Liquid Lemur Linux (aka: Lemur) is a custom Debian distro, based on the Stable branch. Currently we have one desktop available, a Hybrid Window Maker (shown above). Available in 64bit only. Lemur includes the latest Window Maker base, custom Lemur and Window Maker apps, and lots of custom scripts / artwork. It was created to fill the void left behind by others in the same class. The goal was simple — create a fairly fast and functional base distro, that was also pleasing to the eyes. Liquid Lemur was never intended to be a “Beginner’s” distro. However, anyone familiar with Linux should be able to figure it out. We also offer help, via this site, to those that may need it. At the same time, we also accept help and suggestions from others that may have more experience in the field, as we are by no means “experts.” Liquid Lemur is a hybrid of sorts. Taking bits and pieces from many other distros, to build a more complete package. It is a growing toddler in the distro world, but continues to evolve with each release. We welcome the ideas and suggestions from the community. Although we may not use them, we will at least listen.
So, how did Liquid Lemur start? Years ago I came across a Linux Distro that made me stop distro hopping. That distro was Dreamlinux. Somehow, I got into developing with Dreamlinux and eventually made my own distro, DreamStep, that was based on Dreamlinux. DreamStep used the AfterStep DE. I enjoyed AfterStep, that is until I came across Window Maker. I quickly switched DreamStep to Window Maker. As development came to an end with Dreamlinux, I moved to building a pure Debian based distro. My first attempt was short lived and called Palemoon Linux. It would become Liquid OS (aka LOS). It used the Xfce DE.
After Liquid OS was born, my younger brother was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He had surgery to remove it. Unfortunately, it came back with a vengeance. At one point he went to Duke University for some experimental treatment. When he came back, he told me about the Lemur habitat there. I thought it was neat and left it at that. My brother eventually lost his fight with brain cancer at the young age of 35.
It was shortly after my brother passed that I went back to Window Maker and decided my distro needed a new name. In honor of my brother, Lemur had to be in the name. The name Liquid Lemur came from me wanting a name that conveyed attitude, spunk, speed, intelligence, beauty, and community. A Lemur is all that and more. While I knew Lemur was to be a big part of the name, I had no idea what else to add. So, I Googled for one of those sites where you enter a bunch of words and it creates a name. I forget the site, but I can look it up if someone would like to see it. Long story short, Liquid Lemur was in the long list of possible names, and it caught my eye. Lemur was officially born!
A major goal of Liquid Lemur is to provide a BASE distro from which one can build a custom desktop setup with the click of a button. For that, we created APEman that allows one to install various, custom setups and add-ons. It also has some utility scripts for maintaining Liquid Lemur and making it easier to update / upgrade. The APEman app is functional, but not complete. We are still fine tuning it. Liquid Lemur is still a bit rough around the edges.
CREDITS:
I just wanted to thank those that helped get Lemur started, and give credit where it’s due. A lot of work went into the distros that greatly influenced Liquid Lemur. So, be sure to try them out as well. My thanks goes out to the “original” Dreamlinux team for getting me started in distro building and getting me to Linux full time. Lemur uses some Dreamlinux artwork (icons) and a modified script (Conky) or two. Dreamlinux is more or less the reason Lemur exists. Lemur used some concepts, installer from SolydXK (originally from LMDE and built from it [thanks Ikey!]). Lemur now uses Calamares for the installer. Another distro that influenced Lemur is CrunchBang (#!). Currently, Lemur is using some modified scripts from #!. There are also some bits of my old distro DreamStep OS in Lemur, as well as the Conky scripts from TOTALinux.
I don’t know where to begin, when it comes to thanking individuals…as there are many that deserve thanks! Rich and Resa are at the top of the list, as they have been the driving force behind much of my work. I could write a small book on the help they have given me. Then there is Timo, Chad, Bob, Nelson (yes, I said Nelson!), Martyn, SgDreamer, Clem (Linux Mint), corenominal (#!), omns (#!/LMDE), Albert (Adelin Live), Ikey (Solus), and more! I’m sure I am forgetting someone and I apologize.
I would also like to thank Tyler (digitalfreedom64) for his logo and wallpaper creations, now in use in all Lemurs. Thanks also goes out to busprof and chadfluegge for their artistic contributions as well. Jeffryc also deserves some credit for helping to sort out issues with SLiM (although no longer used) and other little bits. And of course, thanks goes out to all the users and testers of Lemur… like Lane! 🙂
As you can tell, Liquid Lemur was a community of like-minded souls…long before it was even a distro.
