After a grueling six months, the Gnome Project has announced the release of Gnome 2.12, the latest version of the multi-platform, free desktop environment which provides tools for everyday work as also a platform for software developers.

Gnome is part of the GNU Project and is a free software. Although Gnome runs on various platforms i.e. BSD, HP-UX, Solaris, GNU/Linux and Apple's Darwin, Gnome 2.12 is designed to port Gnome tools to Windows as well.

Gnome's latest offspring is a combination of basic applications such as web browsing, email, file management, system menus etc. and high-end applications like GIMP, Inkscape, Abiword and Gnumeric.

According to reports, Gnome 2.12 incorporates several new features and promises to be a major improvement over GNOME 2.10.

Gnome 2.12 includes a new standard for desktops called "ClearLooks" which makes desktops look more attractive while remaining uncluttered. The file manager known as "Nautilus" has several user interface improvements. Gnome 2.12 features rotated menus which make vertical panels possible. The "Totem" video player in Gnome 2.12 includes a playlist sidebar and supports DVD subtitles and menus.

In its latest "avatar" Gnome's integrated email and groupware client called "Evolution" features an improved menu layout and attachments bar and enables PGP signatures and in-line PGP encryption. Gnome 2.12's other improvements are in the area of games and the search tool, which now shows thumbnail images instead of generic icons.

Sources reveal that while the Gnome 2.12 LiveCD is immediately available for download, Linux and other versions of UNIX will integrate, package and ship Gnome 2.12 in the next few months.


Source : Techtree