Before moving on to a description of the update of important components of the update, it is perhaps worth talking about the relatively new releases in the releases of this unique and super popular distribution – Debian.
New releases have brought some changes
- Debian Edu 12 (“Bullseye”) is an operating system specifically designed for educational institutions. Server support and also excellent updates with the implementation of components for learning and teaching. An important factor is that updates will be supported at least until 2027.
- Debian Cloud 12 (“Bullseye”) optimized for cloud environments. It includes virtual machine images ready for deployment on various cloud platforms, as well as tools for managing cloud infrastructure.
Package updates
- Linux Kernel 5.19. Linux Kernel 5.19 was released on February 12, 2024, the latest version of the Linux kernel. It includes many improvements, including support for new hardware, improved performance, and bug fixes.
- KDE Plasma 5.27. On February 14, 2024, KDE Plasma 5.27 was released, the latest version of the popular desktop environment. It contains many improvements, including a new taskbar design, expanded Wayland support, and new features for touchscreen users.
- Firefox 110. Firefox 110, the latest version of the popular web browser, was released on February 14, 2024. It includes many improvements such as a new tracking protection feature, improved performance, and new features for developers.
- LibreOffice 7.5. On February 23, 2024, LibreOffice 7.5 was released, the latest version of the popular office suite. It includes many improvements, including a new collaboration feature, expanded support for Microsoft Office file formats, and new features for users with disabilities.
- GNOME 44, the latest version of the GNOME desktop environment, is scheduled for release on March 21, 2024. It includes many improvements such as new app designs, improved multitasking and new features for users with disabilities.
Very important updates that affected Debian are the Debian Security Team and also the download tool – Debian Installer.
- Debian Installer. The Debian Installer has been updated to support installing Debian 12 (“Bullseye”) on the new RISC-V architecture. This extends Debian’s capabilities and allows it to run on a new generation of hardware, providing more choice for users and developers. The updated installation tool makes it easy and convenient to install Debian on RISC-V systems, making it even more accessible and attractive to a wider range of users.
- Debian Security Team. The Debian security team has released many security updates for various packages. These updates are intended to address identified vulnerabilities and provide greater security for Debian users. Users are advised to update their systems to the latest versions to minimize the risk of security issues and ensure safe use of the operating system.
Also worth noting is the improved performance in general. Recent Debian updates have also brought improvements to system performance. This includes optimizations for file system handling, improvements to network services, and optimizations to the Linux kernel for optimal use of system resources. These improvements help Debian run faster and more efficiently on different types of hardware.