Manjaro Linux 0.8.5 "MATE", "LXDE", "KDE"

The Manjaro development team has announced the release of three community editions of Manjaro Linux 0.8.5, featuring the MATE, LXDE and KDE desktop environments: "We are happy to announce three new Manjaro community editions featuring MATE 1.6, LXDE 0.5.5 and KDE 4.10.2. The community editions of Manjaro Linux are released as bonus flavours in addition to those officially supported and maintained by the Manjaro team, provided that the time and resources necessary are available to do so. Yusuf and Cumali from Manjaro Turkey released Manjaro KDE 2013.04 based on Manjaro stable repositories. It features the brand new KDE SC 4.10.2 point release." Read the full release announcement for more information and screenshots. Download links: manjaro-mate-0.8-r13-0417-x86_64.iso (1,090MB, SHA1), manjaro-lxde-0.8.5-x86_64.iso (1,099MB, SHA1), manjaro-kde-0.8.5-x86_64.iso (2,142MB, SHA1).

SparkyLinux 2.1

Paweł Pijanowski has announced the release of SparkyLinux 2.1, a Debian-based desktop Linux distribution with a choice of Enlightenment, LXDE, MATE or Openbox desktops user interfaces: "I am happy to announce the final versions of SparkyLinux 'Eris' 2.1 E17/LXDE, 2.1 MATE edition and update of 2.1.1 Ultra edition. The ISO images provide bug fixes, updates and new features. All new images of SparkyLinux 'Eris' have been synchronised between themselves and all packages upgraded from Debian testing repository as of 2013-03-15. The new live system provides: Linux kernel 3.2.39; minor bugs fixes; live system on USB stick fixes; full system installation on USB stick; new set of wallpapers. The live system's user name is 'live', password 'live'." Here is the brief release announcement with a screenshot. Download: sparkylinux-2.1-eris-x86_64.iso (1,583MB, MD5), sparkylinux-2.1-eris-x86_64-mate.iso (1,526MB, MD5), sparkylinux-2.1.1-eris-x86_64-ultra.iso (1,289MB, MD5).

Manjaro Linux 0.8 "MATE"

Carl Duff has announced the release of Manjaro Linux 0.8 "MATE", the project's brand-new new community edition which features the increasingly popular fork of the GNOME 2 desktop: "Community editions of Manjaro Linux are released as bonus flavours in addition to those officially supported and maintained by the Manjaro team. Due to popular demand from members of the Manjaro community, this now includes a special new release of the MATE flavour for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. Subject to a complete overhaul, this version also provides early access to some brand-new features yet to be seen in the upcoming official Manjaro 0.8.4 releases: new graphical boot screen; Linux kernel version 3.7; Pamac - a user user-friendly graphical interface to easily update the system and manage software...." See the release announcement for further details and screenshots. Download: manjaro-mate-0.8-r13-0215-x86_64.iso (650MB, SHA256).

Descent|OS 3.0.2

Brian Manderville has announced the release of Descent|OS, a desktop Linux distribution combining the Ubuntu base system with the latest version of the MATE desktop environment: "I am pleased to announce that the 'Legacy' branch of Descent|OS has been updated to version 3.0.2. Since the main focus of the Ubuntu-based edition is stability, the main upgrades were big fixes. I have fixed the driver install issue, and also fixed the audio applet issue. Here is a list of the full changelog: PulseAudio is officially default, Mate-media-pulse is much more well-implemented than its GStreamer sibling, so I have implemented it to maintain consistency and make it easier for people to change their audio settings; MATE is updated to 1.4, this is actually a huge milestone, because MATE 1.4 is a stable, well-implemented version, and works better with everything in Descent|OS; Lubuntu Software Center is included...." Here is the brief release announcement. Download: DescentOS-3.0.2-i386.iso (1,081MB).

Snowlinux 4 RC

Lars Torben Kremer has announced that the release candidate for Snowlinux 4, a Debian-based desktop Linux distribution with MATE, is now ready for testing: "The team is proud to announce the release of Snowlinux 4 'Glacier'. Snowlinux 4 is based upon Debian GNU/Linux 7.0 'Wheezy' and uses Linux kernel 3.5. MATE 1.4 is the default desktop environment and LightDM as the new default login manager that replaces GDM 3. Many new features were introduced, like snowMenu, the Snowlinux menu and snowMount, the Snowlinux mount tool for drives. The Snowlinux Metal theme was colored blue and the icon set was updated with the latest Faience icons. Snowlinux now uses Pidgin as the default IM client. This release comes with Firefox 17 and Thunderbird 17, LibreOffice, Rhythmbox and Shotwell." See the release announcement for more details and a screenshot. Download links (MD5): snowlinux-4-glacier-i386-rc.iso (980MB), snowlinux-4-glacier-amd64-rc.iso (1,008MB).

