100% Libre, Trisquel 4.5 STS 'Slaine' Released 207
Aldenissin writes "Trisquel 4.5 Slaine comes with a new boot manager for the live images, an improved installer which showcases the project highlights, and new programs like the Remmina remote desktop client, the social network client Gwibber or the backup tool Deja-dup. The web browser received several changes to improve attributes like speed by enabling http pipelining and other methods, privacy with blocking third party cookies and moving to Duck Duck Go search engine — both as default, and usability with the preinstalled FlashVideoReplacer plugin that allows watching videos from YouTube, Vimeo and many others. The main packages include: Linux-libre 2.6.35, Xorg 7.5, GNOME 2.32, Mozilla based web browser 3.6.15 and OpenOffice.org 3.2. Slaine is based on Ubuntu 10.10, and as always with Trisquel, it contains just free software. Available are 32 and 64 bit flavors, and being an STS release it will be supported for a year. This release will be the "live" operating system included in the Free Software Foundation member cards from now on, in replacement of Trisquel 4.0."
what the fuck? (Score:5, Insightful)
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I didn't understand half the nouns in that article.
Man, thank goodness I'm not the only one. I was just about ready to surrender my geek card. Which member of the Borg wrote that article?
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Wow, congrats, you win! Sometimes I read articles and I leave never knowing what it was, sometimes even after visiting the site. Ok, that was like only 1-2 times in like 8-9 years.
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I dunno, the fact that the names were so strange made it obvious it was open source, that there were so many strange names together alluded to it being a Linux distro, and that the names were presented as though everyone should know what they are pointed towards it being GNU.
By the time you get to the end, where they actually point all of this out, the explanation ends up being redundant, almost like a Zen parable.
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Yea, that was all my fault. It was late when I submitted it.
Re:what the fuck? (Score:4, Funny)
The author wrote it, and then I butchered it for Slashdot consumption. Resistance is futile.
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They don't make the geeks they used to :)
> "Trisquel 4.5 Slaine...
could be whatever. probably mature (see version minor #)
> ...comes with a new boot manager for the live images, an improved installer which showcases the project highlights...
Something that boots live images and installs? it's an OS
>... and new programs like the Remmina remote desktop client, the social network client Gwibber or the backup tool Deja-dup. The web browser received several changes to improve attributes like speed by en
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Yeah, I thought the GNU icon kinda gave it away too.
Mind you, I agree with the general sentiment that it wouldn't kill submitters and editors to at least consider the posibility that some people may need a bit of background information on the subject at hand. But that would require a bit more effort that simply copy/pasting a couple paragraphs from the article and hitting submit.
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I didn't understand half the nouns in that article.
Heh. Me neither. That's why I read the article in the first place. :-)
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The project lead and founder is from North Spain.
Um... (Score:5, Insightful)
So on Slashdot we have to tell people who Alan Turing was, but we can just randomly spout off the names of (what I'm assuming to be) little known software packages?
Come on, guys.
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So on Slashdot we have to tell people who Alan Turing was, but we can just randomly spout off the names of (what I'm assuming to be) little known software packages?
Come on, guys.
Alan Turing was the gay guy in Cryptonomicon, right?
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It is one endorsed by the FSF and GNU foundations. It is 100% libre, and if I may say so the most user friendly. Being based on Ubuntu probably helps. It is also very nice looking as well.
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Well, since you already know what it is before trying it... guess you should have submitted this.
We do want our video cards to work. And we can use others help, by showing there is a demand. Don't use it, and you won't as quickly get free drivers. Don't have free drivers, and you get only what the vendors want to give, even it is a crappy job. And you likely know they have before.
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Good idea.
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Bad distro, well we know why he is posting AC. So, you used a best available free version of something closed and it didn't work 100%, and you blame those that did thee best possible? What an idiot. Place you blame where it is due, on Java themselves. If they opened it I bet the version you had would be *better* than Javas.
