After working my butt off on the WM and DE guides, I’m back for some more distro goodness!
To stay politically correct, I’ll state the real title of the post, which should be something like ‘The top 5 New Awesome New Versions of GNU/Linux Distributions Coming out in late 2008′. It sounds lame and it’s long. So nope. Anyways, the first half of 2008 has seen some really cool releases, such as OpenSuSe 11.0, Fedora 9 and Ubuntu 8.04.1 (SSH vulnerability fixed I believe), and some really lame ones too, like Gentoo 2008.0 (the kernel-coping error on AMD64 machines really screwed them up) and Linux XP 2008 (the only distro with trial activation, you have to read this review, it’s rich). We’re not done yet, though. There are still some pretty major distro releases, which will blow your mind. Let’s dive in and see!
1. Debian Lenny 5.0 (around September)
Shut up, Debian is awesome! The second beta of Lenny is already very stable, but lets wait until the strict Debian release team churns out the final version. Aside from the much awaited Iceweasel 3.0 (yaay!), notable new features of the new version of the most important community distribution are the 2.6.24 kernel and lots and lots of upgrades, including improved security.
2. Fedora 10 (October)
Fedora has come a long way, but there’s still this little bit that needs to be improved in order to spread adoption. The new version 10 should be a step forward into the right direction (this time). Haskel support, a new version of RPM, cool artwork, the new KDE 4.1, and improved audio. Go take a look at the top proposed features. Of course, some of them won’t get implemented because new features have to be approved by the FESCo.
3. Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex (October)
New theme and new software. We’ll be seeing the first Kubuntu with KDE 4, a new version of X.org and a Free Software only install option (instead of the separate Gobuntu distro). There is a possibility that the installer will provide a slide-show for new users while installing. User friendly as always. Congrats Ubuntu team, just don’t completely mess it up with that stupid theme.
4. Gentoo Linux 2008.1 (September)
I don’t know a thing about Gentoo 2008.1, but I’m eagerly awaiting it. Why? The 2008.0 release isn’t really up to standards and by the time the 2008.1 version comes out, the new, restructured organization behind it will know how to work together in a better way.
— the next one is just a hunch
5. Puppy Linux 5.0
Puppy rules. And the 5.0 version will rock, I’m sure of it 
Is a cool new distro version coming out in late 2008, that I haven’t mentioned? Share it with us in the comments!
July 19th, 2008 at 19:08
the gentoo 2008.0-r1 was quickly released and addresses the issues with the 2008.0 images. I know - too late to make that first impression, but the r1 work out well for me. Too bad they screwed up the initial release tho. (tsck tsck)
July 19th, 2008 at 20:24
These are ubuntu next planned:
http://fabrizioballiano.net/2008/07/19/10-2-things-youll-get-with-ubuntu-810-intrepid-ibex/
also great to see your reviews very sweet and too short.
i like to read a page about lenny because debian only release a new version in a year(i think).opensuse not listed are we going 2 opensuse 11.1 in december
There are certain distros that dont maintain a roadmap that i hate but i like those distro’s like
Mint,mepis,freespire,zenwalk
July 19th, 2008 at 20:39
Hmm.
I am waiting for PCLOS 2008.
July 19th, 2008 at 21:05
You have forgotten the only distro that in my opinion is worth all focus on: Mandriva 2009 (to be released on 02/10/2008). After 6 years of relentless distro junkie try outs, I am sticking to the one i have started with.
Desktop Linux outside Mandriva is just too gross.
July 19th, 2008 at 23:01
As drakshug said, PCLinuxOS 2008 is just about ready to be released. It’s been a long wait, but the QC of that distro is tops. Also, before that, there will be an updated version of 2007 with a newer kernel and Xorg for people with newer hardware. The latter should be along in the next week or two…
July 20th, 2008 at 03:28
Debian is not just awesome, Debian is the one and only distro
July 20th, 2008 at 04:08
FYI: Debian-Installer Lenny Beta 2 != Debian Lenny Beta 2
July 20th, 2008 at 05:33
My top distro releases that Im looking forward to
Ubuntu 8.10
PC/OS 2009
Mandriva
July 20th, 2008 at 05:53
What about Slackware? Isn’t there a version of it coming out in late 2008? IDK. Also I think a version of DSL should come out. I don’t know about that one either. Really can’t wait to see the new Debian and the new Ubuntu. I might even check out the new Mandriva. I think a new Arch is coming out too right?
July 20th, 2008 at 05:56
Pclos is not a versionitis kind of distro…so if u wanna 2008 version just go and update through synaptic….
