distribution release positioned as a fast, open, and privacy-respecting alternative to Windows and macOS. The project focuses on high-quality design aimed at creating an easy-to-use system that consumes minimal resources while providing high boot speed. Users are offered their own Pantheon desktop environment.
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 in Elementary OS 5.1.7:
- A new section for managing input methods has been added to the keyboard settings interface.
- The music playback management indicator has been updated in the main panel. The indicator now shows a play button for the default music player when no music is currently playing in the system (System Settings → Applications → Default).
- The App Center now retains and restores the window position. Clicking on the counter in the header now takes you to the updates installation page.
- Vulnerability fixed in GRUB2.
It is noted that the development team is transitioning the Elementary OS 5.1.x branch to maintenance mode and is starting work on a new major release of Elementary OS 6, based on Ubuntu 20.04. An experimental build site for Elementary OS 6 has been launched at . Unfortunately, access to these builds is limited to OEM manufacturers, project developers, and GitHub users who are on the list , contributing to the project's development from $10 per month.
Notable changes in Elementary OS 6 include improved typography and a redesigned style, such as the implementation of rounded bottom corners in the terminal and configurator, preparation of dark styles for panels, indicators, and system dialogs, as well as the option to choose the color shade of the style. A new faster installer is also mentioned, along with expanded multitouch support, a significant redesign of the email client, replacing the Geary mail engine with the Evolution server, and the addition of a new task list application.
Source: opennet.ru
