LXLE Changelog

What's new in LXLE 18.04.3

Sep 9, 2019
  • Issues Addressed:
  • Gparted Launcher Fixed
  • Driver Manager Updated
  • Simple Image Reducer Fixed
  • Keyboard Input Method Updated
  • PPA Library Additions Corrected
  • Xarchiver Contextual Menu Fixed
  • Replaced Applications:
  • Gimp replaced with Pinta
  • Htop replaced with Lxtask
  • Sakura set as default terminal
  • FBreader replaced with Bookworm
  • OpenShot Video Editor replaced by Pitivi
  • Libreoffice replaced with Abiword/Gnumeric/Spice-Up
  • Removed Applications:
  • Pulse Audio Equalizer
  • Lubuntu Software Center
  • Java OpenJDK rarely needed
  • New Additions/Improvements:
  • Open 'File' as Root
  • Increased Menu Speed
  • Shortcut/Hotkey Overlay List
  • Screen Magnifier Tooltip Instructions
  • Seamonkey site specific display issues fixed
  • Desktop Games Section saw a reshuffle of 'fun'
  • 100 brand new and reduced file size wallpapers
  • LockScreen updated and includes random Fortune quotes.
  • Additional notable changes:
  • Abiword and Gnumeric has been loaded with every plugin/enhancement available to ensure usefulness and compatiblilty with various formats.
  • Seamonkey has been updated to version 2.49.5 and loaded with numerous features/buttons with an updated codefisher pack that was grabbed before going offline. Bookmarklets also updated.
  • Greybird was chosen as the default theme to ensure regular updates and an openbox counterpart was added. The GTK login greeter has also seen a theme update providing a touch of elegance.
  • The LXLE wiki has been updated to reflect the changes of default programs and features of the OS.

New in LXLE 16.04.3 (Nov 22, 2017)

  • LXhotkey replaced obkey for better ease of use.
  • Addressed menu clutter, layout and organization.
  • Tweaked theme for consistency throughout system.
  • Further integration of Mate/LXQT/Mint desktop components.
  • Removed Pithos as it's regional and requires a user account.
  • Slimmed game section and focused soley on desktop games.
  • Streamlined default PPA's and Repositories to avoid redundancies.
  • Lock screen has better blur and indicator of what happened and what to do.
  • QT+gtk - forced gtk theme adaptation for stubborn qt based default applications.
  • Grub/Login - backgrounds set to default wallpaper for overall theme consistency.
  • Updates - update notifier checks unattended-upgrades log for non automatic updates.
  • Window effects such as shadows, fading, transparency, tear free video provided by compton.

New in LXLE 16.04.2 (Apr 9, 2017)

  • What's New:
  • Menu Layout - reconfigured for cleaner, less cluttered navigation.
  • Control Menu - completely reworked to act as a dynamic 'Control Panel'.
  • Consistency - theme tweaks throughout the system for a more uniform look.
  • Proposed - Fixed 'proposed' Ubuntu repository not being included by default.
  • Zenburned - Zenburn theme used as inspiration for custom terminal color scheme.
  • QT+gtk - forced gtk theme adaptation for stubborn qt based default applications.
  • Languages - Installer slideshow and custom menu entries have been fully translated.
  • Htop - replaced lxtask due to memory usage and new enhanced terminal capabilities.
  • Grub/Login - backgrounds set to default wallpaper for overall theme consistency.
  • Games - semi new selection to adhere to 'desktop' games philosophy & save space.
  • Synaptic - reconfigured to showcase more features and facilitate ease of use.
  • PenguinPills - easy to use 'front end' for numerous command line virus scanners.
  • Drivers - image headers now included by default to enable easier installation.
  • Updates - update notifier checks unattended-upgrades log for non automatic updates.
  • Key Features:
  • Btrfs file system base
  • Auto detect dual monitors
  • Expose like window picker
  • Lightweight app launcher
  • i3lock screen with autoblur
  • 'Aero' window snap feature
  • Enhanced menu speed
  • Assistive Technology apps
  • Detailed startup splash
  • Terminal based Weather app
  • Mate & Mint app additions
  • 100 brand new wallpapers
  • Security updates auto installed
  • uCareSystemCore update manager
  • Random/Interval Wallpaper changer
  • File Manager Extensions:
  • Open as root
  • Set as wallpaper
  • Right click check md5sum
  • Right click desktop trash empty

