14 DAY TRIAL // Welcome to the 32nd issue of Softpedia Linux Weekly!
Starting this week we've introduced another new section in our weekly, called "Other Linux News," right after the distribution announcements, where you can read about various Linux news that were most important in the last seven days. This week's editorial wants your opinion about the brand new EXT4 file system. In the Linux distribution announcement section you will find the following releases: Slamd64 12.2, StartCom Enterprise Linux 5.0.3, PapugLinux 09.1, PelicanHPC GNU/Linux LiveCD 1.8, Fedora 11 Alpha, Ubuntu 9.04 Alpha 4, iMagic OS 2009.3 and Linux Mint 6 x64. In other news: Mandriva released Pulse 1.2 and unveiled the Mandriva Linux Assembly; Dell partnered with Novell in Thin Client distribution; Canonical published in-depth survey results for the Ubuntu Server Edition; VMWare launched their first open source virtual desktop client; the Free Software Foundation announced the exciting LibrePlanet event; HP unveiled an eye-candy interface for their Ubuntu-powered netbooks and the GNOME Project released the first beta of the upcoming GNOME 2.26 desktop environment. The weekly ends with the video clip of the week, the latest Linux distributions released/updated last week and the development releases.
Summary:
Editorial: EXT4 - The (r)evolution? - by Marius Nestor
· I don't know exactly how many of you have heard about the brand new Linux file system, called EXT4, which is in fact a more advanced, evolutionary version of the EXT3 file system, but as more and more Linux distributions tend to adopt it (Fedora 11 and Ubuntu 9.10 will have EXT4 as the default file system for example), I thought it would be a great idea to give you a heads up about it.
The fourth extended file system, also known as EXT4, was born on Christmas Eve, when Linus Torvalds announced the immediate availability of Linux kernel 2.6.28. It was said that the newly born file system would support bigger file sizes, fast fsck, journal checksumming, online defragmentation, persistent preallocation and many, many more.
Maybe some of the above features don't mean anything to you, but consider this... EXT4 is an incredibly fast file system, miles away from the existing ones. I can say that because I've upgraded all my hard drives from XFS and EXT3 to EXT4 and the file transfer speed has increased from about 45 MB/s to approximately 75 MB/s. I also know that right now, some of you will "curse me" because I dared to criticize the XFS file system, but you should upgrade your drives and see for yourselves that I'm right and EXT4 is the way to go!
Those of you who want to "follow my lead" and embark on this amazing EXT4 journey should consider using the 3.5 Live CD for the upgrade (read: disk formatting) process. Remember though that all your data should be backed up before you re-format your drives with the new EXT4 file system.
What do you guys think of EXT4? Do you think that it's here to stay, or will it be threatened by the Btrfs next-generation file system in the near future?
Linux distributions announced last week:
On February 2nd, Fred Emmott announced the release of Slamd64 12.2, a Linux-based operating system compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures. Its multilib capability enables it to have an increased support for both 32-bit software and 64-bit binaries, but without the cluttering of the root directory. The nspluginwrapper viewer is still included in the distribution, making it easy to install and use 32-bit plugins on 64-bit versions of Firefox and Konqueror, which are included in this release.
Highlights of Slamd64 12.2:
· Linux kernel 2.6.27.7 · GCC 4.2.4 · Apache HTTPD 2.2.10 server, with SSL support and PHP 5.2.8 · Updated development tools · KDE (K Desktop Environment) 3.5.10 · XFCE 4.4.3 · The latest Mozilla Firefox 3.0.5 · Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.19 · Sun's Microsystem Java (JRE and JDK) 6 Update 11
Download Slamd64 12.2 right now from Softpedia.
On February 3rd, StartCom Ltd proudly announced StartCom Enterprise Linux 5.0.3. Being based on the Red Hat AS source code, StartCom Enterprise Linux delivers the latest technologies for any mission-critical server deployments. Just like the latest release of RHEL 5, StartCom Enterprise Linux 5.0.3 comes as an update to the previous stable release and it provides support for the new Intel Core i7 (Nehalem) processors, better virtualization performance for the 64-bit architectures, and the inclusion of the OpenJDK next-generation Java technology.
With an updated kernel, StartCom Enterprise Linux 5.0.3 includes support for Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) and the new quad-core processor from Intel, Core i7 (Nehalem). With this third point release, StartCom Enterprise Linux 5 brings more than 150 updates and additions.
Download StartCom Enterprise Linux 5.0.3 right now from Softpedia.
