News
- Absolute64-20240602 releasedMonday, 06/03/2024
An overdue update release. Functionality /interface unchanged -- just a WHOLE LOT of apps/libraries updated. Running great for me!
- Absolute64-20231124 releasedFriday, 11/24/2023
A dark and simple-looking interface for smplayer takes the place of basic video player. It's nice to have the access to menus and I also like how smplayer remembers where you stopped a show if you restart. Icons and updates to arox (rox-filer), lot of support library updates, most major apps and browsers updated.
- Absolute64-20230816 releasedWednesday, 08/16/2023
Played some catch-up with Slackware, also fixed an installer glitch where some USB drives not detecteed -- thanks to Jody Bruchon. Took me a while to get to... wish I had more time to play with the installer. Also now compressing ititrd.img like Slackware does, with xz. For those intersted, when in the top directory of the unpacked image, to repack the image:
find . | cpio -o -H newc | xz -9fv -C crc32 > ../initrd.img
To unpack initrd.img (to a sub-directory from the image) :xz -dc < ../initrd.img | cpio --quiet -i --make-directories
- Absolute64-20230625 releasedTuesday, 06/27/2023
QTFM file manager is gone, went all-in on new version of Arox (Rox-Filer for Absolute.) iDesk also replaced by the ROX Pinboard. Udisks2 and udiskie handle auto mounting. Much smoother. Even more old-school than before, but easier to use and easier to maintain.
Updated 400+ packages... guess I got a bit behind :-) Take 'er out for a drive and contact (email) me if you have a problem/question. I'm sorry I don't really deal with the forum, I don't have the time/knowledge to deal with the spammers.
- Absolute64-20230122 releasedMonday, 01/23/2023
New kernel series, lot of support library updates, gave in and put GTK4 in there -- YAD barked at me.
- Absolute64-20221120 releasedSunday, 11/20/2022
No real "structural" changes to the system --
but a lot of libraries with version bumps have transpired, so it was time for a clean, updated ISO.
- Absolute64-20220825 releasedSaturday, 08/27/2022
Also updated the LIVE release
- Absolute64-20220724 LIVE releasedMonday, 08/01/2022
This is a different LIVE.
- You have to make a LIVE USB stick from the downloadable ZIP file.
- The bios of your machine must be set to boot legacy/non-uhci. (This is a limitation of the Linux Live Kit that I used to generate the lives zip file.)
- There is no Absolute installer provided by the LIVE USB. You can only use it to preview teh operating system. Howwever, persistence is enabled, so you can save stuff and continue to run off the USB if you would like.
- It usually runs a LOT slower than an installed instance of Absolute -- but it can give you a good idea of the look and what is available in Absolute without any risk to your current operating system.
- All power to Alien Bob and his Slackware Live work, but I can generate a new LIVE zip a LOT more easily. So I intend to update the LIVE with each (usually monthly) snapshot.
- Instructions for creating the LIVE USB stick are HERE
Absolute64-20220724 released
Sunday, 07/24/2022
Some fixes... cleaned up Vivaldi installer a little, fixed a bunch of my image manipulation scripts to work properly with switch from imagemagick to graphicsmagick.
Heavily edited idesktool to manipulate desktop/icons.
Stripped down the installer for the ISO. Just auto-install. No more Slckware tweaks/prompts -- Just takes over hard drive and goes... Will GPT the drive if bios is set to launch UHCI, (and you set USB stick to GPT. I used Rufus on a Windows box.)
If you MBR the stick and computer bios is MBR, Absolute installer will partition drive MBR and use lilo.
In either case, the drive is repartitioned and anything on it is wiped.
Absolute64-20220701 released
Monday, 07/04/2022
Vivaldi is the default browser, but Firefox still installed. Kind-of UN-UNIXy... but what can I do? I want the speed and customization of Vivaldi, but I want old and slow, Mr dependable to hang around.
