ALT Linux is a set of GNU/Linux distributions based upon its development project, ALT Linux Sisyphus (http://altlinux.org/index.php?module=sisyphus). There are single-disk desktop versions (Junior (http://altlinux.org/index.php?module=junior23) and Compact (http://altlinux.org/index.php?module=compact)) and "huge" universal product suiting both server, desktop and development uses (Master (http://altlinux.org/index.php?module=master)).

ALT Linux Team arose from IPLabs Linux Team, a Moscow firm subdivision, in 2001. The latter cooperated with Linux-Mandrake and SuSE teams to improve localization (specifically Cyrillic) but at some point enough differences in its "Linux_Mandrake Russian Edition" became in fact distribution_specific and thus the decision was made to create ALT Linux project.

Since 2001, the project has attracted many contributors __ as of September 11, 2004, ALT Linux Team consists of 138 members from 6 countries.

The project is sometimes considered Mandrake_rooted, which has mostly historical significance for now; it can be approximately described as having some nice features of Mandrake, Debian, SuSE, Conectiva, PLD, Owl, and adding a fair share of original improvements (http://altlinux.org/index.php?module=intproj).

The strong points for the distribution are:

• correct localization
• improved security out-of-box (+updates)
• developer-friendly team welcoming new members
• user-friendly and competent community
• advanced package management with APT and Synaptic

External links

• altlinux.org
• Freshmeat page (http://freshmeat.net/projects/alt-linux/)
• DistroWatch page (http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=alt)
• International projects by/involving team members (http://altlinux.org/index.php?module=intproj)