Bluewhite Linux
Bluewhite Linux was a Linux distribution that served as an unofficial 64-bit port of Slackware Linux for the x86-64 architecture. It was developed in Romania and provided a dedicated 64-bit environment for users of the famously stable and Unix-like Slackware operating system before official 64-bit support was fully integrated into the mainline Slackware project.
Purpose and Significance
[edit | edit source]The primary significance of Bluewhite64 was that it filled a gap in the Linux landscape for enthusiasts of the Slackware distribution. For a period, the official Slackware distribution focused primarily on 32-bit (i486) support. Bluewhite64 stepped in to provide a complete and maintained 64-bit version for processors like AMD64 and Intel EM64T.
- Focus: To deliver a native 64-bit computing experience with the traditional simplicity and Unix-like design philosophy of Slackware.
- Target Audience: Slackware users and power users with 64-bit hardware who preferred the stability and manual configuration approach of the Slackware base.
Technical Details
[edit | edit source]Bluewhite64 adhered closely to the upstream Slackware design, maintaining its core structure and principles.
- Base: Slackware Linux.
- Architecture: Primarily x86-64 (also known as AMD64).
- Desktop Environments: It supported multiple desktop environments, typically including KDE (K Desktop Environment) and Xfce, as well as lightweight window managers such as Blackbox, Fluxbox, and Window Maker (WMaker).
- Package Management: It utilized Slackware's standard package management system, which uses simple compressed tarballs (`.tgz` or `.txz`) and does not feature automatic dependency resolution, keeping with the "Unix philosophy" and KISS principle.
- Live Medium: Later releases, such as Bluewhite64 Linux 13.0, were available as a Live DVD to allow users to test the distribution before committing to a hard disk installation.
Discontinuation
[edit | edit source]The development of Bluewhite64 became discontinued after the official Slackware project began to fully support and maintain its own native 64-bit variant, known as Slackware64.
- In May 2009, Slackware's creator, Patrick Volkerding, announced the public availability of the official x86\_64 variant, recognizing the work of unofficial projects like Bluewhite64 and Slamd64.
- The final major release of Bluewhite64 was version 13.0 in September 2009.
Once Slackware64 was stable and officially maintained, the original justification for Bluewhite64 was removed, leading to its end of life. Its contribution is recognized in the history of the Slackware community for pioneering and maintaining the 64-bit port.