Bodhi Linux is a minimalistic Linux distribution that uses the Enlightenment Desktop (E17). Based on Ubuntu, Bodhi Linux is a semi-rolling release distribution: it comes with the core Ubuntu LTS packages but it also uses backports for its applications so the users can get the latest app updates.

The latest Bodhi Linux 2.2.0, released yesterday, is the first version to ship with the new stable E17 desktop.

But that's not all, the new release also comes with two 32bit versions: one that has PAE enabled by default and one that uses the non-PAE Linux Kernel - however, the non-PAE Kernel is older: 3.2 while the PAE-enabled version ships with the 3.7 Kernel. This means that old computers that couldn't boot the previous release (or that can't boot Ubuntu 12.04 / 12.10) can now do so by using the Bodhi Linux 2.2.0 non-PAE ISO.

Bodhi Linux is a fast, minimalistic Enlightenment (E17) Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. Bodhi 0.1.4 beta was released yesterday bringing two different themes (light and dark) and four different custom Enlightenment configurations to choose from:

When you first boot Bodhi, a configuration window will be displayed where you can select your language as well as the theme color and layout:

(Fancy Light)

Bodhi Linux is a new minimalistic Linux distro that uses the Enlightenment (E17) desktop. It's based on Ubuntu 10.04, however some packages have been backported from Ubuntu 10.10 - such as the 2.6.35 kernel. Also, the Enlightenment packages are updated weekly with new builds from SVN.

The default Bodhi Linux theme looks very geekish, using black and green which at first I thought it would be annoying but I quickly got used to it and further more I ended up loving it by the time I've finished writing this post. Don't worry though, it can be easily changed if you don't like it from the Enlightenment menu.

Even though it is minimalistic, Bodhi Linux tries to cover every little aspect to make your desktop experience enjoyable. And for everything else, the new online software center (which should be available soon - read on for more info) will allow you to install any extra packages you may need to further tweak or enhance Bodhi with minimum effort.

Another aspect worth mentioning is the desktop effects which, having not used Enlightement for a long time, I forgot how cool they are. Don't compare it with Compiz - these are some simple transition effects but nevertheless very cool, especially since they can run on very low specs computers. However, if you want Compiz, you can have it in Enlightenment as long as your hardware supports it - see the following post: HOWTO: Enable Compiz under Bodhi (Enlightenment).

Enlightenment, also known simply as E, is a window manager for the X Window System which can be used alone or in conjunction with a desktop environment such as GNOME or KDE. Enlightenment is often used as a substitute for a full desktop environment.

Enlightenment version 0.17, or E17 is a complete rewrite on DR16 (0.16) and was designed to be a full-fledged desktop shell, based on the new Enlightenment Foundation Libraries. E17 is very fast and responsive, and should be good for older computers or netbooks.

I've been wanting to try our E17 in Karmic but I never had time to set it up. kappa962's post made me want to try it finally (credits go to him). I will also try it soon on my netbook (E17 comes with different setups you can choose when you first install it: for netbooks, desktops, minimal, etc.).