Catbird Linux / Blog: Recent posts

Hello Linux Users,

Catbird Linux has been upgraded to version 3.4.0 and is available worldwide for download. It is the fifth release in the 3.x series and continues with some updates and bug fixes:

It is the fourth release in the 3.x series and continues with several updates and bug fixes:

1. Kernel 6.15, with the Xanmod efficiency and speed tweaks, runs this Linux very nicely on new and old hardware.
2. Neovim plugins have been upgraded.
3. Zram's memory compression algorithm has been changed to zstd.
4. Wezterm tab styling adjusted for the current dark theme.
5. Fixed a bug in the Neovim launcher which had prevented text files from properly opening if clicked from the file manager as root.... read more

Hello Linux Users,

Catbird Linux has been upgraded to version 3.2.0 and is available worldwide for download.

It is the third release in the 3.x series and continues with several updates and bug fixes:

1. Kernel 6.14, with the Xanmod efficiency and speed tweaks, runs this Linux very nicely on new and old hardware.
2. To make things easier for any of you who want a persistent system, which remembers changes in files or settings, I have set the persistence boot parameter. To work, it requires you to have a Linux partition labeled "persistence," containing a configuration file named persistence.conf. Look online for more information about persistent Debian Live setups.
3. The Element Messenger and chat application was adding a lot of size to this iso image, weighing in at more than 460 MB, so I have switched it to use the online web interface, working through the web browser.
4. The Telegram Messenger and chat application was also adding a lot of size to this iso image, weighing in at more than 180 MB, so I have switched it to use the online web interface.
5. Discord has been added as another chat application, also working through their online web interface in the browser.... read more

Hello Linux Users,

Catbird Linux has been upgraded to version 3.1.0 and is available for download.

It is the second release in the 3.x series. Although it retains a similar look and feel to its predecessor, there is more firmament under the hood:

1. A more reliable sequence for starting the window manager, based on systemd.
   • Debian upstream appears to be tweaking the Debian Live package, upon which this live computing environment is based, and they changed something which caused some problems getting the Xserver and DWM started.
   • Using systemd service units to initiate the desktop / window manager works like a charm.... read more

Hello Linux Users,

Catbird Linux has been upgraded to version 3.0 and is available for download.

Here are the most significant changes from the 2.x series:

More emphasis on the experience of working with text based knowledge: note-taking, writing prose, editing code, and doing slide presentations.
* Revamped Neovim setup, providing expanded features though Mini and Snacks plugin projects. Lightweight, efficient, feature-packed, and incredibly fast on modest hardware.
* Updated Obsidian with expanded Vimrc support, for working with notes at the speed of thought.
* Updated Ipython and JupyterLab.
* Debian Sid is in the middle of moving from Python 3.12 to 3.13; both are available in this iso. If adding modules, condider using a virtual environment and uv to manage the Python. Pypy, Mypy, and other helpful tools are installed.

Increased robustness in networking.
* Switching from Firefox to the Brave Browser for performance, stability, and features.
* Adding the unstoppable Reticulum Network Stack. Chat with end to end encryption; may use RNode LoRa radio, censorship resistant.... read more

Hello Linux Users,

Catbird Linux has been upgraded to version 2.8 and is available for download. It is the bootable, self-contained live Linux environment which deshittifies general purpose computing on the desktop and empowers you to get things done. Catbird Linux is free as in "freedom" and free as in "free beer."

The most important item for this upgrade is Linux Kernel 6.12. It brings significant performance improvements and freshened hardware drivers. I am a great fan of the Xanmod Kernels for Linux laptops and workstations, and awaited release of a 6.12 version for inclusion in this Catbird Linux upgrade. Enjoy your more responsive computers with this running! ... read more

Hello Linux Users,

Catbird Linux has been upgraded to version 2.7 and is available for download. It is the bootable, self-contained live Linux environment which deshittifies general purpose computing on the desktop and empowers you to get things done. Catbird Linux is free as in "freedom" and free as in "free beer."

I changed some of the software available in the iso. As we had two very nice terminal emulators installed, Alacritty and Wezterm, I moved to conserve size and removed Alacritty. Wezterm is now the default terminal emulator. Also, I found the need for an ebook (epub) editing application and chose Sigil. It is a great tool for cleaning up the somewhat messy HTML code written to epubs exported from LibreOffice. Sigil is fast and efficient - far better than Calibre, in my most humble opinion ;-)... read more

Hello Linux Users,

Catbird Linux has been upgraded to version 2.6 and is available for download. It is the bootable, self-contained live Linux environment which serves to empower you and deshittify general purpose computing on the desktop. Free as in "freedom," free as in "free beer."

This version brings software updates, including a fresh Linux kernel version 6.10. I also fixed a few minor bugs. One of the more important fixes restored function to the Wireguard menu.... read more

Hello Linux Users,

Catbird Linux has been upgraded to version 2.5 and is available for download.

