AlmaLinux Unleashes a New Feline Addition – But Is It a Cat You Want to Feed?
Well, AlmaLinux is at it again, folks, with a brand-new release. But before you start getting overly excited thinking this is the ultimate replacement for your outdated OS, hold your horses. The dedicated team behind AlmaLinux has released something that might leave you either puzzled or digging deep into your pockets.
A Fresh Kitten… But Not for Everyone
Alright, pay attention. This new ‘kitten’, as the AlmaLinux crew refers to it, is **not** something you should run on your main servers. That is, unless you enjoy a bit of mayhem in your daily operations. They’ve clearly indicated that this release isn’t meant for production environments. So, if you’re considering swapping it with RHEL on your primary rig, mate, grab a drink and take a seat because that’s a no-go.
Think of this more as a scrappy alley cat rather than a pampered house pet. It’s rugged, experimental, and not fully trained yet. You’ve been warned.

So What’s the Purpose Then?
Yeah, I pondered that as well. If it’s not for production, why should I care? Well, bless AlmaLinux, they see it as a platform for testing and exploration. Some of you tech enthusiasts will certainly be eager to take it for a spin to assess workloads or experiment with future RHEL updates without actually relying on RHEL.
But let’s face facts—how many of us are really keen to dive into another distro that isn’t quite ready for the spotlight? It’s akin to buying a new vehicle and being told you can only cruise around the block at 5mph until they sort out the engine. Frustrating, right?
The Beta of 9.5 – More Than Can Be Said for RHEL
Here’s where things get a tad more intriguing. AlmaLinux’s team has also released a beta of **9.5**, and if you’re into RHEL but want to avoid the usual Red Hat drama, this might grab your interest. There’s something quite satisfying about seeing a company give a nod to RHEL and putting out more betas and updates than the original source.

Now, don’t expect a complete game-changer. It’s a beta, after all, so it may be a bit rough around the edges. But honestly—at least AlmaLinux is making an effort. And in a landscape where Red Hat’s becoming more like a gatekeeper than a leader of innovation, I reckon that deserves at least a tip of the hat.
Should You Concern Yourself with This Kitten?
Let’s be honest—most of us lack the time for this kitten-related fluff. If you’re running serious workloads or critical systems, stick with something reliable, mate. I won’t beat around the bush and pretend this experimental release is essential for your data centre.
However, if you’re the type that juggles five VMs all day and revels in tinkering until the early hours, you may find some merit here. Just don’t come complaining to me if it messes up your setup because I did warn you. It’s a sandbox, not a war zone.
What’s Coming Up from AlmaLinux?
What’s next? Likely another release that’ll leave us all scratching our heads. But hey, it’s always amusing to watch these smaller entities attempt to chip away at Red Hat’s sluggish giant. We might get a few laughs—and who knows—perhaps one of these kittens will eventually evolve into a proper lion.
But until then, I suppose it’s back to the beta while we wait for something that doesn’t resemble a glorified tech demo from the 90s.
Also there’s a beta of 9.5 – which is more than there is of RHEL
The AlmaLinux team has introduced a new distribution, but don’t get too enthusiastic. It isn’t designed to be a new flavor or for production use right now. In simpler terms, it’s a neat little gadget for hobbyists for the time being. Although the beta of **9.5** should at least give Red Hat a challenge. That’s more than can be said for RHEL lately.
Summary: There’s a New Kitten, But It’s Still Got Its Claws Out
So, AlmaLinux has delivered a release that’s **not** exactly ready for prime time. It’s experimental, a bit rough around the edges, and certainly not something you’d want to depend on for your daily grind. If you’re up for a bit of fun and some late-night tinkering, give it a shot on your test machine. But for the love of all things sacred, don’t slap it on your main server. Stick with the 9.5 beta if you’re craving something that won’t wreak havoc on your data like a Jack Russell demolishing a slipper.
If you genuinely believe AlmaLinux’s kitten is the next groundbreaking OS, well, I have a bridge to sell you. Until next time, get lifting and avoid the dodgy tech, you muppets.

