Arch Linux Newsletter

October 31, 2004
1.0.0
Jason Chu jason@archlinux.org
Ben Mazer ben@benmazer.net

Summary

Welcome to the Arch Linux Newsletter. This document attempts to give you an "at a glance" look at the world of Arch Linux.

Table Of Contents

  1. Front Page News
  2. Dev Land
  3. ArchStats
  4. Seti Update
  5. Forum Highlights
  6. Mailing List Highlights
  7. Tur Update
  8. Package Highlights
  9. New Packages
  10. FAQ
  11. Bugs
    1. Closed Bugs
    2. Opened Bugs
  12. Closing

Front Page News

  1. 0.7-beta2 ISO Released
    There's a beta2 iso up on the servers now, new n' improved with a 2.6.9 kernel and a couple small fixes. If nothing explodes, the beta2 iso will likely graduate to 0.7-final.
  2. NPTL Repo
    Now that we have a NPTL/linuxthreads hybrid glibc package, I've discontinued the NPTL repository. If you were using it, you should remove it from your /etc/pacman.conf.

This Week in Devland

  1. The developers continue to work on their own seperate things. Everyone is really busy with other things and most neat developments are on hold till after 0.7 is released.

Archstats Update

To Participate, visit: http://archstats.coding-zone.com/

Number of registered systems: 713
Date first system was registered: 20031017
Most recent update occurred: 20041031
Longest recorded uptime: 276 days, 9 hours, 22 minutes, 38 seconds.
Average uptime: 6 days, 13 hours, 13 minutes, 24 seconds.
Lowest kernel version: 2.4.21
Highest kernel version: 2.6.9-rc4-nitro1
Least packages installed on a system: 44
Average installed packages: 286
Most packages installed on a system: 1138

Seti@Home Update

To Participate, visit:http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/stats/team/team_185479.html

Members: 23
Results Received: 12139
Total CPU time: 3.481 years
Average CPU time per work unit: 2 hr 30 min 42.9 sec

Forum Highlights

  1. There is another discussion started on the release cycle of Arch. People have many different opinions for how Arch should produce ISOs and -RELEASE trees. Add your opinion before Judd gives the final word.
  2. Skeeterbug, (like many) was confused about package submission. The current system is that INCOMING is basically ignored. Packages go to STAGING where they will then (possibly) proceed to EXTRA or CURRENT. If you'd like to submit a package, mail tur-users@archlinux.org. This will all be changing though. For a peak at the new system, Jason has written a document of what package submission will eventually be like. Things are still being coded.

Mailing List Highlights

  1. The idea of a STABLE/SECURE repo was mentioned again. This idea seems to be raised every 3 weeks by someone. To summarize past "official" stances, a STABLE repository with just security patches is on the roadmap, but Arch is not in the position to currently implement it. Don't hold your breath. A few people have tried to create their own STABLE repo for Arch, but so far, all of them haven't been heard from past the initial announcement. If you'd like to try starting a STABLE repo, just be warned it is a lot of work.

TUR Update

  1. Lukas modified the Devtools package for use with TURs. TUs can now easily update packages. Grab turtools from Lukas' repo.
  2. PKGBUILDs are slowly starting to flow into the list. Please remember to mail the TUR list with any package submissions AND bug reports. I end up finding out about most package problems through IRC or the forum. Things get done much quicker if you mail the TUR list or packager directly. If something doesn't work, please tell us. STAGING is an "unstable" repository meant to find bugs.
  3. I have begun working on a more structured system for the TURs. It deals with the issues raised in a recent discussion. If you'd like to help out, please email me or the TUR list. Any changes will have to be approved by everyone, so public discussion is necessary.

Package Highlights

  1. OpenOffice 1.1.3 was put into Extra this week. See all the fixes in the release notes.
  2. Java 1.5.0 (5.0) went into the repos this week. It is a major release with bug fixes, performance increases, and new features. Go to the Java homepage for all the information.

New Packages

FAQ

Q: I am a complete Linux beginner. Should I use Arch?
A: This question has had much debate. Arch is targeted at more advanced Linux users, but some people feel "Arch is a good place to start". If you are a beginner and want to use Arch, just be warned that you MUST be willing to learn. Before asking any question, do your own independent research by googling and searching the forum (and reading past FAQs). If you do that, you should be fine. Also know that many people do not want to answer basic questions, though some do, so you are exposing yourself to that environment.

Bugs

Bugs Closed

Bugs Opened

Closing

If you are interested in helping out with the newsletter, specifically writing one section every two weeks, please email Jason or myself. We could use some more volunteers.

That's it for this week, stay tuned for more exciting Arch Linux news.