14 DAY TRIAL // Parsix GNU/Linux 7.0 Test 2, a Linux distribution based on the stable Debian and GNOME packages that aims to provide a complete desktop experience, has been made available and is now ready for testing.
The Parsix OS is based on Debian "Wheezy," which is the stable branch. It's been around for many years and Debian is the cornerstone of many other Linux distributions, so it's not really a surprise that it was chosen. It provides a solid base, security updates, and a good track record.
The second testing version for Parsix 7.0 arrived just a month after the release of the first one and incorporates many important and big changes, despite the fact that the Debian base hasn't changed all that much.
What's new in this fresh testing version
Parsix is a very active Linux distribution, and two major and four minor versions are made available every year. As you can see from the changelog, the 7.0 branch is a major one, and in fact it's one of the biggest updates in quite a while.
"Our second testing release of Parsix GNU/Linux 7.0 code name Nestor is available now. Parsix Nestor ships with GNOME Shell 3.12.2, brand new kernel based on Linux 3.14.19 built using our modernized kernel build system and enhanced live boot system and installer to support UEFI, built on top of rock solid Debian Wheezy (7.0) platform.
"A lot of bugs have been fixed in this release, live boot is faster, new artwork has been completed and all base packages have been synchronized with Debian Wheezy repositories as of September 24, 2014," say the developers in the release notes.
The developers have updated the Linux kernel to 3.14.19, which is the most advanced long term support kernel available right now. It's been out only for a week and a half, and this means that the makers of Parsix are closely following any new versions. They have also introduced the GNOME Shell 3.12.2 and they have fixed the installer to support UEFI.
Other important included packages in Parsix GNU/Linux 7.0 Test 2 are Xserver-xorg 1.14.5, GNU Iceweasel 32.0, Chromium Browser 35.0, LibreOffice 3.5.4, Gparted 0.12.1, Empathy 3.12.6, GIMP 2.8.2, VirtualBox 4.3.10, and VLC 2.0.6.
Check out the official announcement for a complete list of new features and updates. You can download Parsix GNU/Linux 7.0 Test 2 right now from Softpedia. This is a Live CD and it can be tested in virtual environments, but it has really poor performance in VirtualBox. It's recommended that you don't use a productions machine.