Finally, the next update, IPFire 2.27 - Core Update 175, has been released! It updates OpenSSL to the 3.1 branch, features a kernel update as well as a large number of package updates and a variety of bug fixes.
One of the most prominent features of risiOS 38 is the new first boot experience. With our re imagined Quick Setup tool, setting up risiOS is now quicker and more efficient, with a much simpler interface. This allows you to easily set up third-party drivers and repositories, as well as install any applications you may need. In addition, risiOS 38 features a complete redesign of risiWelcome, now with Libadwaita. risiTweaks has undergone a complete redesign. It now features a clean UI with a brand new look and feel. The previous extensions tool built into risiTweaks has been removed, and stock GNOME extensions is now shipped instead. This change has allowed for a more stable and streamlined experience for users. rTheme has been released in version 1.0. The API is now stable and there have been significant improvements to GNOME Shell support. The plugin system has also been improved, and several bugs have been fixed. This allows users to customize their desktop with ease, giving them more control over the look and feel of their system.
The Whonix-Workstation now features an updated Tor Browser, ensuring enhanced privacy and security for users. In the Whonix-Gateway, an opt-in configuration option called 'GATEWAY_ALLOW_INCOMING_RELATED_STATE' has been added, allowing users to manage incoming "related" connections and resolve potential connectivity issues. This valuable addition was made possible thanks to the contribution of @IainKay. Furthermore, the Whonix-Linux-Installer has undergone substantial improvements, thanks to the efforts of @grass. The Whonix-Linux-Installer CI (github actions) has also been enhanced, thanks to the contributions from @nyxnor. The development team is actively working towards implementing nftables and making progress on the Whonix-Windows-Installer, further advancing the security measures and expanding the capabilities of the Whonix platform.
bluestar-linux-6.3.6-2023.06.10-x86_64 has been released and is available for download. The last release included js78 which was removed from the repositories 2 days after released. This release fixes that and replaces js78 with js102.
Plamo Linux 8.0 has been released after a major version upgrade, marking approximately a 5-year gap since the previous release. This update focuses on compatibility, with the inclusion of glibc2 version 2.37 and Python version 3.11.3. However, due to the update in glibc2, binaries built with Plamo-8.x may no longer function on the glibc-2.33-based Plamo-7.x, so users are advised to take note of this compatibility change. Notable package updates include the Linux kernel 6.1.30, GCC 12.2.0, LLVM 15.0.7, Mesa3d 23.1.1, Xfce 4.18, LXqt 1.3, Firefox 114.0, ffmpeg 5.1.3, texlive 20230313, LibreOffice 7.5.3, and Wine version wine-8.8. The DVD image configuration has been modified, and the contrib packages are no longer included in the DVD images. A separate USB memory image (plamo-8.0_x86_64_usb.iso) containing the contrib packages is available, but it requires approximately 11GB of storage. Users with limited memory should be cautious when using older USB memory devices.
Introducing Voyager 12 Debian "Bookworm" in its final version, a 2-in-1 distribution that unifies the Gnome and Xfce desktop environments. This release features a completely redesigned style for the Gnome 43.4 desktop paired with the Xfce 4.18 desktop, creating a hybrid environment for both PC and Tablet users. The two desktops are distinct, and their respective applications seamlessly integrate within each environment. Built on the Linux 6.1 kernel and Debian 12 "Bookworm," this version offers new features, experimental Rust support, Intel Meteor Lake enablement, improved ARM SoC support, and more. Notable updates include the replacement of PulseAudio with PipeWire for enhanced audio and video handling. Voyager includes integrated options like Conky Control, Effects Gnome Shell, Repair, Screencast, Wine development, Steam Gaming, and carefully selected Gnome extensions based on PC needs. Additionally, the XFCE edition offers a specialized Gaming type GS profile. With an extensive collection of themes, wallpapers, essential software, and exciting additions like Scrcpy for mirroring smartphone screens, Voyager provides a comprehensive and up-to-date Debian experience. Debian 12 "Bookworm" boasts over 11,089 new packages, totaling more than 64,419 packages, while also removing 6,296 old or obsolete packages.
EasyOS Kirkstone-series version 5.4 has undergone many changes since 5.0. There are now four package managers: PKGget, SFSget, Flapi and Appi -- the latter two are for installing and managing Flatpaks and AppImages. Each app runs as its own user; for example, Kdenlive video editor runs as user 'kdenlive', providing isolation from other apps. The packages in EasyOS are compiled from source, now at the OpenEmbedded/Yocto Kirkstone 4.0.10 release. Greatly improved international language support for French, Spanish and Russian. The default built-in browser is Chromium; however, menu entries are provided to download Firefox and Vivaldi, and also update them. They also run as their own user!
Bookworm will be supported for the next 5 years thanks to the combined work of the Debian Security team and the Debian Long Term Support team. Following the 2022 General Resolution about non-free firmware, we have introduced a new archive area making it possible to separate non-free firmware from the other non-free packages: non-free-firmware. Most non-free firmware packages have been moved from non-free to non-free-firmware. This separation makes it possible to build a variety of official installation images. Debian 12 Bookworm ships with several desktop environments, such as: GNOME 43, KDE Plasma 5.27, LXDE 11, LXQt 1.2.0, MATE 1.26, Xfce 4.18. This release contains over 11,089 new packages for a total count of 64,419 packages, while over 6,296 packages have been removed as obsolete.
Bookworm will be supported for the next 5 years thanks to the combined work of the Debian Security team and the Debian Long Term Support team. Following the 2022 General Resolution about non-free firmware, we have introduced a new archive area making it possible to separate non-free firmware from the other non-free packages: non-free-firmware. Most non-free firmware packages have been moved from non-free to non-free-firmware. This separation makes it possible to build a variety of official installation images. Debian 12 Bookworm ships with several desktop environments, such as: GNOME 43, KDE Plasma 5.27, LXDE 11, LXQt 1.2.0, MATE 1.26, Xfce 4.18. This release contains over 11,089 new packages for a total count of 64,419 packages, while over 6,296 packages have been removed as obsolete.
This update brings several improvements to the software. The load balancer module ([lslb]) now avoids duplicating backends with the same IP and port, while the proxy module receives enhanced Err directives in the configuration file and undergoes code optimization. Additionally, broadcast IPs are disallowed for backends. Bugfixes include resolving issues such as starting the HTTP Farm when the process is running but the PID file is missing, correcting errors in the farm config file when adding persistence, fixing memory leaks on service unification, rectifying PARM type persistence, and addressing a potential segmentation fault in Sessions CTL calls.