I let Vivaldi block trackers internally but use ublock origin as an ad blocker. TIP: To Drag-N-Drop a link from Vivaldi into AROX, you left-click, hold and start drag VERTICALLY-ONLY, then you can drop link into arox window. (I thought someone online was joking when I first read about it :-)
Absolute64-20220405 released
Tuesday, 04/05/2022
Lots of little clean-ups and updates. After years of spacefm, changing to qtfm wasn't the smooth, clean transition I would have
wished.Some tidbits:
Alternate browsers have my interest since Firefox, to me, can be VERY slow. Mozilla is quite dependable and I am keeping it as the default, but I really like the speed and keyboard use on luakit. For general browsing Vivaldi is generally zippy.
NOTE: Vivaldi drag-N-Drop into an arox window -- you must start drag completely vertical, then pull over to arox window. Kinda weird, but it works.
Took me a couple extra days to get the 20220405 installer to work. It kept skipping installation of the entire AP series. TURNS OUT that the a/inih pacxkage was corrupt and restoration cleared up the proble, I had to put a 30 second delay on installer script when errors were found and baby-sit the package installs to track it down. Phew.
Absolute-15.0 released
Saturday, 02/05/2022
Six years from 14.2, version 15 of Slackware arrived a couple days ago. Still rock-solid. Still without systemd. Still crazy after all these years.... ?
I'm giddy.
I still love the approach Slackware takes toward a solid, bare-bones system. I like to dress it up just enough to make it quickly productive and up- to-date for myself. I will keep the "rolling update" going with the roughly monthly snapshots... the next release of Slackware might be a while :-)
Absolute64-20220117 released
Monday, 01/17/2022
Based on Slackware64-current.
After the 3rd release candidate by Slackware, Absoute has ditched spacefm/udevil -- switching to qtfm/udisks2 (still no gvfs). Spacefm seems to have been abandoned and I was beginning to have issues with devil.
Added luakit browser in Extra/
If you like using a keyboard and won't miss plugins -- my gosh, it is fast.
Switched from Slackware's use of Firefox ESR version to compiling most recent version of Mozilla's offering (96.0.1 vs 91.5.0). At the moment that constitutes a half year of browser developlment, which strikes me as significant. It's one thing to be somewhat conservative, but, you know -- I do use a computer and all...
Absolute64-20211109 released
Wednesday, 11/10/2021
Based on Slackware64-current.
Quick release due to the python mis-step. Slackware current updated to Python-3.10, and anything using a python mod was updated. Then they went back to python 3.9... I really respect the Slackware guys, but treating current like it is testing (after 5 1/2 years without a stable release of Slackware) is a poor excuse.
Also updated the live release
New LIVE version released
Tuesday, 10/26/2021
Based on Absolute64-20211024
This is a riff on Slackware-Live scripts that Alien Bob puts out for the Slackware version. So any issues and HOW-TOs that apply to Slackware-Live should apply...
Heads up --
-
2 logins are created when you run the LIVE ISO off a USB stick --
User root with passord root,
and user live wth password live. - A small portion of the script-based utilities do not work in the read-only environment when running live.
- There is an Install to Hard Disk script available from the desktop of the live user account. This script is the same as in Slackware-Live. It differs from the installer in Absolute's regular ISO as there is no autoinstall option. THAT option repartitions and commands the use of the entire hard drive. (Which is how I install.) But the LIVE installer leaves partitioning and the possibility of dual/grub booting up to the user.
Absolute64-20211024 released
Sunday, 10/24/2021
Based on Slackware64-current.
Keeping up with the Slackware 15.0 prep :-)
Large code update arox (the Rox-Filer fork Absolute uses as a file manager/image viewer)
Absolute64-20210923 released
Friday, 09/24/2021
Based on Slackware64-current.
Keeping up with the Slackware 15.0 prep :-)
Large code update for spacefm
Absolute64-20210730 released
Friday, 07/30/2021
Based on Slackware64-current.
Keeping up with the Slackware 15.0 prep :-)
Absolute64-20210628 released
Monday, 06/28/2021
Based on Slackware64-current.
