Slax Proves You Can’t Keep a Good Linux Distribution Down
After 4 years of stagnation, the lightweight Slax distribution is back in business.
Anyone who’s ever looked into bringing computer hardware back to life has considered one or more lightweight Linux distributions. In the search for the right OS, you might have come across Slax, which was a Debian-based operating system that was quite popular for a while. However, the pandemic wreaked havoc on the development lifecycle, so we hadn’t seen anything new from the maintainer since 2018.
That all changes now, with the release of Slax 11.2. Based on Debian Bullseye, almost ready for release and will include features like kernel 5.10, support for 32 and 64-bit systems, PCManFM file manager, Connman network manager, SciTE text editor, xterm terminal emulator, and more. The developer has opted to leave out the Chromium browser by default (due to its size), but by clicking on the Chromium icon, the browser will automatically install.
Although Debian shifted to the OverlayFS union mount filesystem, Slax had to continue with AUFS to provide the necessary support for the slax activate command. As OverlayFS doesn’t allow for modification of the existing overlay filesystem on the fly.
At the moment, there’s no definitive release date, but anyone interested in testing Slax 11.2, can download an ISO image for either 64- or 32-bit architecture.
Follow the Slax developer blog to stay in the know about this lightweight Linux distribution.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.