A rolling release for Debian
Distro Walk – SparkyLinux
© Photo by Dawid Zawila on Unsplash
From its considered basics to its flavor varieties, SparkyLinux is an interesting Debian-based OS.
To judge from the Distrowatch listings, Debian is the source of almost two-thirds of Linux's active distributions. Among such giant Debian derivatives as Ubuntu and Linux Mint, SparkyLinux [1] is easily overlooked. However, SparkyLinux is well worth examining (Figure 1). While hardly revolutionary, SparkyLinux does a thoughtful job of delivering the basics that users need, such as embedded help in the installer (Figure 2) and a variety of flavors for different preferences, while providing a minimum list of default applications. Especially noteworthy is its redefinition of Debian's testing repository as a rolling release, making it a useful alternative to Debian's time-honored general releases. Here, Pawel "pavroo" Pijanowski, SparkyLinux's founder and lead developer, talks about the project's priorities and organization.
Figure 1: SparkyLinux's desktop.
Figure 2: SparkyLinux's installer includes embedded help.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Digital Autonomy
• How the Fediverse Found Parts for Its Platforms
• The Answer Was Already on the Shelf
• Changing the Chip Industry: How Public Investment Has Grown Open Silicon
• United Nations Open Source Portal Goes Live
• EU Open Source Strategy Plays Key Role in Tech Sovereignty Package
• France Says “Au Revoir” to Microsoft
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
-
Is Linus Torvalds Vibe Coding?
The creator of Linux has added AI into his process for Linux kernel development, and it's more than just for debugging.
-
openKylin 3.0 Released with Expanded AI Integration
The latest release features a pre-installed AI agent to help perform tasks.
-
DigitalOcean Ends Open Source Credits Program
In a change that has surprised many open source developers, DigitalOcean has decided to sunset its Open Source Credits Program.
-
Office 365 Available for Testing on Linux via Bottles
Linux users can now test the official Office 365, thanks to Mirko Brombin's work on Bottles.
-
Dutch Government Turns to Open Source for Digital Sovereignty
Following in the footsteps of other European countries, the Netherlands is looking to increase its sovereign digital infrastructure with open source software.
-
Linux May Soon Work on Snapdragon X2-Based PCs
If you're thinking about buying a Snapdragon X2-based desktop or laptop, Linux may soon be an option.
-
KDE for People Initiative Calls for AI Ban in Plasma
A new community of KDE wants the project to adopt a strict no-AI policy for KDE Plasma.
-
KDE Sets Ambitious Goals for 2026 and Beyond
KDE Connect reveals the goals for the Linux desktop darling, with one of those goals long overdue.
-
It’s Time to Test Fedora 45 Beta
Fedora 45 beta has been released with updated Gnome, KDE Plasma, and kernel.
-
Ubuntu Stonking Stingray Gets Even Rustier
Ubuntu 26.10 has completed its migration to the Rust-based coreutils.