 DistroWatch Weekly |
| DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 3, 23 June 2003 |
| How dead is a Linux distribution? |
Last week, I received an angry email from the makers of ELX Linux. The writer, who is the company's "Info Manager" complained that our information on the ELX Linux page saying that ELX Linux "appears to be dormant" was wrong and alleged that their company had "suffered lost reputation and monetary damage" as a result of this statement. The author of the email demanded that we "take corrective action immediately".
I have been a regular visitor at the ELX web site, its forums and mailing list since the launch of the distribution. It succeeded in attracting media attention and all looked very impressive in the beginning, but as time progressed, many aspects of the distribution started losing their glitter. The ELX Linux mailing lists and forums are the best indication of the general decline. Once active and vibrant, both have been deserted for some months and offers of Italian crafted Rolex watches now dominate the proceedings. You can count on fingers of two hands the number of forum posts over the last few months. You won't need any fingers to count how many times an ELX Linux representative responded to users' posts. Registering for a bugzilla account gives you an unusable password, a fact that was reported on the mailing list many months ago. The news section carries "tabloid" stories such as "ELX emerges as popular OS in Brazil" (do these guys really believe what they write?), while the release announcement of ELX 2.0 in January this year was restricted to two sentences and a link to the "Buy Now" button. The online store is excited to inform you that "last few days remain for this special offer", except that those last few days have already lasted for almost 6 months. The list goes on...
It's a pity. ELX Linux is actually a very nice distribution (at least the 1.0 BizDesk, which is the only freely available edition) and during the times where the mailing lists were still active, many users complimented the product. But a Linux distribution is not just a mass of programming code and the relationship between the distribution makers and users does not end with the moment of the CDs being handed over to a post office clerk. The term "Linux distribution" refers to a complete experience that includes interaction with the developers and other users long after the credit card transaction is concluded. Any commercial distribution that doesn't make an effort to create a community and doesn't interact with users, does not deserve your patronage. Who cares if ELX is popular in Brazil if my KOffice crashes at startup?
In retrospect, the Info Manager at ELX Linux was right - this site's information that their distribution appears dormant is indeed incorrect. It would be much more accurate to say that "ELX Linux does not bother with updates of their web site, does not respond on their mailing lists and forums, provides a bug tracker where nobody can log in, does not issue security advisories and bug fixes, makes no release announcements and delivers no information about planned releases". Until this company gets their act together, you'll be better off saving your money for a distribution that does value their users.
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| Released Last Week |
Source Mage 0.6 was one of the new releases last week. Source Mage GNU/Linux is a source-based distribution similar to Gentoo in its philosophy and implementation; its main advantage over Gentoo is simpler initial installation and setup, while most developers will find that creating bash-based spells, as opposed to Python-based ebuilds, is generally more straightforward. On the negative side, Source Mage doesn't quite have the same number of users and developers as Gentoo and the documentation has yet to reach the quality and wealth of its more famous counterpart. If you are interested in an overview of source-based Linux distribution, these two links might be helpful: Source Based Distributions, Part 1 and Part 2.
Two other stable releases were also announced last week. Bonzai Linux has reached version 2.0, covered in more detail in the "Web Site News" section below, while Cosix Linux announced the release of version 4.0. Cosix is a Beijing-based Linux company that has been around for several years, but the distribution is not particularly popular with Chinese users and version 4.0 offers little exciting to change that fact.
Several development versions were released last week; these include ROCK Linux 2.0.0 beta5, MoviX2 0.3.0rc1 and e-smith SME Server 6.0 beta2. A lot of activity has also been spotted on the Conectiva developer pages as the distribution prepares for the release of an "Update1" to their two months old Conectiva Linux 9. This version was reportedly less than spectacular in terms of stability, hence the reason for the unprecedented update. It is interesting to note that the upgrade process is done with apt-get - "apt-cdrom add && apt-get dist-upgrade" after inserting the update CD will bring your system up to the Update1 level. If you understand Portuguese, you can find more information on these pages.
