The New Release of Puppy Linux

Release notes for Puppy Linux version 3.00 This Puppy is a massive upgrade from the previous (v2.17.1). I decided to aim for close binary compatibility with Slackware 12, with the objective of being able to install Slackware packages and have all or most of the required dependencies already in place. To that end, I used all the building block packages from Slackware 12, such as glibc 2.5, gcc 4.1.2 and gtk 2.10.13.

Most of the libraries in Puppy are now from Slackware. Note, though, this does not in any way make Puppy a clone of Slackware -- apart from aiming for binary compatibility, Puppy is fundamentally unique from the foundations upward. Another major thing that I have done is totally rewritten the key scripts that control how Puppy boots up, is configured, and shuts down.

This covers such things as pup_save file custom naming, frugal install into a subdirectory, pup_save file resizing and correct recognition of multiple pup_save files at bootup. Then there are some major breakthroughs, such as finally getting periodic flushing of RAM to Flash drive working properly -- this is part of a mechanism that constrains writes to Flash drives so that they don't burn out.

If you install Puppy to a USB Flash drive, Puppy will run in RAM and save periodically (every 30 minutes) to the 'pup_save' file. This batch saving is to limit writes and thus prolong the life of the Flash drive. The saving is copy-down meaning that the RAM does not get flushed -- so if you have a PC with say only 128MB RAM, no swap partition or swap file, and say a 512MB 'pup_save' file, you can only fill up the free RAM space, then you have to reboot -- at shutdown the RAM is flushed to the 'pup_save'.

The free space is shown in the taskbar so you will always know when space is running low. However, Puppy 3.00 has something new. PETget, the PET package manager installs packages direct to the 'pup_save' file, not into RAM. Thus, you can install big packages and they will not chew up RAM space and you won't have to reboot. Other package installation systems (such as for DotPup packages) do not yet have this feature.

Note, kirk is developing a Gslapt package manager package for Puppy, see this link: http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=21908. This is also supporting direct flushing to Flash drive. You are welcome to experiment with this package and help kirk with its development.
More informations about Puppy can be reached on its blog, and you can download this new release of Puppy here.