Xfce 4.20: A Leap Forward in Lightweight Desktop Environments

On December 15, 2024, the Xfce team unveiled Xfce 4.20, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of this beloved lightweight desktop environment. This release brings a host of new features, improvements, and experimental Wayland support, solidifying Xfce's position as a go-to choice for users seeking a balance between performance and functionality.

What is a Desktop Environment?

A desktop environment (DE) is a collection of software that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for interacting with your computer system. It typically includes a window manager, file manager, panels, widgets, and integrated applications that work together to create a cohesive user experience[2].

The importance of a desktop environment cannot be overstated. It serves as the primary interface between the user and the operating system, streamlining interactions and enhancing productivity. A well-designed desktop environment can make complex tasks more intuitive, improve workflow efficiency, and provide a visually appealing workspace.

Xfce: Origins and Evolution

Xfce, which stands for XForms Common Environment, was originally created by Olivier Fourdan in 1996. Initially inspired by the commercial Common Desktop Environment (CDE), Xfce has since evolved into a fully independent and open-source project. Its primary goal has always been to provide a lightweight, fast, and user-friendly desktop environment without sacrificing functionality[2].

Over the years, Xfce has gained a loyal following among Linux and BSD users who appreciate its balance of performance and features. It has become particularly popular on older or resource-constrained hardware, where its efficiency shines.

Xfce 4.20: What's New?

The release of Xfce 4.20 marks almost two years of development since the previous major version, 4.18. During this time, the Xfce team has been hard at work implementing new features, squashing bugs, and preparing the codebase for the future of desktop computing[1].

Wayland Support

One of the most significant developments in Xfce 4.20 is the introduction of experimental Wayland support for most components[1]. Wayland is a modern display server protocol designed to replace the aging X11 system, offering improved security, better multi-monitor support, and smoother graphics performance. While Xfce's Wayland support is still in its early stages, this marks a crucial step towards future-proofing the desktop environment[7].

Other Notable Features

- Improved support for HiDPI displays[7]

- Introduction of libxfce4windowing, a new abstraction library for windowing-system-independent functionality[7]

- Enhancements to the Thunar file manager, including IPv6 support and the ability to create symbolic links on remote locations[7]

- Support for SVG wallpapers on large screens and custom colours for icon labels and backgrounds[7]

- New options for sorting folders before files and placing dropped files near the cursor location[7]

- Improved Recently Used Files behaviour in Thunar[7]

Components Awaiting Wayland Support

While Xfce 4.20 has made significant strides in Wayland support, some components are still in the process of being ported. As of this release, the following components lack full Wayland support[7]:

- Xfwm4 (window manager)

- Xfdashboard

- Xfce4-screensaver

- Xfce4-windowck-plugin

- Xfce4-xkb-plugin

Popular Distributions Featuring Xfce

Xfce's popularity has led to its inclusion in numerous Linux and BSD distributions. Some notable examples include[5]:

1. Xubuntu: An official Ubuntu flavour that comes with Xfce pre-installed

2. Manjaro Xfce: A user-friendly Arch-based distribution with an Xfce edition

3. Fedora Xfce Spin: An official Fedora variant featuring the Xfce desktop

4. Debian Xfce: The venerable Debian distribution offers Xfce as one of its desktop options

5. PorteuX Xfce: The current/rolling (bleeding edge) version of this Linux distro based on Slackware[15]

Getting Involved and Supporting Xfce

The Xfce project thrives on community involvement and contributions. If you're interested in getting involved or supporting the project, here are some ways to do so[2]:

1. Join the conversation: Participate in discussions on the Xfce forums, mailing lists, or IRC channels.

2. Contribute code: If you're a developer, you can contribute to Xfce's codebase through their GitLab repository.

3. Translate: Help make Xfce accessible to users worldwide by contributing translations.

4. Report bugs and suggest features: Use the Xfce bug tracker to report issues or propose new features.

5. Donate: Consider making a financial contribution to support the project's infrastructure and development efforts.

Conclusion

Xfce 4.20 represents a significant step forward for this beloved desktop environment. It should soon be available in the stable software repositories of many popular distributions. With its experimental Wayland support, numerous improvements, and ongoing commitment to efficiency, Xfce continues to be a compelling choice for users who value performance, simplicity, and customization. As the project moves forward, it's clear that Xfce remains dedicated to providing a lightweight yet powerful desktop experience that can adapt to the changing landscape of computing.

Disclaimer

This article is based on the information available at the time of writing and may not reflect all changes or features in the final release of Xfce 4.20. For the most up-to-date and comprehensive information, please refer to the official Xfce documentation and release notes.

References

[1] Xfce 4.20 Desktop Released With Wayland Improvements & New Features - Phoronix

[2] About – Xfce

[3] releng:wayland_roadmap [Xfce Wiki]

[4] Xfce 4.20 Aiming For Release In December - Phoronix

[5] 8 reasons to use the Xfce Linux desktop environment | Opensource.com

[6] Xfce 4.20 released - Alexxcon's Software Development Blog

[7] Xfce 4.20 Desktop Environment Released with Experimental Wayland Support - 9to5Linux

[8] XFCE - amazing desktop environment for Linux

[9] Xfce 4.20 Pre2 Unveiled: Stable Release Just Around the Corner

[10] Xfce 4.18 is Out – Here are the Best New Features - OMG! Ubuntu

[11] News – Xfce 4.20 released