 DistroWatch Weekly |
| DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 167, 4 September 2006 |
Welcome to this year's 36th issue of DistroWatch Weekly! Following a new release of Gentoo Linux last week, another popular "geek" project is likely to announce a major new version this week. Slackware Linux, the world's oldest surviving Linux distribution, has been through no fewer than four release candidates, so the final version can't be far away. Also expected later this week - GNOME 2.16. In other news, Linspire scraps the annual fee for its software repository, Ubuntu contributors keep enhancing their favourite distribution with extra software, services and even a new start-up script, and the NetBSD world is rocked by accusations of mismanagement by one of the project's founders. We also have the pleasure to announce that DistroWatch has once again been voted one of the "Top 101" web sites by PC Magazine and that the August 2006 donation of US$350 goes to the Puppy Linux project. Happy reading!
Content:
 Join us at irc.freenode.net #distrowatch
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| Miscellaneous News |
Linspire frees Click 'N Run, Ubuntu updates, NetBSD troubles, Tinkerbell Linux
 Linspire, a San Diego-based Linux distribution maker, announced last week that it would do away with the annual fees for its Click 'N Run service, a web-based front-end for installing extra software applications on both Linspire and Freespire. This follows the company's recent inaugural release of Freespire 1.0, a community maintained free distribution with emphasis on usability and convenience, predominantly designed for novice Linux users. The announcement means that all Linspire and Freespire users will now have access to a vast repository of Debian packages through a convenient web-based utility.
Kevin Carmony, the CEO of Linspire, justified the move in a forum post by arguing that "for every basic CNR subscriber we have, we get 3 Gold subscribers. The added benefits of support, discounts on the commercial products, etc., will continue to be a strong motivation for many of you to subscribe to this premium service." The easy availability of software packages, he believes, should also attract more new users to Freespire.
* * * * *
 Is Ubuntu the perfect Linux distribution? Although many will probably answer the above question affirmatively, there are those users who find the lack of many useful but proprietary components unacceptable in a modern operating system. For those, a newly published article entitled Common Customisations examines the current status of the various third-party tools providing the "missing pieces", such as multimedia codecs, patent-encumbered packages, non-distributable and proprietary applications, and other software that make our daily computing lives easier. The article examines the value of existing scripts, such as Easy Ubuntu or Automatix, discusses other possibilities of extending Ubuntu, and invites users to provide a feedback on the subject. Worth a read if you want to understand the challenges and possible solutions to a highly complex issue.
While on the subject of Ubuntu, some of the more technical Linux users might have heard about the new way of starting up their favourite distribution. Instead of using the age-old "sysvinit" to start various services during the system boot, the Ubuntu developers have been working on a new system called "upstart". Ubuntu Fridge has published an article on the subject, describing the differences between the two systems in layman's language and explaining the motivation behind the move. Although the work is largely driven by a desire to simplify the boot process, rather than to increase the boot speed, many users are likely to notice faster boot times when using "upstart". The new technology is scheduled to be included in Ubuntu 6.10 "Edgy Eft", scheduled for release at the end of October.
And still on the subject of Ubuntu, a new way of generating custom, Ubuntu-based live CDs are now available through a project called Reconstructor. This graphical application, written in Python, is designed to help users to re-create a new Ubuntu live CD with customised GNOME settings, new splash screens, unique themes, additional software packages and other aspects of the popular distribution. Reconstructor is released under the General Public License and is available from the project's download page, complete with an 11-page user manual in PDF format.
* * * * *
 The BSD world was rocked by a major controversy last week. In an open letter to the netbsd-users mailing list, Charles M. Hannum, one of the four founders of NetBSD, has expressed his doubts about the future of the popular, multi-arch operating system: "The NetBSD Project has stagnated to the point of irrelevance. It has gotten to the point that being associated with the project is often more of a liability than an asset." The strong words were then followed by accusations that the project has been run by an ineffective board of directors, lacking vision and ignoring user and customer needs: "This is the result of a coup that took place in 2000-2001, in which The NetBSD Foundation was taken over by a fraudulent change of the board of directors." The misery of NetBSD was compounded by further bad press when the writer of the above letter, together with seven more NetBSD developers, were told to leave the project due to their unwillingness to sign a new agreement.
