ALT Linux is an open source, freely distributed and universal GNU/Linux operating system intended for use on servers, desktops and mobile devices. It comes in many flavors with various desktop environments and supports numerous architectures. It’s an independent distribution of Linux forked from the deprecated Mandrake Linux OS.
Distributed in multiple editions
The ALT Linux project is available in many editions, such as ALT Linux (School Junior), ALT Linux (School Master), ALT Linux (School Server), ALT Linux (School Teacher), ALT Linux Simply, ALT Linux Junior, ALT Linux KDesktop, ALT Linux Master, ALT Linux Rescue, and ALT Linux Server.
In addition, the ALT Linux’s special Starterkit project offers versions with the LXDE, LXQt, Razor-Qt, Xfce, MATE, Cinnamon, IceWM, GNUstep, GNOME, Enlightenment, WindowMaker and Trinity desktop environments/window managers.
Supports 32-bit and 64-bit platforms
ALT Linux is the main edition, the first one that was ever released for this project, and it is distributed as Live DVD ISO images optimized for either of the 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x86_64) instruction set architectures. Installable-only DVD ISO images are also available in the download section above, all of them deployable on either DVD discs or USB thumb drivers.
Simple boot menu
The distribution’s Live DVD boot menu is quite simple, offering support for the English (US), Russian, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Ukrainian, Turkish and Kazakhstan languages, the ability to start the live system with normal settings, run a memory test and boot an existing OS from the local drive. In addition, you will be able to pass extra parameters to the kernel, change the video mode and source.
Use the MATE desktop environment
MATE, a clone of the GNOME 2 (also known as GNOME Classic) graphical desktop environment, was chosen for ALT Linux’s default session. It is comprised of a two-panel layout, which offers a productive and very fast desktop interface to users with low-end computers.
Includes popular, open-source applications
As expected, the distribution includes various well-known open souce applications, among which we can mention the LibreOffice office suite, GIMP image editor, Mozilla Firefox web browser, Dia diagram editor, GParted partition editor, and various other MATE-related packages.
What is new in this release:
- Changes in version 8.2:
- critical security fixes in Linux kernel, Samba, OpenSSL and other software packages included along with other bugfixes;
- iucode-tool is now used to load updated CPU microcode;
- other improvements.
- ALT Server 8.2 changes:
- the link to access System management center printed to console;
- FreeIPA server added.
- ALT Workstation 8.2 changes:
- Chromium browser is not installed by default but provided in the image;
- FreeIPA client added.
- ALT Education 8.2 changes:
- VNC installation, autoinstall and eMMC install support added;
- net-tools, fdisk, gdisk, parted, partclone disk management utilities, as well as OpenSSH client have been added to installer;
- trueconf-client version updated;
- wine-vanilla replaced with wine;
- bind and crond services will autostart now.
What is new in version 8.1:
- Changes in version 8.1:
- Linux kernel 4.4.34
- LibreOffice 5.2 suite
- Firefox ESR 45.5.0 and Chromium 54 browsers
- Thunderbird ESR 45.5.0 email client
- Qemu 2.6.2 and VirtualBox 5.1.6 virtual machines
- better SSD, 4K HDD, touchpad, and bluetooth support
- online repository available out-of-box
- fixed RO/RW mode support in LiveUSB
- 3rd party software support libraries added
What is new in version 7.0.5:
- Updated software closing known vulnerabilities as of May 22, 2015 with further updates available through Platform 7 repositories
- Updated timezones
- System Control Center is now able to join Active Directory
- LiveCDs gained RW partition support during UEFI boot as well
- "poweroff" kernel commandline parameter will cause the system to shut down upon installation to ease automated deployment
- Online repositories will always be configured, not just when found available
- Linux 3.14.41
- Mesa 10.0.5
- Firefox 31.6.0
- Various bugs were fixed with updated Intel video driver
What is new in version 7.0.4:
- This is a minor update to the 7.0.x series, adding bugfixes and SecureBoot tolerance.
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