 DistroWatch Weekly |
| DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 92, 21 March 2005 |
Welcome to this year's 12th issue of DistroWatch Weekly! Two "newbie-friendly" distribution releases appeared on the scene last week - one of them a very nicely designed product with superb usability and great, innovative features (Linspire 5.0), while the other is a promising new product, which is let down by a poor installer, obvious bugs and lack of polish (Ark Linux 2005.1). On the BSD front, a new initiative to create a BSD certification programme is under way. Happy reading!
Content:
Two "newbie-friendly" releases - Linspire 5.0 and Ark Linux 2005.1
 Two new "newbie-friendly" distributions were released last week - Linspire 5.0 and Ark Linux 2005.1. Linspire (formerly LindowsOS) is already a well-known name on the Linux distribution scene, but the new version represents a substantial step forward. Linspire 5.0 is a very pretty distribution with a clear message that a substantial amount of work has gone into the product's usability features. This is not just some cheap Debian knock-off put together by retrieving DEB packages from one of that distribution's repositories - on the contrary, Linspire 5.0 comes with a huge number of enhancements not seen in any other Linux distribution before. The company's software engineers and usability experts have seemingly combined into one soul to produce what surely is one of the biggest ever reasons to get away from Windows. You will be able to read a more detailed account of my experiences with Linspire 5.0 later this week in the distribution section of Linux Weekly News.
Linspire 5.0 - one of the most beautiful and usable Linux-based operating systems ever produced.
(full image size: 590kB)
* * * * *
 After having had very positive experiences with Linspire 5.0, I expected to be pleasantly surprised by the first stable release of Ark Linux, a community project designed specifically for those converting to Linux from other operating systems. Disappointingly, Ark Linux 2005.1 feels like a beta release in a desperate need of further testing. The installation program is the most dumbed-down and inflexible of any distribution I have seen (you still cannot install it on a pre-existing partition or specify which hard disk to take over), so I had to physically disconnect the first hard disk to let it take over the second one (otherwise it threatened to take over both!).
After the first boot, neither the network, nor the USB mouse would work (the solution to the USB problem is to press "Alt+F1", launch "System" --> "Command Line Interpreter - Super User Mode" by selecting it with your arrow keys, then type "modprobe uhci-hcd" in the Konsole), and the screen resolution was set too low for what the monitor was capable of. As a result, my first impressions were highly negative. Nevertheless, the distribution has potential - the developers have implemented some interesting ideas that do away with the need of a superuser account, and the package set comprising the release is highly up-to-date. All it needs now is a better installer and more thorough testing to eliminate the glaring bugs.
Ark Linux 2005.1 - the project's first "stable" release is marred by glaring bugs and lack of polish
(full image size: 523kB)
* * * * *
 There is no end to the discussion about the Vancouver proposal, still taking place on the Debian developer's mailing list. This is one of those famous, never ending flames that everybody has an opinion about and nobody wants to give way. Yet, the proposal to "relegate" minor processor architectures into a "second class citizen" repository seems like a positive step on the way to recover some of the Debian's credibility by producing stable releases more often than just once every few years. On the other hand, Debian was one of the very few distributions that stubbornly continued supporting even marginal architectures, in sharp contrast with most commercial distributions for which such support would make no financial sense. Nevertheless, it is important to realise that the less common architectures will continue being developed, even if the Vancouver proposal is accepted. The only difference is that they might not be released as "stable" and will not be carried by the main Debian download server.
* * * * *
 It is always nice to report that a commercial Linux company is doing well financially, something rarely heard of a few years ago. Turbolinux, on the verge of a collapse at one stage, has seen booming business in Japan and China and has achieved profitability for the first time ever: "Turbolinux Inc. achieved profitability in Japan and China for the first time last year and is now looking to expand its operations in India, Mitsunobu Okada, the company's chief financial officer, said Wednesday. ... A push by several governments around the world, including those of Japan and China, to encourage the use of open-source software has helped the credibility of Linux, he said. Turbolinux has benefited by winning contracts from the Chinese and Japanese governments." Well done! The success of Turbolinux shows that Linux is doing well and is increasingly accepted as a solid computing platform by users and companies around the world!