* * * * *
 Packt Publishing has published an interview with Gerard Beekmans, the founder of Linux From Scratch (LFS). When answering a question about how this excellent educational project started, the founder of LFS replied: "After trying out a few distributions I couldn't settle on any one pre-packed system to fit my needs. I also didn't get the feeling I was learning everything I could learn about how Linux works, especially behind the scenes. That's how the LFS project started. I was putting together a Linux system from scratch as an attempt to figure out how things worked. I wrote down the steps I took to get such a system up and running, thinking that there are probably other people out there who would be interested in it." Find out more on why every hard-core Linux geek should build at least one Linux system from scratch!
* * * * *
 Interested in Linux-based diskless terminals and terminal servers? If so, we have some good news for you. The Malta-based 2X Software has announced that it will open source the code behind its successful NX-based terminal servers for Linux: "2X today announced the release of 2X TerminalServer for Linux, an open source terminal server for Linux, which enables users to run a Linux desktop and Linux / Windows applications over any type of connection." The reason? "If Linux is going to happen on the desktop, it will require a terminal server approach such as that of 2X Terminal Server for Linux. Only with the more advanced thin client approach, will Linux be able to outdo Windows fat clients in a company's network." More details about the product and its benefits can be found in this press release.
* * * * *
 As KDE celebrates its 10th birthday, here is something for the more nostalgic among us - the first press release announcing the start of a new desktop for UNIX called "Kool Desktop Environment": "The idea is to create a GUI for an ENDUSER. Somebody who wants to browse the web with Linux, write some letters and play some nice games." Additional technical details about the new desktop emerge further down the announcement: "Since a few weeks a really great new widget library is available free in source and price for free software development. The stuff is called 'Qt' and is really a revolution in programming X." The announcement, written by Matthias Ettrich, is concluded with: "I admit the whole thing sounds a bit like fantasy. But it is very serious from my side. Everybody I'm talking to in the net would LOVE a somewhat cleaner desktop. Qt is the chance to realize this. So let us join our rare spare time and just do it!"
10 years later, with KDE being one of the two main desktop environments on Linux, BSD and other UNIX operating systems, it is clear that dreams do sometimes come true. All we need is hard-working leaders with vision, perseverance, and motivation to get things done! Happy birthday, KDE!
* * * * *
 Finally, a new and exciting distribution was born last week. Unlike the hundreds already listed on DistroWatch, the new Tinkerbell Linux is developed by none other than Paris Hilton, a popular American sex idol. Explaining the motivation behind her entry into the open source world, the 25-year old socialite had this to say about her new-found hobby: "I think The Open Source Movement is, like, really hot. I've been dabbling with coding for ages, but it's taken me some time to find the courage to release it. As you know, I'm a shy and modest person, and wasn't sure if it was good enough for the strict standards of the coding community." As for the technical side of things, "Tinkerbell Linux is based on Slutware Linux and will be distributed on Paris Hilton's next music CD entitled 'Crontab for Love.'" For more details about the new, titillating Linux distro please read the formal press release.
Our take: watch this space! Ubuntu's days at the top of our page hit ranking statistics will be over in record time as the new Tinkerbell Linux will take the world by storm. This is also exactly what the Linux world needed to displace that other operating system from computer users' desktops! Great, great news!
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| Released Last Week |
Berry Linux 0.73
Yuichiro Nakada has announced a new release of Berry Linux, version 0.73. The latest release is based on kernel 2.6.17.11 SMP, with ndev/udev and bootsplash patches. Most of the base components come from Fedora Core 5, but the more visible software packages have been upgraded to newer versions; these include KDE 3.5.4, GIMP 2.2.12, xine 0.9.4, digiKam 0.8.2, Firefox 1.5.0.6 and Thunderbird 1.5.0.5 (both English and Japanese editions of the Mozilla products are included), and WINE 0.9.19. The project's own Rasp-UI window manager has been updated to version 0.04, while several new Japanese fonts have been added (YOzFont, Aoyagikouzan, Gyosho, Decoration). Read the project's changelog for a complete list of changes.
