Klaus Knopper has released version 7.2 of his live Linux distribution Knoppix . Version 7.2 is the public successor of Knoppix 7.0, as version 7.1 was only released as a supplement of issue 4/2013 of the German publication Linux Magazin. That release included add-ons under non-free licences and the completely free version of this release was cancelled by Knopper in favour of the release of the next version because, as Knopper says, "as things developed, there were far too many new and exciting developments and updates pending".

Changes in Knoppix 7.2 mostly apply to the Linux kernel which has been upgraded to upstream version 3.9.6; as with the Linux Magazin release Knoppix 7.1, the DVD edition of the latest version includes kernels for 32- and 64-bit systems. Already installed 64-bit versions can now also be fixed by using a chroot environment. Booting on computers with UEFI firmware is also supported, but Knopper points out that it is still experimental. Like every Knoppix release, version 7.2 has to be regarded as experimental software, according to its creator.

Other improvements in Knoppix 7.2 are a new version of the A.D.R.I.A.N.E. (Audio Desktop Reference Implementation And Networking Environment) system for visually impaired users. The A.D.R.I.A.N.E. system can be activated at the boot prompt and Knopper explains in the release notes how it can be made the default desktop when the distribution is started from flash media.

(fab)