Br OS

Overview

Br OS (full name: Br OS Linux) is a free, open-source Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. Designed with content creation, privacy, and user-friendliness at its core, it's specifically developed for Brazilian users and content creators. Created by a team of independent Brazilian developers and hosted on SourceForge, it supports the x86_64 architecture for desktops and laptops, and ships with the KDE Plasma desktop environment by default. Br OS uses a rolling release model and emphasizes security tools (such as a built-in VPN, file encryption, and a private browser). It comes pre-installed with applications such as ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, Chromium, GIMP, and VLC, and supports Flatpak and Snap. The name "Br OS" stands for "Brazil" (Br) and "Operating System" (OS), and also means "Brothers," symbolizing the unity of the community. The latest version is Br OS 23.04 (released on May 9, 2023), based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, with kernel 6.2, KDE Plasma 5.27.4, and QT 5.15.8, and integrated ChatGPT support.

History and Development

• Origins:
  • May 2020: The Br OS project was launched by a team of Brazilian developers, initially based on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, with the goal of providing a secure and lightweight system for content creators (such as Facebook, music, and video).
  • Early versions focused on privacy tools and content creation applications, addressing the needs of Brazilian users in an environment subject to internet censorship.
• Development History:
  • April 2021: Br OS 21.04 was released, introducing ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors as the default office suite, supporting file encryption and a private browser. - May 9, 2023: Br OS 23.04 is released, based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, with kernel 6.2, KDE Plasma 5.27.4, and QT 5.15.8. It adds ChatGPT integration and more content creation tools.
  • 2025: The project remains active on SourceForge, with the community expanding privacy tools, but no major new releases.
• Community and Support:
  • Maintained by a Brazilian team, hosted on SourceForge and blog.desdelinux.net.
  • Support for Portuguese and Spanish (with some English and Chinese available via KDE settings), with documentation covering installation and privacy configuration.
  • A Reddit user called Br OS "the top choice for Brazilian content creators."
• Open Source Licenses:
  • GPL v3 (core scripts), MIT (some tools).

Key Features

Br OS is built around content creation, privacy protection, and KDE Plasma integration, making it perfect for creators. Here are its key features:

1. KDE Plasma Desktop
   • Default KDE Plasma 5.27.4, offering a beautiful interface with support for multiple layouts and extensions.
2. Content Creation Tools
   • Pre-installed ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, GIMP, Audacity, Kdenlive, and more, supporting social media publishing.
3. Privacy and Security Features
   • Built-in free VPN service, file encryption program, and privacy browser (such as Tor Browser) for one-click anonymity.
4. Ubuntu-based stability
   • Based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, offering 5 years of support.
   • Uses apt package management and supports Flatpak.
5. Hardware Compatibility
   • Supports x86_64, with kernel 6.2 compatible with Intel, AMD, and Nvidia. - Minimum requirements: 1 GB RAM, 10 GB disk (2 GB RAM, 20 GB disk recommended).
6. Security and Privacy
   • Support for the ufw firewall and encryption tools.
7. Development Support
   • Pre-installed Python 3, Git, and Flatpak support.

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• Content Creation Oriented:
  • Pre-installed tools and ChatGPT integration surpass the base Ubuntu.
  • X's post states, "OnlyOffice in Br OS 23.04 makes collaboration incredibly easy."
• Privacy:
  • Built-in VPN and encryption make it suitable for review environments.
• Ubuntu Stability:
  • 5 years of LTS support, suitable for long-term running.
• User-Friendliness:
  • KDE Plasma offers a beautiful interface, superior to FunOS's JWM.
• Community Support:
  • Active SourceForge, providing resources for the Brazilian community.

Limitations

• Community Size:
  • Smaller than Ubuntu, with limited English documentation.
• Limited ARM Support:
  • The ARM version is a beta version, not as fast as Raspberry Pi OS.
• Software Update Speed:
  • Slower than Archcraft's rolling updates.

Summary

Br OS is a free, open-source Ubuntu-based Linux distribution. The latest version, 23.04 (May 9, 2023), is based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, with kernel 6.2 and KDE Plasma 5.27.4, supporting the x86_64 architecture. It focuses on content creation, privacy protection, and user-friendliness, providing tools such as ONLYOFFICE and GIMP. Br OS's content tools and built-in VPN stand out, but its community is small and its ARM support is limited.