The team behind the lightweight Debian-based Linux distro Sparky announced the release of version 7.5, the fifth update in the Sparky 7 “Orion Belt” series.
Based on and fully compatible with Debian 12 “Bookworm,” Sparky 7.5 offers a stable and reliable OS that can run efficiently on both new and old hardware and offers various desktop environments, making it a customizable choice for different tastes and preferences.
Whatโs New in Sparky 7.5?
The Linux kernel has been updated to version 6.1.106 LTS, providing long-term support and improved hardware compatibility. Other kernels, such as 6.11.0, 6.6.51-LTS, and 5.15.167-LTS, are also available in the Sparky repositories for those who require them.
ARM device users will benefit from the updated kernel version 6.6.47 LTS, enhancing performance and stability on these platforms.
Regarding desktop environments, Sparky Linux 7.5 offers updated versions to provide a more polished and feature-rich experience.
- KDE Plasma has been upgraded to version 5.27.5, introducing new features and refinements.
- LXQt is now at version 1.2, continuing to offer a lightweight and modular desktop environment.
- Xfce has been updated to version 4.18, bringing performance enhancements and bug fixes.
- MATE remains at version 1.26, ensuring stability for users who prefer this environment.
- Openbox continues at version 3.6.1, catering to those who favor a minimalistic window manager.
Application updates are also a key part of this release. LibreOffice comes with version 7.4.7, as version 24.2.5 is also available in the Debian backports repository for users seeking the latest features.
The default web browser, Firefox ESR, is at version 115.15.0esr, with version 130.0.1 available in the Sparky repositories for those who want the most recent updates. Thunderbird has been updated to 115.15, ensuring secure and efficient email management.
It’s important to note that the Nala package manager has been removed from the default installation for unspecified reasons. However, it remains available in the official repositories for users who wish to install it manually.
Additionally, the Sparky repositories have updated the VirtualBox package to version 7.1. Users currently running version 7.0 should uninstall it before installing the new version to avoid potential conflicts.
The distro is available in various editions to cater to different user needs and hardware configurations. For AMD64 (64-bit) BIOS/UEFI with Secure Boot, users can choose from desktop environments like Xfce, LXQt, MATE, and KDE Plasma.
Minimal editions featuring MinimalGUI (Openbox) and MinimalCLI (text mode) are also available for those who prefer a lighter system. These editions are provided for i686 (32-bit) non-PAE BIOS/UEFI (Legacy) systems.
ARMHF and ARM64 users can opt for the Openbox desktop environment or a CLI edition, depending on their preferences.
For users trying out the live system or ARM editions, default login credentials are provided to simplify the initial setup. PC live system users can log in with the username ‘live‘ and the password ‘live.’ ARM device users should use the username ‘pi‘ and the password ‘sparky.’
Lastly, if you’re already running SparkyLinux 7, there’s no need to perform a fresh installation. You can keep your system up to date by running regular updates through your package manager or executing “sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade” in the terminal.
ISO images are now available on the project’s download page for fresh installations. The release announcement provides detailed information about all changes in Sparky 7.5.
