Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 released

The Debian Project announced the release of Debian GNU/Linux 5.0. Code name for this version is “Lenny”. Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 Lenny adds support for Marvell's Orion platform which is used in many storage devices. Supported storage devices include the QNAP Turbo Station series, HP Media Vault mv2120, and Buffalo Kurobox Pro. Additionally, Lenny now supports several Netbooks, in particular the Eee PC by Asus. Lenny also contains the build tools for Emdebian which allow Debian source packages to be cross-built and shrunk to suit embedded ARM systems.

Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 Lenny includes the new ARM EABI port, armel. This new port provides a more efficient use of both modern and future ARM processors. As a result, the old ARM port (arm) has now been deprecated.

This release includes numerous updated software packages, such as the K Desktop Environment 3.5.10 (KDE), an updated version of the GNOME desktop environment 2.22.2, the Xfce 4.4.2 desktop environment, LXDE 0.3.2.1, the GNUstep desktop 7.3, X.Org 7.3, OpenOffice.org 2.4.1, GIMP 2.4.7, Iceweasel 3.0.6 (an unbranded version of Mozilla Firefox), Icedove 2.0.0.19 (an unbranded version of Mozilla Thunderbird), PostgreSQL 8.3.6, MySQL 5.0.51a, GNU Compiler Collection 4.3.2, Linux kernel version 2.6.26, Apache 2.2.9, Samba 3.2.5, Python 2.5.2 and 2.4.6, Perl 5.10.0, PHP 5.2.6, Asterisk 1.4.21.2, Emacs 22, Inkscape 0.46, Nagios 3.06, Xen Hypervisor 3.2.1 (dom0 as well as domU support), OpenJDK 6b11, and more than 23,000 other ready-to-use software packages (built from over 12,000 source packages).

The installation process for Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 has been improved in many ways: among many other improvements, support for installation from more than one CD or DVD has been restored, firmware required by some devices can be loaded by using removable media, and installations via Braille display are supported. The installer boot process has also received much attention: a graphical menu can be used to choose front-ends and desktop environments, and to select expert or rescue mode. The installation system for Debian GNU/Linux has now been translated to 63 languages.

Upgrades to Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 from the previous release, Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 (codenamed Etch) are automatically handled by the aptitude package management tool for most configurations, and to a certain degree also by the apt-get package management tool. As always, Debian GNU/Linux systems can be upgraded painlessly, in place, without any forced downtime, but it is strongly recommended to read the release notes for possible issues, and for detailed instructions on installing and upgrading. The release notes will be further improved and translated to additional languages in the weeks after the release.

Debian GNU/Linux is a free operating system which supports a total of twelve processor architectures and includes the KDE, GNOME, Xfce, and LXDE desktop environments. It also features compatibility with the FHS v2.3 and software developed for version 3.2 of the LSB.

See the complete announcement here.

KDE 4.0 Released

The KDE 4 series has begun with the release of 4.0. It is the start of something amazing. Several years of design, development and testing came together today for the release of KDE 4.0.

If you want to test KDE 4 without installing packages download the live CD (554MB).

Packages are available for 7.10 (Gutsy) and our development Hardy version. They install to /usr/lib/kde4 and can be installed alongside your existing KDE 3.

 

Instructions:

• Remove previous KDE 4 packages, they are not compatible (apt-get remove kdelibs5 kde4base-data kde4libs-data)
• Add deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/kubuntu-members-kde4/ubuntu gutsy main to your /etc/apt/sources.list
• Install kde4-core, note that PPAs aren't authenticated so you will likely get a warning when installing
• KDE 4 apps should appear in your KDE 3 K-menu or you can run a full session by selecting "KDE 4" from your login manager.
• To avoid having to start a second X server for a full session install xserver-xephyr and run Xephyr :1 then and run /usr/lib/kde4/bin/startkde in the Xerphyr xterm.

The KDE 4 Libraries have seen major improvements in almost all areas. The Phonon multimedia framework provides platform independent multimedia support to all KDE applications, the Solid hardware integration framework makes interacting with (removable) devices easier and provides tools for better powermanagement.

The KDE 4 Desktop has gained some major new capabilities. The Plasma desktop shell offers a new desktop interface, including panel, menu and widgets on the desktop as well as a dashboard function. KWin, the KDE Window manager, now supports advanced graphical effects to ease interaction with your windows.

Lots of KDE Applications have seen improvements as well. Visual updates through vector-based artwork, changes in the underlying libraries, user interface enhancements, new features, even new applications -- you name it, KDE 4.0 has it. Okular, the new document viewer and Dolphin, the new filemanager are only two applications that leverage KDE 4.0's new technologies.

