The Xfce community has reason to celebrate as the first pre-release version of Xfce 4.20 has just been unveiled. This early version allows enthusiastic users and developers to test the upcoming release and check for compatibility issues.
It marks the feature freeze for Xfce 4.20, which means no new ones will be added to the core components until the final release, expected on December 15th. Additionally, no new strings will be introduced, allowing translators enough time to translate all components fully.
For those eager to dive in, Xfce 4.20 Pre1 includes all the core components, and the corresponding tarballs are available for download. Early adopters can either opt to download individual tarballs or grab a combined package containing everything they need. However, casual users might prefer waiting for distribution-specific development packages.
The Xfce 4.20 release schedule includes several key dates, starting with the Pre1 release on November 1st, which signals a feature and string freeze. On December 1st, Pre2 will be released, bringing a code freezeโmeaning only bug fixes and critical updates will be allowed.
Depending on the release team’s needs, an optional Pre3 release is set for December 15th. The final release is scheduled to happen around December 15th (or on December 29th if Pre3 is used).
As with previous releases, the Xfce team invites the community to contribute wallpapers for Xfce 4.20. The aim is to create an exciting new default wallpaper that embodies the spirit of Xfce, and everyone in the community can vote for their favorite designs.
The criteria for the wallpapers are straightforward: each submission should be a vector graphic featuring the iconic Xfce mouse along with some creative shapes. It must also be the original work of the contributor and licensed under the Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license.
The submission deadline is November 15th, leaving two weeks for community voting and final integration before the Pre2 release. Interested designers can head over to the Xfce wallpaper contest GitLab issue to participate.
For more information, refer to the announcement.
