Zenwalk Linux
Encyclopedia
Zenwalk is a Linux distribution
founded by Jean-Philippe Guillemin. It was originally based on Slackware
. Since its creation, the distribution has become very different from Slackware in most regards while still maintaining compatibility with its binary packages. Zenwalk aims to be a modern and multi-purpose Linux distribution by focusing on Internet applications, multimedia and programming tools. Additionally, Zenwalk comes with many specialized tools, designed for beginner through advanced users as it offers system configuration via both graphical and command-line operations.
as its desktop environment, Zenwalk now uses Xfce
as of version 0.3, although GNOME
and KDE packages have always been available separately.
), optimization for a specific processor architecture to increase execution speed, and introduces a comprehensive package management system with dependency resolution.
The newest official software packages
are published in the -snapshot tree. When sufficient testing and debugging have been completed, a package is moved to the -current tree, where most users can download software to update their systems.
The community is also encouraged to take part in software package development
, since the official software pool is considered limiting by some users. This allows third-party software to be made compatible with the Zenwalk directory structure, as well as improved interoperability with the rest of the distribution.
Zenwalk uses the netpkg package management tool. It is developed in-house, and it provides the main functionalities of the apt-get variety of package managers. It uses Slackware's .tgz package format, but adds dependency resolution capabilities. The system uses meta files to provide dependency information, as well as package description during the install process. This convenience is only available to the official Zenwalk mirrors listed in the netpkg configuration file, netpkg.conf. In addition to the original netpkg command line interface, xnetpkg provides a GUI frontend with similar capabilities.
Additionally, Zenwalk is compatible with Slackware package management tools such as slapt-get
and its frontends, and have similar functionality as that of netpkg.
As of Zenwalk 4.6, package compatibility with Slackware is still maintained. Slackware packages may be used to substitute Zenwalk packages where necessary. Additional package availability can be found at LinuxPackages.net.
of Zenwalk Linux for versions up to 5.2 can be created manually or with UNetbootin
.
Linux distribution
A Linux distribution is a member of the family of Unix-like operating systems built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions are operating systems including a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players, and database applications...
founded by Jean-Philippe Guillemin. It was originally based on Slackware
Slackware
Slackware is a free and open source Linux-based operating system. It was one of the earliest operating systems to be built on top of the Linux kernel and is the oldest currently being maintained. Slackware was created by Patrick Volkerding of Slackware Linux, Inc. in 1993...
. Since its creation, the distribution has become very different from Slackware in most regards while still maintaining compatibility with its binary packages. Zenwalk aims to be a modern and multi-purpose Linux distribution by focusing on Internet applications, multimedia and programming tools. Additionally, Zenwalk comes with many specialized tools, designed for beginner through advanced users as it offers system configuration via both graphical and command-line operations.
History
Zenwalk was originally called Minislack up to version 1.1, taking its current name with version 1.2 released 2005-08-12. Originally using KDEKDE
KDE is an international free software community producing an integrated set of cross-platform applications designed to run on Linux, FreeBSD, Microsoft Windows, Solaris and Mac OS X systems...
as its desktop environment, Zenwalk now uses Xfce
Xfce
Xfce is a free software desktop environment for Unix and other Unix-like platforms, such as Linux, Solaris, and BSD – though recent compatibility issues have arisen with regard to BSD Unix platforms...
as of version 0.3, although GNOME
GNOME
GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software...
and KDE packages have always been available separately.
Aims
The Zenwalk Project aims to create a lightweight Linux distribution (through using only one application per task on the release ISO imageISO image
An ISO image is an archive file of an optical disc, composed of the data contents of every written sector of an optical disc, including the optical disc file system...
), optimization for a specific processor architecture to increase execution speed, and introduces a comprehensive package management system with dependency resolution.
Community
The Zenwalk Project has a forum that allows users and developers alike to post their issues, concerns and praise.The newest official software packages
Software package (installation)
In package management systems, which are commonly used with Linux-based operating systems, a package is a specific piece of software which the system can install and uninstall....
are published in the -snapshot tree. When sufficient testing and debugging have been completed, a package is moved to the -current tree, where most users can download software to update their systems.
Software development
Software development is the development of a software product...
, since the official software pool is considered limiting by some users. This allows third-party software to be made compatible with the Zenwalk directory structure, as well as improved interoperability with the rest of the distribution.
Package management
Additionally, Zenwalk is compatible with Slackware package management tools such as slapt-get
Slapt-get
slapt-get is an APT-like package management system for Slackware. Slapt-get tries to emulate the features of Debian's apt-get as closely as possible.Released under the terms of the GNU General Public License, slapt-get is free software.- Features :...
and its frontends, and have similar functionality as that of netpkg.