New in LXLE 16.04.1 (Jul 31, 2016)

  • Key Features:
  • Btrfs file system base
  • Auto detect dual monitors
  • Expose like window picker
  • Lightweight app launcher
  • i3lock screen with autoblur
  • 'Aero' window snap feature
  • Enhanced menu speed
  • Assistive Technology apps
  • Detailed startup splash
  • Terminal based Weather app
  • Mate & Mint app additions
  • Condensed 'Control Menu'
  • 100 brand new wallpapers
  • Security updates auto installed
  • uCareSystemCore update manager
  • Random/Interval Wallpaper changer
  • File Manager Extensions:
  • Open as root
  • Set as wallpaper
  • Right click check md5sum
  • Right click desktop trash empty

New in LXLE 16.04.1 RC (Jul 25, 2016)

  • Btrfs file system base
  • Auto detect dual monitors
  • Expose like window picker
  • Lightweight app launcher
  • i3lock screen with autoblur
  • 'Aero' window snap feature
  • Enhanced menu speed
  • Assistive Technology apps
  • Detailed startup splash
  • Random Wallpaper &
  • Interval Wallpaper changer
  • Terminal based Weather app
  • Mate & Mint app additions
  • Condensed 'Control Menu'
  • uCareSystemCore update manager
  • Security updates are auto installed
  • File Manager Extensions:
  • Open as root
  • Set as wallpaper
  • Right click check md5sum
  • Right click desktop trash empty

New in LXLE 16.04 Beta (Jul 8, 2016)

  • A few changes were required this release to keep and stay consistent/coherent with the rest of the OS. A number of MATE apps have replaced Gnome apps in this manner. A few Mint apps also make an appearance to facilitate common task easily. LXLE went on a diet in general shaving a couple hundred megabytes off the download by streamlining applications and services by default. While supplying more user features than ever, system resource usage remains very low allowing the OS to run comfortably on any PC produced in the past decade.

New in LXLE 14.04.4 (Mar 24, 2016)

  • The 'Posh' version of LXLE has been readied and tested since it's last release candidate and in the subsequent days of the update to Seamonkey 2.40, which is a core component of the overall desktop experience provided by the operating system ensuring performance and compatibility with the suite update was critical before official release.
  • During this wait small polish to the browser and overall user interface was applied, essientially smoothing out any rough edges of the new 'Posh Paradigm' introduced in this release. Posh is expected to provide not only a familiar yet dynamic low resource LXDE desktop but also a layout easily mimiced by LXQT if a version is ever officially offered.
  • The goal was really just to get as many options and features showcased and or utilized while keeping the resources low and without the overall look being too gaudy. Veered away from using foreign system libraries and instead focused on customizing and maximizing any and all internal GUI resources.
  • The new layout actually allowed for a couple once needed services to be discontinued hence freeing up more ram and resources for the operating system and its programs to utilize. A simple 'Paradigm' shift can truly be more than just a rearranging of the furniture, if done the right way.
  • All other changes are visible an can be seen by the updated screenshots below. Jesse at Distrowatch pointed out that the wallpaper and icon placement of th RC made it difficult for people to see if they didn't already know where to look. I agreed and have since changed the default wallpaper and desktop icon positions of the Posh release, thanks Jesse.
  • All software has been updated to its latest stable version available through their respective repositories and official ppa's. Finally, a release doesn't mean bug free, perhaps close, but never perfect, as proven often. The ISO's are on SourceForge, Distrowatch may provide a torrent later.

