Introduction to Solus

Solus is an independent, modern Linux distribution designed for home computing enthusiasts, developers, and general users who seek a streamlined, efficient, and user-friendly operating system. Born from the vision of providing a cohesive desktop experience out-of-the-box, Solus emphasizes performance, stability, and ease of use. With its curated rolling release model, unique package manager, and focused desktop environments, Solus has carved a niche in the Linux ecosystem as a distribution that “just works.”

What Is Solus?

Solus is a Linux-based operating system built from scratch, not derived from any other distribution. It was founded by Ikey Doherty in 2015 under the Formerly Known as Evolve OS project, eventually rebranded to Solus. The project’s core philosophy revolves around delivering a reliable, fast, and intuitive desktop environment that caters to everyday tasks—from web browsing and multimedia consumption to software development and gaming.

Key Characteristics

• Independent Build: Solus is not based on Ubuntu, Fedora, or any other major distro. Every package and component is built specifically for Solus.
• Curated Rolling Release: Instead of fixed periodic releases, Solus continuously delivers updates as soon as they are tested and stable, ensuring users have the latest features and security patches without undergoing full system upgrades.
• Focused Scope: The project concentrates on the desktop experience rather than server or enterprise use cases, prioritizing desktop performance and usability.

How Solus Works

Solus operates with a combination of its own tooling, a custom package manager, and a carefully maintained software repository. The design choices made by the Solus team underpin the distribution’s performance, stability, and coherence.

Package Management with eopkg

• eopkg: The native package manager of Solus, forked from Pisi (formerly used by Pardus Linux). It handles installation, removal, and upgrades of packages.
• Binary Packages: Solus provides pre-compiled binary packages optimized for performance and compatibility. Users rarely need to compile software manually.
• Dependency Handling: eopkg automatically resolves dependencies, minimizing user intervention and potential conflicts.

Curated Rolling Release Model

Unlike traditional rolling-release distributions that push updates rapidly, Solus adopts a curated approach. Updates undergo rigorous testing before being deployed to the stable repository. The process involves:

1. Development Branch: Package maintainers submit new versions and patches.
2. Testing Branch: Updates propagate to a testing repository where community members and QA tools evaluate stability and compatibility.
3. Stable Branch: After successful tests, updates are promoted to the stable channel for general release.

This methodology reduces the risk of breakages often associated with conventional rolling releases.

Desktop Environments

Solus ships with multiple desktop environments tailored for different user preferences:

• Budgie: The flagship environment created and maintained by Solus developers. It is modern, lightweight, and integrates tightly with the system.
• GNOME: Offers a classic GNOME Shell experience with Solus-specific optimizations.
• Plasma: KDE’s Plasma environment customized for Solus, balancing performance and features.
• MATE: A traditional desktop based on GNOME 2, ideal for users preferring a familiar and stable interface.

Orientation and Target Audience

Solus is oriented toward individuals seeking a hassle-free, high-performance desktop environment. Its careful curation and straightforward tooling make it suitable for the following audiences:

Desktop Users

• Casual Users: Pre-installed applications such as a web browser, email client, media player, and document viewer cover everyday needs immediately after installation.
• Enthusiasts: Users who appreciate a polished UI and straightforward system management enjoy Solus’s curated updates and the sleek Budgie environment.

Developers

• Programming Languages: Solus provides easy access to compilers, interpreters, and IDEs for languages such as Python, Java, C, C , Rust, and Go.
• Development Tools: Git, Docker, virtualization tools, and debugging utilities are readily available in official repositories.
• Performance: The use of modern kernels and optimized packages makes it ideal for resource-intensive builds and testing.

Gamers

• Steam Support: Solus supports Steam and Lutris, allowing users to play native Linux games and manage Windows games via Wine or Proton.
• Graphics Drivers: Proprietary and open-source drivers for NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs are provided and updated in a timely fashion.

Key Features of Solus

• Budgie Desktop: Intuitive, modular, and visually appealing with a modern design philosophy.
• Flatpak Integration: Support for Flatpak packages enables sandboxed applications without affecting the core system.
• Optimized Kernel: Custom-tuned Linux kernel for desktop responsiveness and hardware compatibility.
• Software Center: A graphical application manager that simplifies browsing, installing, and updating software.
• Encryption Support: Full-disk encryption and home folder encryption options during installation.

Release Models and Version History

Curiosities and Interesting Facts

• Name Origin: The name “Solus” derives from the Latin word for “alone,” reflecting its status as an independent distribution.
• Budgie Desktop Icon: The Budgie logo is inspired by the shape of a bird, symbolizing lightness and freedom.
• Global Translator Team: Solus supports multiple languages, thanks to volunteers worldwide translating UI elements and documentation.
• Community Governance: While decisions are driven by core developers, community input plays a significant role through forums and issue trackers.
• Lightweight Footprint: A fresh install can run comfortably in under 4 GB of RAM, depending on the chosen desktop environment.

Community and Support

Solus maintains a vibrant community through:

• Forums: A dedicated platform where users discuss issues, share tips, and collaborate on projects.
• Chat Channels: Real-time communication via IRC and Matrix rooms, fostering quick problem-solving and camaraderie.
• Documentation: An online knowledge base containing how-to guides, FAQs, and troubleshooting articles.
• Bug Tracker: Transparent reporting system where issues are logged, triaged, and addressed by developers and contributors.

Conclusion

Solus stands out among Linux distributions by offering a carefully curated rolling release model, a powerful native package manager, and a selection of polished desktop environments—especially its flagship Budgie. Oriented toward desktop users, developers, and gamers, Solus combines performance, stability, and a vibrant community to deliver an operating system that is both accessible to newcomers and satisfying for seasoned enthusiasts. With ongoing development and a clear vision for the future, Solus remains a compelling choice for anyone seeking a modern Linux desktop experience.

Sources

• https://getsol.us
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solus_(operating_system)
• https://getsol.us/about/faq/