Re:Um... (Score:4, Informative)
OK, how is this for anecdotal evidence. I have tried or looked at all of the 100$ libre versions, and if they seem to offered an English version, then I tried them. Only 2 stand out, Trisquel and gNewSense. gNewSense has not been updated in awhile, and is based on an older version of Ubuntu than Trisquel. Trisquel seems from experience to have a lot more thought put into it other than just removing proprietary blobs from the kernel and software and repos. The layout is well done, and is not just a new wallpaper and color scheme. In fact, I don't hardly notice it since it just seems to work so well. Unlike with even Ubuntu 10.10, which I have honestly had issues with about once a week. Not so with Trisquel 4.5, and that was while it was in Beta. The only real issue I remember having was with Youtube videos, and that was quickly corrected.
As far as wifi adapters, there are those that it will work with and are likely easily replaceable. This is not a libre issue only, as Linux has been dealing with this for years... As far as the GPU acceleration, I wanted to keep the summary size down. But as mentioned on the release page: "One of the exciting improvements for this release is the availability of an experimental Nouveau driver for NVIDIA cards which allows for 3D acceleration using fully free software."
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100"%"...
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As far as wifi adapters, there are those that it will work with and are likely easily replaceable. This is not a libre issue only, as Linux has been dealing with this for years...
This statement makes no sense. I can tell you from bitter experience that if a wifi driver in Linux requires a binary blob it's for a bloody good reason - it simply won't work otherwise. And wifi cards are not easily, and usually not at all, replaceable in laptops and netbooks.
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You know, it never occurred to me that if it was required, it wouldn't work otherwise. Imagine that.
Well, if you can't help but buy locked in hardware that isn't upgradable, then be happy with what you have I guess. Linux has not been able to get binary blobs for years, much less a free driver for a lot of hardware. In the last few years many manufacturers have come around, and the free driver availability has also increased.
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As I said above, in laptops and netbooks you can't choose your wifi hardware. It's not a simple matter of replacing a non-free driver with a free one or replacing your wifi hardware.
In your distro most laptops and netbooks will not have working wifi.
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You can replace some laptop cards. As I said above, most laptops had not working wifi with Linux for years. Give it time. It isn't the disto's fault, it is that of those that don't want to release specs so that they can control you.
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I volunteered for a free software event. We were supposed to hand out Trisquel CDs and I did that but I also suggested people pick up a free copy of ubuntu from across the room and try that too.
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It is based on Ubuntu, but 100% libre.
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Sure but I would recommend ubuntu for a non-technical person. Its not going to further the goals of free software to give them Trisquel.
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You might be surprised. AND, it is based on Ubuntu after all.
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...it is based on Ubuntu after all.
You're starting to sound like a broken record.
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True, I should have said that it seems easier than vanilla Ubuntu and the layout may be more familiar to users of other OS's. And that I've had less trouble with it than I have with Ubuntu, but I've also mentioned this above...
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
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Because it can be 'free' as in source, but still cost money to download.
Re:Gonna be totally honest here... (Score:5, Informative)
The only word in the summary that I recognise is "Release", but I can guess what "Libre" means. I don't know why you can't just use "free."?
In the open source community (and most of the larger computer nerd metacommunity) the term free software [gnu.org] has a very specific meaning. Unfortunately, the english word free has two different meanings: free as in freedom, and free as in beer, as it's usually put. To anyone not in the know, free software is just software that can be obtained at no cost.
Using the words libre and gratis [wikipedia.org] clarifies what you're talking about, and though it may not be a particularly useful distinction on slashdot, it's often used elsewhere. Most people can guess what they mean even if they've never heard them used in this context, because gratis is often used to say "this costs nothing", while libre sounds a lot like liberty.
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Yea, but when you here libre, you are pretty sure you are talking about software now, and a specific kind too.
Re:Gonna be totally honest here... (Score:4, Interesting)
Mod parent up! That is exactly why libre is used. When you have big companies using the word free, but not in the context normally used or even free as in gratis, then you have to use a different word.
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In the open source community (and most of the larger computer nerd metacommunity) the term free software has a very specific meaning.
It is rather a pity though that nerd speech is wholly untelligible to anyone else.
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Yes. That would be dumb! Telling people about how great free software is when they don't care is the worst thing to do to help the free software movement, as it's about the worst thing you can do for any idea. It'd be like telling someone "my phone is jailbroken!" when all they want to do is borrow it to make a quick call.