BSD Certification Group launched
 The first ever BSD certification programme was launched last week by the BSD Certification Group: "Today, thousands of companies use BSD based systems and software. BSD systems run some of the busiest sites on the Internet, including Yahoo, New York Internet, Pair Networks, and others. BSD systems have proven remarkably stable, some recording 'uptimes' (time since last reboot) in years, rather than weeks or months. Use of this freely available software has skyrocketed since its beginning and has continued to grow steadily. Companies large and small want to protect their investment in BSD systems by employing system administrators, users, programmers, network specialists and others with demonstrated proficiency in using and understanding these systems. BSD Certification provides these companies with a clear path to hiring qualified individuals." These are early days and a set of standards is still being drafted. Once done, a BSD certification has a potential to become a valuable entry on any system administrator's Curriculum Vitae.
|
| Released Last Week |
Auditor Security Linux 120305
Auditor Security Linux is a KANOTIX-based live CD with a collection of tools for system auditing and forensic analysis. A new version was announced today: "The new version is finished and distributed already on some of the usual mirrors. First of all, it is a major rewrite. Switched over to Kanotix which is much nicer than regular Knoppix. I guess most of you are interested in the new bluetooth and wireless stuff: for the bluetooth section, you have all the needed tools for a proof of all known bluetooth attacks; in the wireless section you will find new versions of Cowpatty, File2air and aireplay as well as Wellenreiter and Kismet; new card types are supported now and a lot of fine-tuning was done." You can find much more information in the release announcement and changelog.
White Box Enterprise Linux 3.0 Respin 2
The developers of White Box Enterprise Linux have released an updated set of ISO images which include all the erratas and security patches released to-date by Red Hat: "White Box Enterprise Linux 3.0 Respin 2 is now available. This release is purely a maintenance release to pick up the accumulated errata since Respin 1 in June 2004. It includes all errata issued from upstream through the end of February 2005, with the exception of the kernel. The kernel is the older one issued with Red Hat, Inc.'s Update 4 so that binary driver discs made available by 3rd party hardware vendors should be compatible with this rebuild release." The release announcement.
Lineox Enterprise Linux 4.0 (x86_64)
The 64-bit edition of Lineox Enterprise Linux 4.0 has been released: "Lineox has released today Lineox Enterprise Linux 4.0 x86_64 edition. Lineox has replaced some graphics files and changed or replaced some other files mainly because of trademark issues while retaining full compatibility. This release includes also updated packages. Yumex, a graphical front-end to yum package management system was added to x86_64 version because apt doesn't properly support multiple architecture packages. Lineox Enterprise Linux 4.0 x86_64 has only i386 versions of OpenOffice.org and HelixPlayer. Also many browser plug-ins are available only as x86 versions, so Lineox Enterprise Linux 4.0 x86_64 version has many x86 libraries." The release announcement.
Parsix GNU/Linux 0.46
A new version of Parsix GNU/Linux, an Iranian live CD with support for Persian input, has been released: "Another version of Parsix GNU/Linux is available for public download. Parsix 0.46 is our special Nowrooz gift. Nowrooz is Iranian new year holiday that starts from first day of spring. This version contains a lot of fixes and updates. All packages are synchronized with Debian Sarge repository (2005-03-01), added dhcp-client and pppoeconf (both missing in 0.45), added gnome-audio, gnome-games, emacs21, gxmms and vim-gtk, fixed autofs and a new wallpaper (Castle of BAAM) by N. Kasraian. We replaced Ctrl+Shift keyboard shortcut key with Alt+Shift to fix some conflicts. Now it is possible to install Parsix GNU/Linux into your hard disk." Read more in the release announcement.
