodford misunderstood a friend over a bad Skype connection, he decided to use the name because it was a simple five-letter word and there were no other companies or products with that name.
Woodford has said that MEPIS is a multipurpose acronym that can represent, among other things, Managerial/Medical/My Educational/Entertainment and Personal/Private Information/Infrastructure Systems/Society/Security.

Popularity

MEPIS gained attention from well known sources including TechTV and Slashdot.

External links

★ Official site

★ MEPISlovers, main community site

★ antiX, antiX is a fast, lightweight and easy to install linux live CD distribution based on MEPIS

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