Version: 5.7.1
Rating: 10
Date: 2019-06-11
Votes: 8
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Very pleased. I have a few old Dells kicking around and after trying Ubuntu, Bodhi, Slackware, Anti-X CrunchBang, Lubuntu, Puppy, and a few others, this distro hit exactly the sweet spot for a relative neophyte looking for a fast, stable, reliable, light OS that didn't require the latest hardware or a deep knowledge of Linux to run. Comes loaded with enough basic/graphic tools tools to customize as needed, but not so much it slogs on older machines. Only hiccup was losing audio once due to a quirk in a program I loaded, and had to back out. Very, very happy with Sparky, and hope the developers keep it running for a long time.
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Version: 5.7.1
Rating: 1
Date: 2019-06-09
Votes: 0
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The worst OS I'm come across in along time. It's amazing that anyone uses it.
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Version: 4.10
Rating: 10
Date: 2019-06-07
Votes: 0
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Solid piece of software, works well on any laptop I've installed it, easy to maintane,but maybe not best for total beginners.
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Version: 4.10
Rating: 10
Date: 2019-06-05
Votes: 0
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I installed the 32bit version on a old broken computer with low resources, and Sparky worked very well, I had serious problems installing anything else... Overall one of my all time favorite distribution, (I've tried over 100) simple, stable, very lightweight and fast, exactly what I like in a OS, no nonsense, very nice... THANKS!!! One of the best. I give a solid 10, because so many other distros are "almost perfect", Sparky is imo top notch and I don't see any flaws or annoying things. Definitely my all time top3 favs.
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Version: 4.10
Rating: 10
Date: 2019-05-29
Votes: 10
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This is review for sparky linux 4.7. I am really satisfied with lightweight sparky. I have a low-resource computer with 1 GB RAM and 1.7 GHz processor. I wanted a lightweight distro which doesn't use huge resources. Sparky linux is exactly that distro. I tried these distros on my computer before installing Sparky linux and check their RAM usage in live mode with free -m command. The results were-
1. Devuan XFCE- 219 MB
2. MX Linux - 262 MB
3. Bunsenlabs (openbox) - 152 MB
4. Q4OS (trinity DE) - 182 MB
5. Bodhi Linux- 162 MB
Then I checked sparky linux XFCE live with free -m command. The result was just 153 MB. You can assume how much this distro lightweight is.
Pros-
1. Extremely lightweight (Even though sparky's XFCE is more lightweight than Bodhi's Enlightment)
2. Runs out-of-the box ( you can install drivers through driver manager later as well)
3. Enough preinstalled applications in ISO's.
4. Based on debian.
5. Both releases available- rolling and fixed
6. Sparky's own repository is awesome.
7. ISO's come with many distros so far- LXQT, LXDE, Enlightment, XFCE, MATE. KDE Etc. One doesn't need to install Desktop Environment with CLI alike Debian ( for enlightment and LXQT only)
8. High configurable and beautiful panel
9. Advanced installer can be very useful for old-computers.
Con-
1. They do not upload updated ISO's of some DE's like - XFCE, Enlightment etc. I downloaded sparky XFCE 4.7 but I wanted sparky XFCE 4.10. It was not available there. It consumed 562 MB data for updating the whole distro. I have installed Bunsenlabs on the other half disk. Bunsenlabs just required 129 MB data for updating the whole distro.
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Version: 5.7.1
Rating: 1
Date: 2019-05-03
Votes: 0
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I downloaded the Rescue Edition. Some of the programs ask for a root password. No clue about a password anywhere. I tried the most common of them (root, admin, etc) unsuccessfully. I went to the webpage where I dowloaded the iso, and I searched for a password: Unsuccessfully again. There is a comments section, it says you can leave a comment there and I tried. It was impossible to comment ("Access Denied").
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Version: 5.7.1
Rating: 10
Date: 2019-05-01
Votes: 22
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Tossed this distro on an old ASUS B202 EeeBox - Intel Atom N270 1.6Ghz (single core) with 2GB memory.
Tried both the stable SparkyLinux 4.9.2 LXDE and rolling SparkyLinux 5.7.1 LXQt.
Installation was easy and it found all my hardware without issue.
In one word, awesome!
I'm absolutly amazed with the performance on both. Definitly breathed new life into my old 2008 machine which came with Windows XP.
Now of course I can't watch streaming HD videos, not to the fault of the OS, but YouTube works fine if I dial down (way down) the quality.
And for conservative browsing, email and some office type stuff like word processing/spreadsheets this fits like a glove.
I settled on rolling SparkyLinux 5.7.1 LXQt because of LXQt and have been very happy.
I've been searching for a distro that actually performs well on old hardware. And Sparky performs very well!
