TileOS 2.0 “Sauropod” distribution is now available, built on the Debian package base and offering a desktop using tiled window managers. Developed by the same author behind the Ubuntu Sway Remix distribution, TileOS aims to provide a user-friendly interface without the need for extensive configuration. It caters to both experienced Linux users and beginners interested in trying out tiled window manager environments.
Unlike Ubuntu Sway Remix, TileOS is more customizable and open to changes, free from potential copyright issues. Assemblies for amd64 architecture can be downloaded, with future plans to support arm64, including Raspberry Pi boards. The TileOS component source code is distributed under the GNU GPLv3 license.
TileOS focuses on window managers utilizing the Wayland protocol, offering editions with desktops such as Sway, River, Qtile, MiracleWM, and Niri. While based on Debian Stable packages, TileOS incorporates various enhancements and newer versions of software and graphics drivers from the testing branch. It also includes fixes that optimize disk subsystem and memory operations, alongside improvements like password-free disk mounting from Ubuntu.
In the new release:
- The package base has been updated to Debian 13, with the option to install the Liquorix kernel optimized for desktop tasks;
- An utility for installing and updating the Linux kernel, tileos-kernel-manager, is now included;
- Default inclusion of sudo-rs, a Rust language variant of sudo;
- Systemd-resolved as DNS resolver and dhcpcd5 as DHCP client;
- Introduction of TileOS Welcome utility for initial system setup.
