DO NOT USE THIS RELEASE IN PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTS
What we have fixed :
1). Convertible PC docking issues - some users had reported that Linspire 8 tablets detached from the base would work correctly, but when reattached would no longer work. This particular bug has been isolated and fixed.
2). iMac Pro support - has been greatly improved. There were reports of installation issues on that particular model with the latest Linspire.
3). Gdebi - removed; the Linspire software center is fully capable of installing stand-alone packages. As always, power users can still install packages from the command line dpkg -i.
4). Oracle Java now in the repositories - Java 8 and 10 are available due to a bug with Netbeans. If you need Netbeans support you can install Java 8 which is required. Linspire Server 2018 r2 is the ONLY Linux server distribution offering Java as a pre-installed option.
What we haven’t :
1). Pixelbook support - the RC is not quite ready yet; several lingering issues prevent clean installation.
2). Surface 6 support - not ready in time for the Gold release but possibly with Linspire 8 SP1, later next year. Some users have requested minimal install options.
We will be offering Linspire Core and Linspire together; when purchased, the customer will receive either two USB keys / two links to download. Linspire Core will only come with a Web browser and Cockpit preinstalled - no games, productivity apps or multimedia apps. These can be added through the Software center.
Linspire 8 RC1 contains the following package improvements :
Kernel 4.15.0-36
MATE 1.20.1
Libreoffice 6.1.2
Google Chrome 69
Shotwell
Blender
OpenShot
Audio - Video Player
Skype
Cockpit
Linspire 8 RC2 will be released in November and will be more feature-complete.
You can download RC1 from here
http://distro.ibiblio.org/blacklab/pre-release/swordfish-8-rc1.iso
http://distro.ibiblio.org/blacklab/pre-release/swordfish-8-rc1.iso.md5
http://distro.ibiblio.org/blacklab/pre-release/swordfish-8-rc1.iso.sha256
