Welcome To Pearl Linux OS
Pearl's latest releases series 7 (Rolltide) is build from the 18.04 LTR Ubuntu Release. Pearl 7 is available in both 32 and 64 bit versions.
Coming October 19, 2017, the Ubuntu 17.10 release date, we release Pearl MATE 6.0. Both 64 bit and 32 bit version will be available.
With this release are many changes over our previous releases. The big change is as with Ubuntu MATE, the complete changeover to GTK 3 from GTK 2 has been made. This effects alot of the applications and all of the themes previously used on previous releases.
As requested Pearl MATE 6.0 will also include the German, Dutch and Russian language packs.
One of
many Pearl tweaks that set Pearl appart from our
Ubuntu/Mint backend is our tweaks to the Mate Tweak
tool, which include many extra layouts which include
some that include the new to Pearl the "Panther
Menu". This menu is similar to the Elementary OS
Linux distro. Between to Mate Tweak Tool and
the Appearance Tool you can switch the whole layout
of the system very easily with just a few clicks.
Along with the Many OS X and Windows styled themes
that are apart of the base install makes Pearl one
the most customizable, user friendly distros
available today.
The
Ubuntu 17.10 is not a LTR (long term release) model,
meaning the support does not last nearly as long as
say 14.04, 16.04 and the soon to be released, April
2018, 18.04. As Ubuntu has stated you can always
upgrade to the next version easily. This means
there is no reason to wait for 18.04 either, for
Ubuntu MATE or Pearl MATE as we will also be
supporting Ubuntu MATE as our backend including all
system security updates, as well as the differences
between the two distros. The major changes
were made between 17.04 to 17.10 for a much smoother
transition into the long term release of 18.04.
We (I) ,
lol, have been very slack in keeping up with support
emails and the message board
. In the near future .... like tomorrow.. I will be
tackling the hangout. So my intent is to actually
support the Pearl project way better than
previously. That at least my mission.



Dec. 25, 2016 Pearl MATE 5.0 64 bit version was released. This release is very different from previous Pearl releases in that many desktop utilities including the updating of software and new software installations plus many other features that are similar to Linux Mint. What makes Pearl different however are some added features found with the Ubuntu MATE distribution such as MATE Tweak. Tho Pearl is in no way associated with either Linux Mint or Ubuntu MATE, with some minor code changes we were able to enjoy the best from both these fine distributions as well as incorporate it into the basic Pearl system.
On every
Pearl Linux release what you can always expect is
the overall default themeto be as close to the Snow
Leopard OSX system as possible according to
the desktop environment which release was
built on the appearance and feel may vary
slightly. Compiz Effects is also something you
can expect from Pearl on all releases. We also
provide PinguyBuilder which is software used to make
an image of your live system that you have
customized, and make your own LIVE Linux USB
installer. Just as in the past with Remastersys,
PinguyBuilder has stopped support for their
software. Under most conditions PinguyBuilder still
works on Ubuntu 16.04 and most distros modeled after
that release however we changed some code to make it
work with 5.0 which due to running the Linux Mint
style utilities were needed to not have installer
issues. Also with all Pearl releases we use Thunar
file manager with our standard extra right click
customized command pre installed. This is a feature
aimed torward the advanced user as well a newbees.
Pearl
MATE 5.0 comes with many themes. New to Pearl
5.0 are a few Flat icon themes and Windows 10 7, 8
and XP themes.
As with
Pearl 4.0 series as well as 3 it's base is build
from the Ubuntu 16.04 LTR core so long term support
is provided both from the Ubuntu repository as well
as our own repository.



Our
release Pearl Linux OS 4.0
(neeko) is now
available in both 32 and 64 bit
versions. 4.0 features our custom desktop
environment PearlDE. PearlDE is a blend of LXDE
XFCE4 and Compiz. This desktop environment has
5 pre-configured sessions to choose from at login
screen. PearlDE-FX (default) - OS X style
layout with desktop effects, PearlDE - OS X
style using XFWM without desktop effects, and LXDE
- Windows XP style, Gnome Flashback
Compiz -OS X style with effects Gnome
Flashback Metacity - OS X style without
effects. Each session is also cutomizable through
the Pearl System Control. Pearl Linux OS 4.0 relies
on our own repository for base system and included
software however include the full Ubuntu 16.04
repositories for adding additional software. Adding
PPA's is also supported.
Many people complain about the large downloads when
doing an update on Ubuntu based distros with Pearl
4.0 once you have customized your system to your
liking you may choose to un check the Ubuntu
repository info using "Software and Updates" in your
Pearl System Settings.
Pearl MATE Lite 4.0 (neeko) is now also
available for download here.
The latest release Pearl
OS 3.0 (tooey)
is available in 3 desktop
environments; PearlDE both 32 and 64 bit , MATE
32 bit, MATE Lite 32 bit and Gnome 64 bit.
This version is also based on 16.04 however it
relies on Ubuntu repositories primarily with no
updates from the Pearl Repo and less customized
code from the Pearl repository.

Pearl Linux has been offering iso images for download through sourceforge.net since late 2014. The early releases were based on Ubuntu 14.04. As of Pearl OS 3.0 the base is based on Ubuntu 16.04. These days its not that easy to find many distros still using compiz for the desktop effects. Since the start of Pearl years ago every release at least has the option to use compiz. When using compiz it does require a bit more of the computer power to run smoothly however I, like many others really do like at least the option to play a little. For newbies to Linux there is a word of caution I'll through out there, if playing around beyond what we setup as default beware you may end up with a computer that simply wont respond at all. For this reason we have a file in your home directory called " Pearl-Compiz-Default-Settings". It's very easy to regain control if you went a bit too far while playing with the more wild effects offered through the compiz window manager.
Pearl Linux
4.0 Screenshots




Adding Software
August 28, 2016
We added two more software
installers to the 3 already installed by
default.
Please understand there is a
reason behind the madness ...lol that this
so you all can pick the interface that you
prefer to use from the working examples
installed. With the addition of the
"Pearl Featured Software Installer"
its eay to add and remove some of the
software that is the most requested.
When we released 4.0 their were still issues
with AppGrid but I'm happy to announce its
available on Pearl and it's running smooth.

About 4.0 Release
Pearl
Linux OS 4.0 Released Available in both 64
and 32 bit Starting with 4.0 Pearl instead of
releasing many releases in a variety of desktop
environments we are focusing on our new PDE
version which is our own customized DE . It
features 4 independent session logins with
different styles for each. Default Is PearlDE-FX
which includes desktop effects with compiz. 2nd is
PearlDE using a customized version of the
XFWM. And lastly, GNOME.
Its GNOME Flashback with one login with effects
and one with Metacity Window Manager.