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| Expected This Week |
It seems that we will see a new LindowsOS release this week, after all. The entire Lindows web site is currently shut down and the reason is that "our web site is down for a major upgrade to provide support for our exciting new LindowsOS 4.0 release." Originally, there was a message claiming that Lindows.com will re-open on Monday and LindowsOS 4.0 will be released on Tuesday, but this message has now been replaced with a more generic and less error-prone "soon" word. The latest Michael's Minutes (the original link before the site closed was here) dispenses many grand claims and "world's firsts" about LindowsOS 4.0, but if you read closely you will find that most of the "exciting new features" are rather ordinary. Then again, it might be because most of us are not in marketing... If you are interested in LindowsOS 4.0, check what other users are saying on this unofficial forum of Lindows users, before spending money on what looks like one of the more expensive Linux distributions around.
ARMA, formerly known as Omoikane GNU/Linux, has announced the release of version 2.2 later this week. ARMA is a Japanese Debian-based distribution which has turned completely commercial and no freely available editions have been provided since version 2.1. The ARMA 2.2 press release in Japanese is available here.
The first release candidate of Trustix 2.0 is likely to be announced on Monday. The ISO images were released last Saturday, so check out one of the Trustix mirrors if you are interested in beta testing.
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| Web Site News |
Last week's only new addition to the database was Bonzai Linux. What is Bonzai Linux? Developed by Marcus Moeller and formerly known as "miniwoody", it seems to be a modified version of the Debian "netinst" boot CD. This CD was introduced shortly before the release of Debian GNU/Linux 3.0 (Woody) and was designed for FTP or network installation of the Debian distribution. There are several differences between the original Debian boot CD and Bonzai Linux. Firstly, the Bonzai Linux CD is a complete stand-alone distribution with the latest version of the Linux Kernel and KDE included. The installation is enhanced by the presence of "discover", which is Debian's hardware auto-detection program and it also has a much simplified package selection menu for software installation. Unlike Debian proper, Bonzai Linux boots straight into KDE by default.
Besides using Bonzai Linux as a stand-alone distribution, it is easy to convert it into full Debian after installation. As such, some users might find it a preferred method to install Debian due to its hardware auto-detection and simplified package selection. However, Bonzai Linux does not come with a newbie-friendly, point-and-click graphical installation program and most people who install Bonzai Linux will more than likely be able to install standard Debian as well. Nevertheless, it does save time by not having to wade through the Kernel modules dialog and Debian's archaic package selection program known as "dselect".
Some of you might have noticed a period of excessive downtime of DistroWatch over the weekend. This was due to a planned network upgrade and relocation by the hosting company - they physically moved all their servers into a new building. The expected downtime was 1.5 hours, but something obviously didn't go as planned and the downtime stretched to about 12 hours. This unfortunately broke the immaculate uptime record of the Debian server hosting DistroWatch. However, the hosting company promises much improved service and lightning-fast network after the change, so hopefully things will work out to everybody's satisfaction.
Three new distributions were added to the waiting list since last week's DistroWatch Weekly; these were Medialinux, Puppy Linux and System Down. If they are still active in 90 days, they will be included in this site's database. But the world of Linux distributions is also full of failed attempts and the web sites of Brazil's Luminux Linux and Spain's Linuxin have now been inaccessible for some time. If any of the readers have information about them, please email us, otherwise they will be moved into the "Discontinued Distributions" section next week.
DistroWatch database summary:
Number of distributions in the database: 150
Number of discontinued distributions: 18
Number of distributions on the waiting list: 33
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| Reader Feedback |
Many users reported last week that package lists for Gentoo's stable and unstable branches were missing for several days. All seems back to normal now, but these sort of things will happen from time to time. Gentoo's web site provides complete package lists, but these are split into many categories, which makes them hard to access. Fortunately, one of the Gentoo developers kindly agreed to supply DistroWatch with a one-page text-based list of all packages in both branches. A script generating this list was returning errors for a few days before it was fixed - hence the reason for missing package versions.
