One of Linux’s many benefits is its means to put in and run on outdated computer systems. What Linux cannot technically do is make an outdated pc’s hardware magically carry out higher. After all, the hardware is identical hardware as ever, and generally outdated hardware feels notably sluggish when processing fashionable software program that tries to reap the benefits of new hardware options. This signifies that an outdated pc working Linux should run a quite primary desktop, as a result of too many results or animations may burn up treasured reminiscence and graphics processing, leading to sluggish efficiency.
The Enlightenment desktop wasn’t designed to unravel this actual downside, however in apply, that is precisely what it does. With its finely crafted basis and customized libraries, Enlightenment supplies a pretty and dynamic setting that runs easily on outdated computer systems and low-powered methods just like the Raspberry Pi. You by no means should really feel such as you’re compromising your consumer expertise (UX) simply since you’re working modest hardware. True to its identify, it delivers on the promise of eco-friendly computing and is the primary line of protection (or second, if Linux itself is the primary) towards deliberate obsolescence.
Of course, you do not have to run Enlightenment on an outdated pc. It works simply as nicely on new computer systems.
Install Enlightenment out of your distribution’s software program repository. Past variations of Enlightenment are nonetheless widespread at present (and a few are nonetheless maintained as separate initiatives), and all of them are good, however the newest variations are those above 20. After putting in it, log off of your present desktop session so you’ll be able to log into your new Enlightenment desktop. By default, your session supervisor (KDM, GDM, LightDM, or XDM, relying in your setup) will proceed to log you into your default desktop, so you need to override the default when logging in.
Here’s easy methods to override the default and change to Enlightenment on GNOME Desktop Manager:
And on KDM:
The first time you log into Enlightenment, it asks for some primary preferences, corresponding to your required language setting, measurement of window title bars, and so forth. It’s OK to just accept the defaults once you’re uncertain, and it is protected to disregard the warning about ConnMan not being out there. Most distributions use NetworkManager as an alternative of Enlightenment’s personal community supervisor, ConnMan.
Enlightenment desktop
By default, the Enlightenment desktop supplies desktop icons for frequent locations, corresponding to your own home listing, the foundation listing, and a short lived listing. There’s additionally a “shelf,” a docking space on the backside of the display the place main purposes can go when minimized, the place launchers might be created for fast entry to frequent purposes, and the place applets (corresponding to quantity management, a clock, keyboard structure, and so forth) run.
Anything configurable in Enlightenment is configurable with a right-click.
Here’s what Enlightenment seems like on Fedora:
Features
To entry an utility menu, click on anyplace on the desktop. Enlightenment is a desktop setting, but it surely’s disguised as a window supervisor. Its major activity is that can assist you prepare and handle home windows, but it surely additionally ships with a file supervisor (referred to as Fileman) and has choices to make use of a community supervisor referred to as ConnMan and its personal terminal referred to as Terminology. It additionally has a worldwide settings panel to assist handle themes, keyboard shortcuts, display decision, and so forth.
Because Enlightenment ships with only a few purposes, your default utility set can keep the identical as what you had been utilizing earlier than attempting Enlightenment. All of your Ok apps or GNOME purposes and third-party purposes like Firefox or Blender or LibreOffice will perform as ordinary.
Enlightenment is a clean, interesting, and fashionable desktop expertise. Settle in and turn into enlightened!