Berry Linux 0.54
Berry Linux has been updated to version 0.54; the most important change is the inclusion of a current beta release of OpenOffice.org 2.0 (1.9.79). From the changelog: "Berry Linux 0.54. Based on Fedora Core 3, Knoppix 3.7, kudzu 1.1.111. hwdata 0.152. Fluxbox 0.9.10 (Fedora Core 3); OpenOffice 2.0beta (Japanese and English); GIMP Version 2.2.4 (Gnu Image Manipulation Program); Firefox 1.0.1 (Japanese and English); Whiz 0.49 (Monoceros) + SCIM 1.2.1; Timidity++ 2.13.2. Removed Konatsu 20040901."
dyne:bolic 1.4.1
An updated version of the dyne:bolic live CD is now available: "This release implements important stability fixes concluding the development of the 1.x series of dyne:bolic. Changes: OpenMosix automatic startup and discovery; Mozilla suite 1.7.5 (Firefox and Thunderbird dropped); Mail encrypted with Sylpheed 1.0.3, GpgME and Enigma; virtual keyboard for alternative access devices; nest now remembers xBox PAL/NTSC switch; wider PC laptop hardware support; updated software: Blender 2.36, Ardour 0.9-beta28, GIMP 2.0.6, Xine 1.0; fix to Rezound linkage to libFOX 1.2; various fixes and documentation updates; shiny new splash screen in GTK2." Read more in the release announcement.
IPCop Firewall 1.4.4
An updated version of IPCop Firewall has been released. From the release announcement: "This is the release version of V1.4.4. Number goes directly in 1.4.4 because update is split in two parts. As usual, this version can be installed as an update from previous v1.4.x versions or with a ready-to-go ISO for a fresh install. Short change summary: sound checkbox option for ip-up/ip-down; optional refresh for index.cgi; fix a bug that caused a fixed lease to always be enabled after being edited in dhcp.cgi; improve reload in the standard rc.local.firewall; add remark field in dhcp.cgi; fix external Access page for port ranges and include a remark field...."
YES Linux 2.2.1
A new build of YES Linux has been released: "Announcing YES Linux 2.2 Build 1 available now! YES Linux Release Team would like to announce the immediate availability of YES Linux 2.2 Build 1. This is the second build of the YES Linux 2.2 Version. This release features more updates to features than to new features such as bind-utils, PHP, OpenSSH, sudo, and mod_security (IDS). Two of the new features are the transparent integration of PGP to SquirrelMail and inclusion Hierarchical Token Bucket (HTB)." Read more in the official release announcement.
Linspire 5.0
Linspire 5.0, or Five-0 as they prefer to call it, has been released: "Linspire, Inc. today announced the release of its latest operating system, Linspire Five-0. More than a year in the making and with more than 1,200 improvements, the newest version of Linspire boasts enhancements in every core application and provides the most secure, reliable and easy-to-use desktop Linux experience available for home, business and school users. Highlights include a completely revised and streamlined graphical interface, improved laptop and hardware support, significant Internet optimization, and dozens of enhanced software applications to provide a complete user experience." Here is the full press release and a list of features.
Devil-Linux 1.2.4
Devil-Linux has been updated to version 1.2.4: "I'm proud to announce v1.2.4 of Devil-Linux. The changes include fixes for serial console support, various program updates and a few new perl modules. Changes: fixed logrotate not to rotate previously rotated log files (bs); change group membership of Heimdal's su to wheel; updated OpenSwan to 1.0.9; nss_ldap didn't get compiled; updated Cyrus to imapd-2.2.12...." See the release announcement and changelog for further details.
PaiPix 3.7-2005-03-16
A new release of PaiPix, a live DVD based on KNOPPIX, is now available. From the release notes: "It includes bug fixes for live DVD and hard disk installation and new packages: the development tools g++-4.0, gfortran (fortran 95), DDD, valgrind, jikes and Ant for Java; the computational packages scilab and GUI for R(Rcmdr); the pvm distributed system lib; the medical image (DICOM) viewers amide and xmedcon; the Zope www server including the plone module; the business system evaristo. Most services can now be started trough the PAIPIX-KNOPPIx menu."
