Bedrock Linux

Bedrock Linux is a meta Linux distribution which allows users to utilize features from other, typically mutually exclusive distributions. Essentially, users can mix-and-match components as desired. For example, one could have:

• The bulk of the system from an old/stable distribution such as CentOS or Debian.
• Access to cutting-edge packages from Arch Linux.
• Access to Arch's AUR.
• The ability to automate compiling packages with Gentoo's portage
• Library compatibility with Ubuntu, such as for desktop-oriented proprietary software.
• Library compatibility with CentOS, such as for workstation/server oriented proprietary software.

All at the same time, all working together like one, largely cohesive operating system.

A new video demonstrating such features as of the newly released Bedrock Linux 0.7 Poki is currently in development and will be listed here in the future.

Bedrock Linux 0.7.10 released

2019-10-21

A point update has been released for 0.7. To update to it, run brl update as root.

• Add Artix fetch support
• Add brl-fetch CentOS support for CentOS 8 and 8-stream
• Fix brl-fetch debian, devuan, raspbian and ubuntu libapt-pkg.so warning
• Fix ubuntu default release detection considering "devel" a release
• Improve hijack warning to better explain what it will do

Bedrock Linux 0.7.9 released

2019-09-20

A point update has been released for 0.7. To update to it, run brl update as root.

This fixes a bug in 0.7.8 update code which may break crossfs access.

Bedrock Linux 0.7.8 released

2019-09-15

A point update has been released for 0.7. To update to it, run brl update as root.

• Added LVM support
• Added brl-fetch Arch Linux 32
• Added brl-fetch Exherbo
• Added caching support
• Added debug subsystem
  • Add etcfs debug support
  • Add brl-fetch debug support
• Added i386, i486, i586, and i686 support
• Added wait for keyboard initialisation
  • This fixed no keyboard in init selection menu issue
• Fixed brl-fetch exherbo
• Fixed crossfs handling of live bouncer changes
• Fixed etcfs file descriptor leak
  • This fixed Void init emergence shell issue
• Improved build system performance
• Restrict apt-key by default
• Restrict debuild by default

On Tipping Bedrock Linux Developer

2019-09-03

There have been repeated requests for avenues to tip the lead Bedrock Linux developer.

Bedrock Linux development is not limited by funding, and there is no intended obligation associated with benefiting from Bedrock Linux development efforts.

If you are interested in tipping the lead developer as a thanks for his efforts, see here.

Bedrock Linux 0.7.7 released

2019-08-27

A point update has been released for 0.7. To update to it, run brl update as root.

• Added brl-fetch KISS Linux support
• Added brl-report check for environment variables
• Added brl-update support for verifying signature of offline updates
• Added brl-update support scanning multiple configured mirrors
• Added init message about bedrock.conf
• Added installer check for corrupt embedded tarball
• Added installer check for grub2-mkrelpath bug
• Added installer message about bedrock.conf
• Added official installer/update binaries for ppc64le
• Fixed brl-fetch arch
• Fixed brl-fetch fedora
• Fixed brl-fetch mirrors with paths in http indexes
• Fixed brl-fetch non-native void
• Fixed brl-fetch solus
• Fixed installer handling of quotes in distro name
• Fixed login.defs handling bug
• Fixed resolv.conf handling for some distros
• Fixed various shell tab completion issues
• Improved etcfs robustness to power outages
• Removed /var/tmp from share list
• Update expiration date of signing key
• Various minor fixes and improvements.

Bedrock Linux beta channel available

2019-08-20

Bedrock Linux now offers a beta channel for those who are interested in helping to test upcoming updates and are willing to take the associated elevated risk. See the documentation here.

Future beta updates will not necessarily be announced.

Bedrock Linux 0.7.6 released

2019-05-11

A point update has been released for 0.7. To update to it, run brl update as root.

• Added experimental non-native CPU architecture strata support.
  • Requires qemu-user-static.
• Added experimental non-native CPU capabilities to brl-fetch.
  • See new -a and -A flags in brl fetch --help.
• Added official installer/update binaries for additional CPU architectures.
• Fixed Firefox font handling issue. Work-around is no longer needed.
• Various minor fixes and improvements.

Bedrock Linux 0.7.5 released

2019-04-28

A point update has been released for 0.7. To update to it, run brl update as root.

This is a fix for an issue found 0.7.4's handling of sandboxed software whose local files do not map directly to those of any particular stratum. Most notably, this fixes crashes in Chromium.

Bedrock Linux 0.7.4 blocked

2019-04-28

The Bedrock Linux 0.7.4 update was found to cause Chromium to crash. The update has been temporarily pulled while the issue is being investigated.

There are no known security or data-loss concerns with any 0.7.X release at this time.

Bedrock Linux 0.7.4 released

2019-04-28

A point update has been released for 0.7. To update to it, run brl update as root. See the release notes here.

Bedrock Linux 0.7.3 released

2019-04-14

A point update has been released for 0.7. To update to it, run brl update as root. See the release notes here.

Bedrock Linux now listed on DistroWatch

2019-04-08

Bedrock Linux was submitted to DistroWatch on 2012-08-04, almost seven years ago. DistroWatch had (understandable) requirements Bedrock failed to meet until very recently. It is now listed here.

See older news items