Test Release: Damn Small Linux 4.0 RC1

Excerpts from the release announcement.

Change Log for DSL v4.0 Release Candidate 1

• * New pendrive usbhdd installation script now uses grub with DSL on 2nd small partition.
• * Removed pendrive usbzip install script, syslinux and mtools.
• * Changed default root menu from dfm to chosen WM menu.
• * Updated "Getting Started" to reflect changed defaults.
• * Changed kernel from 2.4.34.1 to 2.4.31 to gain user contributed modules, e.g., ipw2* and nvidia.
• * Created new support modules: cloop, unionfs, ndiswrapper, fuse, and madwifi in support of kernel change.
• * Updated nano-tiny to v2.0.6.
• * Fixed non-critical bug in dsl-config concerning hard drive installations.
• * Added dsl 3 runlevel for multiple user dsl consoles.
• * Fixed bug in iwconfig-setup
• * Updated functions5.lua
• * Updated fluxbox menus to use system default (helvetica).
• * Added vim link
• * Patched knoppix-autoconfig to correct language issues.

Read the full release announcement here.
Download here.

Test Release: MEPIS KDE 4 Beta 1 Live DVD

Excerpts from the release announcement.

Warren Woodford of MEPIS has built KDE4-Beta1 Live DVDs to verify the compatibility of KDE 4 with SimplyMEPIS 7.x. The 32 and 64 bit DVD isos are available from the testing directory of the MEPIS subscriber site and the MEPIS public mirrors.

Warren said "I decided to share my KDE 4 Beta 1 isos, so others could take a first look at KDE 4 and also to demonstrate that I'm serious about the commitment that MEPIS 7.x will be incrementally upgradable. We plan to do another KDE 4 integration every few weeks. We expect that KDE 4 will not be final in time for the MEPIS 7.0 release, but by integrating KDE 4 now, we can insure that 7.0 will be "KDE 4 ready."

Both 32 and 64 bit versions are available. They are about 1 GB each and include all of the KDE 4 applications that are working at this time.

KDE 4 Beta 1 is a very early release and is meant for developers, testers, and reviewers. Warren recommends "The release is sluggish, be patient when clicking to launch something. If you look past the rough edges, you will see the beginnings of a world-class desktop experience. If something doesn't work, you could consider reporting a bug at the KDE project, but I would recommend holding off until the next Beta release before submitting a lot of bug reports." For more information about KDE 4.0 Beta 1 see: http://www.kde.org/announcements/announce-4.0-beta1.php

Jos Poortvliet of the KDE Project said: "The KDE project is happy to see MEPIS Linux leading the way in bringing the next generation desktop technology to their users. This decision of early adoption of KDE 4 by the MEPIS developers will ensure a premier KDE experience for the users. We hope KDE 4 will be appreciated, and we look forward to the constructive comments from the Mepis community."

The Live DVDs were built using a MEPIS 7.0 Etch core and include the usual MEPIS kernel and hardware compatibility features. Since KDE 4 is functionally different than KDE 3 and also in an early Beta state, a minimal KDE 3 installation remains on the disk to facilitate exploration by the user.

The KDE4 packages were compiled from the Deb-untu developer upstream source. Experimental packages from Debian svn and from Ubuntu universe were tested. Both built and ran, but the ubuntu packages were more functional.

Read the full release announcement here.
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Test Release: openSUSE 10.3 Beta 1

Excerpts from the release announcement.

The openSUSE team is proud to announce the first Beta release of openSUSE 10.3. There are many exciting enhancements and features in the new release. Among these are a whole new and greatly improved package management stack (libzypp), significantly faster boot time, parts of KDE 4, a 1-CD KDE Install and a 1-CD GNOME install, beautiful green artwork, a new One-Click Install technology that integrates with the openSUSE Build Service and much more.

Read the full release announcement here.
Download here.

Test Release: Ubuntu 7.10 Alpha 4

Excerpts from the release announcement.

Welcome to Gutsy Gibbon Tribe 4, which will in time become Ubuntu 7.10.

Pre-releases of Gutsy are *not* encouraged for anyone needing a stable system or anyone who is not comfortable running into occasional, even frequent breakage. They are, however, recommended for Ubuntu developers and those who want to help in testing, reporting, and fixing bugs.

Tribe 4 is the fourth in a series of milestone CD images that will be released throughout the Gutsy development cycle. The Tribe images are known to be reasonably free of show-stopper CD build or installer bugs, while representing a very recent snapshot of Gutsy. You can download it here:

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/gutsy/tribe-4/ (Ubuntu desktop and Server)
http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/gutsy/tribe-4/ (Kubuntu)
http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/edubuntu/releases/gutsy/tribe-4/ (Edubuntu)
http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/xubuntu/releases/gutsy/tribe-4/ (Xubuntu)

See http://wiki.ubuntu.com/Mirrors for a list of mirrors.

Some new exciting features have landed which cannot wait to be tried and tested. Please refer to the following web pages for details:

http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/tribe4 (Ubuntu)
https://wiki.kubuntu.org/GutsyGibbon/Tribe4/Kubuntu (Kubuntu)

Read the full release announcement here.

Beta Release : Mandriva Linux 2008 Beta 1

Excerpts from the release announcement.

The first beta of Mandriva Linux 2008, codenamed Cassini, is now available. The release notes are available here. A guide to major new features (some of which are not yet implemented in this beta) is available here, and the detailed technical specifications are available here. This beta is available only as a three CD Free edition (containing no non-free software or drivers) for the x86-32 architecture, with a traditional installer. Future betas will be available in One live / install CD hybrid editions with proprietary drivers, and in x86-64 versions.

Read the full release announcement here.
Download here.

Alpha Release: Fedora 8 Test 1

Excerpts from the release announcement.

Fedora 8 Test one has been loosed upon the world today. Included in this release is a "Fedora" installable 'choose your own adventure' style set of isos and trees for i386, x86_64, and ppc(64). Also included are Live images of both the Fedora Desktop and the Fedora KDE desktop. These are available for both i686 and x86_64 (x86_64 is DVD size only). Remember these can be used on USB media via the livecd-iso-to-disk utility available in the livecd-tools package.

Test 1 is for "alpha" users. This is the time when we would like to have full community participation. Without this participation both hardware and software functionality suffers. We need your help. Join us!

Read the full release announcement here.
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Final Release : Sabayon Linux 3.4e

Excerpts from the release announcement.

Distribution updates:


Introduced a (teaser) pre-alpha release of the Entropy stack (Equo application)

Updated Portato to 0.8.0

Updated Compiz Fusion to work with XGL and AMD/ATI cards

Updated WINE to 0.9.42 and fixed Wine Doors

Reintroduced sudo after Install

Updated Second Life to 1.18.0.6

Fixed Partitioning issues on some system caused by dmraid stack (disabled by default now)

Reintroduced old and stable ipw3945 driver (keeping ipw4965 one)

Updated pommed to 1.7 (better MacBook support)

Reintroduced old bcm43xx wireless driver (disabling mac80211 one)

Read the full release announcement here.
Download here.