July 20th, 2008 at 13:54
Not entirely true, anon. There will be some small differences. You can load PCLinuxOS 2007 up and update it completely, even using the Testing section of the repo and load up MiniMe 2008 on another machine and compare them. They are not completely the same. The differences are small, but they’re there.
July 20th, 2008 at 16:08
Arch isn’t “released”, it’s like SVN. There are only snapshots, but if you updated, you’ll have it anyway.
July 20th, 2008 at 19:02
Debian is the way to go!
July 20th, 2008 at 21:56
Personally I use Kubuntu and will use SUSE, so I’m excited about those releases. Compiz Fusion Sphere FTW!
July 21st, 2008 at 03:15
Mepis 2008 is also scheduled for release shortly after Debian Lenny goes final.
The KDE4 packages are already being entered into the Mepis 8 repositories, although it’s likely that Mepis 8 itself will use the latest stable KDE 3.5.x release, which should be 3.5.10
July 21st, 2008 at 05:18
Dude who is that little penguin guy, he is soooo cute!
http://www.FireMe.To/udi
July 21st, 2008 at 05:29
Can you give me a source for this, “New theme and new software. We’ll be seeing the first Kubuntu with KDE 4, a new version of X.org and a Free Software only install option (instead of the separate Gobuntu distro).”
I’d like to read more.
Thanks!
-Josh
July 21st, 2008 at 05:43
I’ve installed Lenny Beta2 on my laptop and I’m not going back to Ubuntu. Debian was easier to get configured and is far more stable. Suspend/resume works perfectly, not like the crapshoot that Hardy was. I now use Debian exclusively on my servers and laptop/workstations.
Debian FTW!
July 21st, 2008 at 05:53
maria@chocoland:
Debian has been making releases every 2 years or so for a while now. It’ll really surprise me if they get it out by the end of the year. In a good way.
Also, I wouldn’t count on a 2008.1 release. I’m not too sure about what’s going on at the Gentoo project, but that entire thing is becoming a huge mess real fast. It’s scaring me. The 2008.0 release was delayed for 3 or 4 months, and it was broken when it came out. Not to mention they forgot to refile their legal status earlier this year too. Someone needs to step up and get things organized over there.
Anyway, the #1 distro for the second half of 2008 is already out. Sabayon Linux 3.5!
July 21st, 2008 at 06:36
Pardus Linux 2008 is definitely an up and coming distribution and will probably be a big player in the next couple of years…
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=pardus
July 21st, 2008 at 07:33
Thank God for Linux OS or we would be left pulling our hair out with Microsoft OS!
July 21st, 2008 at 07:58
What about SUSE? Did the openSUSE community announce when will their next release be? I still hope that SUSE remains one of the top 5 Linux distro.
July 21st, 2008 at 07:58
5.0 version will indeed rock
This is a typical response from a new user:
“At last! An easy handled Linux, as it should be long time ago! Just hold on folks, it’s a real stuff!
I have tried last 10 years a lot of Linux dists, from old RedHat through Fedora, Mint to Ubuntu! No one of these isn’t even close in “EASY TO USE”, both for machines and people in front!”
Puppy 4 was a rock
http://tmxxine.com/wik/wikka.php?wakka=PuppyDingo
and 4.1 will rock and roll
http://tmxxine.com/wik/wikka.php?wakka=PuppyDingo41
Join the kennels
http://puppylinux.org/home
Smaller, Smarter, Swifter
July 21st, 2008 at 08:09
Yes, strange to mention Puppy Linux but not openSUSE 11.1, which is scheduled to be released in December this year: http://opensuse.org/Roadmap
July 21st, 2008 at 08:24
Yes, Puppy Rocks, just wait and see, as of 4.00 we are Slackware compatible,and can use RPM and DEB packages,
can run Enlightenment, Gnome, KDE, and Compiz Fusion..
Packages for Opera 9.51, Firefox 3.0, and a dozen other Browsers as well as OpenOffice and the Gimp are readily available, and easy to install.
I cant wait for 5.00….
Look out big boys, theres a Puppy nipping at your heels..
July 21st, 2008 at 08:51
Puppy Linux and my “Fire Hydrant”, “Living Water” releases will be launched also, Plus lets not forget everybody’s favorite “Inferno”, A lot of improvements will be in the next release.
There can only be one!! Wait we’re not talking about Microsofty, There can be hundreds lol, everybody’s a winner who uses Linux. You can be on the top 5 or bottom 5, your going to always be 5 ahead MS products and services, so you can never come last.
ttuuxxx
http://www.ttuuxxx.com
July 21st, 2008 at 10:27
what a useless post !
July 21st, 2008 at 10:53
[...] en Internetling cuáles son las 5 actualizaciones más importantes de distribuciones Linux para este otoño (como [...]
