In an exciting development for the Linux community, Ikey Doherty has unveiled the first pre-alpha image of Serpent OS, a brand-new Linux distribution designed from the ground up. This release marks a significant milestone for those following Doherty’s work on this innovative project, which aims to provide a unique operating system experience.
Released on August 1, 2024, the Serpent OS Prealpha0 serves as a technical preview, showcasing the operating system’s capabilities. Users can run this pre-alpha version on both virtual machines (VMs) and bare metal hardware, with support for UEFI firmware. However, it’s important to note that this version is not yet suitable for general end-users, particularly on the desktop side, as it currently features a minimal GNOME desktop environment along with the Firefox web browser.
Installation of Serpent OS is facilitated through a command-line installer, which aligns with the operating system’s early development stage. One of the standout features of Serpent OS is its use of the Moss package manager, a Rust-based solution that aims to streamline package management. Additionally, the distribution plans to incorporate Flatpaks to enhance the available software packages, providing users with greater flexibility.
In his announcement regarding the Prealpha0 release, Ikey candidly stated, “As a distro, it’s kinda crap right now. The tooling has been our focus for years and now we can actually build something with it. With only a handful of packages, flatpak is your best friend. Or you could swing a PR into our recipes repo!” This transparency highlights the developmental nature of the release and encourages community involvement in the project’s evolution.
The launch of Serpent OS Prealpha0 comes amidst a series of other notable developments in the Linux landscape. For instance, Vanilla OS recently released its version 2, which features a hybrid Debian base and improved multi-GPU support, catering to users seeking enhanced performance and versatility.
AlmaLinux is also making headlines by picking up a glibc patch ahead of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) to assist VFX Houdini users, showcasing the distribution’s commitment to supporting creative professionals.
Meanwhile, Linux Mint has rolled out version 22, built atop the latest Ubuntu 24.04, featuring the updated Cinnamon desktop environment. This release aims to provide users with a familiar yet modern experience, ensuring that the Mint community remains engaged and satisfied.
Additionally, Pop!_OS is gearing up for its 24.04 Alpha release, which is set to showcase the COSMIC desktop environment on August 8. This anticipated release promises to deliver new features and enhancements for users looking for a robust computing experience.
OpenMandriva has also recently released ROME 24.07, incorporating KDE Plasma 6 into its offerings. However, the developers have noted that the Wayland display server is not yet mature enough for widespread use, indicating a cautious approach to adoption.
In a significant shift, Solus Linux has announced its decision to drop support for AppArmor and phase out Snaps, which may lead to changes in how users interact with software on this platform.
As the Linux ecosystem continues to evolve, the introduction of Serpent OS and its pre-alpha image adds to the rich tapestry of choices available to users. With ongoing developments across various distributions, the community can look forward to an exciting future filled with innovation and collaboration.
Stay tuned for more updates as Serpent OS and other Linux distributions progress in their development journeys, bringing new features and enhancements to the open-source community.