That's all for this week, see you next Monday,
Ladislav Bodnar
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| Archives |
| • Issue 1099 (2024-12-02): AnduinOS 1.0.1, measuring RAM usage, SUSE continues rebranding efforts, UBports prepares for next major version, Murena offering non-NFC phone |
| • Issue 1098 (2024-11-25): Linux Lite 7.2, backing up specific folders, Murena and Fairphone partner in fair trade deal, Arch installer gets new text interface, Ubuntu security tool patched |
| • Issue 1097 (2024-11-18): Chimera Linux vs Chimera OS, choosing between AlmaLinux and Debian, Fedora elevates KDE spin to an edition, Fedora previews new installer, KDE testing its own distro, Qubes-style isolation coming to FreeBSD |
| • Issue 1096 (2024-11-11): Bazzite 40, Playtron OS Alpha 1, Tucana Linux 3.1, detecting Screen sessions, Redox imports COSMIC software centre, FreeBSD booting on the PinePhone Pro, LXQt supports Wayland window managers |
| • Issue 1095 (2024-11-04): Fedora 41 Kinoite, transferring applications between computers, openSUSE Tumbleweed receives multiple upgrades, Ubuntu testing compiler optimizations, Mint partners with Framework |
| • Issue 1094 (2024-10-28): DebLight OS 1, backing up crontab, AlmaLinux introduces Litten branch, openSUSE unveils refreshed look, Ubuntu turns 20
| | • Issue 1093 (2024-10-21): Kubuntu 24.10, atomic vs immutable distributions, Debian upgrading Perl packages, UBports adding VoLTE support, Android to gain native GNU/Linux application support |
| • Issue 1092 (2024-10-14): FunOS 24.04.1, a home directory inside a file, work starts of openSUSE Leap 16.0, improvements in Haiku, KDE neon upgrades its base |
| • Issue 1091 (2024-10-07): Redox OS 0.9.0, Unified package management vs universal package formats, Redox begins RISC-V port, Mint polishes interface, Qubes certifies new laptop |
| • Issue 1090 (2024-09-30): Rhino Linux 2024.2, commercial distros with alternative desktops, Valve seeks to improve Wayland performance, HardenedBSD parterns with Protectli, Tails merges with Tor Project, Quantum Leap partners with the FreeBSD Foundation |
| • Issue 1089 (2024-09-23): Expirion 6.0, openKylin 2.0, managing configuration files, the future of Linux development, fixing bugs in Haiku, Slackware packages dracut |
| • Issue 1088 (2024-09-16): PorteuX 1.6, migrating from Windows 10 to which Linux distro, making NetBSD immutable, AlmaLinux offers hardware certification, Mint updates old APT tools |
| • Issue 1087 (2024-09-09): COSMIC desktop, running cron jobs at variable times, UBports highlights new apps, HardenedBSD offers work around for FreeBSD change, Debian considers how to cull old packages, systemd ported to musl |
| • Issue 1086 (2024-09-02): Vanilla OS 2, command line tips for simple tasks, FreeBSD receives investment from STF, openSUSE Tumbleweed update can break network connections, Debian refreshes media |
| • Issue 1085 (2024-08-26): Nobara 40, OpenMandriva 24.07 "ROME", distros which include source code, FreeBSD publishes quarterly report, Microsoft updates breaks Linux in dual-boot environments |
| • Issue 1084 (2024-08-19): Liya 2.0, dual boot with encryption, Haiku introduces performance improvements, Gentoo dropping IA-64, Redcore merges major upgrade |
| • Issue 1083 (2024-08-12): TrueNAS 24.04.2 "SCALE", Linux distros for smartphones, Redox OS introduces web server, PipeWire exposes battery drain on Linux, Canonical updates kernel version policy |
| • Issue 1082 (2024-08-05): Linux Mint 22, taking snapshots of UFS on FreeBSD, openSUSE updates Tumbleweed and Aeon, Debian creates Tiny QA Tasks, Manjaro testing immutable images |
| • Issue 1081 (2024-07-29): SysLinuxOS 12.4, OpenBSD gain hardware acceleration, Slackware changes kernel naming, Mint publishes upgrade instructions |
