gNewSense GNU/ Linux project is an Ubuntu based distribution intended to be 100% free software through the removal of all non-free components from Ubuntu and Debian. It has lower booting time and runs faster than Ubuntu, even in a virtual machine deployed on a Windows operating system.The latest version of gNewSense Linux distribution (gNewSense 2.2), a second point update to the release code named “deltah” contains GLX into the default install, which enables hardware acceleration, by allowing you to play 3D games and use Compiz to achieve fast desktop effects based on 3D graphics hardware.

The default desktop is GNOME, but after the installation the user is allowed to change it with XFCE or KDE. The graphical user interface provides an unique user experience, while the applications installed by default, like web browsers ( Epiphany web browser), office tools (Open Office.org suite), email clients (Evolution Mail), instant messaging client (Pidgin) and many others will give anyone the benefits of an optimal working environment designated for a rapid execution of common tasks.

In the same time, developers will find everything they need to complete their projects: GNU Emacs, the entire GNU developer tools suite, various compilers, debuggers and more. The gNewSense developers team, as a part of the gNewSense project, has also created a Builder which allows you to a new GNU/Linux distribution based on Ubuntu Hardy (the tutorial can be read here).

If you want to try the “hidden senses” of Ubuntu with GNewSense 2.2 Linux distribution, it is available for free download as Live CD for x86 platforms.

These are the changes made to the gNewSene and Buider in 2.2 version:

gNewSense:

- Installer now supports two more filesystems
- GLX re-introduced
- changed description of -updates and -backports in “Software Sources”
- use linux-image-generic instead of linux-image-386
- lsb_release output corrected
- GNU Icecat repo available via Software Sources

Builder:

- Substantial code restructuring
- CD isos have had their naming format changed
- Usplash packaging cleaned up, helping portability
- Contents-$ARCH.gz files are generated

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