The release of the TileOS 2.0 "Sauropod" distribution, built on a package base, is now available Debian and offers a desktop environment that uses tiling window managers. TileOS pursues the same goals as the distribution. Ubuntu Sway Remix (developed by the same author) offers a ready-to-use interface that requires no additional configuration and is aimed at both experienced users Linux, as well as for beginners who want to try out the environment of mosaic window managers without spending a lot of time setting them up.
Unlike Ubuntu Sway Remix, TileOS is much more open to various changes and customizations, and is also free of any potential copyright issues (Ubuntu Sway Remix uses registered trademarks of Canonical, but there has been no official response regarding the inclusion of the distribution in the official family. Ubuntu (Not yet received). Builds for the amd64 architecture are available for download (support for arm64, in particular Raspberry Pi boards, is planned for the future). The source code for the TileOS components is distributed under the GNU GPLv3 license.
TileOS focuses on window managers using the Wayland protocol. Editions featuring the Sway, River, Qtile, MiracleWM, and Niri desktops are officially available. The distribution uses a package base Debian Stable, but various improvements, more recent versions of some software, and graphics drivers are being ported from the testing branch. Additionally, the release includes a number of fixes optimizing the disk subsystem and memory, as well as some improvements from Ubuntu, for example, mounting disks in the file manager without asking for a password, and others.
In the new release:
- The package database has been updated to Debian 13. The standard kernel is used by default Debian, with Secure Boot support. The Liquorix kernel, optimized for desktop tasks, is optionally available;
- To install and update the kernel Linux added tileos-kernel-manager utility;
- By default, the sudo-rs utility is used - a variant of sudo rewritten in the Rust language;
- systemd-resolved is used as a DNS resolver, and dhcpcd5 is used as a dhcp client;
- Added the TileOS Welcome utility, which allows you to perform initial system setup;
- Automatic disk partitioning uses the Btrfs file system by default. Support for installation on a partition with the F2FS file system has been added.
- Screensaver swaylock replaced by gtklock;
- The system includes the Timeshift backup program and tools for working with Btrfs;
- The system includes the Kdeconnect daemon, which provides synchronization with mobile devices;
- User scripts have been rewritten and optimized; standard systemd capabilities are used for autostart of most components;
- The power-profiles-daemon module has been added to the Waybar panel for quickly switching power saving modes;
- Added swaykbdd component to implement separate keyboard layouts for each window;
- Added the SwayOSD component, which provides the display of an on-screen indicator when changing the volume level or screen brightness, as well as the state of the Caps Lock key;
- The Flatpak package manager is pre-installed and enabled by default;
- Minor improvements to the Plymouth splash screen;
- The Sway Input Configurator utility has been updated to fix minor bugs and begin preparations for supporting other Wayland compositors such as MiracleWM.
Two new experimental editions have been added:
- Niri Edition uses the Niri desktop, written in Rust and implementing a tiling layout similar to the GNOME extension PaperWM, which groups windows into an infinitely scrolling ribbon. Niri Edition utilizes all the standard TileOS components, such as the Waybar panel. Future development includes the Dank Material Shell.
- Miracle Edition uses the MiracleWM desktop, built on the Mir library. MiracleWM offers a Sway-style interface while implementing various graphical effects (window switching animations, translucency, etc.). Configuration is done in YAML format. Since MiracleWM is still under active development, many features have not yet been implemented, and stable operation is not guaranteed.
In addition, the TileOS 1.4 "T-Rex" release has been released, which includes accumulated updates, including fixes for recently discovered kernel vulnerabilities. Linux.
Source: opennet.ru