A few updates and fixes
Absolute64-2021411 released
Sunday, 04/11/2021
Based on Slackware64-current.
A few updates and fixes
Absolute64-20210327 released
Friday, 03/19/2021
Based on Slackware64-current.
A few updates and fixes
Absolute64-20210319 released
Friday, 03/19/2021
Based on Slackware64-current.
Reverted browser default to Firefox... no more ESR: and quickest compile in quite a while!
Prepping for Slackware 15 -- I heard Elon Musk might drag his feet a little so he can take it to Mars when it's ready :-)
Absolute64-20210302 released
Tuesday, 03/02/2021
Based on Slackware64-current.
Slack recompiled everything due to gcc update...
Stuff that I did NOT recompile still works, go figure.
SpaceFM and ROX-Filer (arox) get me occassional complaints
due to their age/ lack of updating...
but they work for me and I still don't even use gvfs or udisks,
like a default Slackware install.
[But Slackware still resists systemd, YEAH!]
Pulled Kodi and GMT from the installer --
Kodi I never use, so timely updating becomes an issue.
GMT (generic mapping tools), no one besides me ever uses.
These ommissions trimmed the ISO filesize a bit.
Still a lot of development libraries included
so the download is not small.
But remember, although the distro has lots of files -- it runs lite :-)
Absolute64-20201227 released
Thursday, 12/31/2020
Based on Slackware64-current.
Absolute64-20201103 released
Tuesday, 11/03/2020
--Quick update due to non-working utilities released in snapshot on Tuesday.
Also Brave Web Browser included and set as default.
Firefox still present.
Absolute64-20201103 released
Tuesday, 11/03/2020
Based on Slackware64-current.
Keeping up with wholesale library changes (especially python) and kernels, etc...
(Will there ever be a Slackware 15?)
Edited some utilities to adjust to new libs.
Tighten up the UI/mime/icons.
Absolute64-20200827 released
Thursday, 08/27/2020
Based on Slackware64-current. Plus interace tweaks, installer auto-partition fixes.
Absolute64-20200614 released
Tuesday, 06/16/2020
Based on Slackware64-current. This is the first snapshot with PAM.
Absolute64-20200518 released
Wednesday, 05/20/2020
Based on Slackware64-current
Absolute64-20200419 released
Sunday, 04/19/2020
Based on Slackware64-current
Absolute64-20200223 released
Monday, 02/24/2020
Based on Slackware64-current
Absolute64-20190610 released
Monday, 06/10/2019
Based on Slackware64-current
Absolute64-20190510 released
Saturday, 05/11/2019
Based on Slackware64-current
Absolute64-20190413 released
Saturday, 04/13/2019
Based on Slackware64-current
Absolute64-20190320 released
Wednesday, 03/20/2019
Based on Slackware64-current
Absolute64-20181124 released
Friday, 02/08/2019:
Based on Slackware64-current
Another snapshot release. Biggest difference is to change updating via gslapt to the directory of a monthly snapshot, rather than rolling with very single update to the system that resides in "current."
Current is still there, and you can even switch settings in /etc/slapt-get/slapt-getrc to point to it, rather than the snapshot.
Absolute64-20181124 released
Sunday, 11/25/2018/2018:
Based on Slackware64-current
Another snapshot release. Also released a LIVE ISO for those who want to try without installing... absolute64-live-current.iso
Absolute64-20180515 released
Tuesday, 05/15/2018:
Based on Slackware64-current
Switched to "snapshot", which seems more appropriate for interem releases on -current. SO MANY changes since last beta, the snapshot was really needed.
Absolute 15.0 Beta 4 released
Tuesday, 02/20/2018:
Based on Slackware64-current
Another beta... with all the kernel updates, glib and such -- trying to make things easier on beta testers :-)
Absolute 15.0 Beta 3 released
Thursday, 02/01/2018:
Based on Slackware64-current
Another new kernel, fixes for mime usage as well as permissions/polycykit tweaks. This is of a state to be considered a release candidate. Test, test, test.