After more than a year, Sylvain Balbous announced on February 3rd the release of PapugLinux 09.1, his Gentoo-based Linux distribution. It is a major release on the way to version 1.0 and it includes many updated packages and improved hardware support.
This new release offers a better integration with Rox filemanager, brings better spell-checking features and an enhanced multimedia experience with added support for many formats. Two new packages were added: the Gnumeric 1.8.3 spreadsheet maker and version 1.0 RC2 of the MPlayer multimedia player, for both productivity and entertainment.
The updated packages include X.Org 7.2, the latest version of Mozilla's browser, Firefox 3.0.5, the Sylpheed 2.5.0 email client, the 2.5.2 version of the popular instant messenger client, Pidgin, and a new version of the Abiword word processor, now at 2.6.4.
Download PapugLinux 09.1 right now from Softpedia.
On February 4th, Michael Creel updated his PelicanHPC Linux distribution to version 1.8. The new release introduces a couple of improvements, some new tools/features and various bug fixes. PelicanHPC is a Live CD distro based on the Debian mammoth, which aims to simplify the setup of a high-performance computing cluster. Without further introduction, here are the changes since the last development version of PelicanHPC 1.8:
· Support for ISO images and USB disk images was added to the make_pelican tool; · In order to set a password that allows the use of permanent storage, a dialog was added; · Binary blobs were added for proprietary NICS; · Added console-common, mail packages and locales; · Added some symlinks that will support the applications compiled with an old version of OpenMPI; · The tutorial was updated.
Download PelicanHPC 1.8 right now from Softpedia.
On February 5th, The Fedora Project announced the immediate release of Fedora 11 (Leonidas) Alpha, which offers a peek into the features that will be included in the final release. Of those, worth mentioning are the experimental support for the Btrfs filesystem, stable and default support for the breathtaking EXT4 filesystem, KDE 4.2, GNOME 2.26, Python 2.6, a new volume control, an exciting multi-seat support (multiple peripherals can be connected at the same time on a single machine) and a cross-compiler, allowing developers to build and test Windows applications right from their Fedora box, without requiring a Windows OS installation.
Highlights of Fedora 11 Alpha:
· Windows Cross Compiler · Ext4 File System · Btrfs File System · New Volume Control · PackageKit Firmware Support · GNOME 2.25.5 · KDE 4.2 RC2 · Xfce 4.6 Beta · NetBeans 6.5 · Python 2.6 · Git 1.6.1.1
Download Fedora 11 Alpha right now from Softpedia. Remember that this is an alpha release and it should NOT be installed on production machines. It is intended to be used for testing purposes only.
Also on February 5th, Canonical announced the fourth alpha version of the upcoming Ubuntu 9.04 (codename Jaunty Jackalope). As usual, we've downloaded a copy of it in order to keep you up to date with the latest changes in the Ubuntu 9.04 development. Here's a short list of the new features brought by Ubuntu 9.04 Alpha 4:
· Linux kernel 2.6.28.2 · OpenOffice.org 3.0.1 · Mozilla Firefox 3.0.6 · Nvidia video drivers · Automatically optimized fonts · Ubiquity installer improvements · New volume control
Download Ubuntu 9.04 Alpha 4 right now from Softpedia. Remember that this is an alpha release and it should NOT be installed on production machines. It is intended to be used for testing purposes only.
On February 6th, Carlos La Borde proudly announced the release of iMagic OS 2009.3, a commercial, Kubuntu-based Linux distribution. Featuring a customized version of OpenOffice, called magicOffice, an easier application installer, magicOnline, that replaces CNR (Click 'N Run), and a Kubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) base, the new iMagic OS 2009.3 is set to run right out of the box.
Another highlight of this release is its ability to detect the most popular file extensions (like .deb, .exe or .msi), recommend an action related to that file, and then open it in the corresponding program. The .exe and .msi support comes from the inclusion of Crossover software, making it easy to run many Windows applications.
Also on February 6th, Clement Lefebvre announced the immediate availability of the final version of Linux Mint 6 x64 Edition. This is based on the main edition (read: 32-bit edition) of Linux Mint 6 (Felicia), only that it is addressed to 64-bit users (for Intel Core 2 Quad, Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD Athlon X2 64 and all the x86-64 compliant processors).
Highlights of Linux Mint 6:
· mint4win - allows you to install Linux Mint from the Microsoft Windows operating system; · mintInstall 5 with a new offline interface, software version information and support for multiple portals; · mintUpdate 3 with a revamped GUI, proxy support, update history; · mintUpload 2 with support for FTP transfers; · mintNanny - a useful parental control tool; · Giver - an LAN (Local Area Network) transfer tool; · Gufw - a Graphical User Interface (GUI) frontend for the ufw firewall; · Flegita - a utility for scanners.