| • Issue 1080 (2024-07-22): Running GNU/Linux on Android with Andronix, protecting network services, Solus dropping AppArmor and Snap, openSUSE Aeon Desktop gaining full disk encryption, SUSE asks openSUSE to change its branding |
| • Issue 1079 (2024-07-15): Ubuntu Core 24, hiding files on Linux, Fedora dropping X11 packages on Workstation, Red Hat phasing out GRUB, new OpenSSH vulnerability, FreeBSD speeds up release cycle, UBports testing new first-run wizard |
| • Issue 1078 (2024-07-08): Changing init software, server machines running desktop environments, OpenSSH vulnerability patched, Peppermint launches new edition, HardenedBSD updates ports |
| • Issue 1077 (2024-07-01): The Unity and Lomiri interfaces, different distros for different tasks, Ubuntu plans to run Wayland on NVIDIA cards, openSUSE updates Leap Micro, Debian releases refreshed media, UBports gaining contact synchronisation, FreeDOS celebrates its 30th anniversary |
| • Issue 1076 (2024-06-24): openSUSE 15.6, what makes Linux unique, SUSE Liberty Linux to support CentOS Linux 7, SLE receives 19 years of support, openSUSE testing Leap Micro edition |
| • Issue 1075 (2024-06-17): Redox OS, X11 and Wayland on the BSDs, AlmaLinux releases Pi build, Canonical announces RISC-V laptop with Ubuntu, key changes in systemd |
| • Issue 1074 (2024-06-10): Endless OS 6.0.0, distros with init diversity, Mint to filter unverified Flatpaks, Debian adds systemd-boot options, Redox adopts COSMIC desktop, OpenSSH gains new security features |
| • Issue 1073 (2024-06-03): LXQt 2.0.0, an overview of Linux desktop environments, Canonical partners with Milk-V, openSUSE introduces new features in Aeon Desktop, Fedora mirrors see rise in traffic, Wayland adds OpenBSD support |
| • Issue 1072 (2024-05-27): Manjaro 24.0, comparing init software, OpenBSD ports Plasma 6, Arch community debates mirror requirements, ThinOS to upgrade its FreeBSD core |
| • Issue 1071 (2024-05-20): Archcraft 2024.04.06, common command line mistakes, ReactOS imports WINE improvements, Haiku makes adjusting themes easier, NetBSD takes a stand against code generated by chatbots |
| • Issue 1070 (2024-05-13): Damn Small Linux 2024, hiding kernel messages during boot, Red Hat offers AI edition, new web browser for UBports, Fedora Asahi Remix 40 released, Qubes extends support for version 4.1 |
| • Issue 1069 (2024-05-06): Ubuntu 24.04, installing packages in alternative locations, systemd creates sudo alternative, Mint encourages XApps collaboration, FreeBSD publishes quarterly update |
| • Issue 1068 (2024-04-29): Fedora 40, transforming one distro into another, Debian elects new Project Leader, Red Hat extends support cycle, Emmabuntus adds accessibility features, Canonical's new security features |
| • Issue 1067 (2024-04-22): LocalSend for transferring files, detecting supported CPU architecure levels, new visual design for APT, Fedora and openSUSE working on reproducible builds, LXQt released, AlmaLinux re-adds hardware support |
| • Issue 1066 (2024-04-15): Fun projects to do with the Raspberry Pi and PinePhone, installing new software on fixed-release distributions, improving GNOME Terminal performance, Mint testing new repository mirrors, Gentoo becomes a Software In the Public Interest project |
| • Issue 1065 (2024-04-08): Dr.Parted Live 24.03, answering questions about the xz exploit, Linux Mint to ship HWE kernel, AlmaLinux patches flaw ahead of upstream Red Hat, Calculate changes release model |
| • Issue 1064 (2024-04-01): NixOS 23.11, the status of Hurd, liblzma compromised upstream, FreeBSD Foundation focuses on improving wireless networking, Ubuntu Pro offers 12 years of support |
| • Issue 1063 (2024-03-25): Redcore Linux 2401, how slowly can a rolling release update, Debian starts new Project Leader election, Red Hat creating new NVIDIA driver, Snap store hit with more malware |