Absolute 15.0 Beta 2 released
Friday, 01/19/2018:
Based on Slackware64-current
Releasing as beta, giving the opportunity to get extra testing and feedback prior to final. Also to help mitigate the current meltdown and spectre security problems, of which the current Slack kernel (4.14.14) still takes care of 2 out of 3 vulnerabilities. See image of test results or download the test script.
2 kernel updates since first beta, plus all updates from Slackware up to the 18th, some library updates, a few fixes, some file handling tweaks in ROX and ICEWM as well as "restricted" updates to ffmpeg, mplayer and openshot.
Absolute 15.0 Beta 1 released
Wednesday, 01/11/2018:
Based on Slackware64-current
Releasing as beta, giving the opportunity to get extra testing and feedback prior to final.
Absolute 14.2.2 released
Wednesday, 12/07/2016:
Based on Slackware 14.2
The update is for the 64-bit version. Updated kernel and Xorg, as well as taking care of security and functional fixes (such as tweaks to pulse audio, network manager, battery management.) Installer also updated to correct error of sometimes not finding drives for autoinstall. All Slackware updates in current included and several programs recompiled to keep up with dependency changes.
Absolute 14.2 released
Monday, 09/18/2016:
Based on Slackware 14.2
Comes in a 32 as well as a 64-bit version. Same basic functionality, but most everything updated under the hood. No longer fits on a single CD -- the usual installation method is a USB stick. With this size-constraint removed, larger apps like LibreOffice and Calibre are now included in the base installation.
Both installers have an "Autoinstall" option, which partition and format your drive. The 64-bit version will make GPT partitions if you are booting EFI. But just as with Slackware, you need to turn off Secure Boot in the bios if it is set.
The apps and development libraries are more extensive than previous releases. If you opt to run the multimedia installer (post-install) you also get Openshot and Handbrake, in addition to the already installed Asunder, Audacity, Evince, Easytag, Gimp, Inkscape, pulseaudio-system-wide equalizer, StreamTuner2, ClipGrab...
basically a whole lot of goodies. But without the load of overhead found in many other systems.
Absolute 14.12 released
Monday, 09/21/2015:
This release is based upon Slackware Current (prior to 14.2 release)
Many of the same apps and features, but recompiled nearly everything due to newer libraries (especially PNG lib.) Python3 and GTK3 transitions have begun, I suppose, as both are now available. Extra support packages will be needed by apps that do use them.
Absolute 14.1 released
Monday, 09/08/2014:
This is a "first" release based upon Slackware Current (post 14.1)
New kernel as well as a slew of updates and fixes. Jumping back into the distro after a long absence left a lot of loose ends... I had to make quite a bit of tweaking to get everything to just work.
Hope it helps you get things done!
Absolute 14.10 released
Wednesday, 08/27/2014:
This is a "first" release based upon Slackware 14.1
It's been a long road back, but here it is. Everythibng has caught up to Slackware (x86), up to and including a recompile with patch for the latest glibc security patch of 20140826. Even have pulseaudio working to keep the Skypers happy :-)
Base install still fits easily onto a CD. If you want to burn a DVD or, more likely, plop the iso onto a usb stick -- there is also a "large" version of the ISO, which includes LibreOffice, the kernel source, calibre, Inkscape, Skype, Artha dictionary/thesaurus and several developer tools.
Absolute 14.05 released
Sunday, 01/09/2014:
This is a "final" release for the 14.0x series.
As many of you know, I have had serious health issues slowing me down for the last year or so... but there has been some improvement of late and hopefully this is a trend :-) This release updates everything neatly before we move onto 14.1, with one nice change:
I tweaked the installer to allow for USB stick installation, so I will be uploading a CD-sized release, as usual, as well as a "large" iso you can put on a dvd or usb stick that has many of the packages from the Extra directory, like LibreOffice, Calibre, the kernel source, development tools as well as several other packages. and weights in at a little over one GB. (See list of additional packages.)