UHU-Linux 1.2
UHU-Linux 1.2, Office edition, has been released. UHU-Linux is a complete and supported operating system with a collection of applications. It includes a graphical environment with intuitive Hungarian menus, which make the system easy to understand and learn. The application set is carefully selected to meet the requirements of most home and office users. Compared to other Linux distributions, the value of UHU-Linux is in its support of the Hungarian language, as well as in accommodating application preferences of most Hungarian users, based on their feedback. More information is available on the distribution's product page (in Hungarian).
Linux+ Live 2.2
A new version of the Linux+ Live DVD has been released: "Hello folks. Today I'm proud to announce a new version of Linux+ Live. It comes with the April edition of Linux+ and Linux+DVD magazines. With tons of new features and enchantments, the new version includes: better hardware support; totally new kernel with many patches; X.org 6.8.1 with a lot of patches; QDVD and DVD Author for creating your own DVDs with movies; MPlayer, Xine and others multimedia programs; Skype and a special edition of Psi (with more than 50 extra patches); new instant messengers; some great tools: Konserve 0.10.3, QtParted 0.4.4...." More details in the release announcement.
Ark Linux 2005.1
The first ever stable version of Ark Linux has been released: "After 3 years of development and testing, the first stable release of Ark Linux - Ark Linux 2005.1 - has been released. The goal of Ark Linux is to build the easiest-to-use Linux distribution for people converting from That Other Operating System, while keeping it technically sane. Ark Linux 2005.1 is built around the latest desktop technologies, including KDE 3.4, OpenOffice.org 1.1.4 (a preview of 2.0 is also available on the Ark Extra Software CD), glibc 2.3.4, X.Org 6.8.2, and kernel 2.6.11. The base install CD of Ark Linux contains everything the average desktop user will need." Find more details in the release announcement.
Magic Linux 1.2
After nearly one year of beta testing, Magic Linux 1.2 has been released. Magic Linux is a Chinese desktop distribution based around the RPM package management system. The latest version is built on top of the stable kernel 2.6.9 with the Con Kolivas patch set and other small changes. In terms of hardware support, there have been major improvements, and SATA drives, sound and network cards, USB storage devices, as well as MP3 and other common file formats can be used without any difficulties. The addition of udev has made the management of hardware more convenient, although some users might experience problems on occasion. More details can be found in the release announcement (in Chinese).
Magic Linux 1.2 - a Chinese desktop Linux distribution with RPM package management.
(full image size: 182kB)
Development and unannounced releases
- Fedora Core 4-test1, the release announcement
- Mandrakelinux 10.2-beta2 (x86_64), the beta information page
- Turkix Linux 10.0-alpha, the release announcement
- Mandrakelinux 10.2-rc1 (ppc), the release announcement and release notes
- Mandrakelinux 10.2-rc1 (x86), the release announcement and on the beta information page
- Ubuntu Linux 5.04-array7, the release announcement
- Kubuntu 5.04-preview, the release announcement
- QiLinux 1.2-pre1, the release announcement
- Beyond Linux From Scratch 6.0-pre1, the release announcement
- Pingwinek 1.0-pre1, the release announcement
- m0n0wall 1.2-beta7, the release notes
- FreeBSD 5.4-BETA1, the release announcement
- eduKnoppix 2.1.1
- R.I.P. 12.0
- JoLinux 2.2
|
| Upcoming Releases and Announcements |
FreeBSD 5.4
The FreeBSD project has published a preliminary release schedule of FreeBSD 5.4. It seems to be somewhat out of touch with reality since 5.4-BETA1 has appeared on FreeBSD mirrors over the weekend, but the schedule expected the 5.4-RC1 in the middle of last week. FreeBSD 5.4-RELEASE is scheduled for 4 April, though it is likely to be delayed. See FreeBSD 5.4 Release Process for more information.
QiLinux 1.2
The developers of QiLinux have published a roadmap leading towards the stable release of QiLinux 1.2 on 29 April 2005. The beta testing phase is now in progress. Find out more in the announcement.
* * * * *
Summary of expected upcoming releases
|
| Web Site News |
New distributions addition
- Kubuntu. Kubuntu is an Ubuntu-derived distribution. The Kubuntu CDs are made up of Ubuntu's base plus KDE. You can get exactly the same effect by installing Ubuntu and adding the KDE packages from the Ubuntu archives.
