The first beta version of MX Linux 21 is available for download and testing. The release of MX Linux 21 utilizes the Debian Bullseye package base and MX Linux repositories. A distinctive feature of this distribution is the use of the sysVinit init system, its own tools for system configuration and deployment, as well as more frequent updates of popular packages compared to the Debian stable repository. 32-bit and 64-bit builds are available for download, each sized 1.8 GB (x86_64, i386).
New branch features:
- Use of the Linux 5.10 kernel.
- Updated many packages, including the transition to the Xfce 4.16 desktop environment.
- The installer has an updated interface for partition selection during installation. LVM support has been implemented if the LVM volume already exists.
- The boot menu in UEFI mode has been updated. You can now select boot options from the boot menu and submenus instead of using the previous console menu.
- By default, a user password prompt is implemented for performing administrative tasks via sudo. This behavior can be changed in the 'MX Tweak' / 'Other' tab.
- A number of small configuration changes, especially in the panel with the new default set of plugins.
The developers of the distribution emphasize that in this release, they are particularly interested in testing the new boot menus in UEFI mode, as well as testing the installer. Testing in a VirtualBox environment is welcomed, but primarily they are interested in verifying the deployment of the system on real hardware. The developers also ask to test the installation of popular applications.
Known issues:
- The wallpapers are currently dull, and the current system monitor Conky is still being refined. It looks better on some screens than on others. This will be fixed after non-dull wallpapers for default installation are selected.
- Only for the 32-bit *.iso: when booting in VirtualBox, an error message appears, and the VirtualBox guest additions are not installed in the 32-bit ISO image.
- MX Package Installer: the testing repository and backup tabs do not display anything (for obvious reasons these repositories do not yet exist or are currently empty).
Plans include:
- Releases with desktop environments based on KDE and Fluxbox.
- AHS (Advanced Hardware Support) Release: a configuration option for MX Linux distribution repositories that offers the latest updates for the graphics stack subsystem and microcode for new processors. Packages with improved hardware support can be installed as they become available using standard installation and update tools.
Source: opennet.ru
