Endless OS

Overview

Endless OS is a free, open-source Linux distribution based on Debian. Designed with an atomic and immutable architecture, it prioritizes education and user-friendliness, aiming to provide a rich, offline desktop experience for beginners, children, and educational settings. Developed by Endless Computers and hosted at endlessos.org, it supports arm64 and x86_64 architectures, making it suitable for low-spec devices, Chromebooks, and Raspberry Pi. It includes EOS Shell, a custom GNOME-based desktop. Using the Flatpak package manager, Endless OS comes pre-installed with offline educational content, coding tools, and game design resources. It supports multiple languages (over 100, including Chinese), emphasizing offline usability and simplicity.

History and Development

• Origins:
  • 2015: The Endless OS project was launched by Endless Computers with the goal of providing an offline educational operating system for children in developing countries, based on Debian and GNOME.
  • Originally named Endless Key, it focused on offline content and a simple interface.
• Development History:
  • 2016: Endless OS 1.0 was released, based on Debian Jessie, introducing EOS Shell (a GNOME customization) and supporting offline content in over 100 languages.
  • 2018: Endless OS 3.0 optimized educational applications and supported ARM devices such as the Raspberry Pi.
  • 2020: Endless OS 3.8, based on Debian Bullseye, added more coding tools and gaming resources. - May 2024: Endless OS 6.0 will be released. Based on Debian 12 "Bookworm," it introduces atomic design (immutable). EOS Shell is based on a heavily modified GNOME and is targeted at children, education, and beginners.
  • January 9, 2025: Endless OS 6.0.5 will be released, with improvements to offline content and stability.
  • May 28, 2025: Endless OS 6.0.6 will be released, further improving educational tools and multi-language support.
• Community and Support:
  • Maintained by Endless Computers and the community, hosted at endlessos.org, GitHub, and support pages (support.endlessos.org).
  • Supports over 100 languages, including Chinese, and documentation covers installation and educational content.
  • Reddit users call Endless OS "the perfect starting point for beginners."
• Open Source License:
  • GPL v3 (core), MIT (some tools).

Key Features

Endless OS prioritizes education, features atomic design, and offline content, making it suitable for beginners and children. Here are its key features:

1. EOS Shell (GNOME Customization)
   • EOS Shell is a desktop based on a heavily modified GNOME, offering a simple, card-based interface optimized for touchscreens and children.
2. Offline Content and Educational Tools
   • Pre-installed offline educational content (such as Khan Academy and Wikipedia Offline), coding tools (Scratch and Blockly), and game design resources.
3. Atomic and Immutable Design
   • The root file system is immutable, and updates are managed using OSTree to ensure stability.
4. Flatpak Support
   • Flatpak is used by default for application management, supporting offline installation.
5. Hardware Compatibility
   • Supports arm64 and x86_64, and kernel 6.6 is compatible with Intel, AMD, and Nvidia.
   • Minimum requirements: 1 GB RAM, 8 GB disk (2 GB RAM, 16 GB disk recommended).
6. Security and Privacy
   • AppArmor is enabled by default, and the ufw firewall is supported.
7. Development Support
   • Python 3 and Git are pre-installed, and Flatpak and Snap are supported.

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• Education-focused:
  • Offline content and a simple interface.
• Atomic design:
  • Immutable system improves stability.
• User-friendly:
  • EOS Shell is suitable for children and beginners.
• Offline usability:
  • No internet connection required.
• Community support:
  • The Endless Foundation and forum are active, providing educational resources.

Limitations

• Limited customization:
  • Atomic design restricts root file system modifications.
• Community size:
  • Smaller than Ubuntu or Arch Linux, with limited documentation in Chinese.
• Limited ARM support:
  • ARM64 support is in beta, not as good as Raspberry Pi OS.

Summary

Endless OS is a free, open-source, Debian-based Linux distribution. Its latest version, 6.0.6 (as of May 28, 2025), is based on Debian 12 "Bookworm," featuring Linux kernel 6.6 and EOS Shell (a GNOME customization). It prioritizes education, atomic design, and offline content, offering Flatpak management and a simple interface. While Endless OS's offline educational content and user-friendliness are prominent, customization is limited, and ARM support is in beta.