Unity Linux 2010 RC1 Released!

The Unity Linux project is pleased to announce its first candidate for release, 2010 RC1. We have taken the last nine weeks to provide many needed fixes and continual updates to the core offering of our software. Check the Downloads page to get the 32 bit and 64 bit LiveCDs.

Changelog:

• Updated xorg to 1.7.5
• New kernel version 2.6.31.12. Due to several regressions with the current 2.6.32 kernels, it was decided to stay with the 2.6.31.12 kernel for this release with the 2.6.33 to be released in the repo once the first update is released (2.6.33.1).
• Filetriggers and other minor bugs were fixed for rpm5.
• Smart 1.3 and the addition of smart-utils for mirror automation. The mirror selection is now automated based on system localization for optimum performance. David of Unity-linux is now a contributor to the Smart development team in order to ensure the best user experience.

We have made a large effort to find additional mirrors around the world for hosting our repository and LiveCD ISOs. In the process of finding mirrors, we have adopted the MirMon project for monitoring the status of our mirrors. Users can now go the Mirror Status page to find the best download location as well as the health of the various mirrors.

The repositories now contain many full fledged up to date Desktop Environments which can be installed with the use of the “task” meta-packages. Recent additions include:

• KDE 4.4.1 from Synergy Linux,
• Gnome 2.28.1,
• Openbox 3.4.11 from TinyMe,
• XFCE 4.6.1 from Qua It & SAM,
• E17 0.16.999.063 from UnitE17

Our resources are now focused on cleaning up of our documentation and the continued bug squashing in preparation for the final release.

Known issues:

• The kernel 2.6.31.12 breaks support for the wireless controller Atheros AR2413 (ath5k module). Using an older kernel in the repository fixes that issue.  A resolution to this currently being worked on.
• The smart-setup tool menu entry has not been designed and implemented. The initial setup is automatic, therefore, running this tool isn’t required unless the user wishes to specify a particular mirror.
• The ATI proprietary driver does not support xorg-1.7. It has been removed from the repository to prevent unnecessary problems for users.
• VMWare users may experience a several minute start-up delay due to an error with udev.

About Unity Linux:
Mandriva-based Unity Linux utilizes the MkLiveCD project, which allows developers to create their own distribution on top of a Unity Linux core (or “trunk”). Unity Linux thus strives to provide a solid, well maintained foundation that developers can use as a starting point to build their own “remastered” distributions, or as we like to call them, “branches.” Currently, Unity Linux offers both 32-bit and 64-bit LiveCDs. Over 7,700 packages are available after installation. In an effort to give distribution developers maximum flexibility, the core is kept small and usable, but not too basic. Unity Linux provides developers with the bare minimum– just enough to make use of remaster tools, the smart package manager, a 2.6.31.12 kernel, and rpm5. To facilitate easy access to packages, Unity Linux utilizes an SVN repository for packages and internal projects. All the necessary tools as well as a basic tutorial for building packages are already provided. An automatic build system to work with the SVN repository is in progress along with many other tools to make Unity the most functional project to start a personal or professional branch.