14 DAY TRIAL // Aptosid 2011-01 has been released, the last version to be based on the Debian 6.0 "Squeeze" branch. It comes with a new Linux kernel, some updated packages and the latest patches from Debian "sid" unstable branch. The transition to the "aptosid" branding, the project was previously sidux, has been completed as well.
"Now that kernel 2.6.37 has entered the archive and Debian 6.0 'Squeeze' is in the process of being released, we have the pleasure to announce the immediate availability of the final aptosid 2011-01 'Geras' release," Stefan Lippers-Hollmann wrote in the official release announcement.
Aptosid 2011-01 is based on the Debian sid repositories as of February 5, 2011. One of the big changes is the introduction of the latest Linux kernel 2.6.37, updated from the earlier kernel 2.6.36.
This means a couple of new drivers, support for the new Intel Sandy Bridge chips and an update for the Atheros USB wireless network cards.
The latest kernel version also comes with improved EXT4 performance and USB Attached SCSI Protocol used by USB 3.0 external storage devices.
All major packages however haven't seen any big updates, thanks to the freeze on the 'unstable' repositories during the transition to Debian 6.0 stable.
Note that although Aptosid 2011-01 is based on a version very close to the final Debian 6.0 Squeeze release, it's not 100 percent compatible or interchangeable.
Some packages have been updated compared to those in Squeeze and some Aptosid packages may not even work with the current stable Debian release.
Still, the coming weeks should be a lot more eventful as new packages start landing in Debian unstable again. KDE 4.6, X.Org Server 1.9.3 and GTK3 are among the most anticipated updates.
Aptosid 2011-01 is available for download here on Softpedia.