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diff --git a/ANNOUNCE.14_1 b/ANNOUNCE.14_1 new file mode 100644 index 00000000..ec6bb5f5 --- /dev/null +++ b/ANNOUNCE.14_1 @@ -0,0 +1,217 @@ + + Yes, it is that time again! After well over a year of planning, +development, and testing, the Slackware Linux Project is proud to +announce the latest stable release of the longest running distribution +of the Linux operating system, Slackware version 14.1! + + We are sure you'll enjoy the many improvements. We've done our best +to bring the latest technology to Slackware while still maintaining the +stability and security that you have come to expect. Slackware is well +known for its simplicity and the fact that we try to bring software to +you in the condition that the authors intended. + + Slackware 14.1 brings many updates and enhancements, among which +you'll find two of the most advanced desktop environments available +today: Xfce 4.10.1, a fast and lightweight but visually appealing and +easy to use desktop environment, and KDE 4.10.5, a recent stable release +of the 4.10.x series of the award-winning KDE desktop environment. +These desktops utilize udev, udisks, and udisks2, and many of the +specifications from freedesktop.org which allow the system administrator +to grant use of various hardware devices according to users' group +membership so that they will be able to use items such as USB flash +sticks, USB cameras that appear like USB storage, portable hard drives, +CD and DVD media, MP3 players, and more, all without requiring sudo, the +mount or umount command. Just plug and play. Slackware's desktop +should be suitable for any level of Linux experience. + + Slackware uses the 3.10.17 kernel bringing you advanced performance +features such as journaling filesystems, SCSI and ATA RAID volume +support, SATA support, Software RAID, LVM (the Logical Volume Manager), +and encrypted filesystems. Kernel support for X DRI (the Direct +Rendering Interface) brings high-speed hardware accelerated 3D graphics +to Linux. + + There are two kinds of kernels in Slackware. First there are the +huge kernels, which contain support for just about every driver in the +Linux kernel. These are primarily intended to be used for installation, +but there's no real reason that you couldn't continue to run them after +you have installed. The other type of kernel is the generic kernel, in +which nearly every driver is built as a module. To use a generic kernel +you'll need to build an initrd to load your filesystem module and +possibly your drive controller or other drivers needed at boot time, +configure LILO to load the initrd at boot, and reinstall LILO. See the +docs in /boot after installing for more information. Slackware's Linux +kernels come in both SMP and non-SMP types now. The SMP kernel supports +multiple processors, multi-core CPUs, HyperThreading, and about every +other optimization available. In our own testing this kernel has proven +to be fast, stable, and reliable. We recommend using the SMP kernel +even on single processor machines if it will run on them. Note that on +x86_64 (64-bit), all the kernels are SMP capable. + + +Here are some of the advanced features of Slackware 14.1: + +- Runs the 3.10.17 version of the Linux kernel from ftp.kernel.org. + The 3.10.x series is well-tested, offers good performance, and will be + getting long term support from kernel.org. For people interested in + running the previous long term support kernel series, we've provided + sample configuration files for Linux 3.4.66 under the /testing directory. + And, to make it easier for people who want to compile the latest Linux + kernel, we've also put configuration files for Linux 3.12 in /testing. + +- System binaries are linked with the GNU C Library, version 2.17. + This version of glibc also has excellent compatibility with + existing binaries. + +- X11 based on the X.Org Foundation's modular X Window System. + This is X11R7.7, a new release, with many improvements in terms of + performance and hardware support. + +- Installs gcc-4.8.2 as the default C, C++, Objective-C, + Fortran-77/95/2003/2008, and Ada 95/2005/2012 compiler. + +- Also includes LLVM and Clang, an alternate compiler for C, C++, + Objective-C and Objective-C++. + +- The x86_64 version of Slackware 14.1 supports installation and booting + on machines using UEFI firmware. + +- Support for NetworkManager for simple configuration of wired and + wireless network connections, including mobile broadband, IPv6, VPN, + and more. Roam seamlessly between known networks, and quickly set + up new connections. We've retained full support for the traditional + Slackware networking scripts and for the wicd network manager, + offering choice and flexibility to all levels of users. + +- Support for fully encrypted network connections with OpenSSL, + OpenSSH, OpenVPN, and GnuPG. + +- Apache (httpd) 2.4.6 web server with Dynamic Shared Object + support, SSL, and PHP 5.4.20. + +- USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), and ACPI support, as well as legacy PCMCIA + and Cardbus support. This makes Slackware a great operating system + for your laptop. + +- The udev dynamic device