This version brings software updates, including a fresh Linux kernel version 6.9. Note that I have switched this this kernel to micro architecture x86-x64-v2, in order to have compatibility with older computers. That's right, friends: this system can actually run on your old hardware from 2009.... read more

Fellow Catbird Linux users,

Catbird Linux is being updated to version 2.3 and will be uploaded to SourceForge within 24 hours. The system has received a kernel upgrade to Linux Xanmod kernel 6.6, along with a bug fix which prevented proper booting of the iso file on flash drives. This may affect you if you have set it up using Rufus or Ventoy. Apologies for the inconvenience if this gave you trouble.... read more

Hello to All,

Catbird Linux version 2.2.0 is released and available for download. This update brings newer versions of system internals, GIMP to version 2.99, and fixes for Audacity.'s VST plugin interface.

Cheers,
Phil C / Catbird Linux

Greetings to all,

I am pleased to announce the release of Catbird Linux version 2.0.0 . We are now based on rolling Debian (Sid), with improved features, freshened packages, and a smaller iso image. That's right - the Catbird is slimmer, more muscular, and ready to help you be creative, smart, and effective. The distro looks great too, having switched from i3 to the Dynamic Window Manager (DWM). It is lighter and quicker than i3, with just the right patched to help you move through your work flow with minimal friction. ... read more

Greetings to All,

I am pleased to announce the availability of Catbird Linux version 1.8.0, bringing software updates, bug fixes, and a new AI application.

There is a new Linux Kernel, 6.1.28, some updates to Neovim, LibreOffice, and other applications. Terminal GPT (tgpt) is my favorite new tool, as it may be used anonymously and without an account or API keys. (grin) Ask and it will tell you, except for certain things unfit for discussion on the polite side of the internet. Several other AI tools are bookmarked in Firefox, and a new Google Bard plugin has been added to augment your searches.... read more

Catbird Linux 1.7.0 is now available for download. This one has some changes for the i3 window manager and a new SDR client.

Caja, the file manager. and Alacritty, the terminal emulator, are now configured to be automatically hidden on the scratchpad or shown on the present workspace. When you hit a keybind to initially open either of those apps, they will open as fairly large floating windows. Instead of closing them when no longer needed, you should hit the same keybind to remove the app from view.... read more

Happy New Year!

Catbird Linux 1.6 is released.

Features of this new release are: fresh kernel, trimmed Python cache, added Python support for DuckDB and MySQL, and several small system tweaks.

There is a new "SDR Map" for finding live KiwiSDR and WebSDR servers, replacing the group of individual server bookmarks in Firefox. It seemed that every week, a few SDRs were coming, going, or changing urls. The map solves the problem, as it is capable of updating itself. If anything else, it provides a nice visual display of day and night in the world. SDR bookmarks (keybound to Super + S) have some new stations added in. (grin) Enjoy Radio Caroline, more BBC Radio 4 Longwave, and Radio 208 Copenhagen.... read more

Catbird Linux Version 1.5.0 is on the wires, friends. This update brings a fresher Firefox, Inkscape, and adjusted DSP plugins within Audacity. If you are using Audacity for podcasts or audiobook narration, find the latest version of ACX Check.

I trimmed off some of the less effective or redundant applications. Censorship has ramped up in non-free countries to the degree that Lantern and Psiphon are not effective. Plan to use ssh tunnels, Wireguard, or remote Tor (on a VPS) to jump your national barriers. Krita is a nice application, but I found the latest GIMP update to work well with CMYK files - for printing - so Krita is off the iso. Other changes amount to small updates from the various Ubuntu repositories and PPAs.... read more

Greetings All,

Catbird Linux v1.3.0 has been uploaded. It brings updated packages, a few bug fixes, and tweaks. See the updated software list for details. If there are any issues downloading from here, try the magnet link on the main website, Catbirdlinux.com.

You may notice that transparency and blur have been removed from the terminal. That is because Picom was associated with some irritating instability on the system, so it was disabled. If you really want Picom running, simply uncomment the startup command in your home folder's .xinitrc file. As work continues toward a freshened Catbird Linux based on Ubuntu 22.04, I hope to get Picom back on, with that pretty transparency and blur.... read more

Greetings All,

Catbird Linux v1.2.0 is uploading, with an expected completion time of 2021/12/25 1415 UTC. It brings updated packages, a few bug fixes, and tweaks. See the updated software list and i3 / Neovim keymaps for details. The new Neovim config in Lua is effen' beautiful. If there are any issues downloading from here, try the magnet link on the main website, Catbirdlinux.com.... read more

Greetings All,

Catbird Linux is now updated to v1.1.0, bringing updated packages and a few bug fixes and tweaks to the system. If there are any issues downloading from here, try the magnet link on the main website, Catbirdlinux.com.

Cheers,
PC / Catbird Linux

Ladies and gentlemen, heroes and scoundrels, I present to you the GNU/Linux system I call "Catbird Linux." As the small yet intrepid and wise catbird fulfills its purpose in-domain, so does this digital namesake in its domain. It has been my daily driver for years, having started as a customized version of Debian Sid, then Mint, then Ubuntu. With each iteration, it has improved in the core purposes as a tool for gathering information, writing notes, creating audio, visual, and written content, and streaming some music when I'm in the mood for some punk or psychedelic tunes. So, version 1.0.0 is the first version uploaded for *other people to use, who may have similar uses for their computers.... read more