Austrumi 0.9.7 Released
In case you didn't know, Austrumi is a business card size (50MB) bootable Live CD Linux distribution based on 'Slackware GNU Linux' using'Blin' initialisation scripts. I looked at version 0.9.5 back in May and found it to be a great little mini distro. At that time it had wonderful fonts and amazing speed to add enjoyment to using the many apps included in that teny tiny 48mb. Version 0.9.7 was released a coupla days ago and I wanted to see what was new.
The most noticable improvement (should I say difference?) is the use of OpenBox for the window manager. Previously FVMW was used and it was nice, but OpenBox is looking really good. It has a compact tabbed configuration and comes with 4 attractive themes/window decorations. The developers have added fbpanel to the desktop to make that wonderful application launcher and set the tone with a nice relaxing wallpaper. That lake looks good enough to jump in, as we've been having quite the heatwave here in the Southern US passed week or so.
The X version is the same at 6.8.2 from February, but the kernel has been updated to a 2.6.12. Emelfm has been update to emelfm2 as well as many other application updates. It still has nice fonts, blazing speed, and a wonderful selection of applications. The applications functioned well including mplayer, both as a movie player and as streaming radio player. (Austrumi has some preset radio channels in their menu). Austrumi's computer requirements haven't changed and still consist of a pentium-grade cpu, 96 mb ram, and a bootable cdrom drive.
The hard drive installer is improved as well. It looks better, given a better layout and appears more user-friendly. It doesn't seem to restrict installs to the first partition of the first device any longer, however it still doesn't install the operating system. Baby steps I suppose. I bet next time it'll work. I have confidence in 'em.
According to the site, its changelog consists of:
- removed fvwm95 added openbox
- Olga Prohorenkova made the new design of the website and help files
- added fbpanel - GTK2-based desktop panel
- removed emelfm added emelfm2
- added gtkdialog - GUI-creation utility
- updated abiword, atomix, ettercap, gftp, xchat, uebimiau, unrar, xorg
- removed xpai added phpxmail(xmail administration)
- updated kernel(2.6.12)
If you are in the market for a small business card sized bootable os or need something really nice to run on lower spec machines, I couldn't think of too many better systems to use. I really like Austrumi and will be keeping you posted.
More Screenshots in the gallery. My previous report is here if you'd like a more in-depth introduction and list of included applications. Thanks for visiting my site today, and you have a good one!
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How far from a mini Linux is austrumi?
This is a wonderful review for Austrumi livecd. So far, Austrumi had kept up with the big names in Linux with the latest operating system kernels(2.6.12). The eastern(austrumi) philosophy of minimum is maximum is carried out in elegant simplicity. The ambition however is having a mini Linux with servers(Apache Mysql perl/php etc), ftp, etc, It sems to me that will be accomplished by having everything in a browser; terminal(keyboard, mouse and monitors); repository of servers and ftp etc.(URL webhosting) in cd multisession or hdd partitions or USB removable drives internally; then switch out to the net for ASP(application service providers) with a modem. We just have to watch it grow. Footnote:Livecd is cached on hdd, so hdd installation is redundant perhaps in philosophy. Nexttime you boot, the configuration files are on the hdd.
So, you like the latest Austrumi?
As mentioned in the abive review, the fbpanel will make life very pleasant.If you do banking online, you have an everyday Linux desktop to use. Quick in and out, using livecd. Someday, you might do webhosting whether URL or email webhosting or telephony, etc. I pick it for pleasantness, and ease of use. Keep it simple for us who do not want to burden ourselves to fix everything that could go wrong(common Linux worries). Next release may be the beginning of the end of tiny Linux; Austrumi will go mini?
re: Austrumi
> Next release may be the beginning of the end of tiny Linux; Austrumi will go mini?
Oh nooo, say it ain't so...
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You talk the talk, but do you waddle the waddle?
Server version of Austrumi will install Lampsss.
So far Austrumi is a nice tiny stand alone desktop with a few servers attached but not interfaced with abiword or file manager. When Andrejs put in the iso file to install LAMPSSS with DHCPCD and interface to abiword; it will be the first mini server. footnote:Lampsss is Linux, apache, mysql, Perl/php/python, samba, soap and quess what the last s represents? Is it SAS the data mining software?
Could there be an intermediate Austrumi?
If desktop version gets popular; it seems to me, an intermdiate version with email webhostting servers and telephony application servers will be available by popular demand. Email webhosting server is merely a modified Sylpheed with automatic email response which is a home page. Which can genrate more email for automatic responses. Its like a skype server which you need to connect to other email telephony. email is another layer of communications protocol that has not been used fully by voip applications. Its an elegant server operating system proposal.
Should you carry an Austrumi livecd with you?
If you do travelling and carry a business cdr of Austrumi 0.9.7 with you, you can use any public computer and not worry about your own data security. Try it and you will like it? Dhcp or external modem install needed.
Can Austrumi 0.9.7 be locked down?
A quick review of Austrumi 0.9.7 seems that external modem for internet can be locked down. Hdd install and other USB drives may have to be tested and fixed. Please report your findings to help Austrumi lock down one version before testing other server versions?
If only Austrumi is compatible to RedHat 7.2?
Austrumi has many server programs included such as Apache. Most IT departments are still using locked down RedHat 7.2 Linux version. Which means, if austrumi can replace the server Linux versions, it has to have programs compatible to RedHat 7.2. RedHat enterprise server 4.0 needs more drams to directly replace RedHat 7.2, backward compatibility may be a problem too in architecture(9 partitions).
Education by email in Latvia?
China adapted Debian(sarge) and email for their school system. Austrumi can do email client. Latvians can use desktops for their school system with removable USB hdd(s). Austrumi can be stripped down some more just for Latvian school system, concentrate on email storage. Email text books, exams and "grading and correction" of students' work? No one should be left behind with cheap cdrw only computers available on mass.