Developed by Martin Ultima, the Ultima Linux release is a Slackware based distribution which addresses both Intel and AMD architectures. Inheriting Slackware, which is known for being very openly customizable and suitable for learning the innards of Linux, Ultima Linux is a fast, secure, stable and easy-to use OS.

Recently, Martin Ultima has announced the availability of the 8.2 version for this distro (codename Godot), which is said to come with many improvements since the Ultima 8.1 Beta.

Highlights: .

- full AMD64 support
- improved LiveCD with integrated, easy-to-use LiveCD installer
- Linux kernel 2.6.21.3 with built-in SMP
- X.org R7.2 (prerelease) with ATI/NVIDIA proprietary drivers
- KDE 3.5.7 desktop with full automounting (HAL/D-Bus)
- redesigned default desktop
- it is able to play MP3s, CDs, DVDs, and more right "out of the box"
- compatible with Apple iPod and other popular portable media players
- Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.4 with Flash/Java/MPlayer plug-ins
- Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.0
- OpenOffice.org 2.2.0 comprehensive office suite

Based on the popular, stable and secure Linux 2.6 kernel, Ultima Linux was originally intended as a lightweight desktop operating system, as it is said on its website. Coming with a suite of default tools and applications such as Firefox web browser, Thunderbird mail client, Gimp image editor or OpenOffice.org, this distribution does not require any sophisticated hardware configurations. It can be run on almost any PC, from a low version of Pentium to a powerful, new 64-bit machine. It also takes in optional networking tools such as Web, FTP, file and mail servers. However, the main inconvenient about Ultima would be the fact that USB keyboards are not currently supported. According to Martin Ultima, they are still working on this issue and they hope they get them to work properly by the next release. If you're still thinking whether to install this OS on your PC or not then Ultima Live CD version is here to help you make an idea about it without going through the installation process.

You can download Ultima Linux now from Softpedia