FunOS

Overview

FunOS is a free, open-source Linux distribution based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. Designed for personal and professional users, it's ideal for older hardware or resource-constrained devices. Developed by the community, it ships with JWM (Joe's Window Manager) by default, supports the x86_64 architecture (no official ARM support yet), and adopts a fixed release model with long-term support (5 years, based on Ubuntu LTS). FunOS uses the apt package manager and comes pre-installed with the LightDM display manager, Xorg display server, and Ubiquity installer. It emphasizes the absence of Snap packages to reduce resource usage. The latest version is FunOS 2025 (May 2025), which runs Linux kernel 6.8 (HWE) and has an ISO size of approximately 1.8 GB.

Versions:

• FunOS Standard: The default JWM desktop includes basic tools (file manager, text editor, browser, etc.). - FunOS Minimal: Minimal installation, customizable for advanced users.
• FunOS Testing: Experimental version with Wayland and ZFS support.

History and Development

• Origins:
  • 2022: The FunOS project was launched, based on Ubuntu LTS, with the goal of providing a lightweight, efficient alternative, optimized for older hardware and performance.
  • Inspired by the lightweight design of Lubuntu and Debian, it uses JWM to reduce resource usage.
• Development History:
  • October 2022: FunOS 1.0 was released, based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, featuring JWM and LightDM.
  • May 2023: FunOS 2.0 introduced the Ubuntu HWE kernel for enhanced hardware compatibility.
  • April 2024: FunOS 2024 was based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, supporting Secure Boot and UEFI. - May 2025: FunOS 2025 will be released, featuring Linux kernel 6.8, optimized JWM configuration, and the removal of Snap dependencies.
• Community and Support:
  • Maintained by the FunOS team, hosted at funos.org and the forums (funos.org/support).
  • Supports English and some Chinese (via JWM configuration), with documentation covering installation and configuration.
  • A Reddit user called FunOS "a hidden gem of lightweight Linux."
• Open Source License:
  • GPL v3 (core), MIT (some tools).

Key Features

FunOS focuses on lightweight design, a JWM desktop, and the stability of Ubuntu LTS, making it suitable for low-end devices and developers. Here are its key features:

1. JWM Window Manager
   • JWM (Joe's Window Manager) is a lightweight and fast window manager that uses approximately 230-250MB of RAM and is suitable for older hardware.
   • Supports custom menus and themes.
2. Snap-Free Design
   • Snap packages are removed by default to reduce boot time and disk usage, and traditional DEB packages are used instead.
3. Ubuntu HWE Kernel
   • Powered by the Ubuntu Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernel 6.8, enhancing compatibility with new hardware.
4. Ubiquity Installer
   • Uses Ubiquity for a graphical installation, supporting both BIOS and UEFI.
5. Security and Performance
   • AppArmor is enabled by default, and ufw is supported (installation required). The minimal design reduces the attack surface.
   • Idle usage is 230-250MB of RAM, and the ISO size is 1.8GB.
6. Development Support
   • Pre-installed Python 3 and Git, with support for Flatpak and Snap (requires installation).

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• Lightweight and Efficient:
  • Utilizes 230-250 MB of RAM, compared to Bodhi Linux's 300-500 MB.
  • Post X claims, "FunOS runs perfectly on an old PC with 2GB of RAM."
• Snap-Free Design:
  • Reduces resource usage, surpassing Rhino Linux's Snap support.
• Ubuntu LTS Stability:
  • Based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, it offers 5 years of support, surpassing Archcraft's rolling updates.
• User-Friendliness:
  • The Ubiquity installer and JWM configuration reduce the learning curve, surpassing Arch Linux's manual installation.
• Hardware Compatibility:
  • The HWE kernel supports new hardware, surpassing GhostBSD's hardware support.

Limitations

• No official ARM support:
  • Supports only x86_64, not as good as Raspberry Pi OS's ARM optimization.
• Community size:
  • Smaller than Ubuntu or Arch Linux, with limited Chinese documentation.
• JWM learning curve:
  • JWM configuration requires manual editing of XML files.
• Software ecosystem:
  • Depends on Ubuntu repositories, resulting in slower software updates than Archcraft.

Summary

FunOS is a free, open-source Linux distribution. The latest version, 2025 (May 2025), is based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, runs Linux kernel 6.8, and the JWM window manager, supporting the x86_64 architecture. It is lightweight (230-250 MB RAM), efficient (no Snap) and highly customizable as its core, providing Ubiquity installer and apt package management. FunOS is outstanding for its lightness and Ubuntu LTS stability, but lacks official ARM support and has a small community.