The developers behind the OpenGEU project have announced the release of OpenGEU 8.10 (codename Luna Serena). Though the packages for it were available since last month, users can now download a complete Live CD with the system.

"As we already said before in the previous announcements, this is not a major release. Luna Serena has been considered by our Team as a development and testing playground for the upcoming version, Quarto di Luna, which will be based on Ubuntu Jaunty.", was stated in the official release announcement.

Though it isn't considered a major release, this version brings quite a lot of changes and improvements. Built on top of Ubuntu Intrepid, OpenGEU 8.10 has the latest stable Enlightenment desktop shell and, as the developers say, "a lot of surprises." All Ubuntu 8.10 updates to date are, of course, included in Luna Serena.

Highlights of OpenGEU 8.10

· A new, in-house version of e-17-settings-manager, making it faster and completely customizable;
· The Geutheme theme manager has a redrawn interface and now allows users to control more aspects of the desktop;
· The Places Module, that not only shows but can also auto-mount connected devices, is 100% compatible with Thunar file manager;
· An improved Mixer module displays all the soundcard's properties;
· Wizard allows users to customize their Enlightenment desktop with added special experimental features for Netbooks ;
· OpenGEU Defaults Configuration Manager enables users to fully restore the default look of the desktop or fully customize it through the Wizard Module;
· The Enlightenment desktop can now be easily and safely upgraded through the new OpenGEU Upgrade Manager;
· Ecomorph, Enlightenment's implementation of Compiz 3D effects is available and can be selected in the login screen's session list;
· The Configuration Menu module shows all E17 settings straight from the E17 menu.

Download OpenGEU 8.10 right now from Softpedia.