But when you're talking about free to people who do care (like, say, some slashdotters), it's useful to distinguish between the two very different definitions of free. Some software is nei
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I... uh... was not aware I though slashdotters were stupid? Huh. Sorry if it came off that way :D
Free software isn't ambiguous to a slashdotter, but you can probably see how "100% Free, Trisquel 4.5 STS 'Slaine' Released" is a more ambiguous headline than "100% Libre, Trisquel 4.5 STS 'Slaine' Released". The headline is horrible because nobody knows what Trisquel is, but by using libre you immediately know it's about free software. For people who haven't heard it used before, well, as you said, slashdotter
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Don't listen to this person. "Free" according the to FSF is meant free as in speech, not free as in beer/cost. NOT both. He doesn't know what he is talking about. Libre is correct, and why it was used. If any random person read 100% free OS, they may think it was simply cost. But this person probably uses libre/free software, but has never advocated for it in his life, so therefore has not experience, or idea.
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Yea well, when I explained free to my 55 year old father, he didn't get it. Libre, he did and it helped him see the difference. He kept thinking it was gratis, so your are WRONG.
Perhaps the whole thing isn't GPL, should I just list off the percentages of licenses, like 83% GPL, 3% LGPL, etc? No, I think Libre is easier and simpler for a summary.
And actually you proved you were wrong in your first sentence, most will think you mean free as in beer. So are you stupid, or do you just have an agenda? Oh, an AC,
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Headlines catch attention. It was written to catch the attention of those who care about libre software. We don't know how many submissions, if any you've had accepted since you are posting AC. So, your opinions are rightly weighted at a score of zero.
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Yes, I get up in the morning trying to sound clever, more than someone who likes to punch people in their cock, hard.
Those that advocate free software are trying to help you address problems, and even ones you apparently don't even know about, or care, since you are so busy on your cock crusade.
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Cock punching is more of a "dedication to sound principles" thing than it is clever, it's true.
So is libre a dedication to sound principles. But you are so errant on hurting people in their genitalia, and probably in general you don't see you using another word would help people, SINCE it is a homophone, and one that applies to lost of software what means something other than the intent we are conversing about.
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Free sounds like it is being given away and that is all that it means, which causes confusion. Microsoft gives away "free software" (as in cost or gratis) all the time, but I wouldn't want it. In reality, it means freedom. It is for clarification and distinction.
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No, we do it to troll you. Thanks for feeding us.
But seriously, I think libre has been around since before France. When you say "freedom" you want to just shorten it to free, as it has been done until libre started to be used. Trisquel is from the Celtics who used to live where the project lead and founder is from. Very beautiful scenery there, and some of the houses are a couple thousand years old. And not, he does almost it all, design, compiling, website. Darn good job in that context. Many of the names
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Could it be because it doesn't have the deep pockets of Microsoft? And you are right, I am asking those questions, as are others.
Of course there are problems, who doesn't have them? Like how to deal with elitests who think everyone else is since they use what is mainstream and others don't. As far as designed, that is what Hurd is. But you would probably bitch about how long it takes. Cheap, fast, good, pick two.
The 6 month update is something that some distros do. Others don't, which causes other issues. L
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While I don't think your tone is going to win over any admirers, you have a point. There seems to be some sort of disease - it happens in IT a fair bit, but F/OSS seems particularly vulnerable - whereby terminology is decided according to the following method:
1. Decide what it is you're describing.
2. Find an English word which has two meanings. One of which is what you're describing, the other meaning is quite different and not what you're driving at at all.
Here's the important bit: the second meaning -
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Maybe you have a point. The people who treat software as a religion may or may not comprise the majority of developers, but they're certainly a major influencing force on a lot of F/OSS projects (including, I'm sad to say, projects which aren't terribly well known to the general public but nevertheless are important to the underlying system - as a result you wind up with fundamentally broken functionality). Possibly because they're the noisiest.
The full list of insanity that's appeared in F/OSS developmen
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I bet you don't forget Trisquel. And you are right, we are against some deep pockets, of which you seem to want to join the bandwagon. I hope that works out well for you in the end...
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I think it was an upstream related decision. Easily changed at will once installed though.
It's a linux distro. (Score:5, Informative)
Since we apparently couldn't be bothered with adding one more sentence to the blurb so we know what the hell 'Trisquel' actually is, it's apparently a linux distribution and Slaine seems to be the code name of the new release version (ie, Hammy, Sid, Hoary Hedgehog).
https://trisquel.info/en [trisquel.info]
Re:It's a linux distro. (Score:4, Insightful)
One of 8 approved [gnu.org] GNU/Linux distributions. None of which matter in the real world.
