Parabola GNU/Linux-libre is a clone of the Arch Linux operating system, but designed to include only libre software, applications, libraries and command-line tools that are completely open source and free. It features no graphical desktop environment and works the same as Arch Linux.
Distributed as a dual-arch Live CD ISO image
Being based on Arch Linux, the Parabola GNU/Linux-libre operating system is distributed as a dual-arch Live CD ISO image of approximately 500MB in size, usable on either 32-bit (i386) or 64-bit (x86_64) hardware platforms.
Boot options à la Arch Linux
The boot screen on the Live CD is also identical with the one of Arch Linux, allowing the user to boot Parabola GNU/Linux-libre on 64-bit (x86_64) or 32-bit (i686) computers, boot an existing operating system, run a memory test using the Memtest86+ tool, view detailed hardware information using HDT (Hardware Detection Tool), as well as to reboot or shutdown the machine.
Text-mode, manual installation in the style of Arch Linux
The distro features a text-mode installation method that requires the user to manually connect to the Internet, partition the disk drive, install the basic system, as well as to enter the chroot environment and install all the packages that he or she needs, very similar to the Arch Linux installation.
Of course, this means that you can install any number of packages, any desktop environment or window manager, and configure/customize the operating system as you see fit. Which also means that the operating system is targeted towards experienced users.
Bottom line
Summing up, Parabola GNU/Linux-libre is a great fork of Arch Linux, specifically designed for people who want to use only libre, fully open source software. It also features a rolling-release model, which means that you won’t have to download a new ISO image to upgrade the installation to the most recent version.
What is new in this release:
- [Mate desktop ISO]: Fixed English spelling in Parabola Installation CLI.
- [Mate desktop ISO]: Added ttf-dejavu.
- [Mate desktop ISO]: Added dmidecode.
- Enabled PCR (Parabola Community Repository) by default.
What is new in version :
- [Mate desktop ISO]: Fixed English spelling in Parabola Installation CLI.
- [Mate desktop ISO]: Added ttf-dejavu.
- [Mate desktop ISO]: Added dmidecode.
- Enabled PCR (Parabola Community Repository) by default.
What is new in version 2016.11.03:
- [Mate desktop ISO]: Fixed English spelling in Parabola Installation CLI.
- [Mate desktop ISO]: Added ttf-dejavu.
- [Mate desktop ISO]: Added dmidecode.
- Enabled PCR (Parabola Community Repository) by default.
What is new in version 2016.07.27:
- First medium with Linux-libre 3.6 (3.6.2) with Atheros AR8162 (ALX driver) support, reported on issue201.
- The script boot parameter works again, reported on Archlinux Bugs.
- When booting via PXE and NFS or NBD the ISO will be copied to RAM to ensure a more stable usage.
- The live medium contains usb_modeswitch and wvdial which e.g. allows to establish a network connection using an UMTS USB dongle.
- Furthermore the newest version of systemd and netcfg are included.
- systemd is used to boot up the live system.
- initscripts are no longer available on the live system but are still installed by default on the target system. This is likely to change in the near future.
- EFI boot and setup has been simplified.
- gummiboot is used to display a menu on EFI systems.
- The following new packages are available on the live system: ethtool, fsarchiver, gummiboot-efi, mc, partclone, partimage, refind-efi, rfkill, sudo, testdisk, wget, xl2tpd.
What is new in version 2016.07.09:
- First medium with Linux-libre 3.6 (3.6.2) with Atheros AR8162 (ALX driver) support, reported on issue201.
- The script boot parameter works again, reported on Archlinux Bugs.
- When booting via PXE and NFS or NBD the ISO will be copied to RAM to ensure a more stable usage.
- The live medium contains usb_modeswitch and wvdial which e.g. allows to establish a network connection using an UMTS USB dongle.
- Furthermore the newest version of systemd and netcfg are included.
- systemd is used to boot up the live system.
- initscripts are no longer available on the live system but are still installed by default on the target system. This is likely to change in the near future.
- EFI boot and setup has been simplified.
- gummiboot is used to display a menu on EFI systems.
- The following new packages are available on the live system: ethtool, fsarchiver, gummiboot-efi, mc, partclone, partimage, refind-efi, rfkill, sudo, testdisk, wget, xl2tpd.
What is new in version 2016.06.01:
- First medium with Linux-libre 3.6 (3.6.2) with Atheros AR8162 (ALX driver) support, reported on issue201.
- The script boot parameter works again, reported on Archlinux Bugs.
- When booting via PXE and NFS or NBD the ISO will be copied to RAM to ensure a more stable usage.
- The live medium contains usb_modeswitch and wvdial which e.g. allows to establish a network connection using an UMTS USB dongle.
- Furthermore the newest version of systemd and netcfg are included.
- systemd is used to boot up the live system.
- initscripts are no longer available on the live system but are still installed by default on the target system. This is likely to change in the near future.
- EFI boot and setup has been simplified.
- gummiboot is used to display a menu on EFI systems.
- The following new packages are available on the live system: ethtool, fsarchiver, gummiboot-efi, mc, partclone, partimage, refind-efi, rfkill, sudo, testdisk, wget, xl2tpd.
What is new in version 2014.06.01:
- First medium with Linux-libre 3.6 (3.6.2) with Atheros AR8162 (ALX driver) support, reported on issue201.
- The script boot parameter works again, reported on Archlinux Bugs.
- When booting via PXE and NFS or NBD the ISO will be copied to RAM to ensure a more stable usage.
- The live medium contains usb_modeswitch and wvdial which e.g. allows to establish a network connection using an UMTS USB dongle.
- Furthermore the newest version of systemd and netcfg are included.
- systemd is used to boot up the live system.
- initscripts are no longer available on the live system but are still installed by default on the target system. This is likely to change in the near future.
- EFI boot and setup has been simplified.
- gummiboot is used to display a menu on EFI systems.
- The following new packages are available on the live system: ethtool, fsarchiver, gummiboot-efi, mc, partclone, partimage, refind-efi, rfkill, sudo, testdisk, wget, xl2tpd.
Comments not found