management system for Linux 3.x. + This locates and configures most hardware automatically as it + is added (or removed) from the system, loading kernel modules + as needed. It works along with the kernel's devtmpfs filesystem + to create access nodes in the /dev directory. + +- New development tools, including Perl 5.18.1, Python 2.7.5, + Ruby 1.9.3-p448, Subversion 1.7.13, git-1.8.4, mercurial-2.7.2, + graphical tools like Qt designer and KDevelop, and much more. + +- Updated versions of the Slackware package management tools make it + easy to add, remove, upgrade, and make your own Slackware packages. + Package tracking makes it easy to upgrade from Slackware 14.0 to + Slackware 14.1 (see UPGRADE.TXT and CHANGES_AND_HINTS.TXT). + The slackpkg tool can also help update from an older version of + Slackware to a newer one, and keep your Slackware system up to date. + In addition, the slacktrack utility will help you build and maintain + your own packages. + +- Web browsers galore! Includes KDE's Konqueror 4.10.5, SeaMonkey 2.21 + (this is the replacement for the Mozilla Suite), Mozilla Firefox ESR 24.1, + as well as the Thunderbird 24.1 email and news client with advanced + junk mail filtering. A script is also available in /extra to repackage + Google Chrome as a native Slackware package. + +- The KDE Software Compilation 4.10.5, a complete desktop environment. + This includes the Calligra productivity suite (previously known as + KOffice), networking tools, GUI development with KDevelop, multimedia + tools (including the Amarok music player and K3B disc burning software), + the Konqueror web browser and file manager, dozens of games and utilities, + international language support, and more. + +- A collection of GTK+ based applications including pidgin-2.10.7, + gimp-2.8.6 (with many improvements including a single window mode), + gkrellm-2.3.5, xchat-2.8.8, xsane-0.998, and pan-0.139. + +- A repository of extra software packages compiled and ready to run + in the /extra directory. + +- Many more improved and upgraded packages than we can list here. For + a complete list of core packages in Slackware 14.1, see this file: + + ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-14.1/PACKAGES.TXT + + +Downloading Slackware 14.1: +--------------------------- + + The full version of Slackware Linux 14.1 is available for download +from the central Slackware FTP site hosted by our friends at osuosl.org: + + ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-14.1/ + +If the sites are busy, see the list of official mirror sites here: + + http://mirrors.slackware.com + + We will be setting up BitTorrent downloads for the official ISO +images. Stay tuned to http://slackware.com for the latest updates. + + Instructions for burning the Slackware tree onto install discs may +be found in the isolinux directory. + + +Purchasing Slackware on CD-ROM or DVD: +-------------------------------------- + + Or, please consider purchasing the Slackware Linux 14.1 six CD-ROM +set or deluxe dual-sided DVD release directly from Slackware Linux, and +you'll be helping to support the continued development of Slackware +Linux! + + The DVD release has the 32-bit x86 Slackware 14.1 release on one +side, and the 64-bit x86_64 Slackware 14.1 release on the other. Both +sides are bootable for easy installation, and includes everything from +both releases of Slackware 14.1, including the complete source code +trees. + + The 6 CD-ROM release of Slackware 14.1 is the 32-bit x86 edition. +It includes a bootable first CD-ROM for easy installation. The 6 +CD-ROMs are labeled for easy reference. + + The Slackware 14.1 x86 6 CD-ROM set is $49.95 plus shipping, or +choose the Slackware 14.1 x86/x86_64 dual-sided DVD (also $49.95 plus +shipping). + + Slackware Linux is also available by subscription. When we release +a new version of Slackware (which is normally once or twice a year) we +ship it to you and bill your credit card for a reduced subscription +price ($32.99 for the CD-ROM set, or $39.95 for the DVD) plus shipping. + + For shipping options, see the Slackware store website. Before +ordering express shipping, you may wish to check that we have the +product in stock. We make releases to the net at the same time as disc +production begins, so there is a lag between the online release and the +shipping of media. But, even if you download now you can still buy the +official media later. You'll feel good, be helping the project, and have +a great decorative item perfect for any computer room shelf. :-) + + +Ordering Information: +--------------------- + + You can order online at the Slackware Linux store: + + http://store.slackware.com + + Other Slackware items like t-shirts, caps, pins, and stickers can +also be found here. These will help you find and identify yourself to +your fellow Slackware users. + + Order inquiries (including questions about becoming a Slackware +reseller) may be directed to this address: info@slackware.com + +Have fun! :^) I hope you find Slackware to be useful, and thanks +very much for your support of this project over the years. + +--- +Patrick J. Volkerding <volkerdi@slackware.com> + +Visit us on the web at: http://slackware.com + |