

Semplice ready to launch apps The developers of Semplice Linux have released version 3.0.0 of their lightweight distribution. Semplice is based on Debian Sid and uses the Openbox window manager. The distribution also includes Chromium as its default browser, the LightDM login manager, and its own graphical installer, which has been updated. Other updated packages include new versions of the Exaile and GNOME MPlayer media players, Pidgin, and the Guake terminal. For a lightweight office suite, Semplice combines Abiword and Gnumeric.

The Guake terminal application is available as an alternative to the default Roxterm and provides a terminal that unfolds from the top of the screen when invoked with a hotkey. It mimics the style, originally made popular by Quake, of the built-in console in many first person shooter and other games; this also gives the application its

Semplice and the Guake terminal name. Semplice Linux aims to provide a lightweight desktop environment that is easy to use and its application selection means that it is able to run on older hardware with reasonable speed.

32- and 64-bit images for Semplice 3.0.0 are available from the project's web site. More information about the changes from Semplice 2.x can be found in the release notes, which also include a list of known issues with the release.

(fab)