Distributions
News and Editorials
Debian server compromise
Last Wednesday it was discovered that gluck.debian.org had been compromised. Several Debian services, hosted on gluck, were unavailable while that machine was taken offline for examination and reinstall. Other debian.org machines were also locked down until the vulnerability could be found and fixed.Gluck and other machines were restored to service by the following day. A local root vulnerability in the Linux kernel was used to gain root access through a compromised developer account.
This issue exists in Linux kernels from 2.6.13 and up to 2.6.17.3, or in 2.6.16 up to 2.6.16.23. Debian Sarge uses Linux kernel 2.6.8 and is not affected.
New Releases
Novell announces SUSE Linux Enterprise 10
Novell has announced the release of SUSE Linux Enterprise 10. "We're extremely proud and excited to provide the latest and most innovative Linux desktop and server technology to our customers, said Jeff Jaffe, executive vice president and chief technology officer for Novell. We also look forward to showing the world the capabilities of SUSE Linux Enterprise 10 in August at LinuxWorld, as we address the pressing needs of today's IT executives by being first to deliver fully supported Linux innovations such as Xen virtualization, exceptional performance and scalability, application-level security, and improved desktop usability." (Thanks to Stephan Binner.)
SUSE Linux 10.2 Alpha2 Release - and distribution rename
SUSE Linux 10.2 (Basilisk Lizard) Alpha2 has been announced, along with a name change. "We'll rename SUSE Linux into openSUSE. With current naming we experienced confusion internally and externally between the project openSUSE and the distribution created there. And especially with the new naming of our Linux business products (SUSE Linux Enterprise 10) the differentiation between our business products and community/consumer product is not intuitive. Therefor the upcoming community/consumer version will be named openSUSE 10.2. We'll implement first name changes with Alpha 3 starting directly after Alpha 2 and will have a fully renamed distribution with Beta 1 in Nov."
rPath Linux 1.0.3 available for x86 and x86_64
rPath Linux has released updated images for rPath Linux 1. "The new images incorporate installation changes, new kernels, and all package updates released as of July 12. If you have already installed rPath Linux 1, you should update your current system using Conary rather than reinstall using the new images. In this update, additional image types are now available for use with VMWare, QEMU, and other emulation technologies. A "live" or "demo" CD image is included as well."
Dzongkha Version of Debian GNU/Linux 3.1 launched
The Dzongkha Localization Project has released a complete localized version of Debian GNU/Linux 3.1. From the press release (click below): "The Bhutan Department of Information Technology chose Debian for its high versatility and reliability as well as the guarantee to always remain 100% Free Software. DzongkhaLinux developers have already contributed back their translations and development (fonts, input methods...) to both Debian and end-user applications, such as GNOME, OpenOffice.org and the Mozilla."
dyne:bolic 2.1 codename DHORUBA
Dyne:bolic GNU/Linux is a live bootable CD that may be installed to a hard drive if desired. Version 2.1 has been released. "DHORUBA is a complete rebuild and modular rewrite of the whole system, enhanced for full usability and open for developers to join maintenance. Recent versions of audio and video tools provide a fully featured multimedia studio out of the box, ready for being employed at home, in classrooms and in media centers."
Freespire Linux OS Beta 1 Released (LinuxElectrons)
LinuxElectrons looks at the first beta of Freespire Linux. There are two editions of Freespire, one that includes proprietary codecs, drivers and applications "for an enhanced, "out-of-the-box" user experience" and the Freespire OSS Edition which contains only open source software.
ROCK 3 RC3 ISOs uploaded
The third release candidate for Rock Linux 3 is available for testing. "i just finished uploading the 3rd release candidate of what has been decided to be ROCK 3. If no more show-stopper bugs are found, i'd tag in subversion and release this as -final as soon as th agrees, then the feature-freeze can be lifted and all the cool new stuff applied."
