1 | <date> |
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2 | 2011,06,17 |
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3 | |
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4 | <author> |
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5 | shaolin |
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6 | |
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7 | <title> |
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8 | Brief Introduction to Vine Linux for non-Japanese people |
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9 | |
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10 | <description> |
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11 | </p> |
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12 | |
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13 | <h3>PREFACE</h3> |
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14 | |
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15 | <p> |
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16 | <em>This article was originally prepared and would have been released |
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17 | before the 3.11, but was forgotten somewhere in my harddrive for several months. |
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18 | Now on the day the first beta version of Vine Linux 6 was released, |
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19 | this humble document is finally here...<br />Jun. 17, 2011<br />Kohji 'Shaolin' Matsubayashi</em> |
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20 | </p> |
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21 | |
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22 | <br /> |
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23 | |
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24 | <h2>INTRODUCTION</h2> |
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25 | |
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26 | <p> |
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27 | It's been <strong>over eleven years</strong> since the first release of the |
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28 | <strong>Vine Linux</strong> (version 1.0) was out - over eleven years. |
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29 | Interestingly, there had been so many variations of Japanese GNU/Linux |
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30 | distributions so far - community-based, commercial products, or whatever. |
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31 | Many of them had been discontiuned after the sweet old "Linux Boom" was |
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32 | over in the last decade - and some "mainstreams" - Red Hat (and Fedora), |
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33 | Debian, Ubuntu, etc. - have survived. |
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34 | </p> |
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35 | |
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36 | <p> |
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37 | Our distribution also had some ups and downs in its own history, |
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38 | but anyway we are still cruising gently the vast sea of the Open/Libre Source |
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39 | world. And now we are now working very hard on our next major release, |
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40 | version 6.0. |
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41 | </p> |
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42 | |
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43 | <p> |
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44 | Our distribution, Vine Linux, has always been aimed for people who lives |
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45 | in Japan and for people who primarily use Japanese language on computers |
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46 | - mainly for desktop and small server purpose. |
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47 | As a matter of fact, almost all information on Vine Linux has been |
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48 | available only in Japanese language (except a small amount of brief |
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49 | introduction in English, such as on |
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50 | <a href="http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=vine" target="_blank">DistroWatch.com</a>. |
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51 | We once had English version of our website as well as Japanese version, |
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52 | but the contents sometimes tended to be a bit outdated, |
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53 | and recently have been not available since our site renewal this year. |
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54 | </p> |
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55 | |
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56 | <p> |
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57 | So I think it better to have a <strong>brief</strong> introduction here |
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58 | in our own words, on our own website - wouldn't it be better than nothing? |
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59 | </p> |
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60 | |
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61 | <br /> |
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62 | |
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63 | <h2>BRIEF HISTORY</h2> |
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64 | |
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65 | <p> |
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66 | Vine Linux is completely a community-based distribution, |
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67 | whose ancesor was a collection of “Japanese add-on” packages. |
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68 | Since its start, every developer has been also a daily Vine Linux user. |
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69 | </p> |
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70 | |
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71 | <p> |
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72 | Our newest release is Vine Linux 5.2 (out in Nov. 2010), |
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73 | a bugfix and enhanced version of Vine Linux 5 (Aug. 2009) |
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74 | ...slow progress? Maybe. |
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75 | </p> |
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76 | |
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77 | <p> |
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78 | Here's the matrix how we have stepped forward like a slow |
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79 | but steady snail: |
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80 | </p> |
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81 | |
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82 | <blockquote><pre> |
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83 | Nov. 1998 The first announcement of Vine Linux development |
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84 | Mar. 1999 Vine Linux 1.0 (i386) |
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85 | Jun. 1999 Vine Linux 1.1 (i386) |
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86 | |
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87 | Apr. 2000 Vine Linux 2.0 (i386) |
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88 | Jul. 2000 Vine Linux 2.0 (ppc, for PowerPC Macs) |
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89 | Nov. 2000 Vine Linux 2.1 (i386,ppc,sparc,alpha) |
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90 | Mar. 2001 Vine Linux 2.1.5 (i386,ppc,sparc,alpha) |
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91 | |
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92 | Apr. 2002 Vine Linux 2.5 (i386,ppc) |
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93 | Nov. 2002 Vine Linux 2.6 (i386,ppc) |
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94 | |
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95 | Aug. 2004 Vine Linux 3.0 (i386,ppc) |
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96 | Nov. 2004 Vine Linux 3.1 (i386,ppc) |
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97 | Sep. 2005 Vine Linux 3.2 (i386) |
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98 | |
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99 | Nov. 2006 Vine Linux 4.0 (i386,ppc) |
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100 | Feb. 2007 Vine Linux 4.1 (i386,ppc) |
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101 | Dec. 2007 Vine Linux 4.2 (i386,ppc) |
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102 | |
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103 | Aug. 2009 Vine Linux 5.0 (i386,x86_64,ppc) |
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104 | Feb. 2010 Vine Linux 5.1 (i386,x86_64,ppc) |
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105 | Nov. 2010 Vine Linux 5.2 (i386,x86_64,ppc) |
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106 | |
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107 | Jul. 2011 Vine Linux 6.0 (scheduled, i686, x86_64) |
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108 | </pre></blockquote> |
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109 | |
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110 | <p> |