The Oxygen Artwork team provides a breath of fresh air on the desktop. Nearly all user-visible parts of the KDE desktop and applications have been given a facelift. Beauty and consistency are two of the basic concepts behind Oxygen.

Packages are available for all the major distributions with live CDs available currently from Kubuntu and openSUSE. Take the KDE 4.0 Visual Guide to find your way around.

Motorola Unveils MOTOMAGX Mobile Linux Platform

Motorola today announced a significant step in its commitment to mobile Linux and rich experience creation by introducing MOTOMAGX, its next generation mobile Linux platform. Building on the global success of Motorola's earlier Linux-based platforms, MOTOMAGX lays the foundation to deliver new levels of openness, flexibility and support for third-party applications on Motorola mobile devices.

Motorola has sold more than 9 million Linux-based handsets worldwide -- and this is just the beginning. In the next few years, up to 60% of Motorola’s handset portfolio is expected to be based on Linux, with the MOTOMAGX platform playing a key role in supporting this strategy. Offering unmatched innovation driven by a robust developer ecosystem, Motorola has chosen Linux to deliver the rich, new experiences that consumers crave. This is evident in the first products based on the MOTOMAGX platform: the music-optimized MOTOROKR Z6 and the Motorola RAZR V8 handsets, available now in select markets worldwide. The RAZR V8 will be Motorola’s first Linux-based device bound for North America, representing another milestone in the company’s global mobile Linux leadership.

“At Motorola, we know that software is just as important as hardware -- through the introduction of our MOTOMAGX platform, we are reinforcing our firm commitment to Linux and empowering our developer community to innovate with us in exciting new ways,” said Alain Mutricy, senior vice president, platform technology, Motorola Mobile Devices business.

Motorola’s MOTOMAGX platform is designed to support a broad array of content created by third-party developers. Today, MOTOMAGX supports applications developed in Java ME™, with plans to introduce new WebUI (featuring web technology to enable widgets and Web 2.0 experiences) and native Linux application environments in upcoming releases. These three application environments, combined with the relevant tools available through Motorola's MOTODEV Studio integrated development environment, will help enable MOTODEV developers to innovate and accelerate time to market for their applications.

First Beta release for KDE 4.0

On 2nd August 2007 the KDE Project released the first Beta version of the new KDE 4.0 desktop. This release marks the beginning of the integration process which will bring the powerful new technologies included in the now frozen KDE 4 libraries to the applications.

The KDE Community is happy to announce the immediate availability of the first Beta release for KDE 4.0. This release marks the beginning of the integration process which will bring the powerful new technologies included in the now frozen KDE 4 libraries to the applications.

Almost two months after the foundations of KDE 4 have been laid with the first alpha, KDE enters the stage of a full freeze of the library interface. From now on, the applications will focus on integrating the new technology refined during the last months, and the library developers will try to fix all bugs found during this process. No new applications will enter the official KDE modules and usability and accessibility work is of course an ongoing process. In the following weeks KDE developers will be able to add features to their applications until the next beta is released and the application features will be frozen as well.

KDE 4.0 Beta1

About KDE (K Desktop Environment)

KDE is a powerful Free Software graphical desktop environment for Linux and Unix workstations. It combines ease of use, contemporary functionality, and outstanding graphical design with the technological superiority of the Unix operating system. More...

Freevo 1.7.3 released : Turn your PC into a standalone multimedia jukebox/VCR/PVR/HTPC

Freevo 1.7.3 is release on August 2, 2007.

Freevo is an open-source home theatre PC platform based on Linux and a number of open-source audio/video tools. Freevo is a Linux application that turns a PC with a TV capture card and/or TV-out into a standalone multimedia jukebox/VCR/PVR/HTPC. It uses MPlayer or Xine to play and record audio and video. It is optimized for use with a TV+remote.

MPlayer and/or Xine can be used to play audio and video files in most popular formats. Freevo can be used both for a standalone PVR computer with a TV+remote, as well as on a regular desktop computer using the monitor and keyboard.

Freevo is easy to download and install for new users. Most hardware is supported (graphic boards, sound cards and video capture devices).

The Freevo core is under heavy development. It is mostly written in the Python programming language which is very well suited for high-level control applications like Freevo.

This figure shows the main components in a Freevo system. Many parts are optional, a monitor with X11 can be used instead of Video/TV, the keyboard can be used instead of a remote, video in is not required, etc.

Freevo documentation

Download latest release of Freevo 1.7.3

Puppy Linux version 2.17 is available to download

Another wonderful new Puppy! The standard release is puppy-2.17-seamonkey-fulldrivers.iso live-CD and is 82.6MB.

