Lubuntu - Ubuntu with LXDE
I had written a while back about the release of Lubuntu – an officially endorsed version of Ubuntu with LXDE desktop. The project was scheduled for release at the same time as Karmic Koala, at the end of October. Although a beta .iso was issued, there have been delays and they haven’t managed to meet the October deadline.
There will be not, therefore, be any official Lubuntu 9.10 distro. Instead, the developers are aiming for the Ubuntu 10.04 release schedule. Next April – hopefully – we will have Lubuntu Lucid Lynx! The developers hope to incorporate new artwork and themes, and there are ongoing discussions about which applications will be included. More information is available at their Wiki.
There is currently a lubuntu-desktop package available in Ubuntu’s Multiverse repository, if you’re desperate to try it, though I understand it is still very much a work in progress.
I’ll update as I hear more on this project. Watch this space.
Welcome! I'm Mesanna, based in the UK, with a lust for computers, web design and other assorted geekery. I mostly write about Linux and tech news, but now and then I enjoy getting on my soap box for a good, old-fashioned rant. I'm rather fond of reading, Mexican food and rock music (sometimes all at the same time). I couldn't live without caffeine and my internet connection.
8 Comments
That’s a shame it’s going to be delayed. For now i’d recomend masonux if you want to give lxde in ubuntu a go.
I’ve tried Masonux on my EEE and it worked well. Don’t think they’ve released a Karmic version yet though.
Thanks Mesanna – I wondered what happened.
And thanks Ben – Masonux looks great ( http://sites.google.com/site/masonux/home ) “It uses unmodified Ubuntu packages and the default software repositories.” I like those choices. When 9.10 is ready I’ll try it out.
I’ve been hanging on in CrunchBang 8.10, planning to install Lubuntu 9.10. Masonux looks like a good option. I’d been thinking about regular Ubuntu, with either the LXDE package or (since there seems to be little info on that) just Openbox and a few other bits to make a CrunchBang style desktop. But I’m glad to have a less fiddly option.
LXDE has always been excessively buggy for me on every ‘buntu and every ‘buntu-based variant I’ve tried. It shows alot of promise and I sure wish the project well, but I wonder if the folks at Canonical have “done something to LXDE” to make it so difficult on Ubuntu. It runs great on Debian, PCLinuxOS, even Mepis. But on any Ubuntu flavor, it crashes, mutes audio, disables normal shutdown, and “argues” with HAL. U-Lite, Masonux, Lubuntu-desktop (which REALLY sucks) – all have these annoying bugs which simply don’t appear when LXDE is applied to non-Ubuntu-based Linux. I wonder what’s up with that? But it does help explain the long delays in the Lubuntu project I guess.
That’s interesting what you say Robin. I hadn’t tried LXDE on anything but Ubuntu (using Masonux). I did have the problem with muted audio, which wasn’t a deal breaker for me, but aside from that it ran fine on my EEE PC. Hopefully the Lubuntu project will put out something worthwhile. I’d rather they delayed and released a decent product than pushed out something half-baked.
I agree, Messana. LXDE is certainly lightweight, but I get the strong impression that when LXDE matures, it will be little different from Xfce.
LXDE seems at cross-purposes with Ubuntu’s efforts to “be all things to all users” aims. And with it being constantly “under heavy development,” it’s little wonder that there are so many delays in the Lubuntu project.
I wonder, if when Lubuntu is finally released, what Mint will name their version (read: copy) of it? Linux Lint?
robinzrants: (1st comment)
Thanks for the warning on LXDE-Ubuntu compatibility.
Interestingly, Crunchbang also uses an Ubuntu base with Openbox and a few components of LXDE, but seems to make these work fine.
But I’m interested in trying the full LXDE desktop, and am not really happy with Ubuntu anyway (esp the rigid release schedule – would rather they got it right then released). Now looking at Mandriva and Fedora, but waiting till others have ironed out any bugs.
(2nd comment):
I get the strong impression that when LXDE matures, it will be little different from Xfce.
Really? How so?
LXDE seems at cross-purposes with Ubuntu’s efforts to “be all things to all users” aims.
Not at all – LXDE is much more sensitive to keeping things simple from the perspective of the end user than other projects, I’ve found, yet finds elegant & lean ways to implement this. The lead developer, “PCMan”, started as a Windows application coder, and is still committed to developing applications that an average Windows user (for example) can just use without needing lessons in how Linux works.
@Chris Watkins:
I thought Crunchbang with LXDE on top would be the perfect combination of speed and ease! Crunch uses Openbox and so does LXDE. Crunchbang already uses alot of LXDE components, so I assumed they’d be perfect to compliment each other. Hooboy, way I wrong. The muted sound was no show stopper by itself, but having to force shutdowns, well, that (in combination with other minor bugs) was the showstopper.
I agree with you about the strict Ubuntu release schedule. It should only be released when it’s ready, period. I get the very strong sense that anyone who is using Karmic is actually “testing” an early Lucid. If I were an Ubuntu user, I’d be sticking to the long term support releases instead of “upgrading” every six months.
I commented:
I get the strong impression that when LXDE matures, it will be little different from Xfce.
…and you asked: Really? How so?
I’ve learned that LXDE takes the majority of its code from Xfce. They even look and act very similarly. LXDE certainly has the edge in speed though, and it’s a much smaller download.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved LXDE when it worked, and I wish the project well. I’ve retained (from my brief love affair with LXDE) PCManFM in my Xfce box because it’s more intuitive in my opinion, and the “Open current folder as root” option is very useful.
I commented: LXDE seems at cross-purposes with Ubuntu’s efforts to “be all things to all users” aims.
Poor choice of words on my part. LXDE does indeed aim for simplicity to be sure, but Ubuntu isn’t about being lightweight. Ubuntu is about being fully featured and offering some eye candy (Compiz-Fusion effects, “the Cube,” all that wicked cool impress-your-friends stuff). That’s the only “cross purpose” really.
I kept LXDE with minimal Ubuntu on an older computer at the dance studio for kids to use between dance classes. It was superfast, very simple, and instrumental in converting a few families to Linux. I’m definitely an LXDE fan. All I’m say’n is, it ain’t ready for prime time yet. At least not on Ubuntu and its derivatives. When it is ready, I’ll be first in line to try it again.