So great job Sparky Team and thank you so much for an awesome distro. =)
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Version: 5.7.1
Rating: 1
Date: 2019-04-25
Votes: 0
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It could be great because:
- added value through tools written by authors
It fails miserably before you even try it because multitide of selection. Ussually distro download section leads to few versions with a simple explanation. And they try to do it, I admit, but presenting user with so many choices and versions makes me wonder, why so hard? Why not going simple, just exactly as Mint, Ubuntu, not to mention MX. The latter are used by millions, sparky - lets say 1000 computers at max. And there you have a confusing list of choices (each with a separate for 32/64b)
STABLE:
LXDE, MinimalGUI, MinimalCLI, 4.9 special edition (each with a separate for 32/64b)
ARMHF(separate for openbox and CLI text mode)
ROLLING, which extends selection to home, minimal, special editions:
LXDE, MinimalGUI, MinimalCLI, special edition multimedia, special edition rescue, special edition game over (each with a separate for 32/64b)
DEVELOPMENT is currently empty, COMMUNITY has two spins with gnome and cinnamon.
Why so much fragmentation, when clearly this distro does not have such wide userbase. Plus there are two installers - standard and advanced. How on earth is it user friendly? An extremly small team tries to carry on with multitude of versions. Misleading webpage. Whats the main mission of this project. I wish distros drop that gnu crap about user privacy and start using a reliable telemetry with a sole purpose of counting users and features - anonymised naturally. That woud give Sparky an average of 12 users per flavour, including 4 of maintainers.
I'm from Poland and I'd like to be proud of a linux distro, but this one will simply not make it happen. Minimal rating due to hurt it does to linux world in general, linux representation from poland.
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Version: 5.7.1
Rating: 9
Date: 2019-04-09
Votes: 0
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awsome work but the problem is an auto log in it is safer to require paasswod brfor log in sparky 5.7 i686
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Version: 5.7
Rating: 10
Date: 2019-03-29
Votes: 20
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I have installed it in a dual boot mode on my HP spectre x360 15t touch laptop alongside with Windows 10. It works, support touch, support external 4k monitor, support bluetooth and more. Quite satisfied.
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Version: 4.9.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2019-03-27
Votes: 36
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Great, stable and light distro. I'm using it on ASUS laptops (as secondary OS) and HTPC. I was using Ubuntu and Deepin, and I think Sparky is at least as good and convenient as these distros (or even better - my own opinion;)). Definitely worth to give it a try!
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Version: 5.7
Rating: 8
Date: 2019-03-08
Votes: 1
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Lots of DE options. Much more up to date than most other Debian based distros. File sharing much easier to get setup than on many other distros. Very fast. Highly customizable. My only issue was that literally on the same day I installed it APT is now not installing any package at all since trying to install VLC. I have never managed to break a distro within a day before. I used Mate and the rolling Home version of Sparky.
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Version: 5.6.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2019-02-21
Votes: 49
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Surprised by the stability - ran for couple months, no single issues, or slowdown after updates (what happened, e.g. with Manjaro). Working with repositories/packages is quite convenient and fast versus other distros. Level of customization is quite advanced. It uses cutting edge packages and, in the same time, it is amazingly stable, assuming "testing" version of Debian Buster. So, it is practically stable, and fast, and customizable, and cutting edge. What else do you need from a distro?
I am using Fedora for couple of years, before I was a big fan of Mint, I have used Ubuntu for my wife's laptop. Now I have switched to Sparky as my main distro and no regrets.
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Version: 5.6.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2019-01-30
Votes: 69
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Pleasantly surprised by Sparky Linux, VERY light on my old laptop - LXQT uses 160 / 180mb RAM usage when idle, Sparky is easy to use while providing a solid Debian experience with some nice extras ootb.
I do not usually like forks of main distributions, as they tend to die at some point, but I like Sparky and what it offers. I wish the Sparky Linux devs all the best of luck for their future and hope they manage to come out on top, MANY other distributions can learn a thing or two from Sparky, it is Linux done well / right.
I will contribute where I can.
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Version: 5.6.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2019-01-20
Votes: 5
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Fast and responsive (LXQt version). Only one reason I am not giving 10 - some problems in installing Virtual Box Guest Additions.
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Version: 5.6.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2019-01-12
Votes: 23
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I had problems with this distro in the past. But now, it works like a charm.Keep up the good work.
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Version: 5.6.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2019-01-11
Votes: 66
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Very underrated Distro. Is the only one so far (out of about 20 I've tested) that works on my hardware out of the box, including installing printer (Samsung). Using XFCE. Aptus updater is nice, good default app package and is also the fastest 'user friendly' distro I've tried (boot, general responsiveness).
I'm running an AMD Quad Core A8, ATI Radeon R7, SSD.
Sparky just works, is fast, is customisable and user friendly.
Only Mint has worked as well out of the box but it is slower on my hardware and more bloated.
Plus Steam works (+ through wine) better than any other distro I've tried, particularly in using two screens and having things work on the correct screen (Grim Dawn, Exanima, Path of Exile, Unreal editor, etc)
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Version: 5.6.2
Rating: 8
Date: 2019-01-07
Votes: 0
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No sound hdmi : Digital Stereo (HDMI 4) Ouput (unplugged) .
graphics are very poor.
