The lightweight Linux distro every media junkie should try – and why

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ZDNET key takeaways

• 4MLinux 50.0 is now available to download.
• This release adds support for more multimedia and reproducible builds.
• 4MLinux is free to download and use.

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Most Linux distributions are based on one of three options: Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora, or Arch.

There are, however, some distributions that were built from scratch and have no ties to those listed above.

Why are those distributions necessary? Well, some developers believe more is always better. At the same time, some developers aren’t satisfied with simply rebranding and retooling something that already exists.

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By creating a Linux distribution from scratch, a developer is in complete control over what goes into the OS, how it looks and behaves, and how often it’s updated. One such distribution is 4MLinux.

I’ve covered 4MLinux here on ZDNET before, but the recent release (version 50.0) adds some important changes to the latest release.

What’s new?

As is the case with most new Linux distribution releases, 4MLinux includes updated preinstalled software, such as:

• Office suites: LibreOffice 25.8 and GNOME Office (AbiWord 3.0.6, GIMP 3.1.4, Gnumeric 1.12.59),
• Web browsers: Firefox 145.0 and Chrome 142.0
• Email: Thunderbird 140.5
• Multimedia players: Audacious 4.5.1, VLC 3.0.21, and SMPlayer 25.6.0
• Mesa 25.1.7.

There’s also a port of Raven Software’s old Hexen II game (loved playing that), and a few other games.

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The biggest change, however, is that 4MLinux features reproducible builds, which means the same source code will always produce the same binary output. This ensures that the distribution’s software can be verified as genuine and untampered, and that the binaries created always match the original source code.

A cool new addition

With the release of version 50.0, 4MLinux now includes support for the GPAC multimedia framework, which provides tools for processing, inspecting, packaging, streaming, and playing media content. That content can be audio, video, subtitles, metadata, scalable graphics, encrypted media, 2D/3D graphics, and ECMAScript.

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One of the most widely known features of GPAC is the MP4/ISOBMFF capability, which is used by video enthusiasts, academic research, standardization bodies, and broadcasters.

As well, if you look in the Multimedia menu option, you’ll find plenty of tools for consuming media.

What is 4MLinux for?

This is where the proverbial rubber meets the road. 4MLinux is not your standard Linux distribution. For many, 4MLinux is used as a portable Linux distribution, which has a few advantages over other distributions, such as the built-in miniservers.

With 4MLinux, you can burn the OS to a USB drive (even better with persistent storage), and then carry a portable OS around that simplifies the sharing of files. You could add all the files you need to that portable drive, boot it up, and quickly share those files to the LAN.

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Or, you can install 4MLinux to your hard drive. This, of course, isn’t as easy as installing a typical Linux distribution because you have to first partition the hard drive (using the GUI GParted tool) and then run the installer command. Answer a few questions and allow the installer to complete.

Once the installer is finished, reboot, remove the USB drive, and allow the machine to boot.

Is 4MLinux for you?

4MLinux is a very niche Linux distribution, but it’s a viable distribution for those who really want to learn more about Linux. Just the act of getting 4MLinux installed and running properly will teach you how to partition, use the command line, create users, share files, and much more. 

Although those are things you can do with any Linux distribution, if you really want to get your hands dirty with those tasks, 4MLinux is an option that enables you to learn on your desktop or on the go.

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Another reason you might want to try 4MLinux is if you consume a lot of media, as this distribution includes a lot of apps specifically for that purpose. 

You’ll find a YouTube app (Minitube), MPlayer, GNOME MP, Baka MP, Celluloid, XMMS, Aqualung, AlsaPlayer, GogglesMM, FIMusic, VMPK, Asunder, ripperX, cdd2wav, QaSTools, AlsaMixer, pavucontrol, aumix, GPicView, qpdfview, GLiv, LightSpeed, Shutterbug, mtPaint, GNU Paint, XPaint, ImageMagick, Converseen, SoundStudio, Audacity, FFmpeg AC, Kino, HyperVC, QWinFF, and more. 

So, yeah, I’d say 4MLinux is certainly an option for those who consume a lot of various multimedia formats, especially with the addition of the GPAC multimedia framework.

If you’re interested in 4MLinux, download the latest version and either burn it to a USB drive or boot it up as a virtual machine.