StartCom Enterprise Linux 3.0.6
Eddy Nigg has released an updated version of StartCom Enterprise Linux 3 series: "The legendary StartCom Enterprise Linux AS-3 is the first updated distribution release after the summer break, out of a series of update releases scheduled for the coming month. The release of AS-3.0.6 (Maccabee) features about 300 updated packages. Since the last release of the AS-3 series, the popular Ethereal network sniffing tool was forked to a new project called Wireshark. This change is reflected in this release, but also the newest Firefox and Thunderbird packages are included again." Read the rest of the press release for further information.
Gibraltar Firewall 2.4.1
A new stable version of the Debian-based Gibraltar Firewall has been released: "The new version v2.4 from Gibraltar is available. Gibraltar v2.4 comes with many new features and now also available pre-installed on several reliable hardware platforms. The new Gibraltar Security Gateways are offered with different performance data for network sizes up to several hundred computers. Due to permanent product enhancements during the last years, Gibraltar has been evolved from a pure Firewall to a powerful and reliable UTM appliance (universal threat management)." Read the full release announcement and check out the changelog for a full list of changes and new features.
CentOS 4.4
Johnny Hughes has announced the availability of a fourth update to CentOS 4 series, a Linux distribution built from source RPM packages for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4: "The CentOS development team is pleased to announce the release of CentOS 4.4 for i386 and x86_64. This release corresponds to the upstream vendor U4 release together with updates through August 26th, 2006. The Live CD edition (1 CD-ROM) is available for i386. Major changes for this version are: Mozilla has been replaced by SeaMonkey, Ethereal has been replaced by Wireshark. Firefox and Thunderbird have moved to 1.5.x versions, OpenOffice.org has moved from to the 1.1.5 version." For more information please see the release announcement and release notes.
Fedora Core 5 Live CD/DVD
Robert Jensen has announced the availability of a new set of Fedora Core live CDs and DVDs. Called "Live-Spins" and created with a tool called Kadischi, the new Fedora live CD/DVD images allow users to test the distribution without having to install it to their hard disks. Fedora Unity has released the Live-Spins for both the current stable version (Fedora Core 5) and the latest development build (Fedora Core 6 Test 2). More information can be found in the release announcement.
Gentoo Linux 2006.1
Gentoo Linux 2006.1 has been released: "The Gentoo Release Engineering team proudly announces the release of Gentoo Linux 2006.1, the second release of the year. The 2006.1 release features many highlights that improve upon 2006.0. The AMD64, HPPA, x86, 32- and 64-bit PowerPC releases are built with and include GCC 4.1, a great improvement over version 3.4 used for 2006.0. Also included are the GNU C library version 2.4 and Gentoo's baselayout 1.12.1, with improved system start-up scripts. Alpha, x86 and AMD64 also feature a new profile layout, with separate sub-profiles for desktop and server systems." Read the rest of the press release for more details.
Debian GNU/Linux 3.1r3
Joey Schulze has announced the availability of a third revision of the stable Debian GNU/Linux 3.1, code name 'sarge': "The Debian project has updated the stable distribution Debian GNU/Linux 3.1. This update mainly adds security updates to the stable release, along with a few corrections to serious problems." Besides a large number of security updates and bug-fixes to glibc, GRUB, Perl and other packages, the Debian installer and several base packages were also updated. For more information please see the official release announcement and changelog. As always, the Debian stable revisions are normally applied with the apt-get package management tool. The updated stable branch, labelled as 3.1r3, is available from the project's main server or various mirrors around the world.
ZenLive Linux 2.8
A new version of ZenLive Linux, a subproject the Slackware-based Zenwalk Linux, is out: "It's official, ZenLive 2.8 has been released! This is a major version release based on the latest stable release of Zenwalk Linux, version 2.8. In addition, the latest versions of Zenwalk's net-based package management system, 'netpkg', which now allows software downloading from multiple repositories, system-tools and xdialog have been upgraded. A few new games have been added. All of your favorite Zenwalk applications are here as well so you'll feel right at home. Zenwalk 2.8 is a live CD powerhouse complete with wireless networking support, multimedia, office and gaming software, as well as international fonts and DVD codecs." Visit the project's home page to read the complete release announcement.