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Version: 4.9
Rating: 9
Date: 2018-12-23
Votes: 14
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Sparky just works. Old hardware or odd wifi chips do not throw it. I have been using linux on old hardware for decades. I still have a t20 ThinkPad with 256mb of memory running puppy. I use it for configuring routers.
I have sparky on a 2 gig mem Latitude D810 laptop with a 1920x1200 display and a great keyboard for writing. I have nx running on my main pc (thinkserver ts140 with 24 gig ram running Debian Mint with Cinnamon DE) and use nx client on the old sparky laptop to attach to server.
I install Linux Mint on many pc's for older clients. But for anyone with a little command line skill, Sparky is all you need. Will be putting it on my I5 16gig lattitude today.
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Version: 5.5
Rating: 6
Date: 2018-11-16
Votes: 3
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SparkyLinux rolling is based on the Debian testing branch and, IMO, should not be used in a productions environement because it is potentially unstable; Debian testing being allways testing, you can encounter some severe bug (the chances may be not big but they are theoretically still much bigger than the chances to encounter a sever bug on Debian stable). Now, the SparkyLinux homepage does not mention this important fact and therefore I give a 6. So, I use SparkyLinux rolling as a distro for testing new versions of Debian. There is no such problem for the SparkyLinux fixed or stable edition, and it certainly deserves a 9.
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Version: 5.5
Rating: 9
Date: 2018-11-15
Votes: 13
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This is my second trial of Sparky, my first time with a different version was not acceptable.
This version was easy to install and ran the update after installation, it did take a while. Installed Mate and I am using Mate . Adequate number of pre-installed software but I like to install my own.
I wish they would give the option to partition the hard drive to locate Documents, Photos, etc in the other partition.
So far it is working with out the hardware conflicts of the previous version I tried. It recognized a HP and Epson printer attached and installed the drivers. It recognized a Brother Ptouch printer but I have not been able to install drivers for it yet.
Overall I am pleased and will continue using it.
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Version: 5.5
Rating: 2
Date: 2018-11-11
Votes: 0
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Downloaded 5.5, 4.9 - no difference, cannot load to the Live session thus can't event install this :(
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Version: 4.8.1
Rating: 10
Date: 2018-11-07
Votes: 10
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wau this is the most complete distribution for old equipment, highlighting the fluidity, compatibility and the minimum consumption of ram approx 128mb recently started in 64bit version with minimal gui, I installed it in a minilaptop with 1gb ram I delight installing from the aptus that offers (direct link to install applications, bring them by categories) and navigate smoothly from the browser to the delight of distro, I will try the 5 to see if it keeps the same flow, if you want compatibility and speed this is the super distro
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Version: 5.5
Rating: 9
Date: 2018-10-31
Votes: 5
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Easy to install, fast, stable and rolling distro; lot of software in Debian and Sparky repositories. What else can you want?
I installed the Openbox version of Sparky Linux and aded the xfce4-desktop on top. Works great!
Thank you Sparky!
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Version: 5.5
Rating: 10
Date: 2018-10-21
Votes: 8
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Since Ubuntu - and, consequently, the whole crowd of distros derived or forked from - more and more has gone quite a private and in many a case doubtful way a lot of users might want to follow the original creation of Debian. However, setting up pure Debian is often a hard piece of work, as well as Debian itself makes you go over some software restrictions many users will not get amused of. Here comes Sparky comfortably filling a hole of desire: it certainly offers the user-friendliest access especially to Debian's testing branch (currently Buster). As for even more benefit, it appears surprisingly stable even if upgraded to recent Linux kernel versions as once more the latter possibility among Debians is seen quite rarely!
So Pro & Contra together is the very rolling character: Be you aware to update daily!
Pro, once more: Amazingly stable, over all upgrading always reliable enough for productive use!
Contra: Out of the box, regarding desktop environments Sparky is no more delivered with other than LxQt or Openbox. So users who prefer alternatives will have to do a little bit of work by themselves : )
The only real competitor is Siduction, but as this one is made from Sid repositories it may naturally crash again and again because any Sid (as far it belongs to all included software working well together) simply CAN never get more than an experiment ...
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Version: 4.8.1
Rating: 10
Date: 2018-10-16
Votes: 9
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SparkyLinux 4.8.1 MinimalGUI (Openbox) on Lenovo T.E. G50
Excelent distro:
- very fast and stable, even original Debian stable
- better than "nr one" Manjaro or Ubuntu based distros - special on wifi network connections
- low memory takes (under 250 mb after boot up
- good debian multimedia repo
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Version: 4.5.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2018-08-28
Votes: 11
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I was looking for a distro that is shipped with 4.8/ 4.10 or 4.13 and stable. Remaining every kernel above 4.4 was causing overheat in my Atom processor. I found lubuntu17.04 and 17.10 but it wasn't stable. Although I installed 17.10 but I was worried after lubuntu 17.10's eol. Also, new installed Lubuntu 18.04 was causing overheat in my system. But sparky 4.5.2 lxde is not only stable but also running very smooth. No overheating problems. I installed it over my previous distro lubuntu. If you think of 1.6GB data you can install minimal GUi. Sparky all the way !