So even if you do not install from DVD or USB, you can download the LARGE iso and have many of the compatible extra packages at your future disposal.
Absolute 14.04 released
A version bump primariy as an upgrade for laptop power management. (I recieved an older, "broken" laptop from one of my computer-repair customers that I got working again, so I have something to test on :-) Also has latest Chrome browser, working screen locker and a few other tweaks...
I know this was too quick for a new release, but having the power management features work out of the box is kind of a big deal.
Absolute 14.03 released
Tuesday, 01/08/2013:
New kernel, a number of application tweaks and quite a few packages updated for security fixes. Also made better use of a battery monitor for laptop use, automatically triggers a system shutdown when power gets low enough... gives user 60 seconds to cancel if they need more time to finish up. Fun is fun, but who really needs crashes and file corruption, anyway?
Absolute 14.02 released
Thursday, 11/22/2012:
This release brings some changes to how a user can interact with the system. Previously, a user had nearly zero access to any administrative tasks on Absolute. Now sudo is being used (usually through a YAD gui dialog) to perform many unreachable functions. To do so, however, sudo has been configured to require the root password.
Absolute 14.01 released
Tuesday, 11/06/2012:
Several tweaks to keep things working well after large update to 10.0.
Absolute 14.0 released
Monday, 10/01/2012:
Coincides with the Slackware 14.0 release, keeping in step with libraries, toolchain and basic apps. Absolute has moved away from udisks to use the lighter spacefm file manager, which takes advantage of native kernel polling. So as always, Absolute will run fast on modest hardware. Network manager is taking care of internet connections by default. Java and multimedia add-ons need to be installed (via system tools, as root) post-installation.
Chrome browser is now the default (taking the place of chromium and/or firefox.) I distribute the browser with several plugins and the Chrome browser comes with a more up-to-date flash release than what is available as a generic plugin for Linux machines. If you install the firefox browser (from Extra/internet) you might want the flash plugin package located there as well. Last note about the browser -- I had briefly switched to Firefox as the Absolute default, but a couple "hang-ups" made me switch back to the Google app. Sorry about any confusion. I just like to use whatever works best.
Absolute 13.53 released
Wednesday, 06/06/2012:
Kernel and Xorg updates, as well as new screen-resolution changer (on a per-user basis :), and multimedia libs update. As well as other changes. LibreOffice is now in "Extra", due to size constraints. Opened up some room for things like Calibre...
Absolute 13.50 released
Sunday, 03/11/2012:
So many kernel/lib/codec changes since last summer we really needed a new, clean release to make installation easy again.
Absolute 13.39 released
Monday, 07/18/2011:
Worked on gslapt/slapt-get, for those who like to automate their updates. Kept hacking away at udisks/pcmanfm/libfm -- but still a bit buggy, so somewhat frustrating. Tried Thunar, but gvfs overhead was TOOOO much. Might have to try something else, maybe rox as primary... IDK. Also replaced mhwavedit with Audacity, tweaked some mime-handling as well as a couple of the utility scripts and got a better process viewer (qps.)
Absolute 13.38 released
Sunday, 06/19/2011:
New kernel and new perl (and all 25 related per modules... still have to update those on CD2.) Fixed unmounting problem for users and eliminated the stale mountpoints left in /media for USB sticks, etc.
Absolute 13.37 released
Saturday, 04/30/2011:
Worked the kinks out of new pcmanfm and finished customising to taste... All libs and other packages are up-to-date with slackware 13.37 release for compatibility.
Absolute 13.2.2 released
Wednesday, 04/27/2011:
Use of HAL has been dropped for newer consolekit/udisks as well as lxde's newer version of pcmanfm. Code changes for the Absolute customizations in libfm and pcmanfm are included in /usr/doc for each package. Devmon replaces halevt to handle DVD and audio CDs. You'll notice edits to .initrc, .bashrc .bash_logout as well as the startup file for icewm reflecting the changes.
Absolute 13.1.6 released
Sunday, 09/012/2010:
Security updates and interface tweaks. Barring any last-minute bug fixing this should be the 13.1.x final.
