Many customers who’re on the lookout for a user-friendly Arch-based Linux distribution often find yourself with a distro like Garuda Linux, and I imply, who can blame them? Garuda Linux is so cool!
Last month, the venture turned 4, marking a serious milestone for the colourful distro. But that is not all. We now have a brand new Garuda Linux launch that has been given the codename “Bird of Prey”, derived not from Harley Quinn’s escapades, however from the precise birds that hunt different vertebrates.
Let’s fly into this launch and take a look at what’s on supply 🕊️
🆕 Garuda Linux “Bird of Prey”: What’s New?
Compared to its earlier launch, Garuda Linux’s first launch of 2024 has some essential issues to carry to the desk. It is powered by Linux kernel 6.8 and options the next key highlights:
- FireDragon’s Floorp Connection
- Desktop Environment Upgrades
- New Wallpapers
FireDragon’s Floorp Connection
Starting with this launch, Garuda Linux’s internet browser, FireDragon, now makes use of the favored Firefox fork, Floorp as a robust base to build on, ditching Librewolf within the course of.
During the testing part for this, many group members got here collectively to report bugs, which have been fastened earlier than the discharge. FireDragon now additionally has many enhancements, like sooner webpage loading, revamped branding, a customizable sidebar, rounded web page corners, and extra.
We have coated the underlying Floorp browser individually, in case you are curious:
Floorp Browser: Is It The Most Advanced Cross-Platform Firefox Derivative?
Let’s check out one other fascinating Firefox fork, Floorp.
Desktop Environment Upgrades
This launch options upgraded desktop environments with fixes and enhancements throughout the board.
Starting with Hyprland, Garuda Linux comes with a particular variant referred to as G-Hyprland that has extra capabilities like the flexibility to tweak the blurring of home windows, change the nook dimension/hole of home windows, and new waybar themes.
Moreover, you additionally get assist for customized static/animated wallpapers, and a slideshow choice for wallpapers.
Then, on the KDE Plasma-equipped Dr460nized facet, many plasmoids have been ported to Plasma 6, preliminary HDR assist is being provided, and Wayland is now the default session.
The Garuda System Maintenance instrument was additionally up to date, permitting customers to upgrade from Plasma 5 Dr460nized to Plasma 6.
For Sway, in a bid to enhance the log in expertise, ReGreet was launched. Then, we now have the screenshot instrument which was modified to Swappy, the clipboard supervisor was modified to Cliphist, and a brand new cheat sheet that was added for straightforward understanding of key bindings.
The default terminal emulator and app launcher additionally sees a change, with Foot and Fuzzel now taking on these duties.
New Wallpapers
You additionally get some neat wallpapers with this launch. There are three new wallpapers that have been chosen from the wallpaper contest. The one you could have been seeing all through this text known as “Rave” by Mior_D_Miro.
The different two runner-ups have been “Garuda Bird of Prey (4)” by mr_maniac_2k, and “Garuda SpaceBird” by elite.
Surprisingly, the Garuda Linux build I checked out did not function the runner-ups I discussed earlier, however solely the “Rave” one.
🛠️ Other Changes and Improvements
Apart from the highlights of this launch, listed below are another modifications:
- Continuation of the infrastructure upgrade work.
- Dropping of the Qtile version because the maintainer needed to shift their focus.
- A number of updates to the slides proven throughout set up, for a extra trendy feel and look.
- ISO photos are actually mechanically verified throughout boot and can forestall booting if there are any points.
There are a couple of different modifications that aren’t talked about above. You can undergo the discharge weblog or the official changelogs to study these.
📥 Download Garuda Linux “Bird of Prey”
You can get this launch on any of the 9 editions (sure, you learn that appropriately) of Garuda Linux from the official web site.
There’s a gaming version within the combine that may curiosity the gamer in you.
If you require any additional help concerning this launch, you may seek advice from the official wiki.
Suggested Read 📖
Top 10 User-friendly Arch-Based Linux Distributions [2024]
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