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Version: 5.5
Rating: 7
Date: 2018-08-21
Votes: 0
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Supposed to be customizable. Can't change time format. Can't disable touchpad. Only downloads British english related programs.
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Version: 5.5
Rating: 10
Date: 2018-08-18
Votes: 6
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great distro installed the lxqt version on an old laptop works great out of the box and only takes about 240 mb of ram upon boot up. overall an aswome distro but it doesn't feel quite as polish as other distros but very polished out distro.
I am very happy with it
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Version: 5.5
Rating: 9
Date: 2018-08-18
Votes: 0
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easy to install, and a lot of desktop choices.
Dont use a lot of RAM.
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Version: 5.5
Rating: 7
Date: 2018-08-08
Votes: 0
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I've never liked using Debian Testing - much prefer Stable with a few backports.
Nice selection of tools.
~ Torin
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Version: 5.5
Rating: 8
Date: 2018-08-08
Votes: 0
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pretty nice overall, would be nice to be compatible with discord.
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Version: 4.8.1
Rating: 9
Date: 2018-08-08
Votes: 8
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Chose the minimal install 32bit ISO just to see how light things can get, well, I chose the Budgie DE as it looks nice and modern but not sluggish when compared to its big and older brother GNOME DE, then installed Otter Browser and Min Browser - both very light and look good (especially Min), from boot Budgie is idling at about 175mb's of RAM with animations / compositing enabled, when browsing the web with either Otter or Min I'm at roughly 300 odd mb's RAM, so yeah, pretty light!
No weirdness, no locking up, pleanty of goodies available via APTus, so easy to use and update, mostly GUI, VERY noob friendly, definately a better starting point with Linux than Ubuntu or Mint or whatever.
Stop reading my babble and go test it / install it.
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Version: 4.8.1
Rating: 10
Date: 2018-08-03
Votes: 7
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Pleasantly surprised by Sparky Linux, VERY light on my old laptop - LXDE uses 160 / 180mb RAM usage when idle, Sparky is easy to use while providing a solid Debian experience with some nice extras ootb.
I do not usually like forks of main distributions, as they tend to die at some point, but I like Sparky and what it offers. I wish the Sparky Linux devs all the best of luck for their future and hope they manage to come out on top, MANY other distributions can learn a thing or two from Sparky, it is Linux done well / right.
I will contribute where I can.
Kind regards.
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Version: 4.8.1
Rating: 10
Date: 2018-07-27
Votes: 3
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As a former distro hopping junkie, over the past 12 years I've tried more Linux distros than you can shake a stick at. Sparky stable is a keeper - fully featured, but low on resources and fast. The best distro for old and new hardware alike.
I was particularly impressed by their Aptus programme allowing simple intuitive customizations to build a distro suited to you. With around 16 different desktop mangers to choose from, you can try a lot of different configurations till you find what suits you best.
Sparky is now my first choice for reliable workstations.
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Version: 4.8
Rating: 9
Date: 2018-05-17
Votes: 20
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My list of used Linux distros is a long one. Linux Mint Debian, Linux Mint standard versions, Ubuntu, Lubuntu, Zorin 9, 11 and 12 in different flavors, Xubuntu, Manjaro, WattOS, Bodhi, LXLE, Crunchbang, Bungsenlabs and ChaletOS. Sparkylinux 4.8 64-bits (Stable – lxde) by far is the most stable of all I tried until now. On my 9 year old Dell quadcore with 4 gb ram it runs fast in comparison to the other distros mentioned above.
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Version: 5.3
Rating: 6
Date: 2018-04-02
Votes: 1
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bit by Sparky---
downloaded Sparky 5.3 x86_64 mate today and found it to be quite impressive for my needs.. however on my Dell 5010 the shutdown process hangs and will not power down.. my hardware has this problem with many distros.. after repartitioning my hd and formatting my flash to try another distro, i noticed that SPARKY WAS ADDED TO MY BIOS BOOT ORDER. having to reflash your mobo is not a reasonable penalty for trying "Sparky the dog" and he should be turned in to animal control for pulling this. ---rich w.
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Version: 5.2
Rating: 8
Date: 2018-02-21
Votes: 7
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I use Sparky in rolling version for 6 months. It's very stable. His special tools APTus are a bit incidental but they are well incorporated into the distribution.
I am disappointed that a version with KDE is not offered: I like Qt, but LXQt is still too immature. It's a harm: Linux is not only good for lightweight systems!
And I had some problems to adapt my French keyboard. After a few hours of work in the heart of the machine, I managed to stabilize an appropriate configuration.
But it's an excellent Debian in rolling: a lot of packages, up-to-date softwares and stable.
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Version: 5.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2018-02-20
Votes: 3
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Have had it on the old IBM T60 since Manjaro abandon the 32 bit scene.
