Hey there!

It's been a very long time since our last release, and we're finally able to release a new ISO image. This time around, an ALPHA release. Usually, we rarely release testing ISO images, but during this rather long development cycle (longest to date) we made way to many changes, and feedback from our users is absolutely required. This release, Redcore Linux Hardened 1812 (codename Luna), is feature packed, more than every other release to date. Here's rather brief changelog since Redcore Linux Hardened 1806 (codename Kepler) :

Changelog :

• resync with Gentoo portage tree (31.12.2018)
• linux kernel 4.14.90 fully hardened, as default
  • MuQSS is now the default CPU scheduler for maximum desktop/gaming performance
  • BFQ is now the default I/O scheduler for better I/O responsitivity
• toolchain updates : gcc v8.2.0, glibc v2.28, clang v7.0.1, binutils v2.31.1
  • a mass rebuild has been triggered, so every package in the repository was recompiled with the above toolchain, to make sure everything is consistent
• sisyphus package manager :
  • previous restrictions (run in binary mode only) have been lifted and deprecated
  • it is now a hybrid package manager by default, details
  • hybrid features exposed to CLI only, the GUI component will only allow you to install prebuilt binaries from the repository
  • packages installed via hybrid features will be automatically compressed and saved in binary form for future use and/or redistribution to other users
    • compressed binaries are saved in /var/cache/packages
    • this can quickly make you run out of disk space, so make sure you allocate a healthy amount (30Gb should be plenty)
• vasile (versatile advanced script for iso and latest enchantments) :
  • system modes (binmode, mixedmode, srcmode) dropped and deprecated, details
  • you never have to switch modes to install a package from Gentoo's tree, sisyphus can do it now by default (see above)
• over 1500 packages we're updated during this cycle (that's about 75% of the whole binary repository), you'll find some of them bellow
  • graphics stack updates, xorg-server v1.20.3, mesa v18.3.1, llvm v7.0.1, libdrm v2.4.96, nvidia-drivers v390.77 (nouveau is still the default choice)
  • libreoffice updated to v6.1.4.2, vlc updated to v3.0.4, gimp updated to v2.10.8
  • all major web browsers updated, you'll find firefox v64.0, google-chrome v71.0.3578.98, vivaldi v2.2.1388.37, opera v57.0.3098.106
  • qt5 toolkit updated to v5.11.3, kde-frameworks updated to v5.53.0, kde-apps updated to v18.12.0, plasma updated to v5.14.4
• virtualbox guest additions are still dropped in this release, however :
  • native resolution is now supported in a virtualbox vm
  • clipboard sharing, drag and drop unsupported
• system layout is now better suited for customisation, if you have previous Gentoo experience
  • USE flags, keywords, masks can be overriden using highprio files in /etc/portage
    • sisysphus/emerge will pick up the changes and recompile the affected packages
  • DE's unsupported by Redcore Linux (Mate, Xfce etc) can be installed this way
    • sisyphus, but not emerge, will reuse as many binary packages as possible to satisfy the dependencies, thus speeding up the installation
• LXQT spin
  • compositor is now disabled by default in LXQT release, it had a huge performance impact
  • some theming improvements, borders are now more easy to distinguish, and they no longer blend with the rest of the window
• KDE Plasma spin
  • shiny new KDE plasma spin

Errata :

• KDE Plasma spin
  • screenlocker won't unlock in live mode, if you install this spin, do not let screenlocker to kick in
  • the default look and feel is an unbranded/vanilla look and feel
  • not as polished as the long standing LXQT spin, yet
• General
  • sisyphus will fail to run the very first time, run sisyphus --rescue and it will recover itself (my bad)
  • sisyphus is unable to install binaries generated using hybrid features (aka localinstall), implementation is in progress
  • you may see a flicker and resolution change while booting in virtualbox, this will be fixed in Beta

Notes :

• this release points to the unmerged, next (testing) repository
• ISO images come in minimal/barebone form, so you can install whatever you want.
• a full portage tree snapshot is included, so you can sisyphus --hybrid-install/--hybrid-upgrade/--hybrid-search right away
• do not attempt to reconfigure portage using vasile --setup as it will make the system point to master (stable) repository, cause conflicts, and downgrade the system
• if you plan to install something using sisyphus's new hybrid options, please remember, this release is hardcoded to use 4 cpu cores only to compile anything from source