Evaluating Artix Linux with OpenRC, KDE Edition

In an article for Distrowatch in July I looked at Artix Cinnamon and Plasma editions with Runit to start up and manage services. That indicated a problem in the sense that if reliant on software written for Systemd that no ready-made Runit service scripts are available for one will have to create their own. Specifically, I had a problem getting my VPN client to work. Let's see if this works any better with the OpenRC flavour of Artix.

The Devuan Project Announced the Release of Devuan GNU+Linux 2.0.0

The Devuan project has announced the release of Devuan GNU+Linux 2.0.0, code name "ASCII". This means that the project now has a stable release that is up to par with the current stable Debian 9 "Stretch" and provides an upgrade path from the previous "Jessie" release as well as a transition path from the corresponding Debian release. With this the project continues to offer a way of using the advantages of the huge repository of Debian packages while still staying with the old init system and circumventing the controversial systemd suite of system utilities. In essence, Debian as it used to be (from a user perspective).

Devuan 2.0 Release Candidate Available

Dear Init Freedom Lovers,

Once again the Veteran Unix Admins salute you!

We are happy to announce that the Devuan 2.0 ASCII Release Candidate is now available thanks to the support, feedback, and collaboration of the Devuan community. Devuan 2.0 ASCII Stable will be following soon.

Devuan Project Announces Beta Release

Today the Devuan Project announced availability of a public beta release to their target group which they call Init Freedom Lovers. One may recall the reason for the split and intended fork from Debian was the decision by the Debian Project to hence include systemd as the default init system, starting with the release of Debian 8 'Jessie' and beyond, with no easy way of switching this out for another init to be used at boot without recompiling binaries or not using certain other programs dependent on it.

Looking for Alternatives to Systemd

The introduction and acceptance, often without much debate or end user involvement, of the systemd daemon into most Linux distributions over the last 1 1/2 years or so is a reality, and I'm not planning to take sides here or rehash any flame wars. As far as I'm concerned, the battle has been fought and the choices are clear. Why is that important to you and me? If you have even only one computer and are responsible for maintaining it then you're a System Administrator.