Filed under: Linux, Open Source
Are there too many Linux distros? Case in point: Hannah Montana Linux
But I'm seriously starting to think that maybe we've gone a few steps too far. Because someone has taken it upon themselves to create a Hannah Montana-themed Linux distribution. OK, basically it's just a stripped down version of Kubuntu with a Hannah Montana-inspired desktop theme that could theoretically make the operating system slightly more attractive to children. But seriously?
Not only does the operating system feature desktops inspired by the TV show and a purple color scheme, but you're also apparently greeted to the sounds of Miley Cyrus singing when you boot up.
If you really want to know more, you can check out a review at Desktop Linux Reviews.
[via Instant Fundas]

So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do.
Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game.
The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
216 said 1:34PM on 8-13-2009
You really can't appreciate being famous until you've got a Linux Distro created in your image
Reply
Ravnos said 1:34PM on 8-13-2009
As lame as this is, it's really the sort of thing that will make the rounds to all the blogs for a week or so and be forgotten entirely except for its 5 person userbase. There are still basically less than 10 distros as far as any average user, even the average Linux user, is concerned, and while you could still make the argument that it's too many, using shit like this in the argument is really just nitpicking.
Reply
motang said 1:56PM on 8-13-2009
I am ashamed to be a Linux user!
Reply
bill cant fart said 2:08PM on 8-13-2009
No one will use this. A parent might install it for their kid for 20 minutes and then get rid of it.
I bet the maker doesn't even use it...
Reply
Charax said 2:33PM on 8-13-2009
well, as Desktop Linux Reviews says, the customisation's fairly well done, and they do mix around the installed programs a bit (mainly by removing OOo and KOffice, because we know Hanna Montana fans won't have anything worthwhile to write about anyway)
Which is a little better than the early versions of Ubuntu Satanic Edition, which were basically "Here are some themes and music, we're a distro now! (no disrespect to them, I like Ubuntu SE, I just think a distro should have more to it than a theme and some music)
Also: if this has pictures and music, why haven't Miley Cyrus' lawyers sued the crap out of it yet? here's hoping...
Reply
MarkyB86 said 2:34PM on 8-13-2009
Looks like somebody needs to be put down..
Reply
TheCrusher said 2:56PM on 8-13-2009
I vote for Jessica Alba-distro, NOW!
Reply
helim2000 said 3:11PM on 8-13-2009
Jeez...and I thought Linux was immune to over-comercialization...
"...but you're also apparently greeted to the sounds of Miley Cyrus singing when you boot up"
Makes me wonder...if you make the system this is installed on a dual-boot, will it sing "Best of Both Worlds"? *haha*
Yeah, young girls and pervy old men may like the Hannah Montana thing, but I can't see anyone taking this seriously...
Reply
Tuthsok said 4:45PM on 8-13-2009
I'll wait for the HelloKitty Linux version thank you very much ^_^
Reply
Brad Linder said 4:47PM on 8-13-2009
You thought you were kidding, but...
http://www.kittyhell.com/2007/07/04/hello-kitty-ubuntu-gdm-theme/
Phoenix said 5:25PM on 8-13-2009
OMG! HANNAH MONTANA LINUX! THE APOCALYPSE IS HERE!
Reply
caseymonster5000 said 7:16PM on 8-13-2009
I feel like there should be taking a seat over there. Where's the lemonade?
Reply
casey said 10:43PM on 8-13-2009
Actually, I bet my daughter would love this.....
I will be glad when this nightmare I have called Mannah Hontana ends though
Reply
darknessemporer said 10:43PM on 8-13-2009
I HAVE INFORMED THE LAWYERS OF MILEY CYRUS ABOUT THIS. EXPECT A LAWSUIT FOR OVER TEN MILLION DOLLARS.
Reply
noroom said 8:04AM on 8-14-2009
Anyone who has a problem with a specifically crafted distro has clearly missed the point.
Reply
Shifty said 8:04AM on 8-14-2009
OMG WTF is this ? -.-'
Reply
grep said 8:04AM on 8-14-2009
'bigbearomaha' makes an excellent point in the comments of that review:
[quote]
think the bigger ‘injustice’ here is that you keep referring to it as a distro.
It isn’t a distro, it’s a remaster.
you could just as easily call it “Kubuntu Hannah”
one of the biggest reasons people think there are too many distros is because people don’t know how to tell the difference between a ‘distro’ and a ‘remaster’
It’s a remaster targeted to a particular niche group who prefers that particular decoration/presentation without having to figure out how to do all that themselves.
no big deal.
Big Bear
[/quote]
Reply
techpops said 8:04AM on 8-14-2009
I'm not a big Linux user, I have Ubuntu on a triple boot but its more out of curiosity. What seems really odd to me is that the whole OS gets re-released with a new theme, when you could just release the theme.
I understand because it's open source you can re-package it and re-distribute it yourself, but just because you can, does that mean should? Imagine if Windows themes were actually the complete version of Windows with a new theme file added. You'd have to have several versions released to allow people on different versions of Windows to use your theme. And herein lies the problem with Linux, or at least one aspect of the problem these distributions raise.
This idea of a distro which isn't even a word and remaster strikes me as absurd. Remaster refers to making a new version of an audio track. The word version seems much more sensible, every other OS seems happy with it. If you start borrowing meanings where will it end. I'm remixing this sandwich! What, you want Mayo on it? I'll have to remaster the sandwich now!
.
Reply
crho85 said 10:52AM on 8-14-2009
I am right there with you. I find that often in the Linux community that when small "tweaks" are made like a desktop theme or what programs come preinstalled it is released as a whole new OS.
If you want to release a theme, fine, don't make it take up 4+Gbs
Yaro said 12:50PM on 9-29-2009
If this is just a remastering of Ubuntu, it's no way genuinely a new distribution.
Hate when Ubuntards go around remastering Ubuntu and claiming to have made an actual distro.
Reply