EasyOS 2.5

 

 EasyOS is an experimental Linux distribution which uses many of the technologies and package formats pioneered by Puppy Linux. The distribution features custom container technology called Easy Containers which can run applications or the entire desktop environment in a container. EasyOS 2.5 introduces a number of new changes which are highlighted in the project's release announcement: "EasyOS 2.5 is the latest in the 2.x Buster-series, built with Debian 10.6 DEBs. As well as the DEBs, other packages are updated, including SeaMonkey 2.53.5, and the Linux kernel is now 5.4.78. There have been many infrastructure and utility fixes and improvements, including hardware-profiling for the CPU temperature monitor. The single most significant application change relative to the previous release is the new BluePup bluetooth manager, replacing Blueman (though Blueman is in the repository, so can be installed if needed). The Multiple Sound Card Wizard has been integrated with BluePup." More detailed information can be found in the distribution's release notes. Download: easy-2.5-amd64.img.gz (549MB, MD5, pkglist).

Kali Linux 2020.4

 Kali Linux is a Debian-based distribution with a collection of security and forensics tools. The project's latest release, Kali Linux 2020.4, makes zsh the default command line shell, introduces new users to resources at login, and adjusts the bash shell to appear more like zsh. "In our previous quarterly release, 2020.3, we gave a heads up that we will be switching from Bash to zsh as our default shell going forwards (where possible). We are happy to announce that after testing and feedback from users, the switch has now happened. Say hello to to zsh. Thank you to everyone who provided positive and constructive feedback. We are happy with it, and hope you are too. With that said, we know we cannot please everyone with it (so if you wish to revert back to Bash, please do: 'chsh -s /bin/bash')." Further details along with screenshots of the new bash shell style can be found in the distribution's release announcement. Download (SHA256) (pkglist): kali-linux-2020.4-live-amd64.iso (3,354MB, torrent), kali-linux-2020.4-installer-netinst-amd64.iso (471MB, torrent).

IPFire 2.25 Core 152

 

IPFire is a Linux-based distribution for network appliances such as routers and firewalls. The project's latest release is IPFire 2.25 Core Update 152. The project's new version includes a number of package updates and a big upgrade for Samba users. "Samba, has been updated to 4.13.0. Because of various reasons and lack of development time, we were stuck on Samba 3 which is unmaintained for a while. With this new version of Samba, new protocol features like SMB3 and encryption are supported. We have also rewritten large parts of the web user interface, made them tidier and fixed some usability issues. We also dropped some features which we believe are not being used any more. This mainly concerns compatibility to MS-DOS clients, WINS, and using IPFire as Primary Domain Controller for Windows NT domains." Further details can be found in the distribution's release announcement. Download (SHA256): ipfire-2.25.x86_64-full-core152.iso (303MB, torrent, pkglist).

PrimTux 6

 

 PrimTux is a French Debian and Ubuntu-based distribution developed by a small team of school teachers and computer enthusiasts for educational environments. The project's latest release, PrimTux 6, is available in both Debian (32-bit) and Ubuntu (64-bit) editions. An English translation of the release announcement (in French) reads: "PrimTux6 is available in two editions: an edition based on Ubuntu and intended for recent computers and an edition based on Debian 'Buster', intended for older computers, to meet its vocation of upgrading computers for educational purposes. Whichever edition you use, PrimTux is designed to be extremely lightweight. Version 6 continues to build on what makes the strength of the distribution: student environments adapted to the different cycles of primary education, protected from bad handling; a selection of quality educational software adapted to the different ages of schooling; secure Internet browsing thanks to CTparental, which provides filtering since version 5, and to the Qwant junior search engine." Download (MD5, pkglist): PrimTux6-Debian10.6-i386-2020-11-11.hybrid.iso (3,580MB), PrimTux6-Ubuntu20.04-1-amd64-2020-11-11.iso (3,195MB).

ArcoLinux 20.11.9

 

Erik Dubois has announced the release of ArcoLinux 20.11.9, a new stable version of the project's Arch-based distribution with Xfce as the default desktop. As always, the distribution is available in a vast range of other desktop environments through its community-built ArcoLinuxB editions. This version also delivers a new dwm variant: "dwm might be one of the most intriguing desktops we have in our collection. dwm stands for dynamic window manager and it comes from suckless.org. Let me copy/paste the intro of their website: 'dwm is a dynamic window manager for X. It manages windows in tiled, monocle and floating layouts. All of the layouts can be applied dynamically, optimising the environment for the application in use and the task performed. In tiled layout windows are managed in a master and stacking area. The master area contains the window which currently needs most attention, whereas the stacking area contains all other windows. In monocle layout all windows are maximised to the screen size.'" See the full release announcement for further details. Download (pkglist): arcolinux-v20.11.9-x86_64.iso (2,201MB, MD5). As usual, ArcoLinuxD (a minimal distribution with scripts that enable power users to install any desktop and application) and ArcoLinuxB (a set of community editions with many popular desktops and window managers) are also available.

Oracle Linux 8.3

 

 Simon Coter has announced the release of Oracle Linux 8.3, a new update of the distribution designed for enterprise deployment and built from the source code of Red Hat Enterprise Linux: "Oracle is pleased to announce the availability of the Oracle Linux 8 Update 3 for the 64-bit Intel and AMD (x86_64) and 64-bit Arm (aarch64) platforms. Oracle Linux 8 Update 3 includes the UEK R6 on the installation image, along with the Red Hat Compatible Kernel (RHCK). For new installations, UEK R6 is enabled and installed by default and is the default kernel on first boot. UEK R6, the kernel developed, built, and tested by Oracle and based on the mainline Linux Kernel 5.4, delivers more innovation than other commercial Linux kernels. Oracle Linux 8 Update 3 release includes: improved support for NVDIMM devices; improved support for IPv6 static configurations; installation program uses the default LUKS2 version for an encrypted container...." Read the release announcement and the release notes for more information. Download: OracleLinux-R8-U3-x86_64-dvd.iso (8,808MB, pkglist).