Enlightenment 0.27: A Lightweight Desktop Environment with a Rich History

Enlightenment 0.27: A Lightweight Desktop Environment with a Rich History

Enlightenment, often referred to simply as "E," is a unique and versatile window manager that has been a part of the Linux ecosystem for nearly three decades. On January 11, 2025, the Enlightenment project announced the release of version 0.27.0, marking another milestone in its long and storied development. Let's dive into the world of Enlightenment, exploring its origins, features, and the latest improvements in this new release.

The Origins of Enlightenment

Enlightenment was born in 1997, the brainchild of Carsten Haitzler, an Australian developer with a vision for a flexible and visually appealing window manager[5]. It's important to note that Enlightenment predates popular desktop environments like GNOME and KDE, making it one of the oldest continuously maintained open-source desktop projects[1].

Originally designed as a window manager for the X Window System, Enlightenment has evolved over the years into a full-fledged desktop environment when used in conjunction with the Enlightenment Foundation Libraries (EFL)[4]. This combination allows Enlightenment to function as a complete desktop solution while maintaining its lightweight nature.

The Enlightenment Philosophy

At its core, Enlightenment is designed to be resource-efficient, making it an excellent choice for older or less powerful hardware. However, this efficiency doesn't come at the cost of visual appeal. Enlightenment supports advanced visual effects and animations, striking a balance between performance and aesthetics[1].

One of Enlightenment's most notable features is its extreme flexibility. Users can configure the environment to be simple and minimalistic or complex and feature-rich. This adaptability has been both a strength and a potential weakness for the project, as the sheer number of options can be overwhelming for some users[3].

Unique Features of Enlightenment

Enlightenment stands out from other window managers and desktop environments in several ways:

1. Theming System: Enlightenment was the first window manager to introduce themes in X11. These themes, now called "Edje" files (.edj), are pre-packaged data files containing all images, layouts, and animations needed for a complete look and feel[3].

2. Efficient Resource Management: The theming system is designed to be memory-efficient, loading only the necessary components as needed[3].

3. Flexible Virtual Desktops: Enlightenment offers a unique approach to virtual desktops, allowing users to move windows between desktops simply by dragging them off the screen edge[5].

4. Composite Window Manager: Enlightenment functions as both a window manager and a compositor, providing smooth animations and transparency effects[4].

5. Wayland Support: While primarily supporting X11, Enlightenment also offers experimental Wayland support, paving the way for future compatibility[4].

Enlightenment 0.27.0: What's New?

The release of Enlightenment 0.27.0 comes after more than a year of development since the previous 0.26 version. While the official announcement was characteristically brief, a deeper look into the changes reveals several improvements and new features[1][2]:

1. Updated Translations: The new version includes improved translations for Japanese, Polish, Georgian, and Portuguese languages, making Enlightenment more accessible to a global audience[1].

2. Technical Improvements: 

   - Enhanced ALSA mixer error handling

   - Improved support for flat mouse acceleration

   - Better high-resolution scrolling

   - Fixes for the hibernate command on OpenBSD[1]

3. New "Convertible" Module: This addition enhances Enlightenment's adaptability to different hardware configurations[1].

4. Edge Settings and Input Configurations: Updates in these areas provide users with more control over their desktop experience[1].

5. Wayland Session Improvements: The Wayland session desktop file has been renamed for better clarity, indicating ongoing development in Wayland support[1].

Distributions Supporting Enlightenment

Enlightenment has garnered support from various Linux and BSD distributions over the years. Some notable examples include:

- Bodhi Linux: A lightweight Ubuntu-based distribution that uses Enlightenment as its default desktop environment.

- Elive: Offers a pure Enlightenment experience, showcasing the desktop environment in its full glory.

- Arch Linux: Offers Enlightenment as one of its desktop environment options.

Additionally, Enlightenment can be installed on most major Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian and FreeBSD [5,10].

Getting Involved with Enlightenment

The Enlightenment project welcomes contributions from the community in various forms:

1. Code Contributions: Developers can contribute by resolving issues, submitting patches, or working on new features[6].

2. Documentation: Writers can help improve project documentation, from fixing typos to creating comprehensive tutorials[6].

3. Translations: Multilingual users can assist in translating Enlightenment and its applications to make them accessible to a broader audience[6].

4. Design: Designers can contribute by creating new themes for Enlightenment and its applications[6].

5. Donations: The Enlightenment Association, a non-profit organization registered in France, accepts monetary donations to support the project's development and infrastructure[6].

6. Community Support: Users can join official IRC channels and mailing lists to provide support, share ideas, and engage with the Enlightenment community[6].

Enlightenment vs. Other Window Managers

When comparing Enlightenment to other window managers and desktop environments, several factors stand out:

- Flexibility: Unlike more rigid environments like GNOME or KDE, Enlightenment offers extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor their desktop experience precisely to their liking.

- Resource Efficiency: Compared to heavier desktop environments, Enlightenment maintains a lightweight footprint, making it suitable for older or less powerful hardware.

- Unique Features: Enlightenment's approach to virtual desktops and window management sets it apart from traditional window managers like Openbox or Fluxbox.

- Visual Effects: While lightweight, Enlightenment offers more advanced visual effects than many minimal window managers, bridging the gap between simplicity and eye-catching design.

- Learning Curve: Due to its unique approach and extensive options, Enlightenment may have a steeper learning curve compared to more conventional desktop environments.

- Development Pace: Enlightenment's development cycle is generally slower than some larger projects, but it maintains a dedicated community and consistent progress.

Conclusion

Enlightenment 0.27.0 continues the project's tradition of offering a unique, flexible, and visually appealing desktop environment. With its rich history and ongoing development, Enlightenment remains a compelling choice for users seeking a lightweight yet customizable desktop experience. Whether you're a long-time Linux enthusiast or a newcomer looking to explore alternative desktop environments, Enlightenment offers a blend of efficiency and aesthetics that's worth exploring.

Disclaimer

This article provides an overview of Enlightenment 0.27.0 based on available information as of January 13, 2025. Features, compatibility, and development status may change over time. Users are encouraged to consult official Enlightenment documentation and community resources for the most up-to-date information before making any decisions based on this content.

References

[1] Enlightenment 0.27 Desktop Environment Released

[2] Enlightenment 0.27.0 Release : r/linux

[3] Changes/Enlightenment - Fedora Project Wiki

[4] Enlightenment.org

[5] The Windows Manager -Enlightenment - mvps.net blog

[6] Contribute - Enlightenment

[7] Enlightenment 0.27 Released - Phoronix

[8] Enlightenment (window manager) - Wikipedia

[9] Enlightenment 0.27.0 Release

[10] Enlightenment Download (DEB, PKG, RPM, TGZ, XBPS, XZ, ZST)