Rhino Linux

Overview

Rhino Linux is a free, open-source Linux distribution based on Ubuntu, using a rolling release model. Developed by the Rhino Linux team, it supports x86_64 and arm64 architectures (including the Raspberry Pi), making it suitable for desktops, development, and lightweight servers. Rhino Linux ships with the Unicorn Desktop (a customized XFCE-based desktop) by default, offers the Calamares graphical installer, and comes pre-installed with Firefox, LibreOffice, VLC, and Pacstall. It also supports Flatpak and Snap. The latest version is Rhino Linux 2024.2 (October 7, 2024), based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and featuring Linux kernel 6.8, XFCE 4.18, and Pacstall 5.0.

Versions:

• Rhino Linux Desktop: Defaults to XFCE (Unicorn Desktop), suitable for everyday use.
• Rhino Linux ARM: Optimized for ARM64 and compatible with the Raspberry Pi.
• Rhino Linux Minimal: Minimal installation, customizable for advanced users.

History and Development

• Origins:
  • October 2022: The Rhino Linux project was launched by community developers with the goal of combining the stability of Ubuntu with rolling updates, providing a modern experience with Pacstall and XFCE.
  • Inspired by the rolling release model of Arch Linux and the stability of Debian.
• Development History:
  • March 2023: Rhino Linux 2023.1 (the first stable version) was released, based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and introducing Unicorn Desktop and Pacstall.
  • August 2023: Rhino Linux 2023.2 will update the kernel to 6.4 and optimize arm64 support.
  • February 2024: Rhino Linux 2024.1 will move to the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS development branch and add Flatpak support.
  • October 7, 2024: Rhino Linux 2024.2 will be released, featuring Linux kernel 6.8, XFCE 4.18, Pacstall 5.0, and support for ZFS and Wayland (beta).
• Community and Support:
  • Managed by the Rhino Linux team, hosted at rhinolinux.org, GitHub, and the forum (forum.rhinolinux.org).
  • Supports English and some Chinese (via XFCE setup), and has extensive documentation (wiki.rhinolinux.org).
  • A Reddit user called Rhino Linux "a rolling release of Ubuntu, and Pacstall is very powerful."
• Open Source License:
  • GPL v3 (core components), MIT (some tools).

Main Features

Rhino Linux is built around rolling releases, Pacstall, and the Unicorn Desktop, making it suitable for desktop and development use. Here are its key features:

1. Unicorn Desktop (XFCE Customization)
   • Based on XFCE 4.18, customized as the Unicorn Desktop, it offers a modern, lightweight interface and supports Wayland (beta).
2. Pacstall Package Manager
   • Pacstall is Rhino Linux's core package manager, similar to Arch's AUR, supporting GitHub repositories, DEB packages, and AppImage.
3. Rolling Update Model
   • Based on the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS development branch, rolling updates ensure the latest software.
4. Hardware Support
   • Supports x86_64 and arm64 (Raspberry Pi 4/5), with a minimum requirement of 1GB RAM and 10GB disk (4GB RAM and 20GB disk recommended).
5. Security and Configuration
   • AppArmor is enabled by default, and firewalld and ufw are supported (installation required).
6. Development Support
   • Pre-installed Python, Node.js, and Git, with support for Flatpak and Snap.

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• Rolling Updates and Stability:
  • Combining Ubuntu's stability with rolling updates, it outperforms Mageia's fixed releases.
  • Post X states, "Rhino Linux's Pacstall makes rolling updates easy."
• Pacstall Package Management:
  • Similar to the AUR, it supports GitHub and DEB packages, and is more extensible than Mageia's urpmi.
• Lightweight and Efficient:
  • XFCE consumes approximately 400-600 MB of RAM, making it suitable for low-end devices.
• ARM Support:
  • Native support for the Raspberry Pi.
• User-Friendliness:
  • The Calamares installer and Unicorn Desktop reduce the learning curve.

Limitations

• New Distribution:
  • Launched in 2022, with less community and documentation than Mageia or Rocky Linux.
• Rolling Update Risks:
  • Potentially unstable, requiring regular backups.
• Pacstall Ecosystem:
  • The software repository is smaller than the AUR, and some software requires manual installation.

Summary

Rhino Linux is a free, open-source Ubuntu-based Linux distribution. Its latest release, 2024.2 (October 2024), features Linux kernel 6.8, XFCE 4.18 (Unicorn Desktop), and Pacstall 5.0, supporting both x86_64 and arm64 (Raspberry Pi). Combining rolling updates with Ubuntu stability, it offers the Calamares installer and Pacstall package management, making it suitable for desktops, development, and lightweight servers. While Rhino Linux stands out for its rolling updates and ARM support, it also has a small community and a limited Pacstall ecosystem.