Icebuntu

Icebuntu is an open source operating system derived from the GNU back-end code and given a graphical user interface by United. It is largely based off of earlier operating systems, but steadily rose to become one of the most used open-source operating systems on the market. While not a tremendous amount of people use the open source OS (primarily due to the nature of trying to get it to run on their computer), the operating system carved out a share of roughly 20% of users, ranging from programmers to simple consumers wishing to get more out of their ageing system. While not associated with the base system, different variations of Icebuntu exist for different needs.

History
Development for the operating system began in 2006, primarily due to an abundance of users who felt Doors was not an adequate operating system for developmental use because of the heavy UI and lack of customization tools at the root of the operating system. So, a group of these users formed Fanonical, a company dedicated to creating a suitable operating system that was open source and easy to use for an average consumer, and powerful for a content developer. Due to the use of proprietary UI's at the time from the likes of other companies, Icebuntu elected to seek out a smaller company, United, to do their graphical interfacing on the GNU-based system. The result was an easy and effective solution to the problem that has been plaguing most developers for years: lack of customization.

Later Releases
Following the first version of the operating system, over a course of 8 years, Fanonical released 14 more versions, along with "unstable" builds to showcase the new environments to developers. Currently, Fanonical's latest version of the operating system is 15.10, however an "unstable" version is available that is on 16.04. Production of operating systems has slowed down due to a need to refine the current ones that are out on user systems. Despite this need to refine operating systems, Fanonical continues to provide support for older operating systems, as well as allowing third-parties to edit their software.

How it works
At the core of Icebuntu lies the central GNU command line system. This, however, is hidden by the user interface developed by United, and without it, the entire operating system would be simply based off on a command line (although a version of Icebuntu exists without this user interface). When it is installed, it takes a relatively small cache of storage in the chosen storage medium (which is why it is superb for older systems with limited storage), and allows the user to install other applications and scripts that are proprietary or open source.

Installation
Installation of Icebuntu is generally performed with a live CD. The Icebuntu OS can be run directly from the CD (albeit with a significant performance loss), allowing a user to "test-drive" the OS for hardware compatibility and driver support. The CD also contains the Iciquity installer, which then can guide the user through the permanent installation process. CD images of all the current and past versions are available for download at the Icebuntu website. Installing from the CD requires a minimum of 256 MB RAM.

Popularity
Icebuntu is very popular because of it's stability and speediness, in the Linus community. Penguins loved it so much, due to the fact it is unpopular and doesn't get many viruses. Fanonical updates Icebuntu every 6 months.

Variants
While Icebuntu is the most popular Penguin OS distro, there are other distros that are basically Icebuntu with changes, such as a different desktop environment. Some of these are official variants sponsored by Ironical.

Official

 * Xicebuntu: A lightweight version of Icebuntu intended for older PCs. It uses the SlimDE environment.
 * EduIce: Icebuntu with educational software bundled.
 * Icebuntu MiOS: A W-less distro of Icebuntu.
 * Icebuntu Server: The same thing as Icebuntu MiOS except it has server applications.
 * Dustbuntu: Gnome version or default for the GUI.

Unofficial

 * Iceybuntu: A version of Icebuntu with IceWM.

Trivia

 * It is a parody of Ubuntu.