I am using the XFCE default version, and it does everything I demand of it. It has Ubuntu repositories as a base and a few simple scripts of it's own, like being a semi-rolling release and very simple updating/upgrading of the software. My T60 sparkles with speed using this light-weight distro.
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Version: 5.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2018-02-18
Votes: 2
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SparkyLinux rolling MinimalGUI provides me with a minimal yet functional OpenBox configuration with stability, a large repository and with nifty features like aptus that allows users to easily install lots of DE's among other things.
0 complaints, would recommend to an average user like me
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Version: 5.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2018-02-16
Votes: 1
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I like to switch the OS on my personal laptop every year, generally between Mageia and Mint, but I think I'll keep Sparky Linux for a while. It's based on Debian (lots of software available), it's rolling and up-to-date, I like the APTus interface which makes some actions very easy (testing desktop environments, finding drivers...).
Like some people have said (for example in the SparkyLinux 5.1 test on Distrowatch), the easy interface offers some dangerous possibilities on a casual click, such as changing the kernel. Befors making my final installations, I've toyed with those tools and have broken my system, but I deserved what I got. Be careful !
But I have decided on a main desktop environments (MATE), with a side experimental desktops (FVWM), and everything runs smoothly. Steam ran out-of-the-box (installed thru the "APTus Gamer" tool IIRC) like a few other big apps (LyX, etc.), software is very regularily updated (thanks to being based on a "testing" version of Debian)... I've been using it for a few month and am very happy with it.
Sparky is a very good choice for moderately-experienced users who know what they're doing. It's a bit like Mint, but slightly more experimental.
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Version: 5.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2018-02-14
Votes: 2
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Sparky Openbox is the "bleeding-edge" cousin of my beloved crunchbang++ and bunsenlabs.
Incredibly fast, very stable despite being based on Debian-testing, and great looking on top of it.
Pretty much the best of the best out there
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Version: 5.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2018-01-29
Votes: 4
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I use the xfce version.
Like MX, Sparky is an excellent "unknown distribution"; it makes Debian Testing palatable with a commonly-used installer (calamares), excellent desktop appearance (good fonts, wallpapers and themes replacing the dated ones supplied by default with xfce, and particularly clean font smoothing) and some very useful bespoke tools. One of the best is the one-click installer which allows about 20 Web browsers, including some very obscure but interesting ones, to be installed.
A surprising feature in my experience is that not a single application, after download and install, was broken; not even Google Earth which, as others have noted, is often dead on arrival. Even Ubuntu, in my experience, has cases where a click on the icon results in nothing happening and a segmentation fault being raised. I have also had no operating system breakages in a month's use; these are always a risk with rolling releases which may update whole subsystems at once.
The performance is outstanding. I though MX was impressive, but Sparky is even faster in boot, suspend, shutdown and general use and uses less memory (350MB with no applications open).
I give Sparky my first 10.
My only worry is that the lead developer (pavroo) might run himself into the ground because he is juggling a lot of balls at once - six flavours of the distribution with enormous and continuous change. This is expected with a testing flavour, but on first check there were 617 updates to download, which is way above any other distribution in my experience.
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Version: 5.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2017-12-27
Votes: 2
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I have no had a problem yet. It does what I want with no issues.
I like how easy it is to use and update.
I think I might stick with this one or peppermint linux which is a lot like this one so not sure which one I actually like better.
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Version: 5.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2017-12-25
Votes: 0
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Pros : Super distro mate desktop run very well.
Cons : How to install nvidia driver
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 4
Date: 2017-12-10
Votes: 3
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Looks an wonderfull OS, then after the first update, everything is broken!
I tough it was like my mistake or something so i reinstalled it...guess what happened again}?
No way to use such unstable system.....Solydk is way better!
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Version: 4.7
Rating: 1
Date: 2017-11-20
Votes: 5
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I like very much this distro, but new version (4.7) don't allows install with less than of 1 gb ram, even with light desktops such LXQT; XFCE, etc., so I can't install on my old laptop with 640 mb ram.
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-11-13
Votes: 1
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Very configurable. Easy switch from Windows. Love LXQT with Debian.
I try every distro as they are listed on DW and was impressed enough to make this a dual boot on main laptop.
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 10
Date: 2017-11-13
Votes: 1
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LXQT Debian Testing:
Quad-Core machine with 6G RAM
LXQT is stable but needs some polishing around the edges, e.g. you have to install lxappearance to make GTK apps follow your theme, but that has nothing to do with the Sparky team.
A usable Debian system without having to sacrifice a goat.
User friendly with some nice helper apps.
Blazing fast.
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-11-13
Votes: 4
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Sparky is awesome. I would not recommend it to my mother who want to switch over from Windows but for someone with a basic knowledge of (Debian) it provides a very suitable experience and a unmatched diversity. I love it, and I came over from Crunchbang as well.
My daily runner and the best you can get if you are not sacrifying your life to linux on the one hand and are not expecting that everything run like Windows on the other.
