Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya (MPP), Lalitpur, PatanDhoka, Nepal has released yet another version of NepaLinux, (NepaLinux 3.0) on May 25, 2008. NepaLinux is a localized Debian and Morphix based GNU/Linux Distribution in Nepali. It is a Free Open Source Software released under the GNU General Public License(GPL). MPP has been conducting development works of NepaLinux since the year 2004. It is being developed under the PAN Localization Project, which is a software localization initiative in some eleven countries of South and South East Asia. The project is supported by the International Development and Research Center (IDRC), Canada and administered through the Center for Research in Urdu Language Processing (CRULP), National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (NUCES), Pakistan. 

NepaLinux is a localized Debian and Morphix based GNU/Linux Distribution in Nepali. It is a Free Open Source Software released under the GNU General Public License(GPL). It has been developed and released by Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya, Nepal under the PAN Localization Project supported by International Development Research Center (IDRC), Canada. So far three different versions of NepaLinux 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0 have been released respectively in December 2005, October 2006 and June 2007.

NepaLinux 3.0 is a continuity to NepaLinux. As with NepaLinux 2.0, this new version also offers two different localized working Desktop Environments, respectively, GNOME and KDE in separate CDs as well as a combined  DVD. Two new applications, the Nepali Sabdakos and Nepali Text-to-Speech are the chief attractions of this release. Among other useful packages included in this version are offline English dictionary and several other useful educational tools like Gcompris, TuxType and KTouch typing tutor.

Special Features of NepaLinux 3.0
1. Linux Kernel 2.6.22
2. Localized and updated GNOME Desktop Environment 2.20
3. Localized and updated KDE Desktop Environment 3.5.8
4. Educational tools like  Gcompris, Tuxtype, Ktouch etc.
5. Localized OpenOffice.org 2.4 with upgraded Nepali Spell Checker.
6. Localized Iceweasel(Firefox)
7. XKB and SCIM input systems
8. Localized Icedove (Thunderbird) mail clients
9. Better hardware detection and compatibility
10. Enhanced and consistent translation
11. Support for SATA harddisk, Wifi Cards and Bluetooth devices.

Some of the packages included in NepaLinux 3.0 GNOME Desktop Environment are:

    * Linux Kernel 2.6.22
    * Gnome 2.20 Desktop Environment
    * Xserver-xorg
    * XKB, SCIM Input Method
    * OpenOffice.org 2.4
    * Nepali SpellChecker and Thesaurus
    * Gimp Graphics Editor
    * Xsane Scanner Utility
    * GnuCash Accounting Software
    * XChat IRC software
    * Gaim Messenging Tool
    * Development Tools ( Includes C and C++ )
    * Iceweasel (Firefox)
    * GnomeBaker CD/DVD Burning Utility
    * Firewall Security
    * Totem Media player
    * XMMS
    * Gnome games
    * GEdit
    * AbiWord

Some of the packages included in NepaLinux 3.0 KDE Desktop Environment are:

• Linux Kernel 2.6.22
• KDE Desktop Environment 3.5.8
• Xserver-xorg
• XKB, SCIM Input Method
• OpenOffice.org 2.4
• Nepali SpellChecker and Thesaurus
• Konqueror Browser
• Development Tools ( Includes C and C++ )
• VLC Player
• KPDF Viewer
• Firewall Security
• Kooka Scan and OCR program
• Kopete Instant Messenger
• Krita painting and image editing
• K3b
• ksirc

Targeted end-users of NepaLinux

A. Individual Desktop users
B. Ministries, government offices and corporate houses
C. Schools, colleges, universities, cyber-cafes and telecenters

In the future releases of NepaLinux, several new features and applications are being planned to develop. Besides, a major focus would be on making the system administration(installation and troubleshooting part) as less technical as possible.

NepaLinux is an effort of promoting Free/OpenSource Software (FOSS) especailly GNU/Linux. There are several immediately available places to look for assistance :

    * Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya support forum  www.mpp.org.np/forum,
    * NepaLinux Mailing List  www.nepalinux.org/lists
    * NepaLinux Wiki  www.nepalinux.org/wiki
    * IRC for realtime queries (#nepalinux on irc.freenode.net)
    * The Debian Documentation  www.debian.org/doc
    * The Debian mailing lists  lists.debian.org
    * Community Resources
          o forums.debian.net
          o www.debianplanet.org
          o www.debianhelp.org
          o www.linuxquestions.org