I want everyone to know how easy to use elementary OS is. This is not what’s-new-review, rather, this is an intro to elementary OS Loki 0.4.1 for new users. You’ll find elementary OS is a just-work, ready-to-use OS as a free replacement for Windows and Mac OS X. This review introduces you to its AppCenter, calendar, email client, file manager, System Settings, and see how easy daily tasks are done with them. I believe you’ll be interested, so I also mentioned how to support elementary development below. Finally, elementary is a very beautiful OS and with just-work features it becomes wonderful. Enjