Geek Report » Netbook

Debian 5.0 (codename “Lenny”) Goes Gold

Anti-Trend — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 23:49:08 +0000

The Debian Project is pleased to announce the official release of Debian GNU/Linux version 5.0 (codenamed “Lenny”) after 22 months of constant development. Debian GNU/Linux is a free operating system which supports a total of twelve processor architectures and includes the KDE, GNOME, Xfce, and LXDE desktop environments. It also features compatibility with the FHS v2.3 and software developed for version 3.2 of the LSB.

Debian GNU/Linux runs on computers ranging from palmtops and handheld systems to supercomputers, and on nearly everything in between. A total of twelve architectures are supported: Sun SPARC (sparc), HP Alpha (alpha), Motorola/IBM PowerPC (powerpc), Intel IA-32 (i386), IA-64 (ia64), HP PA-RISC (hppa), MIPS (mips, mipsel), ARM (arm, armel), IBM S/390 (s390), and AMD64 and Intel EM64T (amd64).

Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 “Lenny” adds support for Marvell’s Orion platform which is used in many storage devices. Supported storage devices include the QNAP Turbo Station series, HP Media Vault mv2120, and Buffalo Kurobox Pro. Additionally, “Lenny” now supports several Netbooks, in particular the Eee PC by Asus. “Lenny” also contains the build tools for Emdebian which allow Debian source packages to be cross-built and shrunk to suit embedded ARM systems.

Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 “Lenny” includes the new ARM EABI port, “armel”. This new port provides a more efficient use of both modern and future ARM processors. As a result, the old ARM port (arm) has now been deprecated.

This release includes numerous updated software packages, such as the K Desktop Environment 3.5.10 (KDE), an updated version of the GNOME desktop environment 2.22.2, the Xfce 4.4.2 desktop environment, LXDE 0.3.2.1, the GNUstep desktop 7.3, X.Org 7.3, OpenOffice.org 2.4.1, GIMP 2.4.7, Iceweasel 3.0.6 (an unbranded version of Mozilla Firefox), Icedove 2.0.0.19 (an unbranded version of Mozilla Thunderbird), PostgreSQL 8.3.6, MySQL 5.0.51a, GNU Compiler Collection 4.3.2, Linux kernel version 2.6.26, Apache 2.2.9, Samba 3.2.5, Python 2.5.2 and 2.4.6, Perl 5.10.0, PHP 5.2.6, Asterisk 1.4.21.2, Emacs 22, Inkscape 0.46, Nagios 3.06, Xen Hypervisor 3.2.1 (dom0 as well as domU support), OpenJDK 6b11, and more than 23,000 other ready-to-use software packages (built from over 12,000 source packages).

With the integration of X.Org 7.3 the X server autoconfigures itself with most hardware. Newly introduced packages allow the full support of NTFS filesystems and the use of most multimedia keys out of the box. Support for Adobe(R) Flash(R) format files is available via the swfdec or Gnash plugins. Overall improvements for notebooks have been introduced, such as out of the box support of CPU frequency scaling. For leisure time several new games have been added, including puzzle games as well as first-person shooters. Also notable is the introduction of “goplay”, a graphical games browser offering filters, search, screenshots and descriptions for games in Debian.

The availability and updates of OpenJDK, GNU Java compiler, GNU Java bytecode interpreter, Classpath and other free versions of Sun’s Java technology, into Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 allow us to ship Java-based applications in Debian’s “main” repository.

Further improvements in system security include the installation of available security updates before the first reboot by the Debian Installer, the reduction of setuid root binaries and open ports in the standard installation, and the use of GCC hardening features in the builds of several security-critical packages. Various applications have specific improvements, too. PHP for example is now built with the Suhosin hardening patch.

For non-native English speaking users the package management systems now support translated package descriptions and will automatically show the description of a package in the native language of the user, if available.

Debian GNU/Linux can be installed from various installation media such as DVDs, CDs, USB sticks and floppies, or from the network. GNOME is the default desktop environment and is contained on the first CD. Other desktop environments – KDE, Xfce, or LXDE – can be installed through two new alternative CD images. Again available with Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 are multi-arch CDs and DVDs supporting installation of multiple architectures from a single disc; and this release adds Blu-ray Discs, allowing the archive for an entire architecture to be shipped on a single BD.

In addition to the regular installation media, Debian GNU/Linux can now also be directly used without prior installation. The special images used, known as live images, are available for CDs, USB sticks, and netboot setups. Initially, these are provided for the amd64 and i386 architectures only.

The installation process for Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 has been improved in many ways: among many other improvements, support for installation from more than one CD or DVD has been restored, firmware required by some devices can be loaded by using removable media, and installations via Braille display are supported. The installer boot process has also received much attention: a graphical menu can be used to choose front-ends and desktop environments, and to select expert or rescue mode. The installation system for Debian GNU/Linux has now been translated to 63 languages.

Debian GNU/Linux can be downloaded right now via bittorrent (the recommended way), jigdo or HTTP; see Debian GNU/Linux on CDs [1] for further information. It will soon be available on DVD, CD-ROM and Blu-ray Disc from numerous vendors [2], too.

Upgrades to Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 from the previous release, Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 (codenamed “Etch”) are automatically handled by the aptitude package management tool for most configurations, and to a certain degree also by the apt-get package management tool. As always, Debian GNU/Linux systems can be upgraded painlessly, in place, without any forced downtime, but it is strongly recommended to read the release notes [3] for possible issues, and for detailed instructions on installing and upgrading. The release notes will be further improved and translated to additional languages in the weeks after the release.

