The much-delayed beta release of Fedora 18 is finally ready for testing: "The
Fedora project team is excited to announce the beta release of its
free, fully-functional Linux operating system, Fedora 18, code-named
'Spherical Cow.' Explore what's new in the Fedora 18 beta, including
these highlighted release features: Fedora 18 offers a brand-new version
of the GNOME desktop, version 3.6, straight from the upstream
development process; updates have also been made to the KDE, Xfce and
Sugar desktop environments; additionally, the MATE desktop is available
for the first time in Fedora; Fedora's new installer user interface
enhances the anaconda installer with improvements in ease of use and
installation."
The Fedora Project is an openly-developed project designed by Red Hat,
open for general participation, led by a meritocracy, following a set of
project objectives. The goal of The Fedora Project is to work with the
Linux community to build a complete, general purpose operating system
exclusively from open source software. Development will be done in a
public forum. The project will produce time-based releases of Fedora
about 2-3 times a year, with a public release schedule. The Red Hat
engineering team will continue to participate in building Fedora and
will invite and encourage more outside participation than in past
releases. By using this more open process, we hope to provide an
operating system more in line with the ideals of free software and more
appealing to the open source community.
Jerry Bezencon has announced the release of an updated build of Linux Lite 1.0.2, an Ubuntu-based, beginner-friendly Linux distribution with Xfce as the preferred desktop environment: "Proud
to announce the release of Linux Lite 1.0.2. With a number of
enhancements, changes and additions Linux Lite 1.0.2 is smaller, leaner
and has capitalized on the fantastic feedback it has received from the
global computing community to produce a step up from the previous
version. Changelog: all system software updated; Firefox 17.0; Linux
kernel 3.2 PAE; reduced size of ISO image by maximizing compression of
file system; added LibreOffice Impress; added ability to 'dd' the ISO
image file; added tool tips for applications; added support for VMware;
added libopenal1 for extra sound support; added keyboard shortcuts;
PrintScreen key opens the screenshot tool; fixed bug where laptops
unplugged from mains power source lost use of USB mouse.
Linux Lite is a beginner-friendly Linux distribution based on Ubuntu LTS and featuring the Xfce desktop.
Alex Filgueira has announced the release of an updated version of Cinnarch, an Arch-based Linux distribution with Mint's Cinnamon as the default desktop interface: "Here
it is, a new release of Cinnarch. This is a list of changes:
multilingual access from boot menu in syslinux, and redesign (based on
Manjaro's work); available languages: English, Spanish, Galician and
German; multilingual welcome message; unmuted ALSA channels; fixed
screenshot button; support for USB modems and VPN in NetworkManager;
Nemo as Cinnarch's new default file manager (chosen by the community);
default folders (Downloads, Desktop, Images); support for VIA graphic
cards; installed missing dosfstools on Cinnarch Live; option to install
GRUB 2 or any UEFI bootloader; LightDM replaces LightDM-Ubuntu; Pantheon
greeter replaces Unity greeter.
Cinnarch is a modern, elegant and powerful Linux distribution and live
CD based on Arch Linux. It uses LightDM as the login manager, Cinnamon
as the graphical desktop and Chromium as the web browser. Cinnarch is a
rolling-release distribution and the Cinnarch live CD includes a simple
text-mode system installer.
Clement Lefebvre has announced the final release of Linux Mint 14, code name "Nadia", in MATE (version 1.4) or Cinnamon (version 1.6) editions: "The
team is proud to announce the release of Linux Mint 14 'Nadia'. For the
first time since Linux Mint 11, the development team was able to
capitalize on upstream technology which works and fits its goals. After 6
months of incremental development, Linux Mint 14 features an impressive
list of improvements, increased stability and a refined desktop
experience. We're very proud of MATE, Cinnamon, MDM and all the
components used in this release, and we're very excited to show you how
they all fit together in Linux Mint 14."
Linux Mint is an Ubuntu-based distribution whose goal is to provide a
more complete out-of-the-box experience by including browser plugins,
media codecs, support for DVD playback, Java and other components. It
also adds a custom desktop and menus, several unique configuration
tools, and a web-based package installation interface. Linux Mint is
compatible with Ubuntu software repositories.
