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LXLE 12.04.4 officially released.

Published on Feb 8, 2014

After patiently waiting for Ubuntu to officially announce their 12.04.4 update and once the number of seeders of LXLE grew to an adequate level to 'serve' it, LXLE 12.04.4 has been released.

This particular release builds on the idea that many 'at idle' processes can be replaced by 'on demand' solutions, such as weather, battery, updates, power management, etc. It also introduces microcode kernel updates for your processor and preload, a readahead daemon, by default.

 What is LXLE? 

LXLE is based on Lubuntu which is an Ubuntu OS using the LXDE desktop enviroment. It is designed to be a drop-in and go OS, primarily for aging computers. In short, LXLE is an eclectic respin of Lubuntu with its own user support.

 What is a Respin? 

A respin is a remastered version of a major Linux distro tailored for a specific purpose or group.

OS Philosophy

  • Stick with LTS only releases of Ubuntu to ensure hardware & software support.
  • Based on Lubuntu Linux to ensure a fast capable desktop for aging computers.
  • Keep desktop and other major software updated to the latest stable version.
  • Provide a complete drop in and go replacement for XP, Vista, 7 Starter/Basic.
  • Cover most users everyday needs by providing an excellent set of default apps.
  • Add useful necessary mods and tweaks, to improve performance & functions.
  • Develop a beautiful modern looking intuitive desktop for anyone to use easily.
  • Save system resources and spend them wisely on capable, feature rich apps.

Development Cycle

  • Our development cycle is quite simple. We stick with LTS releases of Ubuntu/Lubuntu.
  • For us, our new versions of LXLE correspond with the updates provided to the LTS release.
  • In other words, our versions between LTS releases are the 6 month incremental updates.
  • Example: LXLE 12.04.1, 12.04.2, 12.04.3, 12.04.4, 14.04.1, etc

Notable New Features

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Why an older kernel?

The answer is two fold. LXLE is primarily designed for aging computers, an older kernel helps ensure that a wider range of aging hardware is supported, secondly its also provided with longterm maintenance.

Why so many apps?

LXLE is designed to be a drop in and go OS. The idea being you can install it on any aging computer for either yourself or someone else and be relatively done after install. Each program and component is chosen on a relatively flexible scale with the intention of addressing most users every day needs while keeping the system light.

Why this or that?

The scale of choosing programs is based on; app resource requirements, ease of use, capabilities, and integration or use of existing backend technologies already present within the system, such as codecs and other shared libraries and resources.

LTS Only?

LXLE is based off Ubuntu/Lubuntu LTS releases. This helps ensure that older hardware is supported and for at least 5 years. Also this allows time for the OS to mature helping to further development and provide better solutions and troubleshooting for aging hardware.

Support

Besides the base code being supported by Ubuntu/Canonical for 5 years, LXLE's internal team also pledges support for the same duration. It's not officially an LTS but a user community promise to do so.

Future

Ubuntu/Lubuntu is readying their 14.04 LTS release in April 2014. LXLE first 14.04 release won't occur until the first update of 14.04. At that time LXLE 14.04.1 will be released and will continue to follow the update schedule for the LTS as mentioned earlier.

OS Clarification

Minimal and lightweight seem to become intertwined when speaking of an operating system for aging computers, aka lightweight systems. It's important to note that ISO file size has little to do with an operating system being lightweight as opposed to being a minimal install OS.

Lightweight simply refers to the amount of system resources needed for the system to operate. A minimal system is much more about ISO file size as it tends to have very few programs installed by default, which in turn makes it minimal. It's often true that many lightweight operating systems are also minimal. LXLE does not strive to be a minimal OS, yet lightweight is something the distribution tries very hard to ensure.

Please consider supporting LXLE by seeding the latest 12.04.4 release.

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What others are saying

Tried many many linux distros on my old HP Compaq laptop and they were always slow, slow -- until LXLE. What a great little distro for old non-pae machines. ~Claudia


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