- Arch-dev-public - lists.archlinux.org

Arch Linux in June 2023
by Levente Polyak 15 Jul '23

15 Jul '23

## packaging We have now enabled all packagers to have default access to the multilib and unstable desktop (GNOME/KDE) repositories. This decision removes artificial gates and simplifies the process for packagers to contribute to different aspects of the distro's packaging. By granting wider access by default, we encourage easier participation and collaboration within our distro packaging team. ## devtools We released version `v1.0.3` of devtools which focused on bug fixes. This release addresses the issue of broken packaging repos for newly added packages by ensuring that the actual PKGBUILD is always version controlled. Additionally, we implemented the functionality to skip unofficial architectures, providing better support for building AUR packages with `pkgctl`. ## arch-boxes Starting with the `v20230601` release, arch-boxes images now include x64 UEFI support in addition to legacy BIOS. The GRUB boot loader is used for both UEFI and BIOS systems, ensuring a consistent implementation across different hardware configurations. This is a great enhancement that allows using arch-boxes images on UEFI-based systems. ## ArchISO In the `archlinux-2023.06.01-x86_64.iso` release, the mDNS responder of systemd-resolved is now enabled by default. This improvement enhances the user experience by simplifying network connections during the installation process. This enables convenient connectivity to the live environment via SSH from the local network without the need to know the IP address. Users can simply use the mDNS hostname `archiso.local`. The ArchWiki article ["Install Arch Linux via SSH"][0] has been updated to include a helpful tip with the appropriate command. ## container images Arch Linux's container images are now published to multiple registries. In addition to DockerHub, the images are also pushed to [Quay.io][1] and [GitHub Container registry][2]. This wider distribution ensures availability of the image across multiple platforms and helps mitigate the risk of a single point of failure. Users can now access the Arch Linux container images from their preferred registry, offering greater flexibility and redundancy. ## Specification effort for .BUILDINFO files With the [alpm-buildinfo][3] project, a Rust-based specification effort for the `.BUILDINFO` files found in ALPM packages has been started. The implementation for version 1 of the file is currently in review. [0] https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Install_Arch_Linux_via_SSH#On_the_local_ma… [1] https://quay.io/repository/archlinux/archlinux [2] https://github.com/archlinux/archlinux-docker/pkgs/container/archlinux [3] https://gitlab.archlinux.org/archlinux/alpm/alpm-buildinfo

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RFC Final Comment Period: Use of SPDX license identifiers in PKGBUILDs
by Morten Linderud 15 Jul '23

15 Jul '23

An RFC has now entered Final Comment Period. In 14 days, discussion will end and the proposal will either be accepted, rejected or withdrawn: https://gitlab.archlinux.org/archlinux/rfcs/-/merge_requests/16 Please visit the above link for discussion. Summary: Change to using SPDX license identifiers in the PKGBUILD `license` value for packages in all repositories. Cheers, Morten

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RFC: Sources for Python packaging
by David Runge 14 Jul '23

14 Jul '23

A new RFC (request for comment) has been opened here: https://gitlab.archlinux.org/archlinux/rfcs/-/merge_requests/20 Please visit the above link for discussion. Summary: Default to not using https://pypi.org for Python package sources and only use the platform if there is no other alternative. -- https://sleepmap.de

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Stepping down
by Jerome Leclanche 04 Jul '23

04 Jul '23

Hi folks I've not been able to update any of my packages in a couple of months and unfortunately I don't see the situation resolving itself any time soon with my life being busier than ever. I'd rather officially step down and re-apply in the future if it makes sense. I'd sign this email but I can't even find my updated arch GPG key. Bleh. Jerome Leclanche

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Vacation until August
by Morten Linderud 03 Jul '23

03 Jul '23

Yo! I'll be taking a break in July. Have a couple of weeks vacation before starting new work in August and need a bit of time to reset. I'm not going to look at package updates, bugreports, respond to stuff and misc other responsebilities I have during this time. However, if I'm blocking someone on something please do reach out. I'm still terminally online and reachable :) Cheers and have a nicer summer people! -- Morten Linderud PGP: 9C02FF419FECBE16

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icu rebuilds - only couchdb/erlang pending
by Andreas Radke 27 Jun '23

27 Jun '23

The icu rebuild are finished except for couchdb. This package won't build since erlang has been bumped to v26.x release. I couldn't get any response from Bruno (couchdb) or Alexander (erlang). Please consider downgrading erlang or add some compatibility erland-25 package to the repos to get the icu list done. -Andy

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RFC: Moderator role for the AUR
by Torsten Keßler 27 Jun '23

27 Jun '23

A new RFC (request for comment) has been opened here: https://gitlab.archlinux.org/archlinux/rfcs/-/merge_requests/19 Please visit the above link for discussion. Summary: Create a dedicated role for the moderation of the AUR that supports and eventually replaces the Package Maintainers as the current moderators.

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NEWS DRAFT: TeX Live package reorganization
by Antonio Rojas 17 Jun '23

17 Jun '23

Starting from version 2023.66594-9, TeX Live packages have been reorganized to mirror upstream collections. Even though the new texlive-basic replaces the old texlive-core, many of the texlive-core contents (including language specific files) are now split between different packages. To find out which Arch package contains a specific CTAN package, you can use the tlmgr utility, eg. $ tlmgr info euler | grep collection collection: collection-latexrecommended which means the euler CTAN package is contained in texlive-latexrecommended. You may also use 'pacman -F' to query for specific files. A new metapackage texlive-meta is available to install all subpackages (except for language specific ones), and the new texlive-doc package provides the full documentation for offline use.

