If you're new to GNU/Linux, this would be a good place to start. At our last count, there are about 320 varieties out there, so if we're bound to miss one or two. Or several. Actually, the definitive authority on what distros are out there, and even those which have fallen by the wayside, is DistroWatch, and a visit there can answer most, if not all, of your questions. If your particular brand is not here, e-mail us here.

[Why do we call it GNU/Linux instead of just plain Linux? Everyone should call it GNU/Linux and here's why.] Magnificent Seven
Most influential distros listed

We all have our favorites -- Debian, Xubuntu and Linux Mint (not to mention Knoppix) come immediately to mind at OSFSR -- but Bruce Byfield has taken stock of the GNU/Linux landscape and has written an interesting look at the seven most influential distros. More on the story from Datamation here.

Red Hat, the world's leading provider of open source solutions, today announced that Red Hat's operations in Japan has been named the number one vendor that customers intend to conduct business with in the future by Nikkei Market Access' "Industry Trends in Intended Use of Products/Services of Major Vendors" study. More on the story from Yahoo! Finance here.

Absolute winner

Absolute, a lightweight Linux operating system based on Slackware Linux distribution, just released version 12.0. It features kernel version 2.6.21.5, IceWM and Fluxbox window managers, and many graphical and ncurses-based configuration tools. Its goal is to provide a lighter, easier-to-use Slackware appropriate for newcomers and experienced Linux users alike. It is built for speed and performance but doesn't neglect stability or security. More on the story from Linux.com here.

Oracle Linux?
Shuttleworth says it's on the way

Ubuntu's Mark Shuttleworth says that Oracle is up to something. "They are hiring too many people just to deliver patches. My assumption is that they are on track to fork and build their own distribution," he said. To date Oracle has offered Oracle Enterprise Linux which is in fact just a version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux which Oracle tracks very closely. Shuttleworth, however, sees Oracle gearing up for its own, full-fledged version of GNU/Linux that would compete with software from Red Hat, Novell and others. More on the story from Tectonic here.

Zenwalk releases new server

After over four months of development Zenserver 0.5 has been released. There have been a huge amount of changes since last release. Zenserver 0.5 features the GNU/Linux 2.6.19.7 kernel with the GRSecurity patch, Lighttpd, PHP, Mysql, Bind, Postfix, Samba, full development tools, WebLua, and among many other things, ZSAdmin for effective and simple systems administration. More on the distro from Zenwalk here.

Yellow Dog releases 5.0.2

TerraSoft announces the release of Yellow Dog Linux 5.0.2, a single Install DVD with support for the Apple G4 and G5 computers, Sony PS3, and IBM 'System p' servers, including the JS20/21, OpenPower, and current POWER5 systems. Yellow Dog Linux 5.0.2 offers: kernel 2.6.22-rc4; SDK v2.0 for Cell BE; more than 70 bug fixes and updates; continued support for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. More on the distro from TerraSoft here.

Slackware goes 12.0

Slackware has announced the first release candidate of Slackware Linux 12.0. "It's that time again, and here we have Slackware 12.0 release candidate 1! If we're lucky, we got it all right the first time. Big thanks to the crew," said Patrick Volkerding. More on the distro from Slackware here.

Linux Mint releases Cassandra Light

Linux Mint has announced the release of its version 3.0 "Light" edition, code named Cassandra. "Cassandra Light edition was released and is available for download," said Clement Lefebvre. "The purpose of the Light edition is to bring an edition of Linux Mint which doesn't contain proprietary software, patented technologies and support for restricted formats. In some countries where the legislation allows software patents to be enforced, the Light edition provides a way for users to legally download Linux Mint." More on the distro from Linux Mint here

Yoper releases 3.0

Yoper has announced the release of Yoper Linux 3.0, a fast, i686-optimised distribution featuring the KDE desktop and using the SMART package management technology. "The Yoper team is proud to announce the long-awaited stable release of Yoper Linux 3.0, codename 'Titanium'," said Tobias Gerschner. "This release ships with kernel 2.6.21.1, including the Con Kolivas patch set and SD scheduler, X.Org 7.2, KDE 3.5.7, KOffice 1.6.3, Firefox 2.0.0.4 and a vast range of other cutting-edge desktop packages." More on the distro from Yoper here.

Parsix updates Barry

Alan Baghumian has announced the final release of Parsix GNU/Linux 0.90. "We are pleased to announce the immediate availability of the most perfect version of Parsix GNU/Linux ever, 0.90r0 codename 'Barry'," said Baghumian. "This version brings the recent open source technologies bound into a quality live and installation CD-ROM right to your desktop and laptop PC." More on thie distro from Parsix >here.

Bluewhite64 goes 12.0

This is the first release candidate of Bluewhite64 Linux 12.0, an unofficial port of Slackware to 64-bit processors. In an announcement from Bluewhite 64: "I am pleased to announce the first release candidate for Bluewhite64 12.0. Since the latest release, Bluewhite64 11.1-test1, among the fixes and updates, you will find the latest stable SMP Linux kernel 2.6.21.5 supporting all major file systems and IDE, SATA and SCSI controllers. Also, there are a few new package additions, like cryptsetup 1.0.5, KNemo 0.4.8, KVpnc 0.8.9 and LZO 2.02." More on the distro from Bluewhite64 here.

Revive an old PC
with GNU/Linux

Reduce, reuse and recycle: Information Week provides a short guide to getting your old computer up and running again -- and out of the landfill -- with GNU/Linux. More on the story from Information Week here.

Have a distro you're partial to? Care to write about it?

OSR seeks writers, bloggers, programmers and any literate being who cares enough about their brand of Linux to wear their loyalties on their sleeves and write about it. Contact us here..