14 DAY TRIAL // Black Lab Linux 5.1, a distribution that aims to rival Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows, was finally released and it's now available for download.
Black Lab Linux is a distribution designed for general desktop and power users that comes with a lot of applications and features. The developers of this OS took a few months to get this new distro out the door, but now the final version has arrived and it sports some interesting changes.
There are other Black Lab Linux releases, but some of them are for enterprise use and users will have to pay for them, which also buys them support by email or phone. When this version becomes stable, it will share the same fate as the other ones, at least for a few months.
"Today we are pleased to release the next in the 5 series of Black Lab Linux. Black Lab Linux 5.1 contains many updates, new features and enhancements to the Black Lab Linux distribution. Since this is an incremental release we are also making it available for download immediately instead of waiting the 30 day period in where we normally deliver it," reads the announcement.
One of the things you will notice is the fact that Black Lab Linux no longer strives to compete with Windows and Mac OS X, although this was their assertion when they started this project. The latest iterations focused more on upgrading some of the major components and to make the entire system more user friendly.
According to the changelog, the Linux kernel has been updated to version 3.11 (probably the one still maintained by Canonical), Mozilla Firefox and Mozilla Thunderbird have been updated to version 31, the Mixxx DJ software has been implemented by default, the XServer has been updated with improved hardware support, the Steam client has been updated as well, and all security and application fixes have been implemented throughout the system.
Black Lab Linux devs usually make the operating system free of charge a month after the initial release, but this is an update so they skipped the waiting period. All the prior development releases are usually free of charge and can be tested without any problems, even in virtual environments. It should work without any issues in VirtualBox.
Check the official announcement for more details, features, and changes about this build. You can download Black Lab Linux 5.1 right now from Softpedia.
