EasyOS Kirkstone-series version 5.8.4, released on August 14, 2024, by BarryK, includes minor fixes, an updated kernel (5.15.164), and a switch from Chromium to Firefox as the default browser. While support for the Kirkstone-series will continue with minor updates into 2024 and possibly 2025, users are encouraged to transition to the newer Scarthgap-series (version 6.x), with detailed instructions available online. Questions about this release can be directed to the Puppy Linux forum, though support may be limited due to the series being superseded.
The latest Sparky semi-rolling ISO images for the Debian testing line have been updated, featuring significant improvements. These include an option for home partition encryption in the CLI installer, the Midori web browser with AstianGo as the default search engine, and comprehensive package updates as of August 12, 2024. Notable updates include Linux kernel 6.10.3, GCC 14, Python 3.12.4, and new versions of Firefox, Thunderbird, and LibreOffice.
Fixed problems: Persistent storage: Increase the maximum waiting time to 4 minutes when unlocking the Persistent Storage before returning an error. Made the creation of the Persistent Storage more robust after starting a Tails USB stick for the first time. Prevent the Persistent Storage settings from freezing after opening a link to the documentation. Prevent Additional Software from crashing when installing virtual packages. Networking: Fix connecting to the Tor network using default bridges. Allow enabling multiple network interfaces again.
New in these ISOs since 2023-01-16: Only 64-bit ISOs are made as QtWebEngine refuses to build in 32 bit chroots. Config files in packages built by checkinstall are correctly marked as config files. Files from the build process are all part of packages, and are not ophaned. The number of potential file conflicts with unintalled packages from the tier 1 Debian repo has been vastly reduced. The few that remain are properly handled by dpkg-divert. Linux 6.10 is built, and drm_panic is enabled. The ttynull driver is enabled. Linux is patched directly to use /dev/ttynull as the default console device. This allows systemd to correctly log to /dev/console. The tier 1 packages are now Debian Bookworm. Qt5 is now removed in favor of Qt6.
Since IPFire is very commonly deployed in data centres where denial-of-service attacks happen on a regular basis, we now have added better protection against those kinds of attacks. Formerly, the system protected itself rather well against (D)DoS attacks, but this was only limited if TCP connections terminated at the firewall itself like for reverse proxies, etc. Now, IPFire can use TCP SYN cookies to protect infrastructure behind it better against SYN flood attacks. This is especially useful in high-bandwidth scenarios and cloud deployments and can be activated with only one checkbox separately for each firewall rule.
bslx-6.10.3-1-2024.08.07-x86_64 has been released and is available for download.
Release 24.08, based on the Debian testing repository as of August 1, 2024, features the Linux kernel 6.9.10-1. It introduces new packages such as firmware-realtek and firmware-mediatek, and includes the Openbox window manager. Key applications added are GParted, PCManFM, Xfce Terminal, and Netsurf. The update also brings a range of CLI tools like testdisk, partimage, and clonezilla. Additionally, it offers 1-click installations for essential software such as Boot-Repair, Firefox, Chromium, and Dropbox.
The latest Whonix release, available for free on Windows, macOS, and Linux, emphasizes enhanced privacy and anonymity online. Users can upgrade through the Whonix repository, and donations are encouraged to support ongoing development. Notable updates include integrating Kicksecure, default connection to the Tor network, a revamped Whonix-Firewall using nftables, initial IPv6 support, and progress towards a Whonix-Host OS Live ISO. Key improvements also include updated Tor and Tor Browser, enhanced Qubes-Whonix audio support via pipewire, and increased RAM for KVM images to align with VirtualBox specifications. Contributions through development, testing, or spreading the word are highly encouraged.
The new release 22.04.4.11 of Starbuntu includes the brand new Linux kernel 6.8.0-39. Additionally, any change in screen resolution is now complemented by a subsequent adjustment of the desktop.
bslx-6.10.0-1-2024.07.24-x86_64 has been released and is available for download.