Slackware ARM 14.1 and -current End of Life Announcement

drmozes · 05-07-2016, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Slackware ARM 14.1 will become End of Life on 1st September 2016 and development of ARM -current will cease upon the release of Slackware 14.2.

I've enjoyed working on the port for over ten years, and it's been a pleasure seeing a community form around the work I've done. Thanks to those of you who donated to the project - I have never met any of you and I appreciate the gestures when there was no requirement to do so.

I'm just tired of continually thinking for my full time job, then working on the ARM port in what little time I have available. I don't have the time or mental space to continue making the port represent the hallmarks of Slackware.

Also in my experience of ARM Linux is that the software floating point will begin to deteriorate over time, as the mainstream hardware all uses HFP. As such, core systems such as the desktop will start to become unavailable - as is the case with the Mozilla suite. With this also in mind, it makes no sense to continue developing the software floating point port only to find that it's missing key components.

There are no other plans but I'll leave the door ajar; I may pick up something new later in the year.

Slackware ARM 14.2 will continue to receive updates for the foreseeable future.

Thanks for using Slackware ARM.
Stuart Winter

A rolling EOL reminder notice will be placed in to 14.1's ChangeLog when the next update batch is pushed.

Penthux · 05-07-2016, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmozes

Hello,

From:
http://arm.slackware.com/

A rolling EOL reminder notice will be placed in to 14.1's ChangeLog when the next update batch is pushed.

Thanks are not enough for the work you do, or have done, Mozes.

mralk3 · 05-08-2016, 08:12 AM

Thanks for all the hard work! It is much appreciated.

Didier Spaier · 05-08-2016, 01:45 PM

I never had the occasion to use your port to ARM but this does not prevent me to realize the huge work you devoted to this project and that it made happy a lot of Slackware users.

I hope that your schedule will allow you to continue contributing to Slackware in other fields.

Huge thanks and kudos, Stuart!

justwantin · 05-09-2016, 12:39 AM

My sincerest thank you for your work and best wishes as well!

louigi600 · 05-09-2016, 02:21 AM

Thanks! (to be read as factorial thanks) isn't enough for what you have done, and what you propose to do for the foreseeable future.

enine · 05-09-2016, 06:57 AM

Thanks for all the hard work.

I take it then no one else offered to carry the torch so there will never be a 14.3? I need to start migrating my Pi's to something else.

55020 · 05-09-2016, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enine

I take it then no one else offered to carry the torch so there will never be a 14.3?

[citation needed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by enine

I need to start migrating my Pi's to something else.

Why? What sort of fast train to Brokenville are you imagining? "Slackware ARM 14.2 will continue to receive updates for the foreseeable future".

Stuart anticipates diminishing maintainability of soft float. That doesn't prevent someone else doing a hard float successor to Slackware ARM 14.2; and of course, all Pis support hard float.

enine · 05-09-2016, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 55020

[citation needed]

I'm asking the question not stating anything. I suppose I could have worded it differently. What happens to Slackware ARM long term, is 14.2 the last release

Quote:

Originally Posted by 55020

Why? What sort of fast train to Brokenville are you imagining? "Slackware ARM 14.2 will continue to receive updates for the foreseeable future".

Stuart anticipates diminishing maintainability of soft float. That doesn't prevent someone else doing a hard float successor to Slackware ARM 14.2; and of course, all Pis support hard float.

Actually I move quite slow, I suppose that comes from working in an enterprise size IT shop for years. IF 14.2 is the end of the line for slackware arm than its time I start researching a replacement now so I can but a test board in a year and move it to production usage in a 2-3 years from now.

kazzan · 05-09-2016, 10:42 AM

Thank you for providing the Slackware community with an ARM port over the years.
It has been a great resource for enjoyment and learning, and for that I'm very grateful.
Best wishes on your future endeavors drmozes!

Tonus · 05-09-2016, 08:23 PM

Thanks for your work, it is a huge pleasure to run slackware on a RPi !

jowski · 05-09-2016, 10:06 PM

Stuart,

For many years you've done more and shared more than most. Thank you for all you've given. The world is a little better for your efforts.

Jim

gus3 · 05-10-2016, 02:09 PM

.....

Um, yeah. What they said.

You made Slackware possible on my Raspberry Pi's, and protected us from the evil known as systemd (*ptui*). That last bit especially qualifies you as a Slackware Hero.

Exaga · 05-11-2016, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmozes

Hello,

From:
http://arm.slackware.com/

I sincerely hope you get bored of driving around farmer´s fields in a clapped out banger like a crazy person and rescind your decision. Nobody does what you do. No-one but you can conjure that special magic you, personally, put into Slackware ARM. So I don´t want this wonderful port of Slackware to fade away and die. I sincerely hope some day you will return to doing what you do best.

Alternatively, when we finally get hold of you, you´ll wake up (eventually) and find yourself in a dark cellar chained to a terminal running Ubuntu on a Raspberry Pi 1 with loud Rick Astley punk-rock Christmas-cover songs blasting out 24/7. There´ll be a webcam pointing at you wih a permanent live feed to http://www.wekidnappedmozes.com/dark_cellar/cam-01. You´ll also be wearing a florescent pink leotard, electro-blue false eyelashes, and neo-orange lipstick - not forgetting the custom Debian DVD earrings. Just when you thought it was about as bad as it gets, the Ubuntu terminal will produce multiple systemd errors which you need to solve in order to be rewarded with sustenance, which will not include biscuits of any kind.

OldHolborn · 05-30-2016, 03:43 AM

Thank you for all you've done, enjoy your 'retirement'

Thanks and good luck in whatever you decide to do next