The very day this magazine goes to print, Fedora 18 is enjoying its official release. I have watched the first official reviews come online gradually over the course of the day, as they always do with such events. The extensive Linux blog and tweet engine is always waiting for the next big topic, and it is always ready to lend some content space for anything new.

Zorin OS 6.1 and FreeBSD 9.1

The Zorin operating system was created for Windows users who want to transition easily to Linux. Zorin includes a Look Changer program that allows you to change the user interface between the look and feel of Windows 7, XP, and Vista, or even Mac OS X, Ubuntu Unity, or Gnome 2. With Zorin, you can operate in a familiar environment without worrying about malware, viruses, and other security threats.

After several delays, the Fedora Project has officially released Fedora 18 (“Spherical Cow”), the latest version of its Linux-based operating system.

Qt 5 offers developers enhanced productivity, flexibility, and easier cross-platform portability.

The last few years have been troubled for the Gnome Project. Once a premier desktop environment for Linux, it has seen its market share diminish amid user dissatisfaction over Gnome 3 and accusations that the project was ignoring users. Yet, over the last six months, something important has been happening: Slowly and quietly, the members of Gnome have started trying to turn the situation around.

Linux Mint 14 “Nadia”

Linux Mint is a wildly popular Ubuntu-based desktop Linux with an emphasis on simplicity. Along with a strong assortment of open source applications and utilities, Mint takes pains to provide proprietary drivers and other helper tools for seamless-as-possible operations. The Mint 14 release features a new Windows Quick-list app for managing windows across multiple workspaces, as well as Alt+Tab window-switcher virtualization and a handy notification tool. Also debuting with this release is the new Nemo file browser, a fork of Gnome’s Nautilus file manager based on the Nautilus 3.4 codebase.