Joerg
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-11-13
Votes: 1
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I am using Sparky linux since 6 month without serious problems.
Installation and adaption to my preferences was simple.
Using a rolling system with xfwm4.
Ethernet wifi and broadband stick are working quickly.(Archbang and Quirky are faster)
Automatic updates every day.
Wine included.
Useful applications like live USB creator.
At the moment no reason to change the system.
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-11-12
Votes: 0
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Actually, the version was 5.1, but that's not listed.
This is a really nice lightweight distro. The only problems I had when installing on an old 32-bit netbook were caused by XFCE and Systemd, not by Sparky itself. The XFCE styles are broken, causing appearance issues. Easily fixed (just apply a non-XFCE style), but figuring what was causing it was hard! And naturally, systemd now has a finger in every pie, so getting sleep/hibernation issues fixed (i.e. getting systemd to just stop doing that, go away and leave it alone) was also interesting.
Bottom line: Very good indeed
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 10
Date: 2017-10-28
Votes: 0
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I moved from Linux Mint Debian Edition to Sparky Linux as it seems to have significantly more development work being undertaken. I have Sparky based on Debian Stable on my main machine and Sparky based on Debian Testing on a second machine - both are great . I have Mate desktop on one machine and Xfce on the other and both are easy to use.
Everything works without any problems. I am very impressed. I recommend it highly to potential users. Thanks to the Sparky team for their great work.
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 4
Date: 2017-10-17
Votes: 0
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Too much admin entries, like opening a disk. Missing to many useful programs and has too much useless junk programs.
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 10
Date: 2017-10-13
Votes: 3
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First installed on my Gateway NetBook about a month ago. Nice clean and fast operation! Firefox and Thunderbird are a bit "bloaty" for a lightweight system -- I use Slimjet and Sylpheed as alternatives and both work well. Just did my second install this week on an Acer CloudBook. Very quick and responsive on that machine as well. Compared to the Windoze OS that was supplied with both, SparkyLinux actually renders both of them highly productive.
I think this is an underrated and under-recognized distro. Makes a lot of the bigger names look kind of anemic by comparison. This from a long time Ubuntu user, with occasional sojurns into other distros to look for
something better. I believe I have found it.
Also love the rolling release as it eliminates the decision of whether to do a major upgrade or fall
behind -- it all just works without worry.
Well done!
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 10
Date: 2017-10-07
Votes: 0
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Excellent distro. It's a debian rolling release with ease of use out of the box by using a minimum amount of resources.
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 5
Date: 2017-09-28
Votes: 4
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Thought I would give Sparky a try and see how well it progressed since a couple of years passed since last look.
Never a fan of really gigantic distros because often much of it doesn't work or usually not needed as well, just bloat
Something causing issues with other drives on a multiple drive setup, none of it raid but most likely a fstab issue. Really don't know.
Very bland in appearance, too bright actually to use but that can be fixed easily enough.
High memory usage, that's a no-go with me. Nothing on a Debian install should run above 250mb unless it's is Ubuntu and understand why that is.
Lot of fan cycling with CPU, not sure what that is all about.
Not anything for me here but wish the folks who develop luck with their final release, surely improvements will be made.
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-09-19
Votes: 6
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So far the LXqt version works perfectly - I haven't notice any bugs and it's blazing fast! Please continue with good work!
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-09-05
Votes: 6
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SparkyLinux is a Top Notch Linux Distrobution, which IMHO is unfortunately seriously underrated and overlooked (probably because most people moving from Windows to Linux will usually only look/consider the "Top 10") or that it is only considered by user's who have older hardware. Even though it is built on the "testing" branch of Debian GNU/Linux I have found it Stable, Fast and very user friendly. Give it a try even with latest hardware, any missing features are easily added with Synaptic Package Manager. .... You won't be dissappointed. 9/10
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 10
Date: 2017-08-12
Votes: 0
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awesome awesome great I give it a 8 now because i am using it now for a view day´s.
But i must say i am impressed.
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Version: 4.6.1
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-08-09
Votes: 3
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SparkyLinux is for the time being one of the few Debian based distributions, which can offer a proper desktop. I was using another distribution with Xfce desktop for years and was frightened after upgrading to the Debian Stretch based version. My polished desktop was broken by the childish GNOME minimalistic approach, turning many of my beloved interfaces at least ugly if not unusable. SparkyLinux LXQT delivered a really beautiful desktop but it is still kinda experimental, I don't dare using it for everydays work. SparkyLinux LXDE will be my choice, since it does not break common sense interface habits like GNOME and GTK 3. Also they have a nice website, where you are able to find very quickly informations. Hint: Beware of downloading SparkyLinux Xfce, which presents you a nice desktop after installing it; the first upgrade will spoil it to the crippled Xfce interface which drived me mad.
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 8
Date: 2017-07-26
Votes: 6
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I give it a 8 now because i am using it now for a view day´s.
But i must say i am impressed.
