GNOME 3.12 Released, 'Sup Apache, King of Office

There was so much news today, I couldn't fit it all into one post. Several interesting software topics surfaced today as well. First up, Glyn Moody asks, What's Up with Apache Web Server? Jack Germain test-drove a new Linux office suite. And GNOME 3.12 was released!

GNOME 3.12 was announced today at the home of the foot saying, "The next milestone release in the GNOME 3 series includes many new features, enhancements and updates, as well as new capabilities and APIs for application developers. The new version continues to improve the GNOME 3 user experience and includes many small bug fixes and enhancements."

Some of these include:

• * A significant update to the experience for finding and installing applications.


• * Major facelifts for the Videos and gedit applications.


• * Greater high-resolution display support.


• * Big updates for the Software and Web applications.


• * Improved start up times as well as more efficient resource usage.


• * A new application folders feature, which lets you organize your apps.

3.12 is also a major release for developers, and comes with new interface widgets and APIs, as well as improved documentation.

The release notes have a lot more detail, but The Register says GNOME 3.12 is Pixel perfect ... but homeless. They claim GNOME "is a desktop in search of a Linux distro" and suggest folks roll their own with something like Arch. But then they go into pretty good detail showing users what's new. Muktware.com has a review.

LinuxInsider today ran a piece on the Kingsoft Office Suite whom says they have a Microsoft Office clone for Linux. Germain said since we don't have a decent office suite, you'd think this offering would be a no-brainer. But alas, Kingsoft Software Co. is probably more known for their Windows and Mac versions. "It comes with Writer, Presentation and Spreadsheet" and "the cloning is authentic, even down the Microsoft blue skin." However, before you run out and download your copy, it seems its format support is a tad limited. That kills it for me right there, but Germain concludes, "If you need a well-functioning alternative to other Linux office suites, Kingsoft Office could be a good choice."

Finally today, Glyn Moody asked Jim Jagielski, a founding member of The Apache Software Foundation, "What's Up with Apache Web Server?" The latest Netcraft reports Apache use is falling off more and more. Jageilski puts a positive spin on it, but Moody said he predicted the rise of Nginx, who knocked Apache down a peg or two.