Slax 7.0

Tomáš Matějíček has announced the final release of Slax 7.0, a Slackware-based live CD with KDE 4.9.4 that fits onto a 220 MB CD: "I'm happy to announce the final release of Slax version 7.0, code name 'Green Horn'. After more than three years of silence Slax is back in action and is better than ever before. Slax 7.0 is the major update of the Slax Linux live operating system. It includes the newest Linux kernel, KDE 4 desktop, GCC compiler and lots of other stuff in a 210 MB download. Furthermore it's available in more than 50 localizations, so you can get a Slax that speaks your language. Big thanks to everybody who helped with development and testing. The work didn't end now, actually it rather just started. I'm going to prepare a modules section for the website and bring Software Center in Slax to life. The next step, however, is to start supporting buildscripts." Here is the brief release announcement with a screenshot. Download (MD5): slax-English-US-7.0-i486.iso (212MB), slax-English-US-7.0-x86_64.iso (219MB).

ArchBang Linux 2012.12

Stan McLaren has announced the release of ArchBang Linux 2012.12, a new stable version of the project's lightweight desktop distribution based on Arch Linux: "ArchBang Linux 2012.12 is out in the wild. If you are already running ArchBang smoothly on your system then you don’t need to install the new release. This 2012.12 release is a full systemd version with our latest set of minimal packages and Openbox for the competent Linux user. A few changes for this release: Linux kernel 3.6.8; GnomishDark theme with Shakey-Stapler-Dark widget; updated Openbox menu; dbus-launch removed. ArchBang still plans to have four major releases per year. Due to upgrades and improvements to the Arch Linux system, ArchBang will continue to release unofficial test images between official releases to address changes and prevent excessive workarounds in installing and updating newly installed systems." Here is the brief release announcement with a screenshot. Download (MD5): archbang-2012.12.03-i686.iso (545MB), archbang-2012.12.03-x86_64.iso (548MB).

How To Run JNLP Files Under Ubuntu/Linux Mint

In this tutorial, we will show you how to run .jnlp files in a system running Ubuntu/Linux Mint. The extension jnlp (Java Network Launching Protocol) is used to launch and manage Java programs via the internet or network. If you have downloaded a *.jnlp file on your computer and don't know how to execute it, you can simply use javaws to run it.

Getting Started

To install javaws under Ubuntu 12.10/12.04 and Linux Mint 14/13 or older, open the terminal and run these commands:

sudo apt-get install icedtea-netx

Via the terminal, cd to the folder containing your plnp file and run this command:

javaws filename.jlnp

Example:

MSGViewer is an application that allows users to preview Microsoft Outlook MSG files in a Linux-based system. This application is packaged in PLNP file. To run it, you can use the following commands from the terminal:

cd /tmp 

wget http://goo.gl/cTJwB -O launch.jnlp 

javaws launch.jnlp

I hope you find this tutorial useful!

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).

Kubuntu 13.04 Alpha 1

Stéphane Graber has announced the availability of the first alpha release of Kubuntu 13.04: "The first alpha of the 'Raring Ringtail' (to become 13.04) has now been released. This alpha features images for Edubuntu and Kubuntu. At the end of the 12.10 development cycle, the Ubuntu flavour decided that it would reduce the number of milestone images going forward and the focus would concentrate on daily quality and fortnightly testing rounds known as cadence testing. Based on that change, the Ubuntu product itself will not have an Alpha-1 release. Its first milestone release will be the final beta release on the 28th of March 2013. Other Ubuntu flavours have the option to release using the usual milestone schedule." See the release announcement and release notes for further information. Download (SHA256): raring-desktop-i386.iso (972MB, torrent), raring-desktop-amd64.iso (954MB, torrent). Alpha 1 images for Edubuntu 13.04 (download, release notes) are also available.

Top 15 Desktop Environments for Ubuntu 12.10 Quantal Quetzal (Alternatives to Unity)

In this article, I have collected 15 best desktop environments available for Ubuntu 12.10 (Quantal Quetzal) that can be used as a replacement for Unity. If you are interested in good design and look for your desktop, you may try the first seven desktop environments given below. If you want speed with no interest in design and desktop look, you may start from the eighth desktop environment.

Additionally, instead of installing various desktop environments on Ubuntu 12.10, you may try the different Ubuntu flavors which are:

•     Xubuntu - XFCE desktop environment
•     Kubuntu - K Desktop environment
•     Lubuntu - LXDE

Let's now see the various desktop environments available for Ubuntu 12.10 or older:

1. GNOME Shell

sudo apt-get install gnome-shell

2. KDE

sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends kubuntu-desktop

3. Xfce

sudo apt-get install xfce4

4. LXDE

sudo apt-get install lxde

5. Cinnamon

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gwendal-lebihan-dev/cinnamon-stable 

sudo apt-get update 

sudo apt-get install cinnamon

6. Mate

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://packages.mate-desktop.org/repo/ubuntu precise main" 

sudo apt-get update 

sudo apt-get install mate-archive-keyring 

sudo apt-get update 

sudo apt-get install mate-desktop-environment

7. E17

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:hannes-janetzek/enlightenment-svn 

sudo apt-get update 

sudo apt-get install e17

8. Awesome WM

sudo apt-get install awesome

9. WindowMaker

sudo apt-get install wmaker

10. Fluxbox

sudo apt-get install fluxbox

11. Blackbox

sudo apt-get install blackbox

12. Openbox

sudo apt-get install openbox

13. jwm

sudo apt-get install jwm

14. IceWM

sudo apt-get install icewm

15. fvwm

sudo apt-get install fvwm

Extra DEs

Here are some other desktop environments suggested by our readers:

- Razor-qt

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:razor-qt 

sudo apt-get update 

sudo apt-get install razorqt

Note: You may also install these DEs on Linux Mint 14 or older.