ppc Release Notes for Gentoo Linux 2005.0

1. The Gentoo Linux Project

Gentoo Linux is a community driven project commited to producing high quality opensource software. These release notes for Gentoo Linux 2005.0 summarize important package updates, security updates, and many other changes that have happened since Gentoo Linux 2004.3

Table of Contents

1. Overview
2. Important Changes
2.1 Security Updates
2.2 Errata
2.3 Critical Package Updates
2.4 Portage Updates
2.5 Userland Updates
2.6 Documentation Updates
3. Upgrading from previous versions of Gentoo Linux

2. Important Changes for 2005.0

Security Updates

Gentoo Linux 2005.0 contains security updates to address GLSAs (Gentoo Linux Security Advisories) numbered 200410-27 to 200503-17.

Individual GLSAs can be referenced by going to http://www.gentoo.org/security/en/glsa/glsa-$x.xml, and substituting $x with the desired GLSA number.

For more information, please consult the the Gentoo Linux Security Project home page.

Errata

Errata	Workaround
The welcome message on the LiveCD points to /mnt/cdrom/docs/handbook/html/index.html for the installation instructions, but that could not be found.	The handbook is located in /mnt/cdrom/docs/html/index.html. Please use this path for the installation instructions included in the LiveCD.
pbbuttonsd fails to start.	This tool gives some power and keyboard advantages to Apple Laptop and Desktop users. On some systems it fails to start, but that would not harm anything for the installation.
The LiveCD starts a 2.6.10-kernel. There are known security bugs about this kernel.	The current stable kernel 2.6.11 breaks several things on ppc, like the hardwareclock and G5 32-bit-support. We created a special stable 2.6.10-kernel with the security-patches from the 2.6.11-kernel backported.
Appending any boot parameters to the Pegasos-kernel drop the compiled in parameters.	This is a known problem and currently unresolved. Therefore we created the bootmenu for fast access to different screen resolutions. In the Gentoo Linux PPC Handbook is the complete list of compiled in boot parameters listed, if there is need for.
The fan on some G4 Apple laptops don't work during installation.	After the CD has booted you have to call modprobe therm_adt746x. This will load the appropriate kernel module for the fan-controler. The initial coldplug does not take care of it.

Critical Package Updates

Important package-versions in this release:

gcc 3.4.1-r3
glibc glibc-2.3.4.20041102
gentoo-sources 2.6.10-r8
pegasos sources-2.6.10-r4
vanilla-sources 2.6.10
portage 2.0.51.19
X.Org 6.8.2-r1
KDE 3.3.2
GNOME 2.8.1-r1
XFCE4 4.2.0

There are three kernels on the LiveCD:

Kernel filename	Capabilites
G3G4	Supports uniprocessor and multiprocessor G3 and G4 machines. Symlinks in the yaboot bootloader are G3, G4, G3-SMP and G4-SMP
G5	Supports uniprocessor and multiproccesor G5 machines in 32-bit mode. Symlinks in the yaboot bootloader are G5 and G5-SMP
pegasos	Supports Genesi's Pegasos II machine, currently only uniprocessor.

For information about how to change your profile please read .

Warning: Cascading profiles will only work with Portage >=2.0.51. Make sure to first upgrade to an appropriate version of Portage and then upgrade your profile!

Portage Updates

The Portage version included in this release is 2.0.51.19 and the ChangeLog can be found via our online CVS repository.

Userland Updates

Catalyst, the Gentoo Release Metatool, is stable in Portage as version 1.1.7. To use Catalyst, simply emerge catalyst.

Documentation Updates

Much consideration and time has been spent on the Gentoo Installation Handbook in order to get it more in sync with Gentoo 2005.0. Please note that it is a constant work in progress, and if any bugs are encountered, please refer them to the Gentoo Linux bugtracking system at .

3. Upgrading and Installation of Gentoo Linux 2005.0

Installing Gentoo Linux 2005.0

The entire Gentoo Linux installation process is documented in the Gentoo Handbook.

Each architecture offers three LiveCDs. The first one being a universal bootable LiveCD which can be used to install with or without an Internet connection. The second LiveCD is a non-bootable subarch-optimized Gentoo Reference Platform (GRP) LiveCD which contains precompiled binaries of popular programs such as X.org-x11, KDE, and GNOME. The third LiveCD is a bootable minimal LiveCD that is smaller in size and includes only the basics needed to simply boot a machine.

At minimum, the universal or minimal LiveCD is required to boot the machine and install Gentoo. The universal LiveCD requires an Internet connection to install from a stage1 installation tarball, but does not require an Internet connection to install from a stage3 installation tarball. The minimal LiveCD requires an Internet connection to install Gentoo Linux.

There is one kernel available on both bootable cds. It will run on both, uniprocessor and smp systems. The kernel is based on linux-2.6.11 (gentoo-sources-2.6.11-r3). The alternative kernel, gentoo-nofb, boots without console framebuffer support. Press "F1" at the boot prompt to choose which kernel to boot into.

The LiveCDs are located on the mirrors as follows:

LiveCD Description	Location on Mirrors
Universal bootable LiveCD	/releases/ppc/2005.0/installcd/install-ppc-universal-2005.0.iso
Minimal bootable LiveCD	/releases/ppc/2005.0/installcd/install-ppc-minimal-2005.0.iso
Non-bootable GRP-/Packages CD	/releases/ppc/2005.0/packagecd/$subarch/packages-ppc-2005.0.iso

Upgrading to Gentoo Linux 2005.0

If you already have a working installation of Gentoo Linux (Version 1.4, 2004.0, 2004.1) there is no need to reinstall. You will automatically get Gentoo 2005.0 if you sync your Portage tree and run emerge --update world. If you still have an installation with a Gentoo 1.2 profile it might make sense -- in some cases -- that you do a new installation.

There is also the possibility to update your system to a 1.4 profile from which you -- as already stated -- can easily get to Gentoo 2005.0. This update includes recompiling of glibc and some essential system packages; it will take a very long time (possibly longer as a complete re-installation) and it might also fail. So if you still have an installation with a Gentoo 1.2 profile, it's your decision whether you update or reinstall.

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