As of Zenwalk 4.6, package compatibility with Slackware is still maintained. Slackware packages may be used to substitute Zenwalk packages where necessary. Additional package availability can be found at LinuxPackages.net.
| version | date |
|---|---|
| Minislack 0.1 | May 21, 2004 |
| Minislack 0.2 | August 8, 2004 |
| Minislack 0.3 | February 17, 2005 |
| Minislack 0.4 | March 26, 2005 |
| Minislack 1.0 | April 24, 2005 |
| Minislack 1.0.1 | May 3, 2005 |
| Minislack 1.1 | June 10, 2005 |
| Zenwalk 1.2 | August 12, 2005 |
| Zenwalk 1.3 | October 15, 2005 |
| Zenwalk 2.0 Core | November 27, 2005 |
| Zenwalk 2.0.1 | December 4, 2005 |
| Zenwalk 2.1 (Core) | January 18, 2006 |
| Zenwalk 2.2 | February 16, 2006 |
| Zenwalk 2.4 | April 4, 2006 |
| Zenwalk 2.6 | May 23, 2006 |
| Zenwalk 2.8 | July 21, 2006 |
| Zenwalk 3.0 | September 8, 2006 |
| Zenwalk 4.0 | November 20, 2006 |
| Zenwalk 4.2 | January 6, 2007 |
| Zenwalk 4.4 | February 22, 2007 |
| Zenwalk 4.4.1 | February 24, 2007 |
| Zenwalk 4.6 | June 1, 2007 |
| Zenwalk 4.6.1 | June 6, 2007 |
| Zenwalk 4.8 | October 6, 2007 |
| Zenwalk 5.0 | January 18, 2008 |
| Zenwalk 5.2 | June 7, 2008 |
| Zenwalk 6.0 | March 7, 2009 |
| Zenwalk 6.2 | September 6, 2009 |
| Zenwalk 6.4 | May 27, 2010 |
| Zenwalk 7.0 | Mar 25, 2011 |
Supported architectures
Zenwalk Linux is built and optimized primarily for the i686 architecture, although it supports i486 computers as well.Project versions
There are five main versions of Zenwalk as of Zenwalk 7.0- Zenwalk Standard is a distribution aimed at mainstream desktop and development use. Designed to be a stand-alone operating system, it installs to the hard drive by way of a ncursesNcursesncurses is a programming library that provides an API which allows the programmer to write text user interfaces in a terminal-independent manner. It is a toolkit for developing "GUI-like" application software that runs under a terminal emulator...
-based installer. It includes all of the officially released software packages that are deemed most useful by the Zenwalk community. The default install also includes development packages like gccGNU Compiler CollectionThe GNU Compiler Collection is a compiler system produced by the GNU Project supporting various programming languages. GCC is a key component of the GNU toolchain...
, and some proprietary media packages (such as Adobe Flash Player) and drivers in order to provide a full featured default install. The default desktop environment is XfceXfceXfce is a free software desktop environment for Unix and other Unix-like platforms, such as Linux, Solaris, and BSD – though recent compatibility issues have arisen with regard to BSD Unix platforms...
.
- Zenwalk Core is a Zenwalk system built with customization in mind. Released with no X Window System binaries, its aim is to allow a skilled user to build a system fit for his or her needs. The project's lead developer is Emmanuel Bailleul.
- ZenLive is a Zenwalk system built on a Live CD design. ZenLive follows the progress made by the full Zenwalk system closely, thus mirroring the version number, and attempts to stay true to the original distribution's goals. In addition, it includes all of the necessary libraries and applications to develop and compile software, a particularly rare feature in Live CD distributions. Project members include Pierrick Le Brun, creator, Mauricio Tricoli, project lead, and Michael Verret, artwork.
- Zenwalk Gnome has GNOMEGNOMEGNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software...
as the default desktop environment.
- Zenwalk Openbox is supplied with OpenboxOpenboxOpenbox is a free window manager for the X Window System, licensed under the GNU General Public License. Originally derived from Blackbox 0.65.0 , Openbox has now been totally rewritten in the C programming language and since version 3.0 is not based upon any code from Blackbox.Openbox is designed...
as stand-alone window manager. It is a very lightweight version of the operating system. It does not follow LXDE in its choice of software. It still uses Thunar file manager over PC-Man which is standard on LXDE-based systems such as Lubuntu.
Derivatives
There are currently three known Zenwalk-based distributions:- Arudius, a live CD distribution for information assurance with tools for penetration testing and vulnerability analysis. Discontinued.
- SLAMPP, intended to be used as a home server.
- Zencafe, a distribution designed for internet cafes.
Live USB
A Live USBLive USB
A live USB is a USB flash drive or a USB external hard disk drive containing a full operating system that can be booted. Live USBs are closely related to live CDs, but sometimes have the ability to persistently save settings and permanently install software packages back onto the USB device...
of Zenwalk Linux for versions up to 5.2 can be created manually or with UNetbootin
UNetbootin
UNetbootin is a cross-platform utility that can create live USB systems and can load a variety of system utilities or install various Linux distributions and other operating systems without a CD.- USB Install :...
.