| Debian 4.0 is out the door |
Apr. 09, 2007
 The Debian project has released a new version of its Linux- and GNU-based operating system distribution. Debian 4.0, aka "Etch," is available for 11 architectures, including Alpha, AMD64, ARM, HP-PA/RISC, x86, IA-64, MIPS, MIPS (DEC), PowerPC, S/390, and SPARC.
Debian has long ranked among the most popular Linux distributions, especially among advanced users, due to its huge package selection and great package management tools. The distribution is sometimes faulted for a slow release schedule, because instead of many large monolithic releases such as this one, itt has tended to focus on small, incremental improvements to individual packages.
Downstream, the stable 4.0 release will serve as the basis for many distributions with better-known brands, including free and commercial efforts such as Freespire/Linspire, MEPIS (technically, MEPIS is now based on Ubuntu), Knoppix, Ubuntu, and Xandros.
Additionally, between 12 and 14 percent of embedded development projects will start out with Debian, according to preliminary results from LinuxDevices's 2007 reader survey (now in progress) -- making Debian far and away the most popular distribution in embedded products and projects. One example of an embedded Debian user is HP, which pre-installs Carrier Grade Debian in its telecom infrastructure equipment.
For embedded developers, Debian recently gained support for IOP-based devices, and added an ARM EABI port.
Over at Linux-Watch, Stephen J. Vaughan-Nichols has published a controversial editorial downplaying the importance of the release, and questioning Debian's decision not to support special-purpose routing distributions with the stock kernel. The essay is here.
Meanwhile, DesktopLinux has published a run-down of new features in the release, although most Debian users run testing or unstable, and thus will already be acquainted with features such as diff-based apt-get updates, and binary signing for mirrored packages. That story is here.
Related Stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed