distribution release , positioned as a fast, open, and privacy-respecting alternative to Windows and macOS. The project focuses on quality design aimed at creating a user-friendly system that consumes minimal resources and provides high boot speed. Users are offered their own desktop environment, Pantheon. For download, bootable ISO images (1.48 GB) are available for amd64 architecture (when booting from , free download in the donation field requires entering 0).
The original components of Elementary OS are developed using GTK3, the Vala language, and the proprietary Granite framework. The distribution is based on the developments from the Ubuntu project. At the package and repository support level, Elementary OS 5.1.x is compatible with Ubuntu 18.04. The graphical environment is based on the custom Pantheon shell, which integrates components such as the Gala window manager (based on LibMutter), the WingPanel top panel, the Slingshot launcher, the Switchboard control panel, and the bottom taskbar. (a reworked version of the Docky panel written in Vala) and the Pantheon Greeter session manager (based on LightDM).
The environment includes a set of tightly integrated applications necessary for user tasks. Among the applications, a large portion consists of the project's own developments, such as the Pantheon Terminal emulator, the Pantheon Files file manager, the text editor and the music player Music (Noise). The project is also developing the Pantheon Photos photo manager (a branch of Shotwell) and the Pantheon Mail email client (a branch of Geary).
Key innovations:
- Parental control tools have been renamed from 'Parental Controls' to 'Screen Time & Limits' and expanded to define rules related to screen time limitations, internet access, and application use. Such rules can now be set for one's own account, for example, for self-organization, to avoid spending too much time in front of the computer.
- The applications menu is optimized for enhanced usability when managing through touch screens, as well as for reducing lag and ensuring smooth navigation with trackpads. The classic applications category viewing mode has been adapted, now represented as a scrollable list instead of a grid. Keyboard navigation has been improved, and performance has been enhanced.
- The settings search system has been completely redesigned, resembling the application menu search, which can be used to find individual settings and shows the path to each found parameter.
- The desktop settings clearly illustrate the available icon sizes. The issue of duplicate desktop wallpapers has been resolved. The options available for searching have been expanded (text size, window animations, panel transparency).
- Screen settings now ensure correct centering of displays for which a screen rotation mode has been applied. The account settings have more precise explanations about why certain settings are only available to administrators. The request for administrator rights now occurs directly when selecting a privileged operation, such as enabling or disabling accounts.
- In the AppCenter, performance improvements have been made—checking for updates now occurs no more than once a day, during boot-up and log-in, as well as each time AppCenter is launched by the user.
The add-on management interface has been modernized; installed add-ons are now shown only if there is an update available for them. When selecting an add-on on the application info page, there is a transition to the add-on's information page. Keyboard navigation has been simplified—the input focus is now set on the search bar, allowing immediate use of cursor control keys to navigate through search results. - The video player now remembers the last played video and its last position.
- The Gala window manager has fixed a crash when changing the virtual desktop and having some types of open windows.
- The photo viewer application has added an 'Open In' menu, making it easier to use for previews before launching another viewer.
- The Granite library has been updated with a new method for shared access to application settings.
Source: opennet.ru