Kubuntu 5.04 - a KDE-centric sub-project of the increasingly popular Ubuntu Linux
(full image size: 188kB)
New on the waiting list
- Admelix. Admelix is a Chilean Linux distribution based on Ubuntu Linux.
- Arabian Linux. Arabian Linux is a bootable CD, based on Kurumin Linux, containing the Linux operating system. The goal of the project is to build a simple desktop-oriented Arabic distribution that can run from a CDROM or hard drive.
- Asterisk Live! Asterisk PBX is Linux-based, open source PBX software that provides voice over IP in three protocols and is interoperable with most standards-based telephony equipment using comparatively inexpensive hardware. If you want an easy way to play around with Asterisk check out Asterisk Live! This distribution is available as a Live CD and a Compact Flash install.
- Ultima Linux. The Ultima Linux Project aims to develop a complete desktop and server operating system based on Slackware Linux. It is designed to be small and fast, with none of the bloat of the full-blown Slackware, but still powerful.
DistroWatch database summary
- Number of Linux distributions in the database: 394
- Number of BSD distributions in the database: 9
- Number of discontinued distributions: 49
- Number of distributions on the waiting list: 95
That's all for today. See you all next week!
Ladislav Bodnar
|
|
| Tip Jar |
If you've enjoyed this week's issue of DistroWatch Weekly, please consider sending us a tip.
(Tips this week: 0, value: US$0.00) |
|
|
|
 bc1qxes3k2wq3uqzr074tkwwjmwfe63z70gwzfu4lx  lnurl1dp68gurn8ghj7ampd3kx2ar0veekzar0wd5xjtnrdakj7tnhv4kxctttdehhwm30d3h82unvwqhhxarpw3jkc7tzw4ex6cfexyfua2nr  86fA3qPTeQtNb2k1vLwEQaAp3XxkvvvXt69gSG5LGunXXikK9koPWZaRQgfFPBPWhMgXjPjccy9LA9xRFchPWQAnPvxh5Le paypal.me/distrowatchweekly • patreon.com/distrowatch |
|
| Extended Lifecycle Support by TuxCare |
|
|
|
| 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.
|
| Archives |
| • Issue 1155 (2026-01-12): MenuetOS, CDE on Sparky, iDeal OS 2025.12.07, recommended flavour of BSD, Debian seeks new Data Protection Team, Ubuntu 25.04 nears its end of life, Google limits Android source code releases, Fedora plans to replace SDDM, Budgie migrates to Wayland |
| • Issue 1154 (2026-01-05): postmarketOS 25.06/25.12, switching to Linux and educational resources, FreeBSD improving laptop support, Unix v4 available for download, new X11 server in development, CachyOS team plans server edtion |
| • Issue 1153 (2025-12-22): Best projects of 2025, is software ever truly finished?, Firefox to adopt AI components, Asahi works on improving the install experience, Mageia presents plans for version 10 |
| • Issue 1152 (2025-12-15): OpenBSD 7.8, filtering websites, Jolla working on a Linux phone, Germany saves money with Linux, Ubuntu to package AMD tools, Fedora demonstrates AI troubleshooting, Haiku packages Go language |
| • Issue 1151 (2025-12-08): FreeBSD 15.0, fun command line tricks, Canonical presents plans for Ubutnu 26.04, SparkyLinux updates CDE packages, Redox OS gets modesetting driver |
| • Issue 1150 (2025-12-01): Gnoppix 25_10, exploring if distributions matter, openSUSE updates tumbleweed's boot loader, Fedora plans better handling of broken packages, Plasma to become Wayland-only, FreeBSD publishes status report |
| • Issue 1149 (2025-11-24): MX Linux 25, why are video drivers special, systemd experiments with musl, Debian Libre Live publishes new media, Xubuntu reviews website hack |
| • Issue 1148 (2025-11-17): Zorin OS 18, deleting a file with an unusual name, NetBSD experiments with sandboxing, postmarketOS unifies its documentation, OpenBSD refines upgrades, Canonical offers 15 years of support for Ubuntu |
