Merlot is a lightweight Linux distribution. Its main focus is providing a relatively lean desktop environment for users who need to run Windows applications while retaining a Linux-based operating system.
Merlot uses IceWM as its window manager. IceWM has modest resource requirements and provides a traditional desktop layout without the overhead associated with larger desktop environments. This fits Merlot’s aim of remaining lightweight while leaving sufficient system resources available for applications.
Windows software support is a central part of the distribution. Wine is included for running compatible Windows applications directly on Linux. Merlot also includes WinBoat, which provides another route for running Windows applications where conventional Wine compatibility is insufficient.
The combination gives users more than one approach to Windows application compatibility. Wine remains suitable for many applications and games that run satisfactorily through its compatibility layer, while WinBoat can be used for software requiring a fuller Windows environment.
| Working state: | Active |
| Desktop: | IceWM |
| Init Software: | systemd |
| Package Management: | APT |
| Release Model: | Fixed |
| Platforms: | x86_64 |
| Home Page: | adenixgnulinux.org/merlot |
| Developer: | Adenix |
| This article is part of our Big List of Active Linux Distributions and Open Source Operating Systems. |
What's a Linux distribution ("distro")? |
| A distro provides the user with a desktop environment, preloaded applications, and ways to update and maintain the system. Each distro makes different choices, deciding which open source projects to install and provides custom written programs. They can have different philosophies. Some distros are intended for desktop computers, some for servers without a graphical interface, and others for special uses. Because Linux is an open source operating system, combinations of software vary between Linux distros. |
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