Absolute 13.1.5 released
Sunday, 09/012/2010:
Security updates including mozilla-nss package, (and Firefox, Seamonkey and Thunderbird on CD2.) Icewm menu fixes and re-arrangement and AbiWord is back in base install with gtk printing preview by epdfview (so no more abiWords crashes... right?) Also several package updates including OpenOffice, Imagemagick, Inkscape, Chromium Browser, and new default sound mixer - alsamixer-qt4. New script in menu to change screen locker mode and updated find-installed script.
Absolute 13.1.42 released
Friday, 09/03/2010:
Security update main cause for version bump. A few new applications, lots of library package updates and a wee bit of interface tweaking. Starting to feel like a 13.1.x final.
Absolute 13.1.41 released
Sunday, 08/08/2010:
Multimedia Installer corrected. Want a release not to need a download to correct... also Chrome browser updated (v6.0.482.0, again compiled on Absolute with gecko-mediaplayer plugin enabled) and with 2 plugins pre-packaged (PDF reader and extensions buttton.) Also a slew of updates originating from the Slackware repo.
Absolute 13.1.4 released
Friday, 07/30/2010:
Kernel headers version corrected. "Getting Started" dopcument updated, including how-to for Nvidia proprietary drivers installation. Also includes several additional multimedia libraries with better support of WebM. Ffmpeg "free" version included in distribution as default -- version that includes non-free codecs and such is still available for those who feel eligible via the improved/updated multimedia installer. (Run this as root user -- see "getting started" for details.)
Absolute 13.1.3 released
Saturday, 07/03/2010:
Chromium browser updated, distributed with PDF viewer extension pre-configured, so PDF viewing is a non-issue. Also a security fix, several programs updated for new icewm menu insertion procedure, geeqie updated to allow multiple instances, GIMP updated as well as several apps in CD2 directory in repositories. AbsChart (pie chart maker) back in Graphics menu .
Absolute 13.1.2 released
Tuesday, 06/08/2010:
Chrome replaces Firefox as default browser. Lower memory usage, faster rendering and proper URL parsing all contributed to this decision. Firefox package is still up to date and in CD2 directory of repos under /internet. Also several security-related updates as well as multimedia installer update (needed updated url.) Also updated rox-archiver to handle .deb files (to unpack, not install...)
Note the Google-Chrome is a native Absolute build with blacklisting of gecko-mediaplayer plugin REMOVED. This means the plugin works. Was blacklisted by Google coders due to crashing complaints, but I have tested extensively and have not experienced these issues, so I'm watching videos :)
Absolute 13.1.1 released
Tuesday, 06/08/2010:
New kernel, and a boatload of updates from Slackware. ALMOST replaced Firefox with Google-Chrome (which I am really liking...) but due to endless "upl;oad" bug , that keeps crashing Chrome when you try to upload a file, it'll be in the CD2 directory for testing/playing.
Absolute 13.1.0 released
Wednesday, 03/17/2010:
Should be 14.0 due to new kernel, new Xorg, new GCC, new GTK... but we follow Slackware versioning for compatability. Kernel is 2.6.33, Xorg is 1.7.5.
Absolute 13.0.9 released
Saturday, 02/06/2010:
k3b (kde3 version) reinstated
Deps for this along wioth additional user-submitted theme included. Just got tired of problematic CD burning, deciding, finally, that enough was enough. We'll use something that works.
Absolute 13.0.8 released
Tuesday, 02/02/2010:
Multimedia Installer fix
Only a few packages changed, but the multimedia installer was not properly updated and this could lead to some confusion and lack of functionality for users who chose to install the media enhancements.
Absolute 13.0.7 released
Sunday, 01/31/2010:
Kernel bump
Lots of updates to sync with Slackware-current and some multimedia scripts updated to keep pace with new kernel device nomeclature. Turned out a lot less painful than expected... Brasero (CD Burning) is back. DVDStyler added. Aside from kernel a lot of multimedia capabilities were updated and tweaked.
