Jolicloud netbook Linux flavor enters pre-beta

The Jolicloud Linux operating system today entered pre-beta so any user now can install it on a netbook or mobile device, as even more software makers begin to create light, fast-booting Operating Systems.

Similar to other cloud-based products, Jolicloud is designed to run Gmail, Google Docs, Twitter, Facebook, and similar products. The difference between Jolicloud and Google Chrome OS, however, is that Jolicloud also is able to support native Linux programs, including GIMP, OpenOffice, and other popular Linux applications.

Early testers have been able to boot the OS on an ASUS Eee PC 901 in less than 15 seconds.

The Mashable writers recently tested the OS on a virtual machine and had this to say:

“I’ve only had a chance to play with Jolicloud on a virtual machine (I hope to try it on a netbook sometime this weekend), but I’m impressed with the look and feel. The problem I have with many netbook-specific Linux distributions is that, although the application launcher and desktop might be well-formatted for a small screen, the apps themselves still don’t take advantage of small spaces as well as they should.”

If a user isn’t interested in installing it on a netbook, and wishes to test it out first, it can also be used from a USB key.

The official release of Jolicloud is expected sometime in early 2010.

Chrome OS on netbooks has received the most attention as of late, but Linux programmers still hope to offer owners yet another option.  Netbook owners can expect to see a slew of other lightweight operating systems released throughout 2010, as consumers look for alternatives to Microsoft Windows XP, which remains the No. 1 netbook OS.

I’m still on the fence about using an OS entirely based in the cloud, but the ability to use native Linux applications is an appealing addition to Jolicloud.