14 DAY TRIAL // Robolinux 7.6.2, a fast and easy-to-use Linux distribution based on Debian, has been released and the developer has decided to name it "Fast as Greased Lightning."
Robolinux actually comes in two flavors, GNOME and Xfce. The Xfce version is a little more lightweight, due to the lower system requirements of the desktop environment, but it's pretty much the same with the GNOME edition in all other regards.
Robolinux is best known for a feature called Stealth VM Software that allows uses to create a clone of a Windows operating system, with all the installed programs and updates. This would allow potential users to switch to a Linux environment and continue to use their favorite Windows-only applications, although there is a performance penalty.
The Robolinux developer is making it very clear on his website that the Windows users, especially the ones who are currently running Windows XP and Windows 7, are his dedicated target. He wants to help people get rid of their Windows "addiction" and try something based on Linux.
"We have added Remote Desktop Sharing, ntp Time Sync & a Calculator, plus 11 new Intel Wifi Drivers, 1 new BCM Wifi Driver & 2 new Brother Printer Drivers. Plus all Debian upstream + security updates. We have added "Auto Upgrade Robolinux Version" & "Create Root user" Apps, 1 new Intel Wifi Driver, 1 new BCM Wifi Driver & 2 new Brother Printer Drivers. Plus a new kernel & all Debian upstream + security updates."
"Since Robolinux invented 'Revolutionary Stealth VM' inside our Debian Operating System we decided to create specific versions that work on all Linux Operating Systems so now anyone can run Windows XP or 7 inside Linux Mint, all Ubuntu versions & derivaives and all RPM based operating systems virus Free!" noted the dev in the announcement.
In theory, the new Stealth VM should allow Linux users to run any kind of Windows software inside an open source operating system, but there are some trade-offs. For example, it's very likely that users will need a rather powerful operating system in order to run a virtual machine software.
More details about the Stealth VM Software and Robolinux can be found in the official changelog. Also, you can download Robolinux 7.6.2 right now from Softpedia for both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures, in two flavors – Xfce and GNOME. Not until a few months ago, there were also a couple of other flavors as well, LXDE and KDE, but there isn't any new information about them.