Slackel MATE 9.0 is the latest major release branch of the Greek-developed Linux distribution Slackel, built on top of the Slackware "Current" (development) tree and incorporating advanced administration tools borrowed from Salix Linux and other tools developed in house. This version delivers an optimized, lightweight computing environment paired with the highly stable and customizable MATE desktop interface.
Core Technical Specifications
• Base Distribution: Synchronized with the Slackware Current tree.
• Desktop Environment: MATE Desktop.
• Linux Kernel: Bundles Kernel 6.18.37 for the 64-bit architecture and Kernel 6.12.94 for the 32-bit edition.
• Architecture: Available in both 64-bit (x86_64) and 32-bit (x86) systems.
• Package Management: Utilizes package management tools (like slapt-get and gslapt) for streamlined dependency handling.
Three Installation Targets
To accommodate different system requirements and user preferences, the installer supports three distinct deployment modes:
• Full Installation: Deploys the comprehensive MATE environment alongside standard internet browsers, multimedia applications, and productivity tools.
• Basic Installation: Deploys a minimal graphical system with only the web browser and core system tools—ideal for advanced users building custom workflows.
• Core Installation: Deploys a command-line-only base system. It completely omits the graphical interface, making it perfect for advanced users who want to build a custom desktop configuration, a headless server, or a lightweight terminal machine from the ground up.
Pre-installed Software & Default Applications
The distribution comes fully equipped out of the box with a curated suite of productive, creative, and multimedia applications, including:
• Productivity: libreoffice-26.2.4 office suite.
• Web & Communication: mozilla-firefox-152.0.3 for browsing, mozilla-thunderbird-140.12.0esr for email, and pidgin-2.14.14 for instant messaging.
• File Sharing: transmission-2.94 BitTorrent client.
• Graphics & Design: gimp-3.2.4 image editor.
• Audio & Video: exaile-4.2.1 audio player, smplayer-25.6.0 media front-end, and mpv-0.41.0 multimedia player.
• Disc Burning: brasero-3.12.3 disc creation tool.
Key Features & Enhancements
• Persistent Live Media: The ISO file functions seamlessly as a Live CD/USB. Users can boot, configure, and save system changes directly onto external storage media without a formal hard drive installation.
• Full External USB Installation: Supports a complete, real system installation directly onto an external USB flash drive or portable storage unit. This is identical to an internal solid-state or hard drive deployment.
• Seamless Updates: A system installed on an external USB can be fully updated and upgraded over time.
• High-Speed Performance: It is highly optimized for exceptional speed. When running from a fast USB stick, the system operates so fluidly that users will barely notice it is running from external media.
• Advanced GUI Installer: Includes a modernized graphical installer that supports straightforward deployments to both internal solid-state/hard drives and portable external storage devices.
• Full Slackware Compatibility: Users retain access to official Slackware software channels alongside exclusive Slackel Software Repositories for extended utility.
• Multilingual Out of the Box: Ships with comprehensive support for localized environments, featuring streamlined system localization tools primarily optimized for English and Greek languages.
Target Audience
This release serves as an ideal platform for Linux enthusiasts who appreciate the historic speed and cleanliness of Slackware but prefer a user-friendly installer, automated dependency resolution, and a fully structured, traditional desktop experience.
It is good to read the Slackel Startup Guide
(The root password for the live CD is “live”. Standard user login is “one” with password: "one") (no quotation marks).
For installation and for all work required administration privileges the super user "one" with password "one" is used.
You can download Slackel 9.0 MATE iso images from the following link, using the Sourceforge servers.
Slackel 9.0 MATE (64-bit)
(size: 3977 MB, md5: a5a1c1aad7e55fbace0b7f1aaade6876 sha1: b435811c69e3a69ed286b97bc3b0bfe7532ff652)
Sourceforge: slackellive64-mate-9.0.iso
pkglist
Slackel 9.0 MATE (32-bit)
(size: 3817 MB, md5: 543c477a9d829ce924a22da5f7442a7d sha1: 0225b7efa32130ef4c81fa40891b7865f3bac73b)
Sourceforge: slackellive-mate-9.0.iso
pkglist
Many thanks to all the people that tested all the prereleases providing valuable feedback!
Have fun!
Top comments (0)