Distribution News
Debian 'Etch' release update
A status update for the upcoming Debian "Etch" release has been posted. Highlights include: the December 4 release date still holds, a 2.6.17 (or later) kernel will be used, and the version number for Etch will be 4.0. Click below for the full text.Bits from the Package Tracking System
Raphael Hertzog takes a look at the latest changes made to the Debian Package Tracking System. "The PTS will be used to relay informations from derivative distributions. Therefore, a new keyword "derivatives" has been implemented. By default, a PTS subscriber won't receive the messages associated to this keyword unless he has already manually activated the "cvs" keyword (i.e. the set of users having the "derivatives" keyword has been initialized as the set of users having the "cvs" keyword because those people can read patches and are most probably interested in them)."
FC6 Test2 Freeze Slip
The schedule for Fedora Core 6 test 2 has slipped again. FC6 has updated to a 2.6.18-rc based kernel and Xen isn't working as well as it should, so the release has been delayed to get Xen working.Introducing Fedora Women
The Fedora Women program has been launched. "This new program provides a forum for communication between the women of Fedora, and it will eventually offer additional support to the women that help make Fedora what it is." Also the fedora-women-list mailing list is now available, as is the #fedora-women IRC channel on freenode.
Fedora at O'Reilly OSCON 2006
Everyone attending OSCON (July 24-28) is invited to visit the Fedora Project in the .org pavilion. The Fedora Project will also be running a Birds of a Feather session.Retiring the Tao Linux project
The Tao Linux project is shutting down. Tao Linux users are encouraged to switch to CentOS.Ubuntu Edgy freeze
Matt Zimmerman reports that the Upstream Version Freeze is on schedule. "This means that we will no longer automatically import unchanged source packages from Debian, and that syncs or uploads of new upstream code require freeze exceptions. The usual exceptions apply where our release cycle is coordinated with upstream (e.g. GNOME, and projects developed within Ubuntu)."
The Knot 1 Freeze is the first milestone
freeze of the Edgy Eft cycle. "Once Knot-1 is released, the freeze
will be lifted again and we will be in UpstreamVersionFreeze doing regular
feature development.
"
Please participate in the Ubuntu Popularity Contest !
The Ubuntu Popularity Contest (or popcon, in short) gathers statistics on packages installed and used by users. Once a week, the popularity-contest package submits data to a central server. The data is then processed anonymously to generate the statistics available on popcon.ubuntu.com.Ubuntu Developers Sprint - August 2006
The next Ubuntu Developers Sprint is now confirmed. The details are listed on the wiki.
Distribution Newsletters
Debian Weekly News
The Debian Weekly News for July 18, 2006 covers the Debian server compromise, updated Sarge CD images with newer kernel available, the new wildcard behavior of tar, and several other topics.Fedora Weekly News Issue 55
The Fedora Weekly News looks at FC6 test2 freeze slipping by a week, Packaging Committee Information, How was NECC 2006?, SELinux blocks local privilege escalation vulnerability, Linux Magazine: AppArmor vs SELinux, New Linux Hardware Compatibility List Launches, and several other topics.Gentoo Weekly Newsletter
The Gentoo Weekly Newsletter for July 17, 2006 covers VDR project seeking help, developer of the week - Jason Wever, conference information, and much more.Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter - Issue No. 6
This issue of the Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter covers the Chicago LoCo Team, a Kubuntu meeting, new KOffice and Amarok, the Edubuntu Community Grows, the Feature Of The Week - Baobab, and more.DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 160
The DistroWatch Weekly for July 17, 2006 is out. "As you may recall, Ladislav is on vacation in Fiji. When he asked if I'd like to write DistroWatch Weekly in his absence, I admit I was a bit intimidated. So, be gentle with me kind readers, it's my first time. In the news section the big news this week was Novell's decision to rename SUSE Linux to openSUSE, a Debian server was hacked, and PCLOS is still logo shopping. Released this week was BLAG Linux and GNU 50000, PC-BSD 1.2, and SUSE Linux 10.2 Alpha 2. This week we are presenting an in-depth interview with our own "keeper of the record." Oh, and as Ladislav always says, "Happy reading!""
