The release of the new version of the Linux distribution "SparkyLinux 2020.02" which arrives with an update of its components which are synchronized with the Debian GNU / Linux 11 base "Bullseye".
For those unaware of SparkyLinux they should know that is a Linux distro that is based on a "stable" and "test" branch of Debian and uses a 'continuous release cycle' based solely on testing. It includes a collection of tools and scripts to help users with easy system administration.
SparkyLinux es a fully customizable, fast and lightweight operating system, the default desktop environment is LXDE but users can download and install other versions of Sparky with desktops such as Budgie (in development), Enlightenment, JWM, Openbox, KDE, LXQt, MATE or Xfce There is also a CLI edition (based in text) for advanced users.
The operating system comes in different varieties that are specifically designed to meet the needs of different types of users of the product, as developers, entrepreneurs and students.
SparkyLinux offers a special "GameOver" game edition for gamers. It includes a large set of free and open source games and some necessary tools.
Another special edition of SparkyLinux Rescue provides a live system and a host of applications to recover broken operating systems.
The Sparky editions of: KDE, LXDE, LXQt, MATE, Xfce and GameOver are offered with a set of applications for daily use, a great set of additional Wifi drivers and codecs and multimedia plugins.
Starting with Sparky 4.3 introduces the "MinimalGUI" and "MinimalCLI" editions (renamed "Base Openbox" and "CLI") provided by the Sparky Advanced Installer which allows users to install one of 20 desktops of their choice .
As Sparky iso image features some proprietary packages, 'Sparky APTus' offers a little tool called 'Non-Free Remover' that can easily uninstall all 'contrib' and 'non-free' packages from the system.
What's new in SparkyLinux 2020.02?
This new version of the system comes with the Debian base "Bullseye" and with the update of its packages which are synchronized with the Debian test repositories as of February 16, 2020.
Also, that we can find that the heart of the system (the nucleus) has been updated to version 5.4.13 of the Linux kernel, although it is mentioned that versions 5.5.4 and 5.6-rc2 are available in the repositories.
Another important change in SparkyLinux 2020.02 is the update of the installer, which comes with its new version Calamares 3.2.18 + kpmcore 3.3.0. This new version of the installer basically brings improvements to the time zone and locale modules.
Regarding the package of the system we will be able to find that, for web browsing, it offers us Firefox 73.0. This version, in addition to providing bug fixes, offers a new feature which is a global zoom for all pages by default, in addition to being able to increase or decrease the speed of audio playback and the use of WebRender for those who use the Nvidia 432 drivers. .
On the part of the office automation, we can find that Libreoffice 1 RC6.4.1 is offered. Although there is not much to mention since the launch came before the stable release. The only thing I can mention is that we can update to have the stable version.
Of the other changes mentioned from this release:
- GCC 10 compiler is installed, along with GCC 9 (default)
- vokoscreen replaced by vokoscreen-ng
- camorama replaced by cheese
- Multimedia iso removed packages: composite, hydrogen, videocut, phatch
- packages added to Iso multimedia: MystiQ
- added the new Sparky public key
Download
Finally we can find that the special editions of SparkyLinux 2020.02 "Po Tolo", which include GameOver, Multimedia and Rescue, are now available for download.
To obtain the image of the system, just go to the official website of the distribution and in its download section you can find the download link.