I tried almost all versions. Sparkygame / LXDE / XFCE / Stable / Rolling / Mini
This rating is for XFCE SL 5.0
I am using linux mint cinnamon on my macB Pro 2012. I am used to Cinnamon for quit some years now. In the years i tried many lightweight distro´s (ea Puppy/DSL/CrunchBang )
I have to say, SparkyLinux is one of a kind that could beat me.
My setup :
Pentium 5
1.6 Ghz
2 Gig Ram
250 Hdd 7200
LXDE is faster on this machine, but i give XFCE a try because i like it so much.
The website SparkyLinux is very informative and clean.
In her basics it´s very user friendly. As i am used to Cinnamon, I am so impressed with XFCE.
It has advanced simpleness, i am not sure if it is for the absolute beginner, but if you have an old machine it´s for me now the choice.
On the hardware setup with my old Desktop, LXDE is faster and pretty nice too .
This week i will change my HDD disk for a 16 Gig mini pci ssd. Just for the system.
I expect that XFCE will run fast on that. Old merry reborn.
Sparky Team .... Big thumbs up from Holland !!!
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 2
Date: 2017-07-25
Votes: 6
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I deeply regret having wondered and installed to have a try this distro.
First, there's no option to skip installing Grub (I should have quit at that point), and it messed up my Grub after uninstalling this distro, so that nothing worked; neither Grub4dos or Hiren's Boot Cd or re-installing within terminal via command even not boot-repair ..
Also, there's an option to install it on an existing partition but you can't use it (it doesn't work) and you have to select the other option and manually reformat again etc...
After installing, there's nothing about touchpad -no settings, even not its name- so, no vertical sliding and the worst: no tapping, thus you have to use the buttons to click for everything...
Hibernation doesn't work, too. Neither using the keyboard - Fn F5 etc..- or the main menu.. When you click the main menu and Hibernate; nothing happens .. Unbelievable :)
The only good thing is that Usb wifi adapter works and no problem with connecting to the internet both before and after setup..
Consequently, it seems unfinished, difficult to use, and as a happy Mint user I must say that there are centuries between them.. Beyond compare..
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 10
Date: 2017-07-21
Votes: 1
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SparkyLinux LXQt - fast, reliable, convenient distro.
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 7
Date: 2017-07-18
Votes: 0
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A very interesting distro, i suppose! :-)
it's got a few extras, like having the classic Common Desktop Environment (CDE) to choose as a DE in APTus is awesome, but some apps wont work well, like the calendar for instance and some other stuff. Apart from this CDE issues, it's a pretty awesome distro! XFCE works just fine!
Thanks Sparky angels ^_^
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Version: 5.0
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-07-18
Votes: 0
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Although it's described as a testing distro, I have found it to be solid and stable during over 2 years of use.
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Version: 4.5.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-07-10
Votes: 0
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SparkyLinux (XFCE) runs fine on my ThinkPads (T-40, T-43). Instillation went well and everything works. I installed WindowMaker and a few other items without issue. I was pleasantly surprised to find LibreOffice and Synaptic installed by default, though Synaptic's repositories needed to be updated. Overall, it runs well and does what I need it to do.
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Version: 4.6.1
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-07-08
Votes: 1
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Liked this a lot on the IBM T410. Install was simple works fast and well with few issues. XFCE initial install OK, then tried LxQt but was not stable -- reverted back to XFCE and fine.
Easy to keep up to date, and overall light on resources and very responsive (as XFCE)
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Version: 4.6
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-06-28
Votes: 0
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I can't seem to get vmbox guest additions to work so i can view the screen in all it's glory. I'm going to use it as a vm for now until it's more stable. The repository could use some more apps. Nice job guys!
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Version: 4.5.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-06-22
Votes: 4
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Very good distro for someone who likes to choose his software carefully but there is also a full version with lots of software.
Pros:
- fast
- based on Debian testing
- lightweight at the start
- good choice of flavours (desktop environments, you can also easily choose another after install)
- good tools for system administration
Cons:
- LxQt desktop I installed was quite unstable (but in fact it's still work in progress)
- theme is to... gray. Boring and hurts your eyes. We need some colors ! (not much)
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Version: 4.6
Rating: 1
Date: 2017-06-22
Votes: 0
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Looked interesting, but it will not/ cannot recognize the keyboard of my older HP Pavilion laptop. While it did recognize my wireless hardware, I could not connect to network because I was unable to type password to join. I will give this a pass until it is stable enough to recognize US computer keyboards.
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Version: 4.5.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2017-06-12
Votes: 2
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"Why is Sparky free?
Love?
Stupidity?
Masochism?
Madness?
I think, all of the above!"
-Their website.
Sparky is my main distribution, mainly for LXQt and Wireless support! It's very stable even with it being rolling release because it's based on Debian, and also adds more software to the repository! Basically, it's free DLC to Debian. Very nice Poland!
Przejdź do Polski!
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Version: 4.5.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-04-26
Votes: 1
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I like the concept!
#1 Based on Debian Testing!!
#2 Choice of DE or WM during installation! Would like to see "BlackBox" & "Golem" added!
#3 Easy to update & enhance!
Would like to see a "Sparky" base a distro on Devuan's Ascii!
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Version: 3.5
Rating: 8
Date: 2017-04-21
Votes: 0
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I like this distro a lot. I used it through versions 2 and 3 and appreciate its take on Debian, effectively making a rolling distribution out of it. It's pretty fast and light. The graphic design is bad, but if you can't change the colors and wallpaper then get an Apple. I also liked the early adoption of LXQT.
I quit using it because it broke more than I was willing to deal with. It is, I suppose, a byproduct of being essentially Debian Testing, which is part of the appeal. I just got tired of my work flow being stopped having to twiddle around figuring out why that latest update locked up my box. I realize that is just part of the fun for some.
My advise: update aggressively. Update whenever you boot.
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Version: 4.5.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2017-04-18
Votes: 1
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Pros:
Well, I would like to say that I very like this distro. Honestly, I am even impressed, how it could be easy to use testing Debian with drivers, live cd etc. Great work!
Cons:
Personally, I would like to have better graphical appearance. Default plymonth-screen and wallpapers are just horrible.
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Version: 4.5.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2017-03-27
Votes: 2
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Awesome Distro!Highly Recommend.Easy to install ,easy to update,easy to backup.nice and quick and a breeze to customize.Works Great with Refracta Tools also...Running this,MX16 & Bunsenlabs Hydrogen.Boot into this more often than anything else.
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Version: 4.5.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-03-27
Votes: 0
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In my opinion the best rolling distro in town . Good choice for first timers at a debian testing based system. Maybe it is a bit overloaded with programs, but they do all really work straight out of the box. If it would be based on stable it would probably be a top 5 distro. I have tested the lxde and the lxqt , the lxde is light at 215 mb start up and for an lxde it is pleasant on the eyes. The LXQT uses only 10 mb more is slightly more configurable and has a bit more eye candy, but feels just a pinch less stable than lxde.
Sparky is snappy and fast without the heavy bling.
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Version: 4.5.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-03-18
Votes: 1
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I fully agree.. Very underrated Distro..
After having tested a number of distros, this one is rock-colid stable.. The only thing that I do not like is the very depressing gray theme.. If only there was an option so that user could choose their own boot environment, it would have been much better..
But by far the most-stable, least-resource intensive & snappy Linux OS out there.. Also love the fact that changing the Desktop, even the kernel itself is just a few clicks away..
One of the most impressive distros for people who like bleeding-edge apps and not too finicky about first-appearances.. Just a -1 for the drab gray boot theme..
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Version: 4.5.2
Rating: 8
Date: 2017-02-23
Votes: 1
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Very snappy and more user friendly than Point Linux. However I don't like Testing and would prefer if Sparky was based on Stable.
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Version: 4.5.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-02-22
Votes: 1
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Overall trouble-free system and does what is intended to do. Follows UNIX philosophy in this matter and does not need as much attention as Debian Testing.
But the looks need some polish - the theme is v. gray and depressing.
Good as a daily driver for a bit experienced linux user.
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Version: 4.5.2
Rating: 10
Date: 2017-02-09
Votes: 3
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Very underrated Distro. Is the only one so far (out of about 20 I've tested) that works on my hardware out of the box, including installing printer (Samsung). Using XFCE. Aptus updater is nice, good default app package and is also the fastest 'user friendly' distro I've tried (boot, general responsiveness).
I'm running an i5-6600, GTX970, SSD.
Also tried Korora which was great out of the box but slow and had issues with the package manager. Tried Manjaro XFCE but had issues with the printer and dual screens.
Ran Sparky since 4.4, switched to Korora -> Manjaro, then came back. Sparky just works, is fast, is customisable and user friendly.
Only Mint has worked as well out of the box but it is slower on my hardware and more bloated.
Plus Steam works (+ through wine) better than any other distro I've tried, particularly in using two screens and having things work on the correct screen (Grim Dawn, Exanima, Path of Exile, Unreal editor, etc)
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Version: 4.5.2
Rating: 8
Date: 2017-02-02
Votes: 0
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Is like a semi automated debian, yet you will feel that you need to make some changes, to make something here and there of your liking.
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Version: 4.5.2
Rating: 9
Date: 2017-01-31
Votes: 0
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Mate :
+ easy to install
+ good applications' choice/quantity
+ reliable
+ very fast
- a bit unclear when using different programs at same time ( sometimes the panel-icon of a program in a different workwindow is not visible )
( forgive my English, please ! ) .
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Version: 4.5.2
Rating: 8
Date: 2017-01-23
Votes: 1
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+ easy to install
+ good selection of preinstalled applications
+ update of the rolling distribution never broke my system (unlike other rolling distributions)
- looks can be improved (I use xfce version)
- discussion forum is a bit slow (patience is needed if you have a question)
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