Liberté Linux 2012.1

Maxim Kammerer has announced the release of Liberté Linux 2012.1, a Gentoo-based security live CD with the primary purpose of enabling anyone to communicate safely and covertly in hostile environments: "A new release has been published. Summary of important changes since the previous release: hardened Linux kernel 3.2.11; fixed memory wiping in KEXEC kernel - 64-bit kernel is used for wiping memory where possible and 32-bit kernel can wipe 2.9 GB of RAM; better file system security - most file system is read-only, with carefully selected exceptions; CD/SD boot media ejection now triggers shutdown; perfect forward secrecy and repudiability in cables communication; added open virtualization bundle (OVA) for easy virtual machine setup; replaced Midori browser with Epiphany which uses the same WebKit backend; partial migration to GTK+ 3 and dconf (Midori, Audacious, Gucharmap), using light themes...." Read the rest of the release announcement for a complete list of changes and improvements. Download: liberte-2012.1.iso (210MB), liberte-2012.1.zip (208MB).

Slackel KDE-4.8.2-1

Dimitris Tzemos has announced the release of an updated version of Slackel, a Slackware-based distribution tracking Slackware's "Current" branch and providing extra software in its own repositories: "Would you like to have a Slackware-based distro which informs about updates happened to Slackware 'Current' and update your system with one click? In the end you will end up with Slackware stable. The latest Slackel has been synchronized with the Slackware repositories and has become 'rolling-release'. Some new programs added or updated in the Slackel repositories include Firefox 12.0, Pidgin, VLC 2.0.1 and Calligra. A collection of four KDE ISO images are immediately available, including 32-bit and 64-bit installation images as well as 32-bit and 64-bit live images." See the complete release announcement for further information. Download (MD5): slackel-current-kde-4.8.2-1.iso (908MB), slackel64-current-kde-4.8.2-1.iso (875MB), slackellive-kde-4.8.2-1-32.iso (878MB), slackellive-kde-4.8.2-1-64.iso (894MB).

Kubuntu 12.04

Kubuntu 12.04, a new version of an Ubuntu variant featuring the KDE 4.8.2 desktop, is out: "The Kubuntu community is proud to announce the release of 12.04 LTS, the 'Precise Pangolin': the new Long-Term Support version of our friendly operating system. Built on Ubuntu's core and polished with KDE's applications and workspaces, Kubuntu 12.04 LTS is a grand example of friendly, fast and beautiful software. We recommend it as the perfect OS for casual users, students, Linux gamers, software developers, professionals, and anyone interested in a free, open platform that is both beautiful and useful. Highlights: KDE 4.8.2; Amarok 2.5; Rekonq and OwnCloud updates; Calligra suite...." See the release announcement and release notes for more information and screenshots. Download (SHA256): kubuntu-12.04-desktop-i386.iso (698MB, torrent), kubuntu-12.04-desktop-amd64.iso (698MB, torrent).

Ubuntu 12.04

Ubuntu 12.04, the latest version of Canonical's flagship operating system featuring the Unity user interface and Head-Up Display menu system, has been released: "The Ubuntu team is very pleased to announce the release of Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (Long-Term Support). Code-named 'Precise Pangolin', 12.04 continues Ubuntu's proud tradition of integrating the latest and greatest open source technologies into a high-quality, easy-to-use Linux distribution. The team has been hard at work through this cycle, introducing a few new features and improving quality control. For PC users, Ubuntu 12.04 supports laptops, desktops, and netbooks with a unified look and feel based on an updated version of the desktop shell called 'Unity', which introduces 'Head-Up Display' search capabilities." Read the release announcement and see the features page for more details. Download (SHA256): ubuntu-12.04-desktop-i386.iso (701MB, torrent), ubuntu-12.04-desktop-amd64.iso (698MB, torrent).

Fedora 17 Beta

Dennis Gilmore has announced the availability of the beta release of Fedora 17: "We are delighted to announce the availability of the beta release of Fedora 17. This release of Fedora includes a variety of features both over and under the hood that show off the power and flexibility of the advancing state of free software. On the desktop, GNOME 3.4 introduces many user experience improvements, including new search capabilities in the activities overview, improved themes, and enhancements to the Documents and Contacts applications. A new application, GNOME-boxes, provides easy access to virtual machines. Additionally, GIMP 2.8 brings new improvements such as single-window mode, layer groups, and on-canvas editing." Here is the release announcement. Download (torrents): Fedora-17-Beta-i686-Live-Desktop.iso (647MB, SHA256, torrent), Fedora-17-Beta-i686-Live-KDE.iso (685MB, SHA256, torrent), Fedora-17-Beta-x86_64-Live-Desktop.iso (646MB, SHA256, torrent), Fedora-17-Beta-x86_64-Live-KDE.iso (682MB, SHA256, torrent).

Salix OS 13.37 "Live KDE"

Salix OS 13.37 "Live KDE", a Slackware-based live DVD featuring the KDE 4.5.5 desktop, has been released: "The Salix Live team is proud to announce the immediate release of Salix Live KDE 13.37. Following Salix Live Xfce 13.37, this release is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures. This release is also built using SaLT (Salix Live Technology), a new system of Live tools for Slackware-based distributions, developed in-house, in order to build live CDs in a more dynamic fashion with very little modifications from the host system. SaLT offers considerably more power when creating a live system compared to other tools that were used previously and is the reason that it is now possible to produce 64-bit images to complement the collection of Salix live images. The software included in this release is exactly the same as that present in the standard Salix KDE 13.37 release." See the release announcement for more information. Download (MD5): salixlive-kde-13.37-32.iso (726MB, torrent), salixlive-kde-13.37-64.iso (745MB, torrent).