Absolute 13.0.5 released
Saturday, 12/19/2009:
Monthly minor release cycle?
Primarily security updates (kernel, GIMP, Firefox, bind, etc.)
Also removed Brasero (CD Burning) as it is too dependent upon Gnome and switched to simpler xfburn. Has a few xfce-related dependencies but these are small and also allow easier development for users if they want to use the libraries. You may also notice that wxGTK libraries are in the base install, used by the the chm help viewer and also support Audacity, now compiled and sitting on CD2 in the multimedia folder.
Absolute 13.0.4 released
Wednesday, 11/18/2009:
Several security updates, updated libs and beginnnings of internationalizing the custom scripts and apps that are part of Absolute (thanks to GALPon MiniNo Developers Team.) In addition a new utility to change language/keymap from a GUI utility.
Avidemux now in base install, epdfview replaces xpdf, AbiWord now comes with collaboration plugin with proper support to create online accounts.
Absolute 13.0.3 released
Sunday, 10/18/2009:
New Perl, new PIM/calendar:
and some additional interface scripting/tweaking.
This is the nice, peaceful, usabillity-improving portion of development. Really very pleasant. Good time for other developers to hop in?
Absolute 13.0.2 released
Thursday, 09/24/2009:
Gtk themes in, K3B and KDE libs out:
Brasero has replaced K3B and kdelibs, kdemultimedia and arts have all been removed. Gtk themes have been implimented and are changeable via customized gtk-chtheme utility. While we are staying away from the heavy integrated environments, we can still get our lightweight apps to look good and coordinate with each other... changing Gtk theme also changes icewm theme, desktop background (in pcmanfm) and window background for ROX-Filer.
So far there are themes of clearlooks, warm, gray and black. Any contribs most welcome. For background info, check out the /usr/local/bin/settheme script. It is called from gtk-chtheme and the script lets you know exactly what files are being used.
Absolute 13.0.1 released
Saturday, 09/12/2009:
Bug fix release corrects two issues:
Add user utility corrected (had failed to start due to importing module that is no longer used.)
New auto-start daemon (for audio CDs, movie DVDs and PTP cameras) installed to replace non-working ivman. New app is halevt. New user/group needs changed to accommodate this daemon as well as icewm startup changed, and gdm updated to kill daemon between graphical logins (.bash_logout if not.)
Absolute 13.0 released
Thursday, 09/10/2009:
Kernel tweaked, bugs squashed, interface oiled.
It's all good.
|
Couple screens, high and low-end:
| ||
|
...despite what memory usage some folks may mention, the old Dell on the right at 128mb of RAM is quite capable,
even with shared video memory, of running apps as memory-hungry as Firefox without disk-thrashing. While the speed
of such hardware might not be acceptable to some, if all you have available for a machine is comparable to the
Dell, you will most certainly be able to run Absolute Linux, take advantage of all the latest, greatest software
and not have to worry about lockups or stability issues.
I ALWAYS test on older machine(s) -- that's a big part of what Absolute is about . . . |
Absolute 13.0.RC4 released
Wednesday, 08/07/2009:
New xorg server and several updated X module packages, updated SVG handling preference in firefox-3.5.2 (due to lockups in default 3.5.2 release), a few other updated libs.
Absolute 13.0.RC3 released
Wednesday, 08/05/2009:
UI tweaks, persistent text clipboard daemon (very lightweight), new keyboard keymap setting utility, Geany is now default text editor (replacing Nedit) both due to increased utility and fact that the app is UTF-8 aware. Nedit still installed but will likely be phased out. Other package updates keep pace with Slackware. This should be the final release candidate, but no promises; fingers crossed for 13.0.
Absolute 13.0.RC2 released
Tuesday, 06/30/2009:
Midori installed from main ISO, option to change to default in control panel. New KDE libs (in support of new K3B), a large number of interface tweaks, mostly to do with filetype handling. Seems pretty stable, looking for bug reports.
