Meet ‘Rolling Rhino’: A Tool To Convert Ubuntu Linux Into ‘Rolling Release’

Unlike LTS (Long Term Support) or point release, a rolling release is a development cycle that continuously pushes new changes or package updates to the operating system. You can directly pull the latest updates without any need to download and install the new release version.

Unfortunately, one of the most popular Linux distributions, Ubuntu, does not provide such an edition. Whenever a new Ubuntu version releases, you always need to download and set it up to get all the new updates. Here comes the Rolling Rhino — a tool that lets you convert your normal Ubuntu desktop into a Rolling Release.

Rolling Rhino To Create Own Ubuntu Rolling Release

Rolling Rhino is a new command-line tool developed by Ubuntu Desktop head Martin Wimpress. It turns Ubuntu’s daily build image into a “rolling-release” and keeps track of all changes in devel series.

Once you convert your Ubuntu Linux system into a rolling release, the system always syncs with the Ubuntu Development Branch of subsequent series. Hence, you get access to all the new changes and packages without downloading the new Ubuntu ISOs.

Moreover, Rolling Rhino does not just work for Ubuntu desktop, but you can also transform other official Ubuntu flavors into a rolling release. If you don’t know, Ubuntu currently has seven official variants such as:

• Kubuntu
• Lubuntu
• Ubuntu Budgie
• Ubuntu Kylin
• Xubuntu
• Ubuntu MATE
• Ubuntu Studio

Watch a live development of Rolling Rhino by Martin Wimpress:

Things You Need To Know Before Using Rolling Rhino

Before you hop on using the tool, let me discuss what you need to know. Currently, Rolling Rhino cannot detect PPAs or desktop meta-packages. You have to migrate your PPAs (if using) and fix any issues on your own that may occur while using unstable repos from the development branch.

If you use Rolling Rhino, you’re highly bound to get bugs or errors from new changes or packages. This is why Martin states that Rolling Rhino is intended for Ubuntu developers and experienced Ubuntu users.

How To Use Rolling Rhino?

Rolling Rhino does not support any normal or LTS version of Ubuntu. Hence, you first need to download and install the daily build image of the Ubuntu desktop. Then, create an Ubuntu rolling release using Rolling Rhino.

For complete details, head over to the Rolling Rhino repository and see how to run it.

The post Meet ‘Rolling Rhino’: A Tool To Convert Ubuntu Linux Into ‘Rolling Release’ appeared first on Fossbytes.

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