Enos OS 0.4
Swapping out Xfce’s window manager for elementary OS’s proves most pleasing to hybrid fan Jonni Bidwell.
Jonni Bidwell
SPECS
A lightweight, Xubuntu-based distro aimed at beginners and those using older hardware. It utilises the Gala window manager for a different take on the Xfce desktop, featuring the Plank dock and global menus. See also: antiX, elementary OS.
We’re fans of both elementary OS and Xfce, so when Enso OS popped up on our radar our curiosity was duly piqued. Enso makes use of Gala, elementary OS’s window manager that together with the Plank dock (also used in elementary) gives the Xfce desktop a polished, modern look.
Indeed, at first glance it’s barely recognisable. Enso doesn’t use the rest of elementary’s Pantheon desktop, so it doesn’t immediately resemble that either, beyond having a similar air of svelte about it. When you boot the live environment a friendly screen (pictured, right) welcomes you to this Singing Sunflower release. If you click through to the menu you can change user details (which isn’t really relevant for the live environment), access settings, launch the software manager, and visit the online documentation and Gitter chat room.