| • Issue 1062 (2024-03-18): KDE neon 20240304, changing file permissions, Canonical turns 20, Pop!_OS creates new software centre, openSUSE packages Plasma 6 |
| • Issue 1061 (2024-03-11): Using a PinePhone as a workstation, restarting background services on a schedule, NixBSD ports Nix to FreeBSD, Fedora packaging COSMIC, postmarketOS to adopt systemd, Linux Mint replacing HexChat |
| • Issue 1060 (2024-03-04): AV Linux MX-23.1, bootstrapping a network connection, key OpenBSD features, Qubes certifies new hardware, LXQt and Plasma migrate to Qt 6 |
| • Issue 1059 (2024-02-26): Warp Terminal, navigating manual pages, malware found in the Snap store, Red Hat considering CPU requirement update, UBports organizes ongoing work |
| • Issue 1058 (2024-02-19): Drauger OS 7.6, how much disk space to allocate, System76 prepares to launch COSMIC desktop, UBports changes its version scheme, TrueNAS to offer faster deduplication |
| • Issue 1057 (2024-02-12): Adelie Linux 1.0 Beta, rolling release vs fixed for a smoother experience, Debian working on 2038 bug, elementary OS to split applications from base system updates, Fedora announces Atomic Desktops |
| • Issue 1056 (2024-02-05): wattOS R13, the various write speeds of ISO writing tools, DSL returns, Mint faces Wayland challenges, HardenedBSD blocks foreign USB devices, Gentoo publishes new repository, Linux distros patch glibc flaw |
| • Issue 1055 (2024-01-29): CNIX OS 231204, distributions patching packages the most, Gentoo team presents ongoing work, UBports introduces connectivity and battery improvements, interview with Haiku developer |
| • Issue 1054 (2024-01-22): Solus 4.5, comparing dd and cp when writing ISO files, openSUSE plans new major Leap version, XeroLinux shutting down, HardenedBSD changes its build schedule |
| • Issue 1053 (2024-01-15): Linux AI voice assistants, some distributions running hotter than others, UBports talks about coming changes, Qubes certifies StarBook laptops, Asahi Linux improves energy savings |
| • Issue 1052 (2024-01-08): OpenMandriva Lx 5.0, keeping shell commands running when theterminal closes, Mint upgrades Edge kernel, Vanilla OS plans big changes, Canonical working to make Snap more cross-platform |
| • Issue 1051 (2024-01-01): Favourite distros of 2023, reloading shell settings, Asahi Linux releases Fedora remix, Gentoo offers binary packages, openSUSE provides full disk encryption |
| • Issue 1050 (2023-12-18): rlxos 2023.11, renaming files and opening terminal windows in specific directories, TrueNAS publishes ZFS fixes, Debian publishes delayed install media, Haiku polishes desktop experience |
| • Issue 1049 (2023-12-11): Lernstick 12, alternatives to WINE, openSUSE updates its branding, Mint unveils new features, Lubuntu team plans for 24.04 |
| • Issue 1048 (2023-12-04): openSUSE MicroOS, the transition from X11 to Wayland, Red Hat phasing out X11 packages, UBports making mobile development easier |
| • Issue 1047 (2023-11-27): GhostBSD 23.10.1, Why Linux uses swap when memory is free, Ubuntu Budgie may benefit from Wayland work in Xfce, early issues with FreeBSD 14.0 |
| • Issue 1046 (2023-11-20): Slackel 7.7 "Openbox", restricting CPU usage, Haiku improves font handling and software centre performance, Canonical launches MicroCloud |
| • Issue 1045 (2023-11-13): Fedora 39, how to trust software packages, ReactOS booting with UEFI, elementary OS plans to default to Wayland, Mir gaining ability to split work across video cards |
| • Full list of all issues |
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APODIO
APODIO is a Linux live and installation DVD with a large collection of open source audio and video software, as well as graphical utilities for making system administration as simple and intuitive as possible. It is based on Ubuntu.
Status: Dormant
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