Latest version of the popular, multi-platform desktop environment boasts simpler user interface and a host of powerful developer tools.
OTTAWA, Canada – June 26, 2002 – The GNOME Foundation today released version 2.0 of the GNOME Desktop and Developer Platform at the Ottawa Linux Symposium. With the inclusion of GNOME 2.0 by leading Linux and Unix vendors later this year, users of GNOME can look forward to an improved user environment for existing GNOME applications, including a faster and more powerful Nautilus file manager, features that are better organized and usability-tested, dozens of useful utilities, applications and even games. Users and administrators will also see a new, simplified configuration system. Developers can look forward to more efficient application development with stronger integration of GNOME APIs and the advantages of GNOME’s component-based architecture.
“The GNOME 2.0 project is the culmination of a major effort which had the dual objectives of dramatically improving developer productivity and significantly enhancing the GNOME user experience,” said Miguel de Icaza, president of the GNOME Foundation and CTO and co-founder of Ximian, Inc. “The result is an elegant, new multi-platform desktop environment for individual, corporate and government users worldwide.”
GNOME is supported on a variety of platforms, including GNU/Linux (more commonly referred to as Linux), Solaris ™ Operating Environment, HP-UX, Unix, BSD and Apple’s Darwin. The enhanced user interface moves from a traditional X Window System interface to one that is easy to use and familiar to users of other environments. The user interface also boasts powerful features such as high-quality smooth text rendering and first class internationalization support, including support for bi-directional text.
“Developing on the GNOME platform will take a leap forward with the release of 2.0,” said Havoc Pennington, GNOME Foundation board chair and technical lead for desktop engineering at Red Hat, Inc. “The industrial-strength GTK+ 2.0 toolkit, combined with add-on tools such as Glade, Python and our CORBA implementation make GNOME the natural choice for developers on a variety of platforms. GNOME’s component-based architecture makes it possible for developers to use already existing tools, libraries and features, cutting development time significantly.”
GNOME 2.0 has a host of advanced accessibility features for users with disabilities and a built-in accessibility framework for developers to meet Section 508 requirements. Developers of GNOME 2.0 have devoted thousands of man-hours to ensuring that GNOME will be accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. More features and enhanced accessibility capabilities will be added later this year.
GNOME 2.0 boasts some significant advances for developers, including an enhanced GTK Toolkit, new libraries and widgets, as well as the unparalleled advantages of GNOME’s component-based architecture. GNOME’s libraries are available for use in any application, without fees, under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License.
GNOME 2.0 is the first of the GNOME 2.x series. Future releases will bring more features to the core desktop, while adding GNOME 2 native versions of popular applications such as Evolution, Galeon, Mozilla and Gnumeric.
Availability
Developers and users wishing to install the GNOME 2.0 Desktop and Developer Platform may freely download the software at www.gnome.org. The software includes the GNOME 2.0 desktop interface, file manager, menus and utilities, as well as the complete set of development tools and libraries.
GNOME 2.0 versions of popular applications will be available later this year. GNOME 2.0 will be available later this year on the Solaris ™ Operating Environment, HP-UX and Red Hat Linux, as well as being distributed by Ximian and other Linux distributions as part of their offerings.
About GNOME
GNOME is a free software project that is developing a complete, easy to use desktop for Linux-based operating systems, BSD and a variety of other Unix and Unix-like operating systems. The GNOME desktop is used by millions of people around the world. More than 500 computer developers, including over 100 full-time, paid developers, contribute their time and effort to the project.
About the GNOME Foundation
Comprised of hundreds of volunteer developers and industry-leading companies, the GNOME Foundation is an organization committed to supporting the advancement of GNOME. The Foundation is a member directed, non-profit organization that provides financial, organizational and legal support to the GNOME project and helps determine its vision and roadmap. GNOME is an entirely free user environment for desktops, networked servers and portable Internet devices. The modern architecture and design of GNOME includes a technically advanced application development platform and a powerful end-user desktop environment. Major leading software industry and computer manufacturers support the GNOME development effort, which is led by a worldwide community of volunteers. More information on GNOME is available at www.gnome.org.
LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. RED HAT is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.