Here Are 8 Lesser Known Operating Systems You Should Know!

The Operating System is the single most important part of gadgets (PCs/laptops/smartphones etc). You must be familiar with Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and so forth. These are undoubtedly the cream of the crop! However, little do we know there is still life beyond the known!

Here are 8 not-so-known operating systems that are still downright amazing:

1. KolibriOS

-Forked off from MenuetOS, KolibriOS is the smallest graphical user interface operating system. However, being tiny doesn't at all come at the cost of power and speed.

-Small enough to fit in a floppy disk, Kolibri is still a complete and working GUI.

-Bootable using either a floppy disk, optical disc, flash drive or hard disk drive.

-Can read numerous file systems: FAT32, NTFS, and EXT3/4.

-Applications such as text editor, email client, HTTP client, etc are available for basic computing tasks.

-Available in two versions: 1.44MB (essential features) and 3MB (additional features).

2. Firefox OS

-Firefox OS has been named after Mozilla's very popular and open source web browser, Firefox.

-Completely open source mobile platform, Mozilla's Firefox OS is built on open web standards such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

-It features an interface much like that of Android.

-However, the only downside, it doesn't support native apps, only web apps built using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript.

3. Slax

-Based on Slackware Linux, Slax is a modern, portable, small (only 220MB) and fast Linux operating system with a modular approach.

-Comes with a set of essential apps for basic computing, however, its functionality can be increased by leaps and bounds using modules.

-Being a live operating system, it does not need installation. It can run directly from a portable drive.

-Persistent storage allows your data and preferences to get saved in your flash drive. The same will load automatically upon the next run.

4. Ubuntu for Phones

-Ubuntu is now available for phones under the name of Ubuntu for Phones, on top of Ubuntu for tablets, Ubuntu Server edition and Ubuntu Desktop.

-Perhaps the most attractive feature here is giving developers the ease to write just one app that will then seamlessly work across all Ubuntu platforms. The apps will be available via the Ubuntu Software Centre.

-Preference has been given to 'control' rather than content. Every edge of the screen comes with a specific purpose, giving an easy acces to all your apps, content, and controls.

5. ReactOS

-Touted as a fully functional and compatible Windows replacement (with a GUI similar to that of Windows XP/2003) along with the advantage of being completely free and open source.

-Designed on the principles of Microsoft’s powerful NT architecture, ReactOS's kernel is written from scratch, and is based on WINE.

-Readily supports many Windows drivers, and is able to run numerous Windows software.

6. Tizen OS

-Completely open source and standards-based software platform.

-Based on HTML5, Tizen provides 3D window effects, multi-tasking, multi-touch, sensor and location-based service frameworks. Furthermore, it supports multiple screen resolutions.

-Tizen is one of the only projects backed by a company as massive as Samsung.

-The Tizen Association is a Samsung and Intel-led industry group that has been guiding the Linux-based OS’s development.

7. Tails

-The Amnesic Incognito Live System is a Linux distribution based on Debian.

-It does not need installation. It can run directly from a portable drive such as optical disks and flash drives. Meanwhile, since it runs entirely in the computer’s RAM, all files and browsing history is automatically erased once the system is turned off.

-Makes use of numerous security tools to preserv your privacy and anonymity while browsing: Tor anonymity network, cryptographic tools etc.

8. Qubes OS

-Based on Xen, X Window System and Linux. Qubes takes the security-by-isolation approach for improved security. Under the same, it creates many security domains, each functioning as lightweight Virtual Machines. Each domain comes with its own set of security restrictions that virtually isolates one domain from the rest.