| • Issue 1147 (2025-11-10): Fedora 43, the size and stability of the Linux kernel, Debian introducing Rust to APT, Redox ports web engine, Kubuntu website off-line, Mint creates new troubleshooting tools, FreeBSD improves reproducible builds, Flatpak development resumes |
| • Issue 1146 (2025-11-03): StartOS 0.4.0, testing piped commands, Ubuntu Unity seeks help, Canonical offers Ubuntu credentials, Red Hat partners with NVIDIA, SUSE to bundle AI agent with SLE 16 |
| • Issue 1145 (2025-10-27): Linux Mint 7 "LMDE", advice for new Linux users, AlmaLinux to offer Btrfs, KDE launches Plasma 6.5, Fedora accepts contributions written by AI, Ubuntu 25.10 fails to install automatic updates |
| • Issue 1144 (2025-10-20): Kubuntu 25.10, creating and restoring encrypted backups, Fedora team debates AI, FSF plans free software for phones, ReactOS addresses newer drivers, Xubuntu reacts to website attack |
| • Issue 1143 (2025-10-13): openSUSE 16.0 Leap, safest source for new applications, Redox introduces performance improvements, TrueNAS Connect available for testing, Flatpaks do not work on Ubuntu 25.10, Kamarada plans to switch its base, Solus enters new epoch, Frugalware discontinued |
| • Issue 1142 (2025-10-06): Linux Kamarada 15.6, managing ZIP files with SQLite, F-Droid warns of impact of Android lockdown, Alpine moves ahead with merged /usr, Cinnamon gets a redesigned application menu |
| • Issue 1141 (2025-09-29): KDE Linux and GNOME OS, finding mobile flavours of Linux, Murena to offer phones with kill switches, Redox OS running on a smartphone, Artix drops GNOME |
| • Issue 1140 (2025-09-22): NetBSD 10.1, avoiding AI services, AlmaLinux enables CRB repository, Haiku improves disk access performance, Mageia addresses service outage, GNOME 49 released, Linux introduces multikernel support |
| • Issue 1139 (2025-09-15): EasyOS 7.0, Linux and central authority, FreeBSD running Plasma 6 on Wayland, GNOME restores X11 support temporarily, openSUSE dropping BCacheFS in new kernels |
| • Issue 1138 (2025-09-08): Shebang 25.8, LibreELEC 12.2.0, Debian GNU/Hurd 2025, the importance of software updates, AerynOS introduces package sets, postmarketOS encourages patching upstream, openSUSE extends Leap support, Debian refreshes Trixie media |
| • Issue 1137 (2025-09-01): Tribblix 0m37, malware scanners flagging Linux ISO files, KDE introduces first-run setup wizard, CalyxOS plans update prior to infrastructure overhaul, FreeBSD publishes status report |
| • Issue 1136 (2025-08-25): CalyxOS 6.8.20, distros for running containers, Arch Linux website under attack,illumos Cafe launched, CachyOS creates web dashboard for repositories |
| • Issue 1135 (2025-08-18): Debian 13, Proton, WINE, Wayland, and Wayback, Debian GNU/Hurd 2025, KDE gets advanced Liquid Glass, Haiku improves authentication tools |
| • Issue 1134 (2025-08-11): Rhino Linux 2025.3, thoughts on malware in the AUR, Fedora brings hammered websites back on-line, NetBSD reveals features for version 11, Ubuntu swaps some command line tools for 25.10, AlmaLinux improves NVIDIA support |
| • Issue 1133 (2025-08-04): Expirion Linux 6.0, running Plasma on Linux Mint, finding distros which support X11, Debian addresses 22 year old bug, FreeBSD discusses potential issues with pkgbase, CDE ported to OpenBSD, Btrfs corruption bug hitting Fedora users, more malware found in Arch User Repository |
| • Issue 1132 (2025-07-28): deepin 25, wars in the open source community, proposal to have Fedora enable Flathub repository, FreeBSD plans desktop install option, Wayback gets its first release |
