Here’s some news that will likely delight some old-school Linux users. Slackel MATE 9.0 has been released as the latest major version of the Greek-developed Linux distro, continuing its long-running approach of combining Slackware compatibility with additional tools borrowed from Salix.
The distro is based on Slackware and tracks its Current development tree, delivering a more current package base than the stable branch. It remains fully compatible with Slackware, enabling users to access both official Slackware sources and Slackel repositories.
Importantly, Slackel MATE 9.0 is available for both 64-bit and 32-bit systems. The 64-bit edition includes the Linux kernel 6.18, while the 32-bit version uses the Linux kernel 6.12, ensuring compatibility with both modern PCs and older x86 hardware.
The desktop edition uses the MATE environment, providing a traditional, lightweight interface consistent with Slackel’s Slackware roots. Package management is handled by slapt-get and gslapt, inherited from Salix, delivering a convenient way to manage software and dependencies.
The installer offers three modes: Full, which installs the complete MATE environment with standard applications; Basic, which provides a minimal graphical system with a browser and core tools for users who prefer to customize their setup; and Core, which installs only a command-line base system without a graphical interface.
On the application side, Slackel MATE 9.0 includes LibreOffice 26.2.4, Firefox 152, Thunderbird 140.12 ESR, Pidgin 2.14.14, Transmission 2.94, GIMP 3.2.4, Exaile 4.2.1, SMPlayer 25.6, MPV 0.41, and Brasero 3.12.3.
Slackel provides live ISO images that can be used without installation. The live media supports persistence, enabling users to save changes when running from external storage. Additionally, the distro can also be fully installed on USB flash drives or external hard drives via Slackel’s graphical installer.
For additional details, see the announcement. Slackel MATE 9.0 ISO images are available on SourceForge.
