Linux operating system for Raspberry Pi ready for download

The Linux operating system for the Raspberry Pi bare-bones computer is ready to download.

The Arch Linux ARM download is based on Arch Linux, which the Raspberry Pi Foundation says "provides a lightweight base structure that allows you to shape the system to your needs".

However the organisation warned that this distribution "may not be suitable for beginners."

The Linux OS does not come with a graphical user interface, though the Foundation says people could "easily install" one. It will be released on a rolling-release cycle that can be updated daily through small packages instead of huge updates every few months.

The Foundation has asked people to download from its site. "It's helpful to us if you download the torrent from this page, because it means we can see how many downloads are going on and use that to make rough predictions about sales.

"If you are unable to torrent the file and we've runs out of HTTP download room here, you can see a list of mirrors for direct HTTP downloads that our amazing community has set up."

The credit-card-sized system has generated huge interest since its inception, with thousands of people pre-registering to buy the £22 device last week.

On 3 March, the Foundation also announced that it would be doubling the capacity of the Model A RAM to 256MB and said these devices should be available to pre-order shortly.

The Raspberry Pi's will be manufactured and distributed in the UK by Premier Farnell and RS Components.