Lunar Linux 1.6.1 / 1.6.2 Beta 1

Lunar is a source based Linux distribution developed by a talented team of programmers from all over the world, working together to extend the Linux technology into better-tailored and more optimized software for the end user.
Lunar uses and builds upon the Linux kernel, the software started by Linus Torvalds and supported by thousands of programmers worldwide, and offers a unique package management system which builds each software package, or module, from scratch for the machine in which it is being installed.
This is what sets Lunar apart. Lunar Linux makes customization a breeze-- you choose the compile options before a module is built, and install a lean and uncluttered system that has exactly what you need. Nothing more, or less.
Once installed, Lunar is remarkably fast, breaking new ground in flexibility and in the options it offers the individual user.
In a nutshell: Lunar installs a complete bootstrap development system on your machine. You then tell the Lunar package manager what tools you want, and it builds the entire system by downloading current source code and locally compiling an optimized system tailored toward your specific needs.
Lunars installer is fast and provides full control over the process of installation, including a wide variety of install and rescue tools. The installer provides the user with an interface to compile a custom kernel during installation.
Installing applications is remarkably simple-- type in "lin [package name]" and the system will install the application from the moonbase, our module repository. Dont want it after all? Type "lrm [package name]" and it is gone. Lunar has a unique shell-based Application Management System which handles the dependencies when installing software. There is no "dependency hell"-- if there are other things the system needs to install a particular application, the AMS will simply find them for you.
Updating lunar is a matter of one single command, lunar update. It fetches an updated moonbase, checks if there were any updated modules and builds those. The AMS is network aware and uses the network to acquire source code. The moonbase and core tools are updated every hour at Lunar-Linux.org.
The advantage for the end user is clear: a system that is both robust and stable, and easy to install and maintain without sacrificing variety and flexibility. Lunar has built in integrity checking and a robust self-repairing capability. It also enables system users to develop their own source-packages using the toolset.
Lunar is for everyone. Though it may be difficult for the beginner to administer, it provides you with all the possible features you could want from a Linux distribution. It is incredibly accessible to anyone who has played around with a UNIX system.
All of this presents a rich potential for a user who seeks speed, strong performance, and a system that "works smart".
Whats New in 1.6.1 Stable Release:
- With great pleasure we release Moose Drool, also known as the Lunar Linux 1.6.1 Installer ISO, to the public. This ISO is partially a refreshed installer for i686, but it is also our first stable ISO for x86_64. The x86_64 installer ISO thus marks the true final entry for Lunar Linux as a multi-arch distro. This ISO comes with GCC 3.4.6, glibc 2.3.6, Linux 2.6.20, Perl 5.8.8, and other rock solid base components. Allthough the x86_64 ISO is purely 64-bit only now, were working to enable multilib, so stay focused for more news on that. This will also be the last ISO with GCC 3.x. Future ISOs will move to GCC 4.x and an updated glibc.
Whats New in 1.6.2 Beta 1 Development Release:
- Were happy to announce the first beta release of a new series of Lunar linux installer ISOs. Our new ISOs will be as easy to install as 1.6.1, but pack an extra punch - this series of ISOs pre-installs a basic Xfce 4.4.1 desktop with X.Org 7.2, together with Firefox, Thunderbird, Pidgin, Audacious, GIMP and a few other basic desktop utilities. We hope to make it easy for everyone to both enjoy playing and learning from a true source distro environment and be productive quickly. The extra applications will give new users a fast start and should install easily on most (even brand new) hardware with the 2.6.22.1 kernel, but also give the user a welcome feeling on a freshly installed lunar-linux system.