Slackware-based Zenwalk Linux returns with "Santa Claus" edition
Fully compatible with Slackware, on which it is based, Zenwalk Linux targets desktop users and has been around for almost two decades. At the end of May 2024, it surfaced as Minislack. In mid-August 2005, it changed its name to Zenwalk. It currently uses Xfce as its desktop environment, but GNOME and KDE fans can grab the packages separately and make the switch on their own. Last year, the project was quite silent, although it received the Syncthing continuous file synchronization app and the Waterfox web browser alongside various system updates and fresh Adwaita visual themes with a unified look for GTK4, GTK3, GTK2, and QT applications. Now, Xfce 4.20 arrives as part of the "Santa Claus" edition, which is also labeled 241227.
Moving up from the kernel 5.15.19 of the 220204 release, Zenwalk 241227 comes with version 6.12.6 of the Linux core, alongside highlights such as:
- Firefox 133.0.3, while Chromium is no longer available (the previous release came with Chromium 97).
- Alsa-lib 1.2.13 updates version 1.2.5.1.
- GCC 14.2.0 and glibc 2.40.
- OpenSSH 9.9p1, OpenSSL 3.4.0, Perl 5.40.0.
- QT 6.8.1.
- Samba 4.21.2, up from 4.15.5.
- Thunderbird 130.0, previously not included.
- Wayland 1.23.1, xfdesktop 4.20.0, and xorg-server 21.1.15.
Those who want to discover all there is to know about Xfce 4.20 should check out the official changelog. The list of changes is generous and includes support for stretch theme variants in the window manager, multiple improvements in the Thunar file manager, and much more.
Since Thunderbird might be a completely new app for some Zenwalk users, they might want to check out Thunderbird Mail: The comprehensive guide for beginners and advanced users, which is available in Kindle format (free with Kindle Unlimited and $4.99 to buy) and paperback form ($17.60).
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