New in LXLE 14.04.4 RC (Feb 28, 2016)

  • Modifications / Changes:
  • FireFTP cache bug resolved
  • Fehlstart updated & styled
  • Better light-locker settings
  • Slimmed Games Section
  • Only 1 desktop paradigm
  • Conky dropped/replaced
  • SeaMonkey Implementation:
  • More polished user interface
  • Optimized video streaming
  • Full featured email options
  • Dynamic new tab & home
  • Enforced lean browser options
  • Ad, tracking & cookie protection
  • Mail & News enhanced features
  • Prudent addons & userstyles
  • Chatzilla Implementation:
  • User Interface enhanced
  • Channel Tree Navigation
  • Inline Youtube support
  • Inline images support
  • Spoiler tags support
  • Subreddit link share

New in LXLE 14.04.2 (Apr 5, 2015)

  • The next incremental update of LXLE has been released, ticking it up to 14.04.2 along with the last 32bit version of LXLE ever, which is based on 12.04.5. The 32bit closely mirrors the changes to the latest 64bit edition of the OS.
  • As announced in our beta release LXLE now sports a highly customized version of the SeaMonkey Internet Suite. A fairly lengthy article was written on why this decision was made and that it wasn't something taken lightly. To add to that the other underlying reason was we wanted the distribution to showcase an excellent community driven browser to help spur support and perhaps encourage developers to join the project and lend a hand to the overworked small team of Mozilla volunteers still moving forward with Netscape's original suite idea. We understand it will be more challenging to provide support to our users and keep up on our modifications to the browser but we think overall it's very worth it, both for users and the continued development of the project itself. The extended effort just feels like the right move.
  • Before continuing I'd like to address why LXLE uses the software it does like uTox instead of Skype, Marble instead of Google Earth etc. We pick open-source solutions first and foremost each time, every time. We also try to stay away from Google products or services as much as possible, we feel it's a bit like throwing our users to the wolves when pushing Google stuff. Also, just like with Microsoft, putting all your eggs in one basket is not a good idea. In computers it leads to vendor lock in, whether it's open-source or not. A common trait as of late is hook them with open-source then end the open-source product/service and replace it with a proprietary solution. The old embrace, extend, extinguish tactic. Granted if no open-source solution is available one has to submit to utilizing proprietary software but for us only as a last possible solution.
  • As far as this new release is concerned without going into a bunch of boring stuff like this thing went from 1.0.1 to 1.0.2 reporting, it's a bit easier to stipulate that all packages have been updated to their latest stable version through the repositories and PPAs enabled within the system. What is a little more informative, at least from a user's perspective, is what has been added, replaced or removed, and why.
  • Both the 32bit and 64bit saw the following changes in this release.
  • Firefox, Claws Mail, Filezilla, Osmo, Xchat have been replaced by the standard components of SeaMonkey with the addition of Lightning and FireFTP. HTMLVideoElement, H.264, WebM VP8, HTML5 video codecs are fully supported as well.
  • Vokoscreen was dropped in favor of RecordMyDesktop, this was due to many users experiencing problems with Vokoscreen when recording.
  • Steam was dropped and the game Zaz replaced it, not because they are the same but because Steam doesn't make much sense on a system designed for aging computers unless of course the user is looking for a lightweight system for their new rig to get the best frame-rate performance from their games. If that is the case then surely the user will also know how and will want to install steam for their gaming. Zaz is just fun.
  • Universal access applications have also been removed this is due to few users utilizing the included programs, xzoom was too confusing, the Florence virtual keyboard was not useful to the average user and Gspeaker has essentially been replaced by a couple of bookmarklets in SeaMonkey.
  • Update manager has been removed entirely, this is due to users reporting occasional strange update behavior, unnecessary background daemons running and it encourages users to become more familiar with Synaptic Package Manager. As always with LXLE security updates are downloaded and installed automatically in the background by default. As for general updates, apticron along with a simple user interface to enter your email has been added, this will result in an email being sent to you daily about what updates are available for your system. An updates reminder email should ensure that you never miss or forget to update your system when they are ready.
  • 14.04.2 64bit only additions/feature updates.
  • UEFI support enabled by default thru the installer.
  • 12.04.5 32bit only additions/feature updates.
  • Ibus keyboard layout issues have been resolved. PCManFM now supports MTP devices by default, thanks to an update applied to GVFS. LXRandr missing argument resolved.
  • Additional Items:
  • Bluhell firewall is enabled by default in SeaMonkey providing a lightweight Ad-Blocker and Tracking/Privacy Protector. Bookmarklets take the place of many common extensions in order to keep the browser light on system resources. Userstyles are utilized via Stylish providing much of the user interfaces changes to SeaMonkey while also allowing the user to disable or change what they want at will. This includes the ability to put SeaMonkey tabs above the address / search bar. We chose not to because it didn't provide any real benefit to the browser. Some may miss the new tab button to the right of the last open tab, however this is easily remedied by a right click on a tab or tab bar and selecting open new tab. Others may notice there is no speed dial like feature in SeaMonkey by default. We addressed this issue by utilizing places bookmarks like 'Frequented Websites' essentially providing the same convenience of dials. One can also install Speed Dial or any other supported new tab extension. We tried to add what we thought was necessary to SeaMonkey while maintaining its light overall footprint. Many useful SeaMonkey bookmarks are included making the transition easier, however a user can always install their favorite web browser.

