SparkyLinux 8.2: What’s New and How to Upgrade
SparkyLinux 8.2 hit the mirrors this week, bringing a fresh batch of packages on top of the Debian GNU/Linux 13 (Trixie) base. If you’re already running any of the Seven Sisters editions, the update will slip in through the normal package manager without a reinstall. This article walks through the headline changes and points out the quirks that tend to trip up first‑time users.
Core updates worth noticing
The most obvious shift is the kernel line‑up. Sparky now offers three LTS builds – 6.12.69, 6.12.72 and 6.6.125 – alongside a newer 6.19.1 that lives in the repositories for those who like to live on the edge. In practice you’ll see the default boot entry point at 6.12.69; I’ve run it on a decade‑old Dell OptiPlex without any hiccups, which is reassuring when your hardware is already showing its age.
LibreOffice jumped to version 25.2.3, fixing a handful of formatting bugs that annoyed me when exporting PDFs from older documents. KDE Plasma got a tidy 6.3.6 refresh; the desktop feels marginally snappier and the system settings app finally respects dark mode in the file picker – a small but welcome polish.
The LXQt, MATE, Xfce and Openbox editions all received their respective upstream updates (LXQt 2.1.0, MATE 1.26.0, Xfce 4.20, Openbox 3.6.1). If you stick with a lightweight environment, the net gain is mostly under‑the‑hood security patches rather than eye‑popping new features.
Firefox and Thunderbird have both moved to their ESR releases, 140.7.0 and 140.7.1 respectively. The repositories also carry the bleeding‑edge Firefox 147.0.4 for those who can’t live without the latest web APIs, though I’d keep it on a separate profile if you rely on extensions that haven’t caught up yet.
How to apply the update
If Sparky 8 is already installed, there’s no need to download a fresh ISO. Open a terminal and run the usual upgrade command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
The full-upgrade flag matters because it allows package replacements that would otherwise be held back – for example the kernel switch from 6.12.69‑LTS to the newer 6.19.1 if you opted into the testing channel.
After the transaction finishes, reboot so the new kernel can take over. I’ve seen cases where a lingering old initramfs caused a boot stall after a kernel bump; a quick sudo update-grub before reboot usually clears that up.
Known quirks and work‑arounds
The ARM64 build still has a Wi‑Fi activation bug: the wireless interface stays down after the first power‑on. The simplest fix is to power cycle the board once, which forces NetworkManager to bring the device up. If you’re comfortable with systemd, adding systemctl restart NetworkManager to a one‑shot service can automate the workaround.
Openbox users should note that a tiny bug preventing the terminal emulator from launching via the package manager has been patched. Earlier releases required editing the Openbox menu manually – a frustrating detour if you rely on the graphical front end for software installs.
Bottom line
SparkyLinux 8.2 is a solid, incremental refresh that respects its Debian roots while nudging the desktop environments forward. Run the standard apt full-upgrade, reboot, and you’ll be riding the latest kernels and applications without reinstalling. If your ARM board’s Wi‑Fi acts up after first boot, just give it a quick restart.
