Rhino Linux a distro based on Ubuntu, but adopting a Rolling Release model
It was recently given to learn about the release of the first stable version of the Rhino Linux distribution, which is characterized by implementing a Rolling Release model (a continuous update delivery model) to provide access to the latest software versions.
The main objective of Rhino Linux is pProvide a stable Ubuntu experience while still offering a Rolling Release model. New versions of applications are mainly migrated from the development branches of the Ubuntu repositories, which create packages with new versions of applications, synchronized with Debian Sid and Unstable.
Packages are managed by a proprietary package manager rhino-pkg (rpk) what covers APT, Pacstall, flatpak and snap package managers.
rhino-pkg allows you to use a universal utility to perform c operationsommon in various package formats, such as install, remove, upgrade, and find packages. The distribution is built using the Debian project's LiveBuild toolkit with modifications taken from VanillaOS.
The package manager Pacstall is positioned as an analogue of the AUR repository (Arch User Repository) for Ubuntu and allows third-party developers to distribute their packages without being included in the distribution's main repositories.
For the part of the components desktop, Linux kernel, splash screens, themes, Firefox browser, and utilities developed by the project they are distributed through a separate Pacstall repository.
To organize the graphical interface, the Unicorn's own user environment, which is a redesigned version of Xfce, with a style close to GNOME, but still lightweight. In Unicorn, the developers tried to combine a more modern design with a traditional approach to building a desktop computer.
While for the part of the navigation through open windows and virtual desktops it is organized by the Xfdashboard package, which implements an interface to switch between GNOME Shell and macOS Expose-style applications for Xfce.
Regarding the package of the system, it stands out that it has:
- Setup Wizard- The first setup wizard that is called after the first system boot and allows you to configure basic settings for the distribution, for example, selecting a theme, installing additional applications, and enabling support for packages in appimage, flatpak, and snap formats.
Your System: is an application to display information about the system and update the distribution.
RhinoDrop: is an app for sharing files between different devices (a branch of Snapdrop). - Plank Dock: which is used as the application sidebar and the standard Xfce panel is used as the top bar. To navigate through the installed applications, the App Grid mode is used, implemented on the basis of Lightpad.
- uLauncher - Offered to launch applications quickly and provides a search string to execute commands, browse directory contents, search for programs and files.
- The Calamares installer is used to install the distribution.
Finally, if you are interested in being able to learn more about this distribution, I invite you to visit their site official website where you can find more information.
Download and get Rhino Linux
For those interested in being able to try or install this distribution, you should know that in addition to the builds for PCs with Intel and AMD processors (2 GB), system images are also offered for generic ARM64 devices, Raspberry Pi hardware and Pine64 devices, including PineTab, PineTab 2, and PinePhone and PinePhone Pro (1,9 GB). The system image can be obtained from the official Rhino Linux website. The link is this.
If you already have a previous version of Rhino Linux and want to upgrade to the newly released version of Rhino Linux 2023.1, you can do so from a terminal by typing the following:
rpk update -y
Or you can also use this command:
pacstall -PI rhino-core
In case you are a Pine64 user, you can choose to use this command:
pacstall -PI rhino-pine-core