New in LXLE 14.04.1 (Oct 23, 2014)

  • Panel and menu layout adjustments were made to encourage checking for updates in addition to the automatically installed security updates.
  • Gnome 2 (G2) Paradigm has been corrected, in the last release an oversight of the bottom panel was not transparent by default, now fixed.
  • Bash has been updated with all the latest security adjustments available.
  • Desktop Pager has been updated to allow movement of programs between active desktops and show icons of open windows.
  • 32bit 'printscreen' keyboard omission/error has been corrected to reflect the 14.04 version.
  • 64bit double network icon in the panel was fixed as well, this was due to a upstream bug in nm-applet and lxsession.
  • BlueTooth pairing bug fixed and updated through the LXLE PPA.
  • Arista Trancoder issue corrected using backported gstreamer codec.
  • Brightness control has been updated to auto config per machine.
  • Additional monitor settings tool to better support stubborn hardware.
  • uTox, a tox client, replaced Linphone to provide an easy to use/private alternative to Skype. It was also backported to support 12.04.5.
  • BitSync was replaced with Syncthing (now pulse) to provide an opensource alternative to cloudless file sharing among devices.
  • PhotoPrint was added to provide a quick easy way to print photos which garners some nice image tools to customize different print options.
  • SystemBack was added allowing users to back up their desktop, create a custom version of their system and a way to go back to previous states of the OS.
  • Editor note: xZoom is a strange zoom tool provided with LXLE, to use it simply 'click and hold' within its window and move your cursor to any area you want to zoom in on, this was a common question.
  • All system software and end user software has been updated to their latest stable version.

New in LXLE 14.04 (Jun 14, 2014)

