I am happy to announce the release of SbK Debian Talking Mate 124.
If there is another user of the computer that doesnt need the screen reader Just delete the screen reader file from /home/"username"/config/autostart and reboot. The same can be done if someone just wants the Mate desktop but doesnt need the screen reader.
This release includes:
1. The 6.5.13 kernel.
2. The KoraSpin-Dark-Green6 icon theme, with light and dark variants. It is part of the KoraSpin-124 package
3. The SpinThemeDarkGreen15 package with kvantum theme and matching gtk theme in one package.
4. The grub and login screen use the same wallpaper and themes as the desktop.
5. The release is up to date as of 1/3/2024.
6. An optional Firefox/Waterfox theme, SbK Dark Green15, is available here. Just click on the image in Firefox to install it.
7. Conky isnt sinstalled by default because the desktop is aimed at visually impaired users, and the screen reader cant read it. But a basic conky config with a matching color scheme can be downloaded here. If you want conky, install conky, save the .conkyrc file in your home folder, and start conky.
It also contain the standard SbK features.
1. The latest kernel.
2. A Debian operating system install that is built from the Debian repositories.
3. It is multiarch by default to make running wine games and other 32bit
4. The Spins by Kilz signed repository is enabled for SbK project packages.
5. Timeshift autosnap apt is installed. It takes a snapshot before upgrading so any bad upgrades can be easily reversed.
6. A basic Conky with a color theme that matches the desktop themes.
7. They are rolling release installs following testing. As setup they will always follow testing.
8. New custom dark themes every release.
License information
The installed OS has Debian main, contrib, non-free, and non-free-firmware enabled.
The only packages in the iso from non-free are faac, p7zip-rar, rar, unrar, and midisport-firmware.
Wallpapers not named sbk are under the Unsplash license.
The rest of the packages in the SbK repo are under standard free licenses, most under the GPL v3.
A full and very minimal iso’s can be found here.
As always comments, suggestions and questions are welcome.
Jim
The SpinsbyKilz.com watermark is not present in the installed OS.
Talking Mate is one of the few SbK releases to use a panel. It is designed for users with vision issues. I came to the conclusion that making them learn a new dock wasnt a good idea.