4MLinux, a lightweight Linux distribution established in 2010, has released its latest version 46.0. Unique for its absence of a package manager, 4MLinux employs JWM as its default window manager and integrates the Conky system monitoring tool. The operating system also comes equipped with Wine, enabling users to run Windows applications.
The 4MLinux Game Edition is particularly notable for providing native support for classic 1990s games like Doom and Hexen. Version 46.0 marks a significant update by including the GTK 4 widget toolkit for the first time.
The new version continues to support development with programming tools such as Perl 5.38.2, Python 2.7.18, Python 3.11.8, and Ruby 3.3.0. Additionally, it provides the functionality to run a BusyBox 1.36.1-based HTTP/FTP server.
4MLinux 46.0 does away with the separate 4MServer version, integrating server components directly into the standard build. Enhanced compatibility for various file types has been added, including Windows Enhanced Metafiles (EMF) and raw image formats like CRW/CR2, NEF, RAF, and DNG.
The system remains undemanding in terms of hardware requirements, needing a mere 128 MB of memory for HDD/SSD installation or 1650 MB for running live. New applications in this release include DVDAuthor, qv4l2, and VCDImager. The GamePack downloadable extension now features the classic GNU Go game.
For those interested in classic Linux gaming, physical copies of Myth 2: Soulblighter are available on Amazon.
