14 DAY TRIAL // Point Linux is a GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian GNU/Linux, and for the first time, it makes use of the GNOME desktop environment. Its makers have just released a new Beta update for it, which is not ready for download and testing.
The Point Linux distro actually comes in two editions, one based on Debian "Wheezy" and one on Debian "Jessie." The result of this policy is that the current stable iteration of the system is updated and ready for use, and the development one integrates all of the latest improvements from the Debian branch. It's a very interesting policy and not too many devs actually go through all this trouble.
The current Beta is using Debian "Jessie" and it's still well into the development cycle. It's still being upgraded and all sorts of new features are being added. It's too early to see whether this will be the final version, but it's still interesting to watch it unfold.
Point Linux 3.0 Beta 3 gets a ton of new packages
The previous Beta only featured the MATE desktop environment, but the developers are now ready to also integrate GNOME 3.14. It's a little bit late to the party, and we can only hope that it won't delay the launch of the final version for this operating system.
"Point Linux team proudly announces the availability of the Point Linux 3.0 Beta 3. The key feature of this release is the new GNOME 3.14 edition that hopefully will make a perfect company to the existing MATE desktop. Just like in the previous MATE only releases, Point Linux GNOME edition comes in two suites, 'Full' for the fully functional out-of-the-box desktop, and 'Core', containing only the basic and free components leaving you ability to customize your Point Linux installation the way you like it."
"Based on the recently introduced GNOME 'Classic' mode Point Linux combines it with the custom tweaks and the brand new dark panel theme aiming to bring the best possible experience for the GNOME 2 fans. Point Linux MATE 3.0 Beta 3 got many under-the-hood bug fixes and infrastructural changes. Both editions are based on the updated Debian packages including LibreOffice 4.3.3.2 office suite and the latest Mozilla Firefox 34.0.5 web browser that now comes with the Google Safe Browsing option disabled by default to ensure the maximum privacy," reads the official announcement.
The devs also mention that Linux kernel 3.16 has been added by default, LightDM is now at version 1.10.3 , and the GUI Point Linux Installer 0.19.2 has been provided. A complete list of changes and improvements can be found in the official announcement. You can download Point Linux 3.0 Beta 3 right now from Softpedia, but please remember that it is still under development and not suited for production machines.