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111 | Similar to popular versioning schemes in the computer software field, |
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112 | the first digit (before the decimal point) denotes the major version, |
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113 | while the digit after the decimal point stands for the minor version. |
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114 | We are working on the next major version, 6.0 (will be out hopefully |
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115 | next month), but we have only five major versions so far in the last |
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116 | eleven years. |
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117 | </p> |
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118 | |
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119 | <br /> |
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120 | |
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121 | <h2>OUR POLICIES</h2> |
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122 | |
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123 | <p> |
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124 | This slow progress on the other hand shows one of our policies |
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125 | - <strong>keep our distribution stable</strong>, |
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126 | don't go too rapid, too cutting-edge. |
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127 | </p> |
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128 | |
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129 | <p> |
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130 | The world of Open/Libre Source evolves so fast, year by year, day by day, |
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131 | time after time - GNU/Linux kernel itself, glibc (GNU C Library) |
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132 | and other core libraries, desktop environments, X Window System, |
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133 | applications, etc. - if we switched every component to a newer one |
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134 | very quickly, a compatibility problem would always arise. |
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135 | Basically, we could say we are not "too fast" technology geeks - I mean, |
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136 | we are not "cutting-edge" addicts - our distribution is always aimed |
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137 | for GNU/Linux users for daily basis - either at home, for SOHO purpose, |
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138 | or in educational/research institutes. We don't want to be too outdated, |
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139 | but stability (and maintainability) takes precedence over following |
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140 | the latest. However, we don't ignore fancy features on such latest versions |
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141 | - we try to "backport" the features onto stable versions when needed. |
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142 | It can be said as: "a well-balanced between stability and latest features." |
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143 | </p> |
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144 | |
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145 | <p> |
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146 | Another policy we have on our distribution is, |
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147 | <strong>keep the core distribution compact, consisting of carefully |
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148 | screened packages</strong>. |
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149 | In other words, we include one specific "recommended" package for |
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150 | one purpose - Firefox for web browsing, Sylpheed for e-mail, |
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151 | Leafpad for text editing, Pidgin for instant messaging, etc. |
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152 | - so that every user don't need to get confused which application |
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153 | to use for a specific purpose. Vine Linux had been provided within |
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154 | the size that does not exceed that of CD-ROM (700MB), |
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155 | since our initial release 1.0. However, since the release of |
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156 | Vine Linux 5.0, both by popular demand and to accommodate enlarged |
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157 | filesize of every package, we also started providing |
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158 | the DVD edition (1GB) which includes more of our recommended packages. |
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159 | </p> |
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160 | |
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161 | <p> |
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162 | Furthermore, we have always provided extra package collections |
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163 | under the name of "Vine Plus" - containing so many "well-maintained" |
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164 | packages that can be easily installed via such package managers as |
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165 | <code>apt-get</code> and <code>synaptic</code>. |
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166 | </p> |
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167 | |
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168 | <br /> |
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169 | |
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170 | <h2>6.0, SOON-TO-COME NEW MAJOR UPGRADE</h2> |
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171 | |
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172 | <p> |
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173 | Here is a preview of our new version 6 (will be out hopefully next month): |
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174 | </p> |
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175 | |
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176 | <ul> |
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177 | <li>updated components |
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178 | <ul> |
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179 | <li>kernel-2.6.35.13 |
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180 | <li>glibc-2.11.1, gcc-4.4.5 |
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181 | <li>X.org X11R7.6+ |
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182 | <li>rpm-4.8.1 |
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183 | <li>upstart-1.2 |
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184 | <li>GNOME-2.32.1 |
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185 | <li>Fx 4.0.1 (Firefox 4.0.1 based) for web browsing |
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186 | <li>sylpheed 3.1.1 for e-mail |
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187 | <li>ptexlive-20100711 for enriched Japanese TeX environment |
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188 | <li>emacs-23.3 |
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189 | <li>TuxOnIce-3.2 for system hybernation |
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190 | </ul> |
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191 | <li>other notable topics |
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192 | <ul> |
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193 | <li>ext4 as a default file system |
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194 | <li>optimized for the i686 (Pentium Pro or likes) archtecture and up |
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195 | <li>slick Plymouth boot splash screen to hide lengthy boot messages |
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196 | <li>updated VL Gothic (our original Japanese TrueType font) |
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197 | <li>Elementary-based GNOME Desktop default theme |
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198 | <li>Japanese Input: ibus + mozc replaces scim + anthy |
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199 | <li>self-build: a powerful framework to download, build and install programs that cannot be distributed in forms of rpm packages (due to license issue) |
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200 | <li>vine-app-install and install-assist: easy installation assistance |
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201 | <li>vbootstrap + vbuilder to support flexible Vine Linux development |
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202 | </ul> |
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203 | </ul> |
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204 | |
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205 | <p> |
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206 | You can grab and try the Vine Linux 6 beta 1 release (in DVD ISO image) |
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207 | at <a href="http://beta.vinelinux.org/">http://beta.vinelinux.org/</a>. |
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208 | </p> |
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209 | |