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Arch Linux in May 2023
by Levente Polyak 13 Jun '23

13 Jun '23

## Staff We would like to welcome Anton Hvornum (torxed) and Christian Heusel (gromit) among the Arch Linux Package Maintainers. On top we would like to welcome Leonidas Spyropoulos (artafinde) to their new additional duties as Arch Linux Developer ## Git packaging We are thrilled to announce the successful migration [0] of our packaging ecosystem to Git, with package sources now accessible on GitLab [1]. As part of this transition, we have developed a powerful new tool called `pkgctl` [2], available through `devtools`, offering a user-centric design and streamlined user experience for interacting with all aspects of Arch Linux packaging for users and packagers alike. Please note that our bugtracker remains on Flyspray, and we are not currently accepting merge requests. However, opening the issue tracker and accepting merge requests on GitLab package repositories is a top priority for us, and we are actively working towards making this transition in the near future. ## Infrastructure ### security-tracker We implemented nginx caching for the feed and API endpoints of the security-tracker, effectively reducing server resource consumption. This heavily improved server efficiency and the ability to handle a much higher volume of requests. ### GitLab In preparation for the migration of our packaging infrastructure to GitLab, we successfully transferred the GitLab instance from a VPS to a harder, better, faster, stronger bare metal server. This move not only provided a more responsive user experience but also eliminated bottlenecks that occured during peak times. To enhance the search capabilities across our GitLab instance, we've set up an OpenSearch instance. This allows us to enable advanced search functionality [3], facilitating faster and more efficient searches across the entire GitLab platform. Users can now benefit from improved search accuracy and speed, allowing for a more streamlined and productive experience when locating specific content within GitLab. ## Open Technology Fund Our official application to the Open Technology Fund for a comprehensive audit of Pacman and its integration in Arch Linux has been approved. As the package manager plays a central role in fetching software updates over the network, it is vital for us to prioritize the safety and security of our user base. By undertaking this audit, we aim to enhance the overall reliability and protection of our distribution, ensuring a secure environment for our users. The timeline for the audit is yet to be determined, and further planning on both sides is underway. ## ArchISO We have removed [4] the PGP-based signature for the root file system (`/arch/x86_64/airootfs.sfs.sig`) within the ISO. Its replacement is an OpenSSL CMS based signature which is available since the 2022.10.01 ISO. The signature is made using the same code signing certificate as already used for netboot images. The `verify=y` kernel command line option will stop working and must be replaced with `cms_verify=y`. The official netboot [5] and ISO's PXE menu entries have already been adjusted. Any custom PXE setups will need to update their boot menu entries manually. This is done because GPG integrates poorly in the ISO build process. This only concerns PXE booting, the PGP signature for the ISO itself is still there and that will not change. ## mkinitcpio We have released mkinitcpio v36, which brings a lot of improvements and several noteworthy changes [6]. These include support for kernel command line drop-ins for UKIs in `/etc/cmdline.d/` and `mkinitcpio.conf` drop-in files in `/etc/mkinitcpio.conf.d/`. To utilize the `mkinitcpio.conf` drop-in files, existing presets in `/etc/mkinitcpio.d/*.preset` must have `ALL_config` commented out. Additionally, a new `run_emergencyhook` function has been added for busybox-based hooks, running before the emergency shell is launched. ## alpm-types We started development on the Rust based alpm-types project [7], which is meant to provide low-level types for working with Arch Linux Package Management (ALPM). This library strives to provide all underlying types for writing ALPM based software. ## AURWeb We have released AURWeb 6.2.4 [8], which includes a number of bug fixes and improvements. Notably, we have incorporated important dependency updates to ensure compatibility with the latest software libraries. Additionally, we have implemented a new package name filter option for the "Requests" feature and support for the new repository layout for the git migration. ## bash 5.2 Preparations for the bash 5.2 upgrade are underway, including compatibility fixes in various projects such as pacman, devtools, and others. These proactive measures ensure a seamless transition to the new version while minimizing any compatibility issues and disruptions within our ecosystem. [0] https://archlinux.org/news/git-migration-completed/ [1] https://gitlab.archlinux.org/archlinux/packaging/packages [2] https://man.archlinux.org/man/pkgctl.1 [3] https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/search/advanced_search.html [4] https://github.com/pierres/archiso-manager/pull/17 [5] https://github.com/archlinux/archweb/pull/436 [6] https://lists.archlinux.org/archives/list/arch-projects%40lists.archlinux.o… [7] https://gitlab.archlinux.org/archlinux/alpm/alpm-types [8] https://gitlab.archlinux.org/archlinux/aurweb/-/tags/v6.2.4 [9] https://gitlab.archlinux.org/archlinux/devtools/-/commit/0365edb264c08b6520… [10] https://gitlab.archlinux.org/pacman/pacman/-/commit/0e938f188692c710be36f9d…

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pulling grub from core-testing
by Christian Hesse 12 Jun '23

12 Jun '23

Hello everbody, grub 2:2.06.r557.gac560966d-1 was reported to be bad... Looks like it results in stalled boot and black screen (on some systems). No idea what caused this for now. Pulling from core-testing so it can not cause more harm... -- main(a){char*c=/* Schoene Gruesse */"B?IJj;MEH" "CX:;",b;for(a/* Best regards my address: */=0;b=c[a++];) putchar(b-1/(/* Chris cc -ox -xc - && ./x */b/42*2-3)*42);}

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