With the Linux distribution KaOS, updates are carried out continuously according to the rolling release principle. In addition, the developers summarize the innovations several times a year in a stable ISO image. As the latest stable version, the recently released KaOS 2020. 11 makes it easier for interested beginners the first steps.

The distribution relies entirely on the KDE Plasma Desktop and the latest software from the KDE suite. It is not based on Debian or Arch Linux, but was developed independently from the ground up. Updates are carried out continuously according to the rolling release principle. The console tool “pacman”, which is also used in Arch-Linux, is used for package management. Users can also use the graphic software management Octopi.

What’s new in KaOS 2020. 11 In the release announcement on the KaOS website there is an overview of the news in the new KaOS. Output 2020. 08 contains the latest packages from the KDE pool. This includes the Plasma Desktop 5. 20. 3, KDE Frameworks 5. 76. 0 and the KDE Application Suite 20. 08. 3. The Linux kernel 5.8. 15 and Qt version 5 work under the hood. 15. 2. LibreOffice 7.0.3.1 inherits Calligra as a pre-installed office suite.

The Plasma Desktop 5. 20 also brings innovations. The task bar of the Plasma Desktop only shows icons and thus looks tidy. With the key combination of Ctrl + arrow keys, windows snap quickly to the edge of the screen. Changes made in the system settings can be easily tracked by means of a colored marking. The new Plasma System Monitor can be installed from the package sources, which will be delivered with the upcoming Plasma Desktop 5. 21.

Installation and file system The graphical installation program Calamares guides you through setting up the system and for the first time offers the option to use a swap file instead of a swap Partition. KaOS uses the XFS file system instead of Ext4. Beware of systems with RAID configuration: Installation is not possible here.

KaOS 2020. 11 is in the download area of ​​the project website as an ISO image for 64 – Bit-x 86 systems are available. The developers advise against using the startup media producers Rufus and Unetbootin. In a short experiment, KaOS could be started without any problems from a USB stick that was written to with Etcher.

The developers summarize all innovations in KaOS 2020. 11 in the release announcement on the KaOS website.

(ndi)