| • Issue 1131 (2025-07-21): HeliumOS 10.0, settling on one distro, Mint plans new releases, Arch discovers malware in AUR, Plasma Bigscreen returns, Clear Linux discontinued |
| • Issue 1130 (2025-07-14): openSUSE MicroOS and RefreshOS, sharing aliases between computers, Bazzite makes Bazaar its default Flatpak store, Alpine plans Wayback release, Wayland and X11 benchmarked, Red Hat offers additional developer licenses, openSUSE seeks feedback from ARM users, Ubuntu 24.10 reaches the end of its life |
| • Issue 1129 (2025-07-07): GLF OS Omnislash, the worst Linux distro, Alpine introduces Wayback, Fedora drops plans to stop i686 support, AlmaLinux builds EPEL repository for older CPUs, Ubuntu dropping existing RISC-V device support, Rhino partners with UBports, PCLinuxOS recovering from website outage |
| • Issue 1128 (2025-06-30): AxOS 25.06, AlmaLinux OS 10.0, transferring Flaptak bundles to off-line computers, Ubuntu to boost Intel graphics performance, Fedora considers dropping i686 packages, SDesk switches from SELinux to AppArmor |
| • Issue 1127 (2025-06-23): LastOSLinux 2025-05-25, most unique Linux distro, Haiku stabilises, KDE publishes Plasma 6.4, Arch splits Plasma packages, Slackware infrastructure migrating |
| • Issue 1126 (2025-06-16): SDesk 2025.05.06, renewed interest in Ubuntu Touch, a BASIC device running NetBSD, Ubuntu dropping X11 GNOME session, GNOME increases dependency on systemd, Google holding back Pixel source code, Nitrux changing its desktop, EFF turns 35 |
| • Issue 1125 (2025-06-09): RHEL 10, distributions likely to survive a decade, Murena partners with more hardware makers, GNOME tests its own distro on real hardware, Redox ports GTK and X11, Mint provides fingerprint authentication |
| • Issue 1124 (2025-06-02): Picking up a Pico, tips for protecting privacy, Rhino tests Plasma desktop, Arch installer supports snapshots, new features from UBports, Ubuntu tests monthly snapshots |
| • Issue 1123 (2025-05-26): CRUX 3.8, preventing a laptop from sleeping, FreeBSD improves laptop support, Fedora confirms GNOME X11 session being dropped, HardenedBSD introduces Rust in userland build, KDE developing a virtual machine manager |
| • Issue 1122 (2025-05-19): GoboLinux 017.01, RHEL 10.0 and Debian 12 updates, openSUSE retires YaST, running X11 apps on Wayland |
| • Issue 1121 (2025-05-12): Bluefin 41, custom file manager actions, openSUSE joins End of 10 while dropping Deepin desktop, Fedora offers tips for building atomic distros, Ubuntu considers replacing sudo with sudo-rs |
| • Issue 1120 (2025-05-05): CachyOS 250330, what it means when a distro breaks, Kali updates repository key, Trinity receives an update, UBports tests directory encryption, Gentoo faces losing key infrastructure |
| • Issue 1119 (2025-04-28): Ubuntu MATE 25.04, what is missing from Linux, CachyOS ships OCCT, Debian enters soft freeze, Fedora discusses removing X11 session from GNOME, Murena plans business services, NetBSD on a Wii |
| • Issue 1118 (2025-04-21): Fedora 42, strange characters in Vim, Nitrux introduces new package tools, Fedora extends reproducibility efforts, PINE64 updates multiple devices running Debian |
| • Issue 1117 (2025-04-14): Shebang 25.0, EndeavourOS 2025.03.19, running applications from other distros on the desktop, Debian gets APT upgrade, Mint introduces OEM options for LMDE, postmarketOS packages GNOME 48 and COSMIC, Redox testing USB support |
| • Issue 1116 (2025-04-07): The Sense HAT, Android and mobile operating systems, FreeBSD improves on laptops, openSUSE publishes many new updates, Fedora appoints new Project Leader, UBports testing VoLTE |