Apparently, in order to be an approved FREE software OS, you need to prevent users from using non-free software [gnu.org]. FREE from choice. The ultimate FREEdom.
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One of 8 approved [gnu.org] GNU/Linux distributions. None of which matter in the real world.
Outside of servers and as a basis for other systems (like TiVo and Android) and appliances, one could similarly claim that no Linux distro matters 'in the real world'. Although I don't share the FSF's moral stance on software, I do think it's good for them to put out lists like this and endorse software that meets their ideals.
Apparently, in order to be an approved FREE software OS, you need to prevent users from using non-free software [gnu.org]. FREE from choice. The ultimate FREEdom.
That's not true. They require the distros to not include non-free software (including not having official 'non-free' repositories), but the user can be allowed to install non-free sof
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Wow, what an honest and informative post.
I am not sure about the prevent part, as I do think some things are "blacklisted' in Trisquel. However, that is possibly for compatibility/stability issues since most of if not all rely of proprietary blobs in the Linux kernel itself. But, you could always install/update your own (custom?) kernel and surely de-blacklist whatever you want.
Re:It's a linux distro. (Score:4, Insightful)
That's not true. They require the distros to not include non-free software (including not having official 'non-free' repositories), but the user can be allowed to install non-free software.
Except that having a 'non-free' repo is the means by which users install non-free software. So according to the FSF it's all right if users install non-free software from a repo run by a 3rd party, but it's not all right if the non-free repo is hosted by the Linux distro maker/project itself? Even if the non-free repo is optional. What a pointless, splitting-hairs argument from the FSF.
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What a pointless, splitting-hairs argument from the FSF.
That's pretty much the definition of the FSF. They aren't pragmatic, they are idealistic. If a stance was non-hair-splitting, they wouldn't need to make a big deal about it. That's why they use terms like "libre" instead of "free", and "GNU/Linux" instead of "Linux".
The reason for the particular distinction in question is that if there's an official non-free repository, that encourages people to use non-free software. The FSF won't endorse a distro that encourages people to use non-free software. That's an
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I don't buy that at all. Allowing users to install non-free software has absolutely no equivalence to being jailed.
The Debian package itself is 100% free from non-free software, blobs, and what have you. But because Debian has a repository for some non-free software in essentially an "aftermarket" category separate from Debian, they get the boot because apparently users can't make the distinction where Debian ends and this non-free software begins.
To be honest, I find the whole thing a bit pretentious but t
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Perhaps it is pretentious, but I think Debian wasn't qualified in the ways you mentioned when these were and the guidlines were set. Also, perhaps it is true that users can't make the distinction. Surely some won't. I am glad that Debian stepped up to match those that worked hard on being endorsed in the other ways. I know Debian was capable when the others were.
The jail was meant as an analogy. But to continue, if there were multiple exits, and you asked how can you leave, and I said any of them, yet one w
noun noun libre release noun (Score:5, Funny)
Trisquel Slaine with Gwibber is cool and all but all the cool kids have already moved on to Aljaeguhn Tyabha with Florn.
Now with 75% more Styhanb.
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You are awesome and I wish I had mod points.
It's always great to see more Styhanb.
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Several police laboratories have already expressed their interest.
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at least it serves as a lesson to others... (Score:4, Insightful)
The next time someone tells me the only reason why [productx] is so popular is due to marketing I'm sending them a link to this summary as an example of why that really really does matter.
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Aww, now I do feel kinda bad. To be fair, the screenshots did look very nice and polished but next time you may want to keep the announcements simple and link to all the details. I probably won't use this but I wish him luck.
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Yes, I learned some lessons... but I got it accepted with 9th grade and GED education. I don't think I did that bad either for something like 3 AM this morning. :D I will let him know what you said and will probably get him to let me clean up the announcement some next time, or maybe even tomorrow for this release. My grammar isn't that bad and English is my primary language.
scraping the barrel (Score:4, Insightful)
a whole os, distro and the highlights include enabling http pipelining and including a couple of browser add-ons, switching default search engine
Really ? really ?
