14 DAY TRIAL // The LXDE flavor of Linux Mint 11 is finally here. Three months after the main Linux Mint 11 was released, the LXDE version is ready for wide release. The latest update brings several enhanced features, a revamped Software Manager and Update Manager, as well as newer packages and under-the-hood improvements.
Linux Mint 11 LXDE features a refreshed Software Manager. It now has a flashy splash screen, better and bigger icons as well as more categories.
There are more improvements than just the visual stuff, the Software Manager also proves more useful.
"The Software Manager now runs a simulation prior to showing you the application, so when you look at it, it can tell you precisely which packages would be added or removed to your system, how much data would be downloaded and how much space would be taken on the hard drive, may you decide to press the Install button," Linux Mint explained.
The Update Manager also got some work and Linux Mint says it's now faster and safer. One change that makes a lot of difference is that the rules for all packages are now contained within the Update Manager and don't need to be downloaded every time.
This way, the Manager can skip a few steps and get you your updates faster. When new rules are available, a update for the Update Manager is issued.
The Update Manager also focuses on the actual updates, not the dependencies, and only those are listed. When you're ready to update, a list of all packages affected will be displayed.
Linux Mint 11 LXDE also brings the new Desktop Settings tool, which has been made universal, meaning that it works with all desktops not only Gnome like the original version. It also adds the option to disable fortune cookie messages in the Terminal.
The default theme has been improved in the latest Linux Mint 11 LXDE and the Overlay scrollbars, from Ubuntu, made their way into the latest release.
Linux Mint 11 LXDE is available for download here. Linux Mint 11 is available for download here.