| • Issue 1115 (2025-03-31): GrapheneOS 2025, the rise of portable package formats, MidnightBSD and openSUSE experiment with new package management features, Plank dock reborn, key infrastructure projects lose funding, postmarketOS to focus on reliability |
| • Issue 1114 (2025-03-24): Bazzite 41, checking which processes are writing to disk, Rocky unveils new Hardened branch, GNOME 48 released, generating images for the Raspberry Pi |
| • Issue 1113 (2025-03-17): MocaccinoOS 1.8.1, how to contribute to open source, Murena extends on-line installer, Garuda tests COSMIC edition, Ubuntu to replace coreutils with Rust alternatives, Chimera Linux drops RISC-V builds |
| • Issue 1112 (2025-03-10): Solus 4.7, distros which work with Secure Boot, UBports publishes bug fix, postmarketOS considers a new name, Debian running on Android |
| • Issue 1111 (2025-03-03): Orbitiny 0.01, the effect of Ubuntu Core Desktop, Gentoo offers disk images, elementary OS invites feature ideas, FreeBSD starts PinePhone Pro port, Mint warns of upcoming Firefox issue |
| • Issue 1110 (2025-02-24): iodeOS 6.0, learning to program, Arch retiring old repositories, openSUSE makes progress on reproducible builds, Fedora is getting more serious about open hardware, Tails changes its install instructions to offer better privacy, Murena's de-Googled tablet goes on sale |
| • Issue 1109 (2025-02-17): Rhino Linux 2025.1, MX Linux 23.5 with Xfce 4.20, replacing X.Org tools with Wayland tools, GhostBSD moving its base to FreeBSD -RELEASE, Redox stabilizes its ABI, UBports testing 24.04, Asahi changing its leadership, OBS in dispute with Fedora |
| • Issue 1108 (2025-02-10): Serpent OS 0.24.6, Aurora, sharing swap between distros, Peppermint tries Void base, GTK removinglegacy technologies, Red Hat plans more AI tools for Fedora, TrueNAS merges its editions |
| • Issue 1107 (2025-02-03): siduction 2024.1.0, timing tasks, Lomiri ported to postmarketOS, Alpine joins Open Collective, a new desktop for Linux called Orbitiny |
| • Issue 1106 (2025-01-27): Adelie Linux 1.0 Beta 6, Pop!_OS 24.04 Alpha 5, detecting whether a process is inside a virtual machine, drawing graphics to NetBSD terminal, Nix ported to FreeBSD, GhostBSD hosting desktop conference |
| • Issue 1105 (2025-01-20): CentOS 10 Stream, old Flatpak bundles in software centres, Haiku ports Iceweasel, Oracle shows off debugging tools, rsync vulnerability patched |
| • Issue 1104 (2025-01-13): DAT Linux 2.0, Silly things to do with a minimal computer, Budgie prepares Wayland only releases, SteamOS coming to third-party devices, Murena upgrades its base |
| • 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.
|
| Random Distribution | 
Fatdog64 Linux
Fatdog64 Linux is a small, desktop, 64-bit Linux distribution. Originally created as a derivative of Puppy Linux with additional applications, Fatdog64 has grown to become a distinct, separate project while maintaining much of the style of Puppy Linux.
Status: Active
|
| Tips, Tricks, Q&As | | Tips and tricks: Default passwords on live media |
| Questions and answers: Creating ISO images |
| Questions and answers: PCLinuxOS, antiX, and OpenBSD patches |
| Tips and tricks: Basename, for loop, dirname, aliases, bash history, xsel clipboard |
| Tips and tricks: Making snapshots of UFS on FreeBSD |
| Questions and answers: Creating a swap file |
| Questions and answers: Linux hardware support |
| Tips and tricks: What being free, stable and light-weight mean |
| Questions and answers: What to do in the wake of Red Hat phasing out CentOS |
| Questions and answers: Worried about spyware |
| More Tips & Tricks and Questions & Answers |
| 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.
|
|
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
