NuTyX with Cards 2.6.3

A new version of NuTyX has been released with an updated version of the Cards package management utility with full support for binary packages and sources from VCS systems, like Bazaar, Git, Subversion, and Mercurial.

NuTyX is a French Linux distribution based on Linux From Scratch and Beyond Linux From Scratch with its own package manager called Cards, which stands for Create, Add, Remove, and Download System. Cards is a set of utilities (pkgadd, pkgrm, pkginfo, pkgmk, and cards) that come together to serve as all your package management needs for NuTyX.

The latest release of NuTyX includes a fully updated toolchain (GCC 12.2.0, GNU C Library (glibc) 2.37, and GNU Binutils 2.40), SysV 3.06, systemd 253.0, Python interpreter 3.11.3, NVIDIA driver v530.41.03, and X.Org Server v21.1.8. You'll also find updated versions of supported desktops, including Xfce 4.18.3, MATE 1.26.1, Gnome 44.0, and KDE Plasma 5.27.4. All in all, NuTyX supports 13 different Linux desktops. Since version 22.12, there have been more than 1,000 commits applied.

Download an ISO of NuTyX (with the desktop of your choosing) for installation (https://www.nutyx.org/en/downloads#2) and read the release notes for the latest version (https://www.nutyx.org/en/news#1).

System76 Teases In-House Built Laptop

Ever since System76 started producing its Thelio desktop computer, I've been wondering when they'd finally follow that up with their own laptop.

It looks like that time has come. Carl Richell, CEO and founder of System76 teased two photos (https://fosstodon.org/@carlrichell/110141037787618107) of the LCD "A" panel that was milled from 6061 aluminum bar stock that will be used as part of the new laptop, dubbed "Virgo."

When questioned about ODEM or OEM involvement with the Virgo, Richell had this to say, "…there wouldn't be an ODM or OEM involved in this case but some outside suppliers would make parts for us that we design. We don't have SMT machines for PCBs for instance but we do the EE work. We have laser, mills, brakes, 3D printing, paint, fastener machines, and other machines and techniques in the Denver factory."

In other words, System76 will be creating everything their factory will allow them to, and all other parts will be supplied by third parties.

Another very interesting aspect of the Virgo is (according to Richell) that it will use the same keyboard design as System76's Launch keyboard, which means it will be a low-profile, mechanical keyboard.

Richell said (in the Fosstodon thread on Mastodon) that a rough prototype should be complete in a couple of months but there are no specs or other details.

Ubuntu 23.04 Beta

Of all the many Ubuntu spins, the official Ubuntu release will highlight some of the most important updates for the desktop distribution… mainly by way of GNOME 44.

Although the other 23.04 spins will enjoy their own updates (such as Kubuntu including KDE Plasma 5.27), only the official version will include everything brought about by the latest iteration of Gnome.

Along with the fresh update to Gnome, Ubuntu 23.04 (Lunar Lobster) will also include Linux kernel 6.2, an up-to-date toolchain (such as GCC 13, systemd 252.5, BlueZ 5.66.2, NetworkManager 1.42, PipeWire 0.3.65, and Mesa 23).

One of the biggest changes in 23.04 is the brand new, Flutter-based installer. The new installer user interface is more modern looking and is just as easy to use as the previous iteration.

The only downside to the new installer is that it doesn't yet support ZFS installations. Should you wish to install Ubuntu 23.04 with ZFS support, there will be a version of the OS with a legacy installer that includes support for the filesystem.

You can download the ISO for the beta from the official Ubuntu Releases page (https://releases.ubuntu.com/lunar/) or download one of the betas for the official spins from https://fridge.ubuntu.com/2023/03/31/ubuntu-23-04-lunar-lobster-beta-released/.