Absolute 13.0.RC1 released
Wednesday, 06/23/2009:
Pre-release that includes fixes for slapt-get and wicd, addition of a control panel, centralizing control and eliminating the sometimes-confusing utilities menus. Big updates to Midori and inkscape on repositories (under /CD2). New theme, new logon, QT4 up and running several new applications along with QT4-based K3B. Overall a more cohesive look and simpler navigation. Wanted a release candidate so that 13.0 will not necessitate updates -- also wanted to have feedback on whether Midori is functional enough to become the default browser. (It uses about 1/3 the memory of Firefox in my tests.)
Absolute 12.2.5 released
Friday, 06/05/2009:
New kernel, new package format, new python
Every single package has been at least re-packed, majority modified/updated. Interface updated along with kernel, python, packaging system which is now txz-based and due to higher compression the main release contains much more than previously: OpenOffice and Java, as well as many other applications now fit on a single CD.
Pcmanfm and rox have both been modified to seamlessly work with the TXZ package archives as well as the new "Add/Remove Programs" item in root menu. New volume control (now in system tray, sleeker.) New theme, more complete file type handling.
Absolute 12.2.4 released
Tuesday, 04/21/2009:
This release brings QT4/KDE4 libs
Updates to K3B, smplayer based upon this. Plus a large number of additions and updates. Several programs moved to CD2 or /extra.
Absolute 12.2.3 released
Monday, 03/23/2009: new (and slightly) improved.
This release brings kernel-2.6.28.8, (seeing how Slackware updated their kernel the day after our last release. Bad luck, there.) Only a few other changes. New freetype and cairo working fine, when I first updated I must have ended up with a corrupt download or a bad burn on a disc -- because I had trouble at first but smooth sailing since.
Updated GIMP (with all the extra scripts and brushes), updated netconfig to automatically restart inet1. Updated WordNet dictionary to version 3.0 (changing run script so no environmental variable needs to be set.) Added SciTE editor and Secret maryo Chronicals game to CD2.
Absolute 12.2.2 released
Wednesday, 03/18/2009: Grab it from the downloads page.
This release brings kernel-2.6.28.7, autoinstall defaults to ext4 filesystem. (Regular install allows for ext3 and reiserfs as well.) The kernel, for now, is the Slackware hugesmp, so it is Slackware "stock" Waiting feedback if users like this or would rather get specific cofiguration tweaked. The large number of changes along with imminent bump in Xorg led me to go with the flow for now in order to expidite and allow easier input from Slack-compatible repositories.
In addition to the new kernel there was a very large number of application as well as library updates -- so installing via update/gslapt is not advised. Only real interface tweaks were making sure ROX-Filer did not run pinboard even when set not to (this saved us a bit of memory usage) and if you switch from netcofig or manual network setup to wicd usage the rc.inet1.conf automatically gets reset at boot -- so you won't get confused or have to tweak your configuration.
Absolute 12.2.1 released
Thursday, 01/08/2009: Grab it from the downloads page.
This release updates several major programs due to security issues. This includes Firefox, Thunderbird, Samba, Seamonkey and Pidgin. Pidgin also updated to correctly configure notification/alert sounds. Updates also enable auto-start of PTP cameras (like Canon), updated GIMP and GIMP-help (help on CD2 zip) and updated wicd (for wired and wireless connection management.) Plus a few others...
Absolute 12.2.0 released
Sunday, 12/14/2008:
Uploading to both repositories along with SourceForge caused quite a delay -- so I just ordered the "turbo" version of RoadRunner (my ISP) to try to speed things up, but I did this last year and it did not help much. They claim better upload speeds now, so we shall see...
absolutelinux.org
Tuesday, 12/09/2008: switched from being parked on personal homepage to this site.
Repository obained
Friday, 11/14/2008: Many, many thanks go out to Darren Austin of slackware.org.uk
for providing us with the package repository. this has enable a sane release schedule as well
as the ability to set up gslapt/slapt-get within the distribution to facilitate updating
in a simple and reasonable fashion.