The “Break it Down” Blog

This is dead sexy. It’s a branch of Ubuntu (I believe similar in theme to the educational branch of Ubuntu, KDE branch, etc.) that is intended for artists and media folks.

The first thing you will notice is the custom dark theme which I love:

Also, besides the look the pre-installed A/V software is what Ubuntu Studio brings to the desktop-table. Let’s take a look (Directly from the website linked above):

Audio Programs

• Ardour2 – Free software hard disk recorder and digital audio workstation application
• Wired – Audio creation program, helps to compose, record, edit and mix sounds (similar to Apple’s GarageBand)
• Hydrogen – Advanced drum machine
• Rosegarden – Advanced MIDI sequencer
• TerminatorX – Scratch audio files like a DJ does records
• BEAST – Modular synthesis and composition
• JACK – Audio connection kit for Linux

Graphics Programs

• GIMP – Free software replacement for Adobe Photoshop
• Blender – Program for 3D modeling, animation, and rendering
• Inkscape – Vector graphics editor application
• Agave – Intuitive color schemer
• Scribus – Desktop publishing and page layout
• Synfig – Film-quality 2D vector animation
• FontForge – Postscript font editor

Video Programs

• Kino – Free digital video editor
• Cinepaint – Frame by frame retouching tool
• Pitivi – Linear video editor
• Stopmotion – Create stop motion videos

That is a pretty hot list of programs right there. GIMP, Blender, Inkscape, and Scribus I knew about, but none of the other ones. So that’s a lot of cool software in there to dabble with.

There is even a VM Ware image available, but it looks like you need to be a HowToForge member to download it.