The KahelOS GUI with the mascot 'Mulat'
The Linux-based operating system, dubbed “KahelOS”, entered the top ten of Distrowatch.com, an online site that charts and monitors Linux distributions (often shortened to “distros”) worldwide, upon its release .
The free software, which can be installed on desktops and laptops, was developed by Pasig City-based open source firm 8layer Technologies as part of its contribution to the open source movement.
Deng Silorio, one of the top executives of 8layer Technologies, said they developed the first version of KahelOS with no funding two years ago.
“[It was out for] sheer passion of innovation and love of sharing,” said Silorio, narrating the motivations that drove a small team of Pinoy developers to put up the software for everyone’s use.
The 8layer team behind the project was spearheaded by Meric Mara and Jasper Tomas, while artworks were rendered by Lariz Santos.
She noted that the first installer was released in 2009 at the Software Freedom Day 2009 Celebration. It was met with enthusiasm by Linux and open source practitioners worldwide, who immediately branded it as a “fledgling OS”.
The latest version, the KahelOS 111111 Installer, which made its debut in early December, is both a LiveDVD and an easy-to-use GUI-based Installer.
Unlike most Linux distros that are difficult to use, KahelOS boasts of a user-friendly interface that allows for “easy, quick, and friendly” installation, according to Silorio.
To promote the software, its developers have also introduced KahelOS’s mascot named “Mulat”, patterned after Bohol’s endangered tarsier, to signify openness and awareness.
Although the software was developed primarily by 8layer Technologies, Silorio said the software could not have been possible without the contributions of other members of the open source community.
“KahelOS is more than grateful to these innovators and contributors who shared in the inspiration of the team to do more and share more and expected nothing in return,” she said.
The developers, she added, are particularly grateful to The Gnome Project, Arch Linux, and Larch Project from which KahelOS was derived.
Now that the global community has already taken notice of KahelOS, Silorio said she hopes the country “would not put this noble, passionate and useful innovation to waste.”
“We are sure that there are thousands, if not millions, of benefits and savings [we can derive] in using this free operating system in our schools and government offices,” she said.
Below are some of the features of KahelOS:
• Based on Arch Linux
• Mabuhay Welcome Center
• LiveCD with GUI Installer
• Gnome 3.2.1
• Kernel 3.1.2
• Chromium 15.0.874.121
• Firefox 8.0.1
• LibreOffice 3.4.4
• xorg-server 1.11.2
• OpenJDK6
• Apache+mySQL+PHP
• Evolution Groupware
• GIMP 2.6.11
• GnuCash 2.4.8
• TweetDeck 0.37.5
• Miro 4.0.3
• Thunderbird 8.0
• Bluefish 2.2.0
— Newsbytes.ph
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