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210 | <p> |
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211 | The image is hybrid ISO, so if you write the image onto your USB flash drive |
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212 | (with such tools as <code>dd</code>, <code>usb-imagewriter</code> or |
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213 | <code>Win32 Disk Imager</code>), you can boot the installer from the |
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214 | flash drive, that will speed up your installation process. |
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215 | </p> |
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216 | |
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217 | <br /> |
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218 | |
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219 | <h2>GUYS IN THE VINE LINUX</h2> |
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220 | |
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221 | <p> |
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222 | There have been so many people who contributed improving Vine Linux. |
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223 | It's really grateful that we now have dozens of active developers |
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224 | and contributers. And I should name and pay homage to all contributors |
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225 | who did excellent contributions to our distribution in the past. |
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226 | </p> |
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227 | |
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228 | <p> |
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229 | But in the meantime let me introduce some of the |
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230 | <a href="http://vinelinux.org/projectvine.html">current core members</a> |
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231 | of our Project here. |
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232 | </p> |
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233 | |
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234 | <p> |
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235 | The Founder and the current President (representative) |
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236 | <strong>Daisuke Suzuki</strong> |
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237 | has been one of the earliest adopters of GNU/Linux since the Linux kernel |
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238 | version was even before 1.0 - he was one of the members of |
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239 | JE (Japanese Extension) and PJE (Project Japanese Extension), |
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240 | both of which were Japanese add-on package distributions for non-Japanese |
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241 | Linux distribution like ancient Slackware, Red Hat Linux etc. |
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242 | Then in 1998 Daisuke and other guys there started their own |
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243 | distribution which became the Vine Linux. |
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244 | He's still one of the important source of power to keep Vine Linux improved. |
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245 | </p> |
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246 | |
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247 | <p> |
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248 | <strong>Munehiro Yamamoto</strong>, a mood-making guy with humors |
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249 | and puns, is one of the fresh members who joined the Project in February 2010 |
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250 | - he's been working very hard on TeX components (as he is a TeX professional) |
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251 | to make Vine Linux provide the most enriched TeX environment built-in. |
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252 | He also has been busy on publicity activities, heading the Project |
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253 | to participate various Linux/OpenSource-related events. |
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254 | </p> |
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255 | |
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256 | <p> |
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257 | Diligent guy <strong>Yasumichi Akahoshi</strong> has been doing very |
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258 | earnest, patient and continus efforts on better Vine Linux documentations, |
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259 | as well as improving Japanese translations on various packages. |
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260 | His name can be found at |
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261 | <a href="http://l10n.gnome.org/users/yasumichi/" target="_blank">GNOME Japanese Translation Team</a> for example. |
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262 | </p> |
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263 | |
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264 | <p> |
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265 | <strong>Satoshi Iwamoto</strong> and <strong>Katsumi Ikeda</strong> has been |
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266 | the vital force to keep the Vine Linux secure as it could. They have been |
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267 | watching security-related information on various sources, and making |
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268 | updated packages to be approved before the actual security errata releases |
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269 | are published on our web site. |
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270 | </p> |
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271 | |
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272 | <p> |
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273 | Cool guy <strong>Kenta Nakamura</strong>, another fresh member since Feb. 2010, |
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274 | has worked very hard to develop and release the x86_64 version of Vine Linux 5. |
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275 | </p> |
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276 | |
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277 | <p> |
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278 | <strong>Ryoichi Inagaki</strong>, yet another new member, has done |
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279 | excellent job to maintain toolchain, GNOME and KDE packages on Vine Linux. |
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280 | </p> |
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281 | |
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282 | <p> |
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283 | And me, <strong>Kohji Matsubayashi</strong>, previously a Mac geek since 1986, |
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284 | joined the Project Vine in 2000, when the Vine Linux 2.0 for Power Macintosh |
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285 | (initially started as my personal project in 1999) was released. |
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286 | Now as a Vice President of the Project (and hopefully Daisuke's |
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287 | right-hand man), I've been always trying to keep in mind to manage the project |
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288 | fresh and ongoing from cool-headed standpoint. |
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289 | </p> |
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290 | |
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291 | <br /> |
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292 | |
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293 | <h2>YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME</h2> |
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294 | |
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295 | <p> |
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296 | I don't think there are so many non-Japanese people who gets interested |
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297 | in a distribution from the Far East that Japanese people are primarily targeted. |
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298 | But sometimes we've got surprised to get some feedbacks from people abroad. |
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299 | We will always gladly welcome you all over the world who wished to give us |
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300 | any feedbacks, make some contributions to our distribution |
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301 | (from translating our Japanese website/documentations to English, |
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302 | to maintaining specific packages for Vine Linux). |
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303 | </p> |
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304 | |
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305 | <p> |
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306 | Again, you are always welcome. |
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307 | </p> |
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