Ubuntu Christian Edition 1.2
Version 1.2 of Ubuntu Christian Edition (Ubuntu CE) has been released: "We have just released Ubuntu Christian Edition v1.2! We have added the GnuCash financial management software as well as the very popular Ubuntu customization tool, Automatix. There also some smaller additions such as new Daily Bible Verse feature and a new GDM to make the look and feel of Ubuntu CE more consistent. One of the major accomplishments with this release is the introduction of the Ubuntu CE Installer. With it users are able to easily install even more great Christian and Educational software." Find more details in the release announcement.
* * * * *
Development and unannounced releases
- VLOS 1.3-beta3, the release announcement
- Vine Linux 4.0-beta1, the release announcement
- Mandriva Linux 2007-beta3, the press release
- Frugalware Linux 0.5-rc2, the release announcement
- Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Edubuntu, Xubuntu, 6.10-alpha2, the release announcement
- Elive 0.5-beta3.4, the changelog
- Slackware Linux 11.0-rc4, the changelog
- Wolvix 1.0.5-beta "Cub", the release announcement
- Kalango Linux 3.3-rc1
- ClarkConnect Gateway/Server 4.0-rc1
- Kurumin Linux 6.1-rc2
- PUD GNU/Linux 0.4.6.4
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| Upcoming Releases and Announcements |
openSUSE 10.2
The openSUSE project has announced the details about its upcoming release - openSUSE 10.2. After the fourth alpha build expected on 7 September, the developers will add one more alpha, two betas and one release candidate before the final release on 7 December 2006. Besides the usual software updates, openSUSE 10.2 promises to add new WLAN and Intel 3D graphics drivers, include Wink for creating video tutorials and, if Google agrees, provide the Linux edition of GoogleEarth. YaST will come with an ability to add third-party software repositories and other enhancements. Find more information in this mailing list post and on the project's roadmap page.
* * * * *
Vine Linux 4.0
The Vine Linux project has announced details about the upcoming release of Vine Linux 4.0, the project's first major release in two years. According to ITPro (article in Japanese), Vine Linux 4.0 will be ship with kernel 2.6, and will include GNOME 2.14, as well as Anthy and SCIM Japanese input method editors. As usual, editions for the i386 and PowerPC architectures will be developed simultaneously, with the release candidate appearing roughly two weeks before the final release. Once the development of Vine Linux 4.0 is completed, work on a new update, version 4.1, will start with an expected release date in January 2007.
* * * * *
Summary of expected upcoming releases
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| DistroWatch.com News |
DistroWatch one of "Top 101 web sites"
It is always nice to see that our work on DistroWatch is appreciated by the open source software community, but it feels even better when a general computing magazine recommends our web site to its readers. In its annual Top 101 Web Sites survey, PC Magazine has once again included DistroWatch as one of the top computing web sites on the Internet: "Looking for your daily Linux fix? DistroWatch keeps you up to date on all the latest news about release announcements of Linux distributions. The site also has reviews, articles, and interviews with Linux developers." Let's hope that each visitor's "daily Linux fix" will turn into a life-long happy love affair with Free Software!
* * * * *
August 2006 donation: Puppy Linux US$350.00
We are pleased to announce that the DistroWatch August 2006 donation has been awarded to Puppy Linux (US$350.00). Few open source software projects have been nominated for a donation as many times as Puppy Linux, so it only seems natural to reward its creator, Barry Kauler, for endless hours of hard work. The pride of Australia, Puppy Linux has truly became a unique and original distribution, targeting mainly older computers, but also appealing to those users who enjoy small and fast operating systems with a great selection of applications and a good community of users. Besides Puppy Linux itself, a number of Puppy derivatives have also been born over the last few months; these include Grafpup Linux, Hacao Linux (site in Vietnamese) and MeanPup (formerly Mean Puppy).
We received an email from Barry Kauler shortly after sending the donation: "When I first saw the email, I thought, 'ah, Ladislav has ordered a CD'. Then I saw what it was... man, I never expected to get a big donation like that! It will not be spent on pizzas and coke -- I'm always in need of new hardware for testing purposes so that's where it's going."