Release notes:

• Enhanced dialup: Puppy now has enhanced support for those who have to access the Internet by dialup. Automatic detection and setup of serial and many soft-modems -- quite amazing if you happen to have a compatible soft-modem! Read more Read more
  
• For dialup, there is a new GUI application called PupDial. PupDial is integrated with the new auto-detection to provide extremely simple Internet connection. Read more Read more
  
• Enhanced printing: Finally, Puppy has CUPS! This includes the complete Gutenprint 5.0.0 package so Puppy supports over 500 printers out-of-the-box. Extra Hewlett Packard drivers are available as a PET package. Read more
  
• Print-to-PDF: This is out-of-the-box setup for CUPS, with the 'CUPS-PDF printer' ready to go. Read more
  
• MMC and SD cards: These are now fully automatically supported. You should not have to setup anything. Read more
  
• Boot configuration: The BootManager was introduced in Puppy 2.16 to manage loading of SFS files (application combo-packs). My intention was that the BootManager would be a one-stop-shop for configuring all aspects of bootup, and I have now taken the next step and added management of modules. Read more
  
• Mount image files: One-click mounting of .2fs (a file with ext2 f.s. inside), .3fs (ext3), .sfs (squashfs) and .iso (CD image) files. Read more
  
• Hardware information: PupScan is my GUI application to view PCI and modules information. USB information is now added. Read more
  
• Pmount is a drive mounter. It has been totally revamped for 2.17. As well as an improved display and bugfixes it is also now much faster. Underlying scripts test-eide, test-scsi, probepart and probedisk totally rewritten.
  
• Boot from USB CD/DVD drive: the live-CD will now boot from this, as well as the usual internal CD/DVD drive.
• Boot from floppy disk: Puppy has this for a long time, now WakePup2 (floppy image file) has been greatly enhanced. Read more
  
• ePDFView PDF viewer. This is great, replaces Gsview. Read more
  
• Notecase outliner. I am waxing poetic about this one. Version 0.5.8 has everything I dreamed of in a note-manager/outliner. Read more
  
• Xfdiff, frontend for 'diff' and 'patch'. This is very nice, and replaces TkDiff. Read more
  
• The default finance manager application is now Grisbi (v0.5.9). Read more
  
• We have removed Dillo in favour of Gtkmoz for our internal HTML viewer. Read more Read more
  
• The following packages have been upgraded: RutilT v0.15, Pfind v2.2 (more), Pbackupmore, more), Geany 20070626 (now has FreeBasic highlighting) (more), WakePup2, ROX-Filer v2.6.1 (more), puppyserialdetect v1.1g (more), xkbconfigmanager v1.1 (Dougal), puppybasic v 2.5b (MU).
  v2.4.4 (
• The Linux kernel has been upgraded to version 2.6.21.5. Read more
  
• Lots of bugfixes (of course).

If you want to obtain the latest Puppy live-CD, or the "devx" module, that turns Puppy into a complete C/C++ compiler environment, or the patched 2.6.21.5 kernel source, please go to the Puppy download page for links: http://www.puppylinux.com/download/downpage.htm

Linux Kernel version 2.6.22 is released

I mentioned on my recent post dated on 7/7/07 regarding the release of latest stable version of Linux kernel 2.6.21.6.

Yesterday one more kernel version is released i.e. 2.6.22. You can download it from kernel.org.

See the ChangeLog.

Linux Kernel 2.6.21.6 released

The latest stable version of the Linux kernel 2.6.21.6 is available to download.

Download from kernel.org

Damn Small Linux 3.4 is released

The Damn Small Linux (DSL) team released DSL 3.4 on 3rd July, 2007, a live CD featuring a 2.4.26 kernel and lightweight Fluxbox window manager.

key changes in this version, according to the team, include:

• Updated MurgaLua to v0.4.1
• Added libXft.so.2
• Added acpid, Use boot option 'acpid'
• Aadded bcrypt, dropped des
• Improved emelfm for better CLI support
• Fixed user umount Debian Woody bug
• Updated webdata to use bcrypt; updated file backup and restore to use bcrypt via 'protect' boot option
• New image has been added: dsl-3.4-initrd.iso

DSL 3.4 includes a text editor (vim 6.1), the Firefox 1.0.6 browser, Berkeley database v4.0.14, and CDR-Tools 2.01a19 (for burning CDs).

Damn Small Linux is a business-card size (50MB) live CD Linux distribution. Despite its minuscule size, it strives to have a functional and easy to use desktop Shingledecker said. Damn Small Linux has a nearly complete desktop, including XMMS (MP3, and MPEG), FTP client, links-hacked web browser, spreadsheet, email, spellcheck (US English), a word-processor, and much more.

You can download it from: damnsmalllinux.org