Comfusion 4.1

A new version of Comfusion, a desktop Linux distribution that combines Ubuntu with LXDE and Compiz Fusion in order to deliver some of the best 3D desktop effects available anywhere, has been released: "Now available for download, the new version of Comfusion. New in this vesion: added full MATE desktop 1.4.2 (GNOME 2 desktop clone, seamlessly integrates with Compiz in Comfusion 4); added wbar with Token icons, individualized for each session; wbarconf, wbar configurator; TvenLinux, a script to view our online TV on Linux, also able to show programming; updated the Skype installer to install the latest version; Picapy, an excellent image manager for Picasa Web; Darktable, a free alternative to Adobe Lightroom for Comfusion 4; Launchy, a simple application launcher for Comfusion 4; Angry Bots, a shooter game with a new game engine Unity3D; added Apt-Fast, faster downloads; added Xscroll Overlays, a modern bar like in the latest Ubuntu." Here is the full release announcement. Download the compressed DVD image from SourceForge: Comfusion4.1.7z (828MB).

Fedora 18 Beta

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." Read the full press release for more details. Download (torrents): Fedora-18-Beta-i686-Live-Desktop.iso (757MB, SHA256, torrent), Fedora-18-Beta-x86_64-Live-Desktop.iso (786MB, SHA256, torrent). Live images featuring KDE, LXDE, Xfce and SoaS (Sugar on a Stick), as well as installation DVDs, are also available.

Install Mate Desktop in Ubuntu 12.10 Quantal Quetzal

The GNOME 2 Fork 'Mate' is a desktop environment. If you wish to use this desktop environment on Ubuntu 12.10 Quantal to replace your current Unity or Gnome Shell interface, then follow the instructions given below. You can install Mate Desktop on Ubuntu 12.10 Quantal Quetzal.

Installation of Mate Desktop on Ubuntu 12.10, Enter following commands in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://packages.mate-desktop.org/repo/ubuntu quantal main"
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mate-archive-keyring
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mate-core mate-desktop-environment

CAINE 3.0

Nanni Bassetti has announced the release of CAINE 3.0, an Ubuntu-based live DVD offering a complete digital forensic environment in a friendly graphical interface: "CAINE 3.0 is out! CAINE (Computer Aided INvestigative Environment) is an Italian GNU/Linux live distribution created as a project of digital forensics. Changelog: Linux kernel 3.2; MATE desktop 1.4; rbfstab - a utility that writes read-only entries to /etc/fstab so devices are safely mounted for forensic imaging/examination; mounter - a GUI mounting tool that sits in the system tray, left clicking the system tray drive icon activates a window where the user can select devices to mount or un-mount; scripts that are activated within the Caja web browser designed to make examination of allocated files simple; root file system spoofing patch...." Visit the project's home page to read the release announcement and to see a few screenshots of the new release. Download: caine3.0.iso (1,252MB, MD5).

Fedora 18 Alpha

The delayed alpha build of Fedora 18 has been released: "The Fedora 18 'Spherical Cow' alpha release is plumping up! This release offers a preview of some of the best free and open-source technology currently under development. Features: NetworkManager hotspots improve the ability to use a computer's WiFi adapter to create a network hot spot; the redesigned installation system adds flexibility to the installation process while simplifying the user interface; desktop updates galore - GNOME 3.6, KDE Plasma Workspace 4.9, Xfce 4.10, Sugar 0.98, and the introduction of the MATE Desktop in Fedora." Read the release announcement and release notes for more information. Download (torrents): Fedora-18-Alpha-i686-Live-Desktop.iso (747MB, SHA256, torrent), Fedora-18-Alpha-x86_64-Live-Desktop.iso (775MB, SHA256, torrent). Live images featuring KDE, LXDE, Xfce and SoaS (Sugar on a Stick), as well as installation DVDs, are also available.

Sabayon Linux 10

Fabio Erculiani has announced the release of Sabayon Linux 10, a Gentoo-based distribution with a choice of four desktop environments (GNOME 3, KDE, MATE and Xfce): "We're once again here to announce the immediate availability of Sabayon Linux 10 in all of its tier 1 flavours. If you really enjoyed Sabayon 9, this is just another step towards world domination. Linux Kernel 3.5.4 with BFQ iosched, GNOME 3.4.2, KDE 4.9 (4.9.1 available in a few days), Xfce 4.10 and LibreOffice 3.6 are just some of the things you will find inside the box. Gentoo hardened kernels, improved Rigo - a new way of browsing and installing applications, more ZFS integration work, Mesa 9 stack, Amazon EC2 support, Infinality FreeType patches, and much more." Read the rest of the release announcement for further information and screenshots. Quick links to download the KDE edition (please see the project's mirrors page and torrent tracker if you'd like to try any of the other three flavours): Sabayon_Linux_10_x86_K.iso (1,976MB, MD5, torrent), Sabayon_Linux_10_amd64_K.iso (2,128MB, MD5, torrent).