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GeckoLinux [ROLLING] [all editions] 999.220105
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@geckolinux geckolinux released this 06 Jan 19:51
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The GeckoLinux project is pleased to announce major updates to all editions of the Rolling branch, built from openSUSE Tumbleweed.

New features in GeckoLinux Rolling 999.210105 editions

Thanks to some important improvements from the Calamares installer project, and after lots and lots of trial and error to tweak the GeckoLinux configuration, inclusion of openSUSE's famous integration of the GRUB bootloader with Btrfs and Snapper snapshots has finally arrived in GeckoLinux. This also required a major rework of the default Btrfs subvolume layout, allowing for effective snapshot rollbacks without manual manipulation of the bootloader or default subvolumes. Important note: When performing a rollback in GeckoLinux for the first time the command is slightly different from vanilla openSUSE: sudo snapper --ambit classic rollback (please see the wiki entry).

GeckoLinux ROLLING 999.220105 spins now feature the PipeWire audio framework with a customized out-of-the-box configuration suitable for casual home audio as well as professional low-latency (5.3ms) JACK applications. This PipeWire configuration allows for hassle-free workflows involving simultaneous usage of applications that are coded to work with PulseAudio and others that need JACK support, with no complicated bridging of the two systems. There is also an included systemd service to optionally put the processor governor in Performance mode on systems that need realtime low-latency audio support. To enable it, simply use the YaST Services manager to enable and start the cpupower service.

Another important improvement to all GeckoLinux editions is the addition of improved installation logic based on whether the system is running in EFI or legacy BIOS mode, leading to much better reliability during future GRUB bootloader updates.

An additional workaround has been added to avoid a bug in openSUSE's GRUB routine when generating entries for other dual-boot Linux systems on Btrfs subvolumes.

To make package downloads from the openSUSE mirror network much more reliable, repository URLs have been adjusted to use openSUSE's new mirrorcache.opensuse.org system.

To improve long-term reliability after future GRUB updates, logic has been added to the Calamares installer configuration to use Btrfs LZO compression on legacy BIOS systems, whereas Zstd compression is retained on EFI systems.

Finally, GeckoLinux welcomes the return of the ROLLING-OBS Pantheon edition now that the maintenance situation of the openSUSE repository for Pantheon packages has been resolved.

Key desktop environment versions in GeckoLinux ROLLING 999.220105 editions

In addition to the GeckoLinux specific customizations, Rolling editions also benefit from updates to virtually all the desktop environments and applications, including:

  • Cinnamon 5.2.4
  • Plasma 5.23.4 / KDE Frameworks 5.89.9 / KDE Applications 21.12.0
  • Gnome 41.2
  • Mate 1.26
  • XFCE 4.16
  • Budgie 10.5.3
  • LXQt 1.0
  • Pantheon (version from elementary OS 6.1)

GeckoLinux overview

GeckoLinux spins are generated directly from unmodified openSUSE Tumbleweed and Packman packages sourced from those official upstream repositories, and the installed system can be updated directly from those same official sources. GeckoLinux is focused on eliminating pain points and polishing its unique out-of-the-box configuration on top of the stable and flexible openSUSE base. Proprietary media formats play out of the box, and additional user-installed multimedia applications work automatically with restricted media codecs thanks to the prioritized inclusion of the Packman repository. Proprietary hardware driver and firmware support has also been included as much as possible. Google and Skype repositories are also configured out-of-the-box for optional user installation of proprietary applications from those vendors. Third-party RPM packages can be easily installed using the graphical YaST package manager, and various configuration tweaks are included to modify openSUSE's default package management behavior. GeckoLinux uses the Calamares system installer, providing easy and flexible options for reliable installation of the live system. Important note: Non-English language packs are available and easily installable. Please see the wiki entry for more information.

Please download GeckoLinux from https://geckolinux.github.io and find more information about what makes GeckoLinux different from openSUSE. Thanks a lot, have fun!

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