New Version of GNOME Delivers More Apps, Stability Updates

by Sam Dean - Mar. 13, 2008Comments (5)

If you're familiar with GNOME, the multi-platform open source desktop environment that provides an interface and applications for Linux and Unix-centric operating systems, then you know that it's standard practice for a new update to arrive every six months. A new version 2.22 is out now and it combines a bunch of new architectural, under-the-hood features with new applications. GNOME already delivered e-mail, groupware, web browsing, file management, multimedia, and game applications. New to the applications mix are Cheese and Vinagre.

Vinagre (at left) is a remote desktop software and VNC client that can do lots of new things for GNOME users, including connecting with Windows machines, as seen at left. It supports several connections to remote desktops at once, and can browse your local network for VNC servers. It can also store recently used remote connections so you can instantly invoke them.

 

 

Cheese (at left) is an application inspired by Apple Photobooth. It lets you use a webcam or digital camera to take photos and videos, applies special effects and lets you share with others. It was originally written as part of Google's 2007 open source Summer of Code event. A tour of its features is available online.

 

 

There are also a number of updates to Evolution, GNOME's calendar and messaging application. It supports and synchs with Google Calendars, which is likely to please a lot of people. However, some applications planned for this release of GNOME, such as a VoIP client, won't arrive until later.

Aside from applications, a lot of the improvements in the new version of GNOME are under-the-hood fixes and address a number of stability issues, as described in the release notes. This version of GNOME introduces GVFS, a network-transparent virtual filesystem layer for GTK+. GNOME-VFS can remember login credentials for an entire session and several of the applications in GNOME are already directly integrated with it.

GNOME's document viewer is also now faster and uses less memory than previous versions. We'll update this post with an additional look at some of the main attractions, but you can download the new version for free now. Take a spin!

Have you tried the new version of GNOME?


Browse Blog

Jesse Babson uses OStatic to support Open Source, ask and answer questions and stay informed. What about you?



5 Comments
 

Haven't tried this yet but have been reading reviews and seeing screenshots and it looks great! Can't wait to try this...


0 Votes

Is there a virtual appliance or a demo somewhere? Don't think I'm ready to install this puppy right now, but would love to see more.


0 Votes

There are good screens, tours and descriptions here:


http://library.gnome.org/misc/release-notes/2.22/


0 Votes

....look in the What's New for Users section in the above link for the screens, etc.


0 Votes

Just downloaded and installed this baby and its awesome! I was waiting for the mail client enhancements along with Google Calendar support.


0 Votes
Share Your Comments

If you are a member, to have your comment attributed to you. If you are not yet a member, Join OStatic and help the Open Source community by sharing your thoughts, answering user questions and providing reviews and alternatives for projects.