As always, the monthly donations programme is a joint initiative between DistroWatch, which allocates 10% of its advertising revenue, and three online shops selling low-cost CDs and DVDs with Linux, BSD and other open source software - LinuxISO.co.uk and LinuxCD.org and OSDisc.com. The three CD/DVD vendors contributed US$50.00 each towards this month's donation to Puppy Linux.
This is the PayPal receipt for the donation to Puppy Linux:
Dear DistroWatch.com,
This email confirms that you have paid Barry D Kauler $350.00 USD using PayPal.
------------------------------
Payment Details:
------------------------------
Transaction ID: 2TA35895BD7248440
Item Price: $350.00 USD
Total: $350.00 USD
Item/Product Name: Donation to Puppy Linux project
Buyer: DistroWatch.com
Here is the list of projects that received a DistroWatch donation since the launch of the programme:
Since the launch of the DistroWatch Donations Programme in March 2004, we have donated a total of US$9,650 to various open source software projects.
* * * * *
Freespire reloaded
Several readers have emailed us to let us know that Linspire has launched what can only be classified as an attempt to tamper with our page hit ranking statistics by trying to artificially inflate the page hit ranking figures for its new community distribution - Freespire. Upon investigation, it turned out that both linspire.com and nvu.com had been deceivingly redirecting visitors to the Freespire page on DistroWatch and that the default home page of Firefox in the latest build of Freespire had also been set to the same page. As a result, Linspire has become the largest referrer of DistroWatch.com this month and the company has been responsible for a considerable number of extra hits on the Freespire page at DistroWatch.
Although the redirections continued for several days, the Freespire page hit counter was unaffected. As always, excessive and deliberately misleading links to DistroWatch by distributions are considered illegal and a script was promptly set up to prevent the counter from incrementing in cases where the visitors were referred by linspire.com or nvu.com.
For more information (and a rather heated debate) please see also this thread on the Freespire forum.
* * * * *
New distributions added to waiting list
- Linux Mint. Linux Mint is a GNU/Linux distribution which is based on Kubuntu. Its purpose is to offer a customised version of Kubuntu which features improved artwork, up-to-date packages and support for restricted multimedia formats. Linux Mint comes as a single live CD which provides a graphical installer.
* * * * *
DistroWatch database summary
And that concludes our latest issue of DistroWatch Weekly. The next issue will be published on Monday, 11 September 2006. Until then,
Ladislav Bodnar
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| Archives |
| • Issue 1100 (2024-12-09): Oreon 9.3, differences in speed, IPFire's new appliance, Fedora Asahi Remix gets new video drivers, openSUSE Leap Micro updated, Redox OS running Redox OS |
| • 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 |
| • Full list of all issues |
| Star Labs |
Star Labs - Laptops built for Linux.
View our range including the highly anticipated StarFighter. Available with coreboot open-source firmware and a choice of Ubuntu, elementary, Manjaro and more. Visit Star Labs for information, to buy and get support.
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| Random Distribution | 
XeroLinux
XeroLinux was an Arch Linux-based distribution with KDE Plasma as the preferred desktop. Some of the features of the distribution include the Calamares installer, various under-the-hood tweaks and optimisations, built-in support for community-built AUR packages as well as Flatpak packages, and the availability of various desktop and bootloader themes developed in-house. After being discontinued for a time, XeroLinux returned as a commercial distribution without publicly announced releases. There was no indication of ongoing development. We are no longer able to track package, updates, or new versions.
Status: Discontinued
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| TUXEDO |
TUXEDO Computers - Linux Hardware in a tailor made suite
Choose from a wide range of laptops and PCs in various sizes and shapes at TUXEDOComputers.com. Every machine comes pre-installed and ready-to-run with Linux. Full 24 months of warranty and lifetime support included!
Learn more about our full service package and all benefits from buying at TUXEDO.
|
| Star Labs |
Star Labs - Laptops built for Linux.
View our range including the highly anticipated StarFighter. Available with coreboot open-source firmware and a choice of Ubuntu, elementary, Manjaro and more. Visit Star Labs for information, to buy and get support.
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