gnuLinEx 2004 Launched

Componentized Linux is a new project founded by the Debian Project founder Ian Murdock. As he says, CL is a new way of constructing Linux distributions, built bottom-up as a set of interchangeable parts rather than top-down as a difficult-to-change whole. Under this new model, a distribution builder could add support for MySQL simply by adding the respective component; he also could exchange the GNOME 2.6 component for the KDE 3.2 one if he prefers. All of this is accomplished without the complexity of handling thousands of packages and greatly simplifies the management.

The base component of CL, also included in gnuLinEx, is LSB 2.0. It contains all the necessary software needed to enable total compatibility between different GNU/Linux distributions, fulfilling specification 2.0 of the Linux Standards Base (LSB).

In addition to component LSB 2.0, other components, such as lsb-devel, have been included to provide basic development tools. Also included are audio and graphical support components and all the accompanying ones for hardware detection.

The component model did not help only in the building of gnuLinEx; it continues to help in the building of derived works too, such as LinEx Company and LinEx Gamer. The first one is oriented to the enterprise world, and the second one is for all of us who enjoy using computers for more than work.

The benefits of the component approach do not apply only to Extremadura. Guadalinex is the localized version of Debian GNU/Linux used by the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. The people of Andalusia and Extremadura reached an agreement to unite their efforts in the creation of a respective operating system for the 2005 version, and they are starting with a considerable common base. Each team will be responsible for maintaining only its own components, which then will be shared with the other team. This will allows both teams to concentrate on other subjects, such as accessibility, usability and hardware support.

In June of 2004, during the International Forum of Free Software held in Brazil, the Brazilian Portuguese version of gnuLinEx was introduced and welcomed warmly. At the moment, an Italian version of gnuLinEx also is being developed.

Beyond the local efforts, other cooperation agreements are in the works with Colombia, Argentina and a number of European regions interested in the information society model of Extremadura.

If you are a Spanish speaker and a GNU/Linux enthusiast, and you want a complete Debian system with a graphical installation or you are interested in the use of computers in education, you should take a look at gnuLinEx 2004.

gnuLinEx Home Page

Componentized Linux

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