ubuntulite

Homepage: http://ubuntulite.tuxfamily.org/

About Ubuntulite:

The Problem
Hardware is not cheap. Most people, schools, and organizations have little to spend on upgrading their hardware. Thus, people have little choice but to run older software on their computers to extend their lifespans. But this creates problems. Older software often lacks official support, security updates, and modern features that modern software has.
Our Solution
Ubuntulite provides owners of older hardware the choice to run lean modern software. This software is kept up-to-date, secure, and full of features users expect. Yet other groups who set out to also provide this fail the user in one regard: their product is often difficult to use. At Ubuntulite we hope to provide a desktop operating system with sensible defaults that is easy to use.
Our Activities
Ubuntulite maintains a meta-package to install the default programs, an artwork package to provide default artwork, a scripts package to customize the desktop defaults, and several backported programs to ensure the latest functionality on older systems. We also look for ways to trim programs down from their default configurations so that they might use less processor, memory, and hard disk resources. Finally, we promote using Ubuntulite as a replacement to unsupported software and provide a light base on which to build a custom distribution.
Our Target Users
Ubuntulite is built for users who need an easy-to-use, up-to-date, light system to run on their aging hardware. Ubuntulite is great for people relatively new to Linux who do not feel comfortable hacking away at their operating system but also for experienced users looking for a light base for their own custom distributions or mass deployments.
Our Status
Currently Ubuntulite is in the beta phase of the restructuring of the distribution. It is under new management, has new insights, and faces new problems. The greatest need is for volunteers to help drive the project forward, but we are making good progress towards the first stable release. Frequent this site for status updates and more information about Ubuntulite.
Our History
Evidences points to Matic Ahacic creating the Ubuntulite project in May 2005. Another person instrumental to the beginnings of Ubuntulite is Colin McDermott who designed the original site. Matoc Ahacic and Colin McDermott, however, could no longer contribute to the project around May 2006. Then the current project leader, Shae Smittle, took over. Progress was slow at first, but the results are a changed program selection and a renewed vigor for development. The future for Ubuntulite is bright.