Lenny debuts - Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 released

After almost two years in development, Debian GNU/Linux 5.0, also known as "Lenny", has been released. The new version contains many updated components, such as the 2.6.26 Linux kernel, X.org 7.3 and Gnome 2.22.2. This release is available for twelve architectures, prompting the Debian 5.0 tagline, "A Universal Operating System". These include Intel and AMD (32bit and 64bit), PowerPC, HP PA-RISC, MIPS, ARM and IBM S/390 platforms. A new graphical installer simplifies the install process and there is support for netbooks such as the Asus EEE PC.

Other new additions to Lenny include full support of NTFS file systems and support for multimedia keys to work straight 'out of the box'. Security has also been enhanced, with a reduction in setuid root binaries and open ports in the default install, use of GCC hardening of security critical packages and an installer that downloads and installs security updates, before the system reboots for the first time. Upgrades from Debian 4.0 are automatically handled by the package management tools without any forced downtime, but the developers recommend that the release notes be checked for any possible issues. Live CD, USB images, CD, DVD and newly added Blu-ray disc images are available to download, via ftp, http or BitTorrent.

As previously reported, the release is dedicated to Thiemo Seufer, a Debian developer and member of the kernel and installer teams, who died in a car accident in December.

(djwm)