When creating educational content, we can choose to use web services or programs installed on our computer. If we prefer this second option, the choice is between using specific programs on a general-purpose operating system, or iInstall a specific operating system for the production of teaching materials.
Most of the current users of technological devices, we grew up considering that storage space was a limitation. The Commodore 64, which is the one I started with, had 38k for free use (the rest was for the Basic language interpreter) and before shutting down you had to save your work on a cassette or floppy disk.
Don't tell JK Rowling, but I downloaded the fifth Harry Potter book at an internet cafe. The suspense of not knowing if the floppy was going to be enough to hold such a heavy file was greater than trying to find out if Harry and his friends would be able to save Sirius Black. Surely, the oldest among our readers will have an anecdote of wanting to install a game saved on multiple diskettes only to, when trying to unite everything, find that the last one was recorded with errors.
The hard disks were not overloaded with capacity either. If you were a Windows user, you had to periodically defragment it, and refrain from using Norton Antivirus, which was the computer equivalent of a demonic possession. Linux distributions have always been more lean in space usage, but the need to allocate a swap partition reduced it.
FIt is this limitation that favored the use of general-purpose operating systems.
With the passage of time, As permanent storage devices became cheaper and larger, it was possible to have two or more operating systems installed simultaneously. The increase in RAM memory made it easier to use virtual machines and tools like Wine made it possible to use applications from one operating system in another.
In my previous article, I commented on the function of operating systems and mentioned that the difference between a Linux distribution and Windows or Mac OS was that it was made up of components from various origins. This modularity allows for distributions focused on certain purposes.
To be honest, I am convinced that most of these distributions add absolutely nothing. They are the base distribution with a custom wallpaper and a few different programs pre-installed. But, there are some that do make a difference.
In the same article I explained the concept of latency. LLinux distributions dedicated to multimedia production often use an optimized kernel. This means that certain tasks such as video and audio input or rendering take precedence over the rest.
The other advantage is that no need to search for specific programs. Everything we need is already pre-installed
We discuss some Linux distributions
Fedora DesignSuite
It is part of a group of distributions derived from Fedora known as Fedora Labs.
It is true that as the name implies, is focused in graphic artists. But included programs allow desktop publication layout, image editing and processing, and drawing. This makes it ideal for the production of printable material. Although not specifically intended for multimedia production, a non-linear video editor is included.
The distribution includes a series of complete tutorials for the use of graphic design programs on Linux.
Ubuntu Studio
This official flavor Ubuntu is one of the most veteran of those dedicated to multimedia production. Use the Mate desktop which is much lighter than GNOME (the option chosen by Fedora Design Suite) and incThere is a greater selection of programs.
At the time of installation you allows you to select the applications to install by type (editing and graphics, video, audio or all) programs Additional ones can be found in the Ubuntu repositories and in the Snap and Flatpak stores
Ubuntu Studio uses a low latency kernel .
io GNU / Linux
Es a distribution based on Debian and that can work from a pendrive. This makes it ideal to take anywhere (when we can move) It works with the enlightenment desktop and also has an optimized kernel.
The distribution brings a large collection of free and open source multimedia applications for video editing, audio production and graphics work. Its developers promise a balance between classic and recently developed programs.