That's the problem that needs solving, thru a new disto
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a whole os, distro and the highlights include enabling http pipelining and including a couple of browser add-ons, switching default search engine
Really ? really ?
That's the problem that needs solving, thru a new disto
Yep, that's right, a whole new distro... to enable something that not everybody thinks is a great idea... I mean, if you want to make 200 http connections per web page have at it, but do it on some other web, not the one that myself and others enjoy traffic from.
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No, those are differences between the last release, you know 4.5 indicates there have been others...
Makes me embarrassed to be here on Friday evening (Score:2, Insightful)
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Then this distro should be installing right now! Ba dum tish!
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Libre the new Free? (Score:2)
Can't help but notice since the fork of OpenOffice was named LibreOffice, everyone is using the word Libre now. This thread is filled with instances of it by various individuals. I thought it was silly when they named it LibreOffice and I think it's silly people are jumping on the word everywhere else now.
I realize this is dangerously off-topic (mod me so if you feel so inclined) -- I just find it strange.
New words (Score:2)
So is libre the new free-as-in-beer?
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Wow, I was tired when I wrote that. I meant free-as-in-freedom, I really did.
How long has this been around? First time I heard of it was LibreOffice. Anything before that?
Therefore, (Score:2)
YAY! (Score:2)
Or at least i think its yay.. I will know after i figure out what the hell it is..
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Is that English?
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Actually Ruben's primary language is Spanish, as he is from Spain.
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It's called, get this.. "Web Browser". I know, I know, but hey, you do remember "Internet Explorer" don't you?
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Its real name wasn't odd enough, so mentioning 'Mozilla' had to suffice.
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Actually, it would be called Firefox if they could. But it is some license or trademark issue. But you can install firefox extensions and other addons.
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This isn't a review? It is a summary of a release announcement? If you don't understand what it is by any of the details in the summary, perhaps it isn't for you.
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If you don't care about slurm, then why are you here?
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He thinks I wasn't being courteous, what a typical AC.... I do believe that those in open source have infinite more patience than proprietary people. They make it far more clear what you are getting, why they even give you the source code! He knew what it was, and my point still stands, if he didn't, then it obviously isn't for him. My computer illiterate father would know what it is by the summary.
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Nothing? How about power 3/4ths of the worlds servers. In your car, T.V, toaster, Tivo, fridge, and on and on. Innovate companies that would rather keep the status quo but are forced to catch up.
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Ever think of how much work that is to remove all the proprietary software and .blobs? Now, all you have to do is download it and use it, saving you time. It is based on Ubuntu, so you have a ton of support there. And if you can't get your answer there, then you can always find help on the forums or IRC.
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what a crock that is. what % of users of software do you think are capable of doing anything remotely useful (or even plain silly) with the source code? 10%? 1%? And of those, what % are interested enough in making a change? The developer(s) will always control the users of the software unless the developers are the only people using the software.
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"the developer of the software controls the users of the software"
what a crock that is. what % of users of software do you think are capable of doing anything remotely useful (or even plain silly) with the source code? 10%? 1%? And of those, what % are interested enough in making a change? The developer(s) will always control the users of the software unless the developers are the only people using the software.
Negative, without the source code, updates can be forced, for example. Just by having the source code, once can easily enough, compile the old version again. Even give someone a few bucks to take out the update mechanism or neutralize it. That is just one example.
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Here are some examples of developers of the software controlling the users of the software using proprietary software:
1. Free software, unlike proprietary software, can be ported to other operating systems (and to different architectures). Proprietary software will usually only be ported if the developer wishes to do so (e.g. if enough people use the operating system), which is why for example Adobe did not release a version of Flash for FreeBSD or for the Openmoko GNU/Linux distributions.
2. Nvidia is unwil
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The main differences from Ubuntu are a rebranded Mozilla browser...
$ apt-get install abrowser
There. Ubuntu with an unbranded Firefox. It even removes firefox-branding.
...which never suggests the use of Adobe Flash
Those that care are free to click the "no thanks" button and go without flash online.
...and instead uses replacements such as Gnash
Wow. Best joke I've read all week.
...the removal of Ubuntu's Multiverse repository as it contains non-free software...
Isn't that turned off by default?
...and a Linux kernel without any non-free binary blobs. Note that since the Linux kernel contains non-free software it violates its own license.
So...Ubuntu with Debian's kernel.