Trisquel 12.0 Ecne: Major Free Linux OS Update
▼ Summary
– Trisquel GNU/Linux 12.0 (Ecne) is a new production-ready release for home users, enterprises, and education, updating packaging, kernel, security, and software.
– It adopts the APT 3.0 package manager with the new deb822 repository format across all installation and management tools.
– The release features a more modular kernel to reduce installation breakage and includes revised AppArmor security rules for desktop environments.
– It offers three free-software browsers: Abrowser, ungoogled-chromium, and IceCat, and maintains a backports repository with recent application versions.
– Ecne is available in five editions, including default MATE, KDE Plasma, LXDE for low-resource devices, an educational Sugar edition, and a network installer.
The latest major release of Trisquel GNU/Linux, version 12.0 “Ecne”, is now available for general use. This free operating system update delivers a production-ready platform for home users, educational institutions, and small businesses, building directly on the foundation of its predecessor, Aramo. The release introduces significant refinements across its packaging system, kernel, security posture, and software selection.
A core change is the full adoption of the deb822 repository format, facilitated by the inclusion of APT 3.0. This modern format is now standard across all installation methods, from the text-based netinstall and graphical Ubiquity installer to package management tools like Synaptic, replacing the older format used in previous versions.
Addressing the kernel, a perennial engineering hurdle for the project, the team focused on making modifications more modular. This approach has substantially reduced breakage in the udeb components critical for the installation process. Work to update kernel-wedge continues, with the project reporting strong progress toward completion.
On the security front, many AppArmor rules for graphical environments have been revised, extending security coverage for everyday desktop use. The Trisquel Mini edition, which utilizes the LXDE desktop, benefits from a significant influx of upstream improvements. This is particularly notable as Ubuntu has dropped LXDE from its releases, positioning Trisquel as one of its primary maintained distributions.
Users now have expanded browser choices that adhere to the project’s strict free software philosophy. Alongside the continuously maintained Abrowser, Ecne adds ungoogled-chromium and IceCat to its official software repositories, offering three distinct web browsing options.
The backports repository remains active, providing recent versions of popular applications. The current selection includes LibreOffice, yt-dlp, Inkscape, Nextcloud Desktop, Kdenlive, Tuba, 0 A. D., and fastfetch, among others.
Trisquel 12.0 Ecne is offered in five distinct editions to suit various needs. The flagship Trisquel edition uses MATE 1.26.1 and does not require 3D graphics acceleration. For users desiring granular desktop control, Triskel provides KDE Plasma 5.27. Trisquel Mini, running LXDE 0.99.2, is optimized for netbooks, older hardware, and low-resource environments. Trisquel Sugar, also known as TOAST, is based on the Sugar learning platform (version 0.121) and packages educational activities for children. Completing the lineup is a network installer image, ideal for server deployments and advanced users preferring a command-line installation process.
(Source: Help Net Security)