The systemd-free Linux distribution Nitrux OS has just hit version 2.0.0 with numerous changes and new features to give users a more polished and modern Linux experience.
Nitrux is a desktop Linux distro based on Debian Sid and uses KDE Neon repositories to deliver the latest stable versions of Plasma to its users. The distribution has its own desktop interface called NX Desktop, a customization layer for Plasma 5, and a suite of convergent apps called Maui Apps to give users a beautiful modern Linux operating system.
In addition, Nitrux OS uses free and open-source software by default and does not include proprietary software, and it also offers a set of custom Linux kernels available for installation such as XanMod, Liquorix, and Linux Libre kernel.
Nitrux 2.0.0 uses the XanMod Kernel by default, a custom Linux kernel with patches to improve gaming and streaming experiences. The latest mainline LTS (version 5.15.17) and non-LTS (version 5.16.3) kernels are also available in the distro's repositories, to satisfy all users’ needs.
This new version ships with KDE Plasma version 5.23.5, KDE Frameworks version 5.90.0, KDE Gear applications version 21.12.1, Firefox version 96.0, LibreOffice version 7.1.3, Mesa 21.3.5 (with Mesa 22.0 from git-master also available in the distro repositories), and Pacstall (an AUR-like alternative for Ubuntu) version 1.7.1.
The Latte layouts have been updated and a new nx-floating-panel-dark layout has been added.
The layout is similar to previous versions, with a panel at the top and a dock at the bottom of the screen; however, the application menu is moved to the dock, and a plasmoid (Configurable Button) next to it to activate the overview. The task manager is in the middle, and a trash shortcut is next to the session controls.
The Ditto application menu has been replaced by Launchpad Plasma in this Latte layout, and the top panel includes the window controls, title, global menu, and system tray.
The Nitrux development team has updated the window decoration settings to make all windows borderless, by disabling CSD for Maui applications. This makes all apps look the same, and all window controls appear in the same area (top panel or bottom panel) regardless of whether it's a Maui app or not. If users wish to use windows with borders, they can go to System Settings -->Appearance -->Window Decorations -->Select ‘Nitrux’ and click the ‘Edit’ button and select any option other than ‘Always’ in ‘Hide window title bar.’
Note: Since the windows will be borderless, some windows do not support moving the window. In such cases, the default Plasma keyboard shortcut for dragging the window is ALT; Hold it and drag the window with the mouse. Users can resize borderless windows from all corners and hover over each corner, or with ALT + right-click and move the cursor. {alertInfo}
The size of both the standard ISO and minimal ISO have reduced respectively to 2.3G and 1.3G, the default configuration is tweaked to provide smoother KWin performance and overall system responsiveness, and the powerlevel10k theme has been changed for a basic-version due to a bug with Station (a Terminal Emulator) and Nota (Text Editor).
A new package has been added to this version to include firmware for AMD GPUs unavailable in the kernel packages, and the i3 window manager has been replaced by JWM in the minimal ISO.
Linux kernel version 5.4 and 5.10 LTS have been removed from the distro's repositories, and the installation image file no longer contains Kdenlive, Inkscape, and GIMP by default, although these three applications can be installed from the repositories if needed (sudo apt install nx-desktop-appimages-studio).
Lastly, the nano CLI text editor has been replaced by micro, and the Wine AppImage file is no longer available on the distro as its maintainer hadn’t updated it in many months (the distro team recommends using Bottles instead).
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