According to The How-To Geek, Devuan 6.0 “Excalibur” has officially launched as a major update to the systemd-free Linux distribution. This release is based on Debian 13 “Trixie” which came out in August and includes Linux kernel 6.12 with features like kernel panic QR codes. The update brings Xfce to version 4.20 and upgrades the APT package manager to the major 3.0 release with improved dependency resolution. Notably, this is the first Devuan version without 32-bit installation images, though older Chimaera and Daedalus releases will maintain i386 support until their Debian bases lose long-term support in mid-2026 and 2028 respectively. Development has already begun on Devuan 7 “Freia” based on Debian 14, expected around mid-2027.
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The Systemd Wars Continue
Here’s the thing about Devuan: it exists almost entirely as a reaction to systemd. For those who’ve been around Linux for a while, the systemd debates feel like ancient history. But apparently there’s still enough demand to maintain an entire distribution just to avoid it. The developers talk about “reclaiming control” and “avoiding unnecessary entanglements,” which sounds great in theory. But I have to wonder – is this really about technical concerns or has it become more of an ideological stance?
The Practical Realities
Look, dropping 32-bit support makes sense – most distributions are doing it. But it does highlight one of Devuan’s challenges: maintaining compatibility while staying true to its philosophy. When you’re swimming against the mainstream current, you eventually face these kinds of trade-offs. The fact that they’re already talking about Devuan 7 based on a Debian version that won’t ship until 2027 shows they’re committed for the long haul. But how many people are actually using this? The ecosystem around systemd alternatives like SysVinit and OpenRC has definitely shrunk over the years.
Who Actually Needs This?
If you’re running legacy systems or have specific requirements that systemd conflicts with, Devuan makes sense. For everyone else? Basically, you’re choosing between a well-supported mainstream path and a niche alternative that requires more manual configuration. The upgrade process from previous versions is straightforward if you follow their official upgrade instructions. And if you’re curious, you can grab the installation images and check out the detailed release notes.
The Bigger Picture
So what does Devuan’s continued existence tell us? That there’s still a segment of the Linux community that values choice above all else. Even if that choice means maintaining what many would consider technical debt. The systemd ship has sailed for most distributions, but Devuan proves there will always be holdouts. Whether that’s a good thing for the ecosystem as a whole? That’s the real question. For now, if you want to avoid systemd entirely, Devuan 6 appears to be a competent, well-maintained option. Just don’t expect it to make your life easier than the mainstream alternatives.
