Distributions

Debian's General Resolutions

Debian developers have no less than four issues to vote on this week. The voting period for all of them closes at the end of the day, October 14, 2006. Hopefully these issues will soon be resolved, however we cannot be certain because "further discussion" is an option on all of the ballots.

The General Resolution to clarify the scope and applicability of item 2 of the Debian free software guidelines (DFSG) has gotten a second call for votes. The full text of this resolution contains all the nitty gritty details, but basically this one says that the DFSG applies to firmware as well as software.

The next GR (call for votes / full text) covers the handling of source-less firmware in the Linux kernel. While progress has been made since the Sarge release in terms of removing source-less/non-free firmware from the main archive, there is still enough that it comes down to a choice between removing all of it or releasing Etch on schedule. Since it will not be possible to do both, this GR provides for the release of Etch even with kernel firmware issues, or it could grant a special exception to DFSG2 for firmware as long as required.

Those two votes are intertwined. If it is determined that the DFSG2 has a narrow focus there will be fewer firmware issues to deal with. Even if the DFSG2 is given a broad interpretation, the second GR makes it possible to release Etch on schedule.

The next two GRs are also intertwined. In light of the Dunc-tank controversy the Debian developers may now vote to recall the project leader or reaffirm support for the project leader. Anthony Towns has released a caretaking memo, delegating his DPL duties to various people at least until a decision is reached. Presumably these people will continue on in case of a recall, until a new leader is elected.

Once these issues are resolved we can get back to the Bug Squashing Marathon, currently in progress.

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openSUSE 10.2 Alpha5 (DVDs, i386, x86-64 only) available

openSUSE 10.2 Alpha5 is out. "We only have DVDs for i386 and x86-64 this time. They are available via ftp.opensuse.org and its mirrors. Mini-ISOs for remote installation are available as well. So, there are neither CDs nor deltas."

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Fedora Core 6 release date pushed back

The release date for Fedora Core 6 has been pushed back to October 17. It seems that there are a few troublesome problems needing to be fixed before the Fedora developers are ready to send this release out into the wild. "Your extra careful testing of rawhide over the next few days would greatly be appreciated."

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Worldwide 2007 Mandriva Linux Install Fest

Mandriva is mobilizing its network of Linux User Groups (LUGs) to coordinate a worldwide Installfest on October 21 2006. "Installations of Mandriva Linux One and Free will take place all around the world, thanks to the Linux community. Major participating locations will include the United States, China, Poland, Argentina and France. Last year, Mandriva install fests gathered more than 1,500 participants in more than 60 cities in 20 countries such as the United States, Argentina, China and Morocco. This major event was covered on TV, radio and in the press."

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Ubuntu 6.10 freeze imminent

The release candidate freeze for Ubuntu 6.10 should be in effect now. "During this time, uploads should be made only for changes which are critical for the release, and must be approved by the release team. As we work to prepare the release, further information about these restrictions may be announced."

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Debian etch freeze to be delayed

It seems that there are too many known release-critical bugs in the etch distribution, scheduled to be released by the end of this year. So the full freeze of this distribution will be delayed for an unspecified (but intended to be short) period of time "We haven't chosen a date yet, but you can still expect it to happen in October or early November."

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Debian BSP Marathon continues

The next Debian bug squashing party will be in Munich on October 13 - 15, 2006.

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Fedora Weekly News Issue 61

The Fedora Weekly News covers Fedora Core 6 release date slip, FC6 Pre-release (Test4), Ohio Linux Fest 2006 Summary, One Laptop Update, Red Hat KDE conference talk, High-tech social enterprise reaps free software's benefits, and other topics.

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Gentoo Weekly Newsletter

The Gentoo Weekly Newsletter for October 2, 2006 covers the availability of Gentoo 2006.1 at the Gentoo Store, openoffice.org template/clipart competition, LinuxParty.sk pictures and several other topics.

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Ubuntu Weekly News #16

The Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter for September 30, 2006 covers the beta release of Ubuntu/Kubuntu 6.10, a report from Akademy 2006, a winning entry for a poster design competition, Universe Version Freeze, and more.

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DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 172

The DistroWatch Weekly for October 9, 2006. "With the release of Mandriva Linux 2007 last week it would seem that the once highly popular desktop Linux distribution has finally closed a shaky chapter behind itself and decided to return to what it does best - proudly produce a great desktop Linux system for the world. This issue of DistroWatch Weekly focuses on Mandriva Linux, its recent past and new products. But Mandriva 2007 wasn't the only major distribution release last week; the fans of Slackware Linux also had a reason to celebrate as version 11.0 of the world's oldest surviving Linux distribution finally hit the download mirrors, promptly followed by a number of Slackware derivatives for all kinds of purposes and processor architectures. Also in this issue: we'll take a quick look at the new VectorLinux 5.8, summarise the week in the troubled world of Debian GNU/Linux, and point our readers to a good comparison between openSUSE and SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop."

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Fedora updates

Updates for Fedora Core 5: frysk (new upstream version), compat-gcc-32 (bug fixes), xsane (bug fix), perl-Archive-Tar (upstream version 1.30), tar (bug fix), tzdata (upstream version 2006m).

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Mandriva updates

Updates for Mandriva Linux 2007.0 and Corporate Server 4.0: cups (bug fixes).

Updates for Mandriva Linux 2006.0: glibc (bug fixes).

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rPath updates

Updates for rPath Linux 1: conary, conary-build, conary-repository, epdb (Conary 1.0.33 maintenance release), ntp (bug fixes), spamassassin (updated), SDL (improved arts support), dovecot, am-utils, krb5, krb5-workstation, krb5-services, krb5-server, krb5-test, mysql, mysql-server, mysql-bench, postgresql, postgresql-server, vsftpd, ypserv, microcode_ctl, httpd, mod_ssl, nfs-utils (start services by default unless they are currently disabled).

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Ubuntu updates

Updates for Ubuntu 6.06 LTS: readahead-list 1:0.20050517.0220-0ubuntu5~dapper1, cpio 2.6-10ubuntu0.2, cupsys 1.2.2-0ubuntu0.6.06.1, hal 0.5.7-1ubuntu18.1, apt-mirror 0.4.4-4ubuntu1~dapper1, brasero 0.4.4-0ubuntu1~dapper1. There are also 94 language pack updates available which have not been processed due to time constraints.

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Foreseeing GNOME with the latest Foresight Linux (DesktopLinux)

DesktopLinux covers the release of Foresight 0.9.8.2. "Foresight Linux, the distribution for those who like living on GNOME's cutting edge, has just been updated. One of the distro's lead developers, Antonio Meireles, announced this week that the latest Foresight 0.9.8.2 is now available. The release includes "the usual bug fixes and package updates, including the latest stable gnome (2.16.1) package set and an the latest Google Earth release, a revamped X.org subsystem and a new default kernel (2.16.18)," according to Meireles."

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Behind the Debian and Mozilla dispute over use of Firefox (Linux.com)

Linux.com covers Debian's Iceweasel browser. "Debian plans to release its newest version, Etch, in December, and wants Mozilla's Firefox Web browser to be part of the distribution. Mozilla, however, told Debian it couldn't release the software without its accompanying artwork. Now a legal expert says that the existing distinctions between copyright and trademark laws should have prevented this from becoming an issue in the first place."

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Install .rpm Files in Debian and Ubuntu (Debian Admin)

Debian Admin looks at installing rpm files with alien. "Some time you might find some applications are having only .rpm files but you want a .deb package for your debian,Ubuntu and other debian derived ditributions.If you can't find .deb debian package in any of the debian,ubuntu repositories or elsewhere, you can use the alien package converter to install the .rpm file."

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SUSE Linux 10: easy to use, cheaper to run (eChannelLine)

Dave Chappelle looks at Novell SUSE Linux 10 Enterprise Desktop. "Novell CTO Ross Chevalier is traveling the continent giving demonstrations of Novell SUSE Linux 10 Enterprise Desktop. When Novell decided to deliver its version of the best operating system, it first had to learn what users wanted in an OS. To accomplish that objective, Novell started betterdesktop.org."

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What's the best Linux for beginners? (DesktopLinux)

DesktopLinux picks three favorite easy-to-use "Windows replacement" Linux distributions. "There are many users, some with far less experience than he has, who are sick to death of Windows and the constant need to keep it, and third-party security software, up to date to even have a chance of having a healthy PC. But, at the same time, many of these users aren't interested in learning Linux. They just want an operating system that will let them get email, browse the Web, and run a few simple office applications." Their top three: MEPIS Linux, Xandros Linux and Freespire.

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Easys GNU/Linux 3.0 released (DesktopLinux)

DesktopLinux takes a look at easys GNU/Linux version 3.0. "Marcus Moeller has announced the release of version 3.0 of Easys GNU/Linux (formerly PocketLinux), a single-CD Slackware-based distro. The new release boasts a 2.6.17.13 Linux kernel and "full" KDE 3.5.4 desktop instead of the "KDE light" supplied in prior versions."

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Christian Linux, and it's not a joke this time (Linux-Watch)

Linux-Watch takes a look at UbuntuCE, Ichthux and other Christian-themed distributions. "Six-years ago, there was a hoax Linux: Jesux, the Linux distribution for Christians. That was a joke. Today, it's real. In fact, there are several Christian Linuxes. Perhaps the most well-known of these is UbuntuCE (Christian Edition), which is built on top of Ubuntu 6.06.1 LTS."

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Mandriva Shoots but Doesn't Score (eWeek)

eWeek reviews Mandriva Corporate Server 4. "Mandriva's Mandriva Corporate Server 4 is a decent Linux server operating system that we found somewhat marred by a virtualization technology reach that exceeds its grasp--CS 4's advertised inclusion of VMware's VMware, OpenVZ and Xen didn't meet our expectations. We're all for broadened server application deployment options, but CS 4 could use more integration work."

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Review: Turbolinux 11 'Fuji' (Linux.com)

Linux.com reviews Turbolinux 11 "Fuji". "Turbolinux has been around since 1992. Everyone knows about this commercial distro, but for some reason it never became as popular as SUSE or Mandriva. Turbolinux 11, code-named "Fuji," was released recently and I decided it was time to see if Turbolinux measures up to other Linux distros. The Fuji release has some interesting features, but I found the release to be a disappointment overall."

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