Dedication

Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 “Lenny” is dedicated to Thiemo Seufer, a Debian Developer who died on December 26th, 2008 in a tragic car accident. Thiemo was involved in Debian in many ways. He has maintained several packages and was the main supporter of the Debian port to the MIPS architectures. He was also a member of our kernel team, as well as a member of the Debian Installer team. His contributions reached far beyond the Debian project. He also worked on the MIPS port of the Linux kernel, the MIPS emulation of qemu, and far too many smaller projects to be named here.

Thiemo’s work, commitment, broad technical knowledge and ability to share this with others will be missed. Thiemo’s contributions will not be forgotten. The high standards of his work make it hard to pick up.

About Debian

Debian GNU/Linux is a free operating system, developed by more than a thousand volunteers from all over the world who collaborate via the Internet. Debian’s dedication to Free Software, its non-profit nature, and its open development model make it unique among GNU/Linux distributions.

The Debian project’s key strengths are its volunteer base, its dedication to the Debian Social Contract, and its commitment to provide the best operating system possible. Debian 5.0 is another important step in that direction.

Sony Netbook Rumoured

Sniper — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:16:26 +0000

At the moment its just speculation but Sony might just enter the netbook market. All will be unveiled on the 9th of January. Lets hope “the revolutionary new VAIO” is something more than just another netbook.

Edit: read more link updated on 21/12/2008 because Sony couldn’t stand to wait any longer :)

Nvidia to enter Netbook market with Ion Platform

Sniper — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:29:19 +0000

Nvidia will enter the netbook market next year, with their new platform called Ion! which combines their Geforce 9400M chipset with Intel’s Atom processor. It should end-up replacing the GMA 945 chipset currently found in netbooks.

Simply, it will make netbooks that little bit more capable, possibly allowing users to run more intensive applications, operating systems, play HD videos or even make light use of photoshop.

BenQ Joybook U101 (Netbook) launched

Sniper — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:41:52 +0000

BenQ have launched Joybook Lite U101 (Netbook), it comes with the standard specs you will find in most netbooks. You can grab for just over $500 in Taiwan, quite expensive compare to other netbooks! availability else where unknown.

Intel N270 CPU processor
Windows XP Home
10.1-inch 16:9 LED screen / 8ms response time
Weight 1.1kg
HDD and SSD hard drive support

You ain’t no tech company if you haven’t launched your very own netbook, thoughts?

Samsung NC10 Netbook In Black

Sniper — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:22:29 +0000

MobileComputerMag have posted some amazing hands-on shots Samsung NC10 netbook in black! Looks to be the best out of all netbooks! Its finding its way on to UK stores for £299 (Play.com).

We can confirm that the black model is definitely better looking than the white, with the silver accents looking right at home against the matte black finish. Unsurprisingly, the gloss black lid is a finger print magnet but on the whole the black NC10 looks like it means business.

Superspeed USB 3.0 Specification Officially Released

Sniper — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:18:05 +0000

USB 2.0 is getting upgraded to USB 3.0! Simply it means is you get faster transfer speeds (up-to 10 times)! USB 3.0 also offers backwards compatibility with all existing USB/2.0 devices e.g. storage, docks etc. OK, so now your wondering now what next? well now you play the waiting game! The specs have been released but we won’t actually see any consumer devices until 2010 (maybe late 2009)!

Dell Inspiron Mini 9 and the ASUS N10 reviewed

Sniper — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:25:16 +0000

Dell Mini 9 and the ASUS N10 netbooks have been reviewed by register hardware! They seem to like the Mini 9, calling it the “nicest netbook out there” but does come with a two year 3g contract! I personally like the Samsung NC10 which many reports suggest has excellent battery life. Jump for the full reviews.

Dell Inspiron Mini 12 Netbook Announced

Sniper — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:09:49 +0000

The netbook market is getting hard to keep up with, new netbooks are getting announced almost every day, ahh well! However unlike other companies this is Dell’s second offering, which looks pretty decent at best. Its larger than the Mini 9 and definitely should fall into the laptop category. Oh and it comes loaded with windows vista, which probably would feel sluggish.

1.3GHz Atom Z520 or 1.6GHz Atom Z530
Windows Vista Home
12.1-inch 1280 x 800 display
1GB of RAM
Hard drive: 60 GB or 80 GB
Integrated Bluetooth / WiFi
Standard 3-cell (3 hour life) and optional 6-cell (6 hour life) battery
2.7 lbs (with 3-cell battery)

Pricing will start at $600 when released late November in the USA.

MiTAC to launch MiStation gOS Netbook

Sniper — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:17:29 +0000

Yes, another one! it only means more choice for the consumer. MiTAC’s MiStation features the Atom 1.6GHz processor, 20GB SSD or 60GB hard drive, 8.9-inch LCD screen, WiFi 802.11b/g, integrated GPS, Bluetooth, SD card and a built-in 1.3 Megapixel webcam. gOS is the choice of operating system which is based on Ubuntu.

ASUS S101 netbook press shots and review

Sniper — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:34:01 +0000

This ASUS S101 high-end netbook looks slick, I must admit. It features an 10.2 inch LED backlit screen, 0.3MB webcam, integrated bluetooth, the newer Wi-fi 802.11n draft, 16 GB Solid State Drive and an estimated battery life of 5 hours (with Wi-fi off and brightness lowered) or 3 hours and forty-five minutes during heavy use (read the review). The price should start from €599 ($816) in Europe.

“High-end netbook” might sound like an oxymoron, not least because the whole point of these little mobile internet devices was for them to be low-cost and low-power. The thinking at Asus, however, is that the S101 will appeal to people who have so far been put off buying an Eee PC because of its ‘built to a budget’ appearance, and in that respect, the S101 is a big success – it’s gorgeous.