The distribution is now powered by Linux kernel 4.2

Nov 24, 2015 22:07 GMT  ·  By

After teasing users with the release of the KNOPPIX 7.6.0 Live Linux operating system on November 14, 2015, Klaus Knopper has announced today, November 24, that the distribution is officially available for anyone who wants to download it.

According to the release notes, Knoppix 7.6.0 is now based on the latest Debian GNU/Linux 8 (Jessie) operating system, but it's powered by a recent Linux 4.2 kernel. It includes updated graphics drivers for Nvidia and Radeon cards, as well as various packages from the Debian Testing (Stretch) and Unstable (Sid) software repositories.

"Version 7.6.0 of KNOPPIX is based on the usual picks from Debian stable (jessie) and newer graphics drivers or desktop software packages from Debian/testing and Debian/unstable (sid). It uses kernel 4.2.2 and xorg 7.7 (core 1.17.3) for supporting current computer hardware," says Klaus Knopper.

Among other new features implemented in KNOPPIX 7.6.0, we can mention Compiz 0.9.12.2 3D window manager, PCManFM 1.2.3 file manager, X.Org 7.7 and X.Org Server 1.17.3 display servers, the latest LXDE as the default desktop environment, along with the KDE Plasma 5.4 and GNOME 3.18 desktop environments.

"Everything 3D" is the new thing for KNOPPIX

Now, we all know that KNOPPIX is no longer the norm for Live distributions, but the project's developers (mostly Mr. Knopper) are trying hard to keep it updated with the latest trends. Therefore, the big news for KNOPPIX 7.6.0 is the inclusion of a special software category consisting of popular 3D goodies like Blender, Freecad, OpenScad and Slic3r.

But wait, there's more, as KNOPPIX 7.6.0 now features experimental support for the Secure Boot and UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) technologies, which have been implemented directly in the ISO image for booting the OS from a USB stick on UEFI systems. Also, the Live Installer script has been improved, and some HDMI-related sound issues have been resolved.

As expected, numerous core components and applications have been updated to their latest versions, including Orca 3.18.2, Electrum 2.5.4, qemu-kvm 2.4, Wine 1.7.50, and many more. Download KNOPPIX 7.6.0 right now from Softpedia, where it is distributed as two Live DVD ISO images, one for English-speaking users and the other one for German-speaking users.