We’re pleased to announce that Fedora 29, the latest version of the Fedora operating system, is now available in beta. The Fedora Project is a global community that works together to help the advancement of free and open source software, culminating in the innovative Fedora operating system designed to answer end user needs across the computing spectrum. Delivered as three separate editions (Fedora Server, Fedora Atomic Host, and Fedora Workstation), each is designed to provide a free, Linux-based system tailored to meet specific use cases.

As with all Fedora beta releases, the common foundation of all Fedora editions has been updated with minor bug fixes and package tweaks. Enhancements to Fedora 29 Beta’s base packages include Python 3.7, Perl 5.28. glibc 2.28, Gloang 1.11, and MySQL 8.

Modularity for all editions

Highlighting Fedora 29 Beta is the addition of modularity across all Fedora editions. First delivered in Fedora 28 Server, modularity enables multiple versions of the same software (like Node.js) to be selected on a per-system basis, with parallel installation done through containers. This can provide some users the ability to use tried-and-true versions of software while enabling other users to work with just-released innovation without impacting the overall stability of the Fedora operating system.

Software lifecycles are a large challenge in managing modern systems. Some applications need to move quickly so that you can get the latest features, while others require a slower cycle to increase stability. The traditional Linux distribution approach forces you to make this decision based on operating system version. By bringing modularity to all Fedora editions, users can have access to enhanced flexibility for a set of use cases across current and future Fedora releases.

For example, developers can have multiple versions of their important libraries and frameworks available, making it easier to develop and test both development and stable branches of their applications. When the next version of Fedora is released, system administrators using a module which spans both releases can keep running their business critical applications without having to worry about major changes in the database software.

ARM, the Internet of Things, and Fedora

As the world of connected devices grows, from smart homes to industrial sensors, the importance of Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies should as well. Helping to power these technologies are ARM microprocessors, which are often delivered in small, energy-sipping form factors to power these armies of tiny devices. The importance of ARM to IoT has not been lost on Fedora, and Fedora 29 Beta aims to make the Fedora operating system a home for both ARM and IoT.

These features start with enhanced ZRAM support for swap on ARMv7 and aarch64, which can improve the performance and reliability of Fedora 29 Beta on ARM Single Board Computers, like the Raspberry Pi. These devices are used by "makers" and in IoT solutions projects.

You can take Fedora 29 Beta for a spin yourself at https://getfedora.org .

As always, the Fedora Project team wants to hear from you – let us know about any bugs or problems that you encounter, as your feedback can help us improve Fedora 29. Common issues can be found on the Fedora 29 common bugs page (please read this on how to effectively report bugs).

If you are interested in becoming more involved with Fedora, we want you on our team! You can contribute to the Fedora Project in many ways other than bug reporting – the Fedora Project is always looking for translators, testers, content creators, marketers, designers and so much more. Whatever your skill set, we would love to have you involved – find out more at http://whatcanidoforfedora.org/ .

The Fedora Project is a Red Hat-sponsored community project. For more information about Fedora, please visit the Fedora Project homepage .

Matthew Miller is Fedora Project Leader.