Package updates
Fedora updates
Updates for Fedora Core 5: qt (bug fixes), mc (bug fixes), kdelibs (bug fixes), anthy (new upstream release), kasumi (bug fix), flex (bug fixes), selinux-policy (not specified), util-linux (bug fixes), createrpo (fiddle revision to build for FC5), quota (big fix), indent (add buildrequires makeinfo), sed (sync with devel branch), flex (bug fixes)system-config-kickstart (bug fix), perl-Net-IP (upgrade to upstream version 1.25), tog-pegasus (more upstream 2.5.2_APPROVED bug fixes), selinux-policy (bump for FC5), mailcap (add audio and video x-ms mime types), hplip (update to 1.6.6a), system-config-kickstart (bump release to fix updates), coreutils (update to 5.97), GFS-kernel (update to 2.6.17-1.2157_FC5), dlm-kernel (update to 2.6.17-1.2157_FC5), cman-kernel (update to 2.6.17-1.2157_FC5), gnbd-kernel (update to 2.6.17-1.2157_FC5), flex (reverted posix patch).Updates for Fedora Core 4: nfs-utils (minor bugs), tzdata (not specified), indent (bug fixes), sed (not specified), flex (syncing with devel branch), mc (bug fixes), flex (reverted posix patch).
Mandriva update to apache2
Mandriva has updated apache2 packages to address a logging bug in Mandriva Corporate 3.0.rPath updates
Updates for rPath Linux 1: conary, conary-build, conary-repository (Conary 1.0.23 maintenance release), latex2html (bug fix).Slackware updates
The Slackware-current change log says, "We *are* getting closer to 11.0, friends." A 2.6.16.24 kernel was followed by a 2.6.16.27 kernel in extras/ and there's a 2.6.17.6 kernel in testing. Other upgrades include samba, KOffice and lilo.
Newsletters and articles of interest
New Fedora test lead begins work (NewsForge)
NewsForge introduces Will Woods. "Will Woods, the new test lead for the Fedora Project, has only been in his position a few weeks, but already he has a clear goal in mind. Whenever Fedora is mentioned on Slashdot, he notes, "There's always someone who will comment that Fedora is just Red Hat's beta test for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It's not true, and I want no one to have cause to say that ever again.""
Distribution reviews
Using DesktopBSD (O'ReillyNet)
O'ReillyNet reviews DesktopBSD. "Like PC-BSD, DesktopBSD provides many features that will allow a complete Unix novice to start using the operating system immediately. Those already familiar with FreeBSD and the KDE desktop will recognize the tools underlying the GUI conveniences."
Feather Linux: Light is right (Linux.com)
Linux.com has a short review of Feather Linux. "As a live CD, Feather can accomplish a lot of tasks, such as performing backups of your existing hard drive files or recovering a misbehaving operating system. You can also boot with the "toram" option, which loads the CD to RAM, thus allowing you to eject the CD-ROM whilst improving the overall speed of the system. There are other possibilities as well, such as booting Feather from a USB stick, or from a multi-session CD, which allows you to add more packages to the live CD, in effect creating your own customized Feather CD."
A first look at SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 (DesktopLinux.com)
DesktopLinux reviews SLED 10. "The newest SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop, version 10, is so close to being done that you can almost taste it. Novell released the gold master last week to its partners, and the server version, SLES (SUSE Linux Enterprise Server), based on the same code, is also almost ready for release. This is an early review of the new version of SLED 10 (SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop)."
Linux Starter Kit: a review (NewsForge)
NewsForge reviews the Sams Publishing's Linux Starter Kit. "Sams Publishing's Linux Starter Kit bundles a SUSE Linux 10.1 DVD, a searchable SUSE reference manual in PDF, and a paperback Quick Start Guide together in one $40 package. Here is a look inside. Since SUSE 10.1 has already been reviewed extensively, and is not the product of Sams' efforts, I will dispense with reviewing directly. It is worth examining Sams' choice of distributions, however. SUSE is a good choice because -- despite being historically a KDE distro -- since its acquisition by Novell, it has elevated GNOME desktops to more-or-less equal status."
Page editor: Rebecca Sobol
Next page:
Development>>