July 21st, 2008 at 11:52
excellent!, will definitely watch ubuntu + fedora; debian could be a target for a later server rebuild, glad they’re still continuing with it.
good work!
July 21st, 2008 at 12:10
[...] Top 5 Awesome Linux Distro Upgrades Coming Out in Second Half of 2008 1. Debian Lenny 5.0 (around September)… [...]
July 21st, 2008 at 16:36
Nice list, I’m looking forward to Ubuntu Intrepid for sure.
July 21st, 2008 at 17:01
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=pardus
Pardus Reviews http://en.pardus-wiki.org/Pardus_links#Pardus_Reviews
July 21st, 2008 at 17:03
I have been using Puppy since either version 0.7 or 0.8 (not certain which). Puppy has always been ahead of the game when it came to functionality and ease of use. I now run MacPup Dingo 4.0 on my laptop. It works perfectly. I am looking forward to PCLinuxOS 2008 as I plan to continue to dual boot my tower with PCLinuxOS and Puppy well into the future. I will NEVER try (K)Ubuntu again. The installer has never worked right for me and I seriously doubt it ever will. As for Gentoo, I think its still too complicated. Also, I feel that Fedora is really just an overbloated Red Hat. They lost my support years ago.
July 21st, 2008 at 21:28
You have got to be joking.
Ubuntu - mean Hole-buntu shouldn’t be on anyone’s list.
They are irresponsible when it comes to their code and fixes to things they as developers shouldn’t be touching if they don’t know what they are doing.
Ubuntu is off my list until they can get their shit together.
July 21st, 2008 at 21:38
[...] I’ll state the real title of the post, which should be something like ‘The top 5 New Awesome Newread more | digg [...]
July 21st, 2008 at 21:49
FROM THIS LIST I LIKE DEBIAN THE BEST!
its time for a new version to be released since the 4.0 got some older version of software
July 22nd, 2008 at 02:13
I can’t understand why Mandriva 2009 has been left off the list, which is due for release late this year.
After testing six other distros seven months ago, Mandriva 2008.0 was the only one that seemed to behave the most. It’s completely no hassle. I would have tried Debian if it managed to configure my boot sector properly, but hey, Mandriva has been a faithful servant and has got me off Windows, so I’m staying loyal until they stuff up
July 22nd, 2008 at 07:14
Just a couple of comments on Linux XP:
1) They are in complete violation of GPL. Linux XP is a heavily modified version of Fedora (core 3, last I heard). But, ask them for the source code. You won’t get any.
2) The owners of the site had a blog (at one point at least), that basically talked down to the entire open source community, stating that “hardcore open-source enthusiasts” were flat out wrong, and that it was OK to make a fortune with Linux, and their company was going to prove it.
Why on earth would anybody buy a bastardized copy of Fedora, when you can get the functional one for free (without all the “Vista” skin bloat)?
July 22nd, 2008 at 13:50
Sidux FTW!
Stable Sid-based distro, all the upsides of Debian etch, with none of the downsides of Lenny/Sid. Gnome doesn’t seem to play nicely with it last time I looked, but as long as you use KDE or XFCE you’re good.
Live-CD based installer that installs in ~6 minutes (on my laptop) too, choice of versions of Compiz (sid repo or third party apt repo) if you want shiny bits, I’ve been converted for 6 months & never looked back…
July 22nd, 2008 at 15:20
[...] I start, thanks for the Diggs, guys. Two articles on the front page of Digg in just two days is a dream come true. Thank [...]
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:41
[...] De tweede helft van dit jaar komen alle grote Linux distos uit met nieuwe versies. Ze krijgen sowieso een nieuwere kernel maar ook updates van GNOME of KDE, betere drivers en audio. OpenSUSE 11.0, Fedora 10, Ubuntu 8.10, Gentoo 2008.1 en meer. Lees verder… [...]
August 22nd, 2008 at 02:38
[...] Top 5 Awesome Linux Distro Upgrades Coming Out in Second Half of 2008 [...]
October 12th, 2008 at 17:53
Hmm… fedora 10, cambridge.. I started with F9 sulphur then switched to U8.04 Gutsy Gibbon. To my view, i feel that fedora LOOKS stable and steady… However system responsiveness is not really great.. sometimes it does make some booboo with mysql and firefox crash is a regular headache… ubuntu on the other hand did good job in cpu efficiency.. I am using F10 Cambridge thats a beta.. being a developer i need jdk, netbeans, eclipse, mysql, httpd(apache) and php support.. however to entertain i need access to youtube.. rest is all fine.. F9 gave attitude to work with my atheros wlan but madwifi cleared it.. F10 doesnt need any more installation. it works f-i-n-e so far!