  • LXLE acronym change, originally 'Lubuntu eXtra Life Extension' which made sense before Lubuntu had an official LTS release, since 14.04 however, LXLE will now adopt the nomenclature 'LXDE eXtra Luxury Edition' and we think this release doubles down on that.
  • To better support 32bit hardware we updated 12.04.4 to be virtually identical to LXLE 14.04 64bit release including features, updated software and system components.
  • PCManFM additions such as open directories and text as root, create shortcuts, rename base icon names, copy to folder, right click desktop trash to empty, etc provided by MadeBits.
  • Launch (Fehlstart), Run (Gexec), and Terminal (RoxTerm) all have hotkeys enabled to open them using the keyboard for faster access.
  • All desktop paradigms have been updated and are accessible at login as a session using the drop-down menu, this includes XP, Gnome 2, OS X, Unity and Netbook.
  • Software additions and replacements have been addressed in both releases equally.
  • File Roller swapped for xArchiver, less dependencies and fast. Education gained Anki (study/memory) and Marble (globe). Games section slimmed to maintain ISO file size.
  • Gpicview was replaced by Mirage to offer more features like cropping, resizing, etc, to avoid always using Gimp.
  • Bittorrent Sync replaces the now defunct Ubuntu One for file syncing and sharing among multiple platforms without the need for the 'cloud'.
  • Gitso was chosen to provide better remote support and Flush was dropped in favor of Transmission for torrents (upnp issues).
  • Arista transcoder replaced Winff to provide easier video conversions and XFburn takes over for Brasero, an ISO file size decision AS opposed to 'better'.
  • Monitor settings was replaced with Arandr to provide support for multiple monitors. Gigolo stepped in for Samba Client to provide an easier interface for managing networks.
  • Universal Access Tools was added for a multitude of reasons with such programs as Florence Virtual Keyboard, GeSpeaker and xZoom. Also included are right handed and left handed cursor themes of various sizes.

New in LXLE 14.04 Beta 6 (May 22, 2014)

  • Power Management now provided automatically by TLP
  • PCmanFM features enhanced, extended and restored.
  • Panel trash access now replies empty or asks to empty.
  • Battery and # of trash items now reported via conky.
  • Some apps replaced for better functionality/ease of use.
  • Desktop Paradigms updated, tweaked, and or polished.
  • Elementary icons updated, 100 fresh new wallpapers.
  • Handy additional tools added for Openbox only sessions.
  • Addressed Universal Access & Educational solutions.
  • Better support for multiple monitors & languages.
  • Pre-configured Claws-Mail client for better integration.
  • Full featured cross platform remote desktop support options.
  • Background processes optimized for minimal system footprint.

New in LXLE 12.04.4 (Feb 10, 2014)

  • LXLE PPA enabled by default
  • Updated core LXDE components.
  • Updated BleachBit, Catfish, MiniTube
  • Updated Elementary Icon Set
  • Added Steam, VokoScreen, Schedule Tasks
  • Gnome commander replaced with Sunflower.
  • Fast forecast replaced with Typhoon.
  • GDiskDump replaced with Startup Disk Creator.
  • Enhanced Firefox & bookmarks toolbar.
  • New LXLE Splash Screen
  • More Mac like OS X paradigm.
  • Unity Paradigm tweaks.
  • Xscreensaver power management enabled.
  • Scheduled Hibernate/Suspend/Restart/Shutdown.
  • 50 additional wallpapers (100 total). (creative commons)
  • Smaller ISO file size and faster boot times.
  • Security updates automatically installed.
  • Lower overall system resources footprint.
  • Custom Tri-dot menu indicator for all paradigms.
  • DuckDuckGo Region Search Startpage/Plugins.
  • 32 and 64 bit versions are available.
  • Complete list of installed software.

New in LXLE 12.04.3 (Aug 19, 2013)

  • Desktop Paradigms
  • Updated Conky
  • VLC dropped for Totem
  • Added Dictionary
  • Added App Finder
  • Added ClamTK
  • New Fast Forecast
  • Leafpad dropped for Gedit
  • Added & updated Gnome Commander
  • Transmission dropped for Flush
  • Updated Wallpapers
  • LXterminal dropped for Roxterm
  • Added Font Manager
  • Added Filezilla
  • Added Uget
  • Dropped Skype for Linphone
  • Dropped Chromium because of weight.
  • Added disk usage analyzer.
  • Drop Deepin software center for Lubuntu software center (weight)
  • Added seahorse (encryption keys)
  • Added hide show conky info button.
  • Updated 'start' menu.
  • The games are too many to list and should be left as a surprise.