Download Linux Mint 6 x64 right now from Softpedia.
· Mandriva announced the immediate availability of version 1.2 of their Pulse 2, an Open Source tool for managing workstations, mobile computers and servers. Mandriva Pulse 2's purpose is to make managing of information systems much easier for those who choose to use it. Read more about it here.
· Novell announced on February 2nd that its SUSE Linux Enterprise Thin Client would come preloaded in Dell's new thin-client device, the OptiPlex FX160, introduced in October 2008. This new thin client solution will enable customers to simplify their whole IT infrastructure and, at the same time, significantly reduce costs. Read more about it here.
· Following a promise made by Mandriva in December 2008, to create an international committee bringing together their team and the community, they announced on February 3rd the creation of Mandriva Linux Assembly. Fans all over the world can join this new venture, whether they are active promoters of the Mandriva distribution, alpha or beta testers hunting bugs or suggesting new features, active developers and packagers, documentation or software translators online or offline, or even members of the Mandriva team of project leaders, developers and webmasters. Read more about it here.
· Canonical announced on February 4th the end of the survey for their Ubuntu Server Edition and the immediate availability of its results. The general conclusions that can be drawn from the results are that most respondents came from Europe and North America (55% for Europe and 28% for North America), covering most sectors, and that the use of Ubuntu Server Edition is mainly for common enterprise tasks like databases, email, Web, etc. Read more about it here.
· VMware Inc., the leader in providing virtualization solutions for all kinds of platforms from desktop to datacenters, announced on February 4th that the VMware View software source code would be available for their partners. Thus, the new VMware View Open Client becomes their first open source virtual desktop client. The release of the source code means that VMware's partners will have the ability to tailor their products according to customer needs and requirements. Another positive effect of this decision stands in a quicker development of solutions by allowing partners to help. Read more about it here.
· Deborah Nicholson, Membership Coordinator for the Free Software Foundation, announced on February 4th the date and location for the exciting annual FSF associate member meeting, also known as the LibrePlanet event. The meeting is set to start on Saturday, March 21st, and end the next day, on the 22nd. The event will take place in the Harvard Science Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Read more about it here.
· HP recently unveiled the HP Mini 1000 Mi Edition. With hardware specifications not too different from the "netbook standards," what really puts this device in the spotlight is the gorgeous, professional-looking Ubuntu interface. Yes, HP realized Linux was the way to go and chose Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) for their Mini 1000 Mi Edition. HP's interface will certainly turn some heads and persuade many to choose the Mi over other alternatives. Read more about it here.
· With only one month remaining until the much anticipated release of the GNOME desktop environment, the GNOME Project launched on February 5th the first beta version of GNOME 2.26. The GNOME 2.25.x is an unstable series of releases especially developed for testing and hacking, as this will become the stable GNOME 2.26, due for release on March 18th, 2009. Read more about it here.
Video Clip of the Week: Elive E17 Compiz
· Surprise, surprise.... We've recently discovered that there is a new special version of the Elive Linux distribution that will have the Enlightenment 17 window manager running Compiz Fusion. What is Elive E17 Compiz? Imagine blazing fast desktop effects, even on your old and dusty Pentium PC. While we will prepare an in-depth look at the new edition of Elive, you can download Elive E17 Compiz right now from Softpedia and give it a try, but remember that it's not stable yet!
The video clip is 2:15 minutes long, it was entirely made with Cinelerra and it was posted by Thanatermesis. Enjoy!
· K12Linux F10 "Live Server" 4 · Elive E17 Compiz 1.9.22-4
Distributions Updated Last Week:
· Webconverger 4.3 · Astaro Security Linux 7.306 · MilaX 0.3.3 · Openfiler 2.3 (Respin 21-01-09) · JNode 0.2.8 · SYS 0.23+ · R.I.P. 7.5
· Ubuntu Studio 9.04 Alpha 4 · Edubuntu 9.04 Alpha 4 · Xubuntu 9.04 Alpha 4 · Ubuntu Server 9.04 Alpha 4 · Kubuntu 9.04 Alpha 4 · Astaro Security Linux 7.390 Beta · Elive 1.9.23 · PCLinuxOS 2009 Beta 3 · TinyMe 2009 Alpha 1
See you again next Monday, February 16th, for another issue of Softpedia Weekly. Softpedia Linux Editorial Team.