ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Essora Linux is a new-ish distro based on Devuan.
• There’s no Systemd or Wayland to be found here.
• Essora Linux is free to install and use.

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Based on Devuan, one of the first things Essora Linux assumes is that some users don’t want to Systemd as the default init system. Those deeply embedded in the Linux community know that opinions are strong on this subject, but those who favor non-systemd distributions are in the minority. That doesn’t mean non-systemd distributions should be overlooked.

Also: How to start, stop, and restart a service on any systemd-powered Linux distribution

What is Essora Linux?

Essora Linux is a desktop Linux distribution that offers several different desktop options: Fluxbox, LXDE, KDE Plasma, OpenBox, and SonicDE. I knew the first four options very well, but SonicDE was a bit unfamiliar.

SonicDE is based on KDE Plasma 6 and aims to preserve X11 support and init-system independence. The key features of Essora Linux are:

• Lightweight performance
• Traditional desktop or minimalist interface (with preconfigured Openbox and JWM)
• Multi-language support (12+ languages)
• Essential tools such as a file manager, terminal, image viewer, and audio player
• Fully customizable desktop environment
• Fast boot times
• Low resource usage
• Pre-configured tools for daily tasks
• A custom office suite.

Also: How to choose the right Linux desktop distribution for you

At first blush, Essora Linux (SonicDE version) is a straightforward desktop operating system that looks very much like KDE Plasma with a dark theme. As I toyed with the desktop, it became clear that SonicDE is quite close to the look and feel of KDE Plasma, even down to the Settings app. However, no matter where I poked around, I found that every aspect of KDE Plasma had been retooled to be something different (albeit subtly). 

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Above all, Essora Linux is a desktop distribution that should make users quite at home on the open-source OS (so long as you stick with either the SonicDE or KDE Plasma versions).

Also: 8 things you can do with Linux that you can’t do with MacOS or Windows

It’s laid out similarly to most traditional desktops (panel, start menu, system tray, quick launchers, etc.), so anyone can log in and feel immediately familiar. Essora Linux also performs very well, even on older hardware. I installed the distro as a virtual machine with only 3GB of RAM and two CPU cores, and it felt as if it were running on much more capable hardware.

What does Essora Linux do differently than other distributions?

As I mentioned, Essora Linux is based on Devuan Linux. Why does that matter? Devuan is a community-driven distribution forked from Debian back in 2014 to provide a version of Linux that shrugs off systemd and allows selecting which init system to use (such as SysVinit, OpenRC, or runit).

The main reasons why users might not want to opt for Systemd are: the large codebase, scope creep, and tight integration with other systems. Devuan, on the other hand, retains the more Unix-like philosophy of modularity and transparency…all the way down to the init system.

Essora Office

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Essora Linux also includes its own office suite. When I first installed the SonicDE version of Essora, I clicked the Office desktop menu entry (which is typically where I start) to find listings for what looked like a rebranded LibreOffice (down to the names: Draw, Sheet, Slides, Writer). Nope. Essora Office was built from the ground up.

Also: 5 tiny Linux tools I can’t live or work without

I gave it a quick test by opening a .docx file (one of my manuscripts) to see how well it would collaborate, and it performed like a champ. I enjoyed using Essora Office enough to wonder if it were possible to install it on other distributions. Unfortunately, Essora Office is proprietary, and there are no official standalone packages. This office suite was designed as an internal component of Essora Linux and is not available in the general repositories. If you want to use Essora Office, you have to use Essora Linux.

Essora Browser

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

There’s also Essora Browser, which wasn’t built from the ground up. Instead, Essora Browser is based on Firefox, but performs as well as the OG. Of course, I decided to see what browsers were available to install from within the Essora Package Manager, which allows installing via DEB or Flatpak.

Also: Firefox’s new Mini Window is every multitasker’s dream – Chrome can’t do this

To my surprise, there were no other browsers available for installation via the GUI package manager (on the DEB side of things). I even attempted to install Chromium using dpkg within the Essora Terminal. No luck. My next attempt was to download Opera directly from the official site. With the DEB package downloaded, I went back to the terminal window, changed into the ~/Downloads directory, and issued the command:

sudo dpkg -i *.deb 

Nope. The dpkg command experienced dependency issues. I then ran the usual command to repair the installation:

sudo apt-get install -f

Still no luck. Back to the terminal, only this time, I used Flatpak:

flatpak install opera

Bingo. I had the Opera browser installed and running like a champ. Even though Essora Linux isn’t an immutable distribution, the best route to installing apps on it is via the universal package manager, Flatpak. Granted, it was Opera GX, but I had an alternative browser.

Also: The most important reason you should be using Linux at home

For those who don’t want to use the terminal, open the Essora Package Manager, click the Flatpak tab, and you can install a wealth of software.

Essora Alias Manager

Jack Wallne/ZDNET

Another handy tool that might appeal to users with more Linux experience is the Essora Alias Manager. With this GUI app, I can create bash aliases for commands. For example, maybe I feel as if typing sudo apt-get install && sudo apt-get upgrade -y takes too much time out of my day. I could open the Essora Alias Manager and create an alias named eu (for Essora Update) with the command sudo apt-get install && sudo apt-get upgrade -y, and I’m good to go. I could then save the alias, close the app, open the terminal, and type eu to run the full command.

Who benefits from Essora Linux?

It all comes down to this one question, and the answer is both simple and complex. First off, you don’t have to dislike Systemd to benefit from Essora Linux, as the average Linux user doesn’t care which init system is used, only that it runs as expected. However, if you aren’t a fan of Systemd, Essora makes for a rather appealing option. 

You don’t have to be a Wayland hater either; as long as the GUI works, it works. But there are those who would prefer to use the older X11 rather than Wayland because some older apps simply won’t run on the new windowing protocol.

Also: I tested Artix Linux: An enjoyable systemd-free distro for experienced users (and ChromeOS speeds)

The answer to the question really boils down to whether you want a Linux distribution that performs well on both old and new hardware, offers a unique office suite, and is highly customizable. If that’s the case, Essora Linux might be your next OS. You’ll find a lot of apps in the desktop menu that you’ve never heard of, but work exactly as you’d expect.

Essora Linux might not be familiar, but the way it works will be. I came away impressed with this distribution and am glad I was introduced to it and SonicDE.