Sabayon Linux is a live DVD designed to transform a computer into a powerful Gentoo Linux system in less than 5 minutes.

Sabayon Linux is a live DVD designed to transform a computer into a powerful Gentoo Linux system in less than 5 minutes.

Gentoo Linux is a Linux distribution powered by a software install manager engine called "Portage".

Besides functioning as a live DVD, Sabayon Linux can also be installed on a hard disk, acting effectively as an easy-to-use Gentoo installation disk.

The live DVD includes a large range of desktop environments and open source software applications, such as KDE, GNOME, XFce, Fluxbox, KOffice, OpenOffice.org, FreeNX, amaroK, Kaffeine, etc

Updates (via Distrowatch).

Fabio Erculiani has announced the release of Sabayon Linux 6, a Gentoo-based desktop distribution with KDE 4.6.4 or GNOME 2.32 desktops: "We're once again here to announce the immediate availability of Sabayon 6, one of the biggest milestones in our project. Letting bleeding edge and reliability coexist is the most outstanding challenge our users and our team are faced with every day. Features: Linux kernel 2.6.39.1 and blazing fast, yet reliable, boot; natively supporting the Btrfs file system; completely redesigned artwork and boot music introduction; improved themes for 16:9 and 16:10 widescreen monitors; X.Org Server updated to 1.10...."

Read the complete release announcement for further information.

Download: Sabayon_Linux_6_x86_K.iso (1,956MB, MD5, torrent), Sabayon_Linux_6_x86_G.iso MD5, torrent), Sabayon_Linux_6_amd64_K.iso (2,180MB, MD5, torrent), Sabayon_Linux_6_amd64_G.iso (1,777MB, MD5, torrent). (1,561MB).

Recent releases:

• 2011-06-23: Distribution Release: Sabayon Linux 6
• 2011-03-04: Distribution Release: Sabayon Linux 5.5 "E17", "LXDE", "Xfce"
• 2011-02-08: Distribution Release: Sabayon Linux 5.5 "SpinBase", "CoreCDX"
• 2011-01-27: Distribution Release: Sabayon Linux 5.5
• 2010-12-22: Distribution Release: Sabayon Linux 5.4 "Gaming"
• 2010-11-04: Distribution Release: Sabayon Linux 5.4 "Experimental Spins"

Sabayon Linux uses the Entropy system for package management. This system provides binary packages created from the Gentoo unstable tree, compiled using the Portage system, with the result packaged into tarball packages. The Entropy clients then pull these tarballs and action the various post/pre compilation calls of the ebuild to set up package correctly. This means the system is 100% binary compatible with a Gentoo system using the same build configuration. Sabayon uses the same core components as Gentoo, including OpenRC and baselayout2; all of Gentoo's configuration tools, such as etc-update and eselect are fully working. Sabayon includes many of its own configuration tools for automatic configuration of various system components such as OpenGL.

In addition Sabayon can also use the Portage system from Gentoo for package management, meaning that all updates and base characteristics are in sync with Gentoo's unstable tree and Sabayon's overlay. However, "world updates" are discouraged for beginners or those new to the parent distribution, as the structure is a little different and the unstable branch may cause issues for new users. A guide has been written by a Sabayon Linux developer on how to do global updates and recompilation of all packages.

Install

Although the distribution is a LiveDVD (or in the case of the miniEdition, a LiveCD), installation to hard disk can be initiated once the system is fully booted. Sabayon Linux uses the Anaconda installer. In previous releases, the Gentoo Linux Installer was used. The install process is designed to be simpler than a typical Gentoo install, which requires more extensive knowledge of the operating system (particularly for the compilation of the Linux kernel). Several options are offered before booting off the DVD, like launching games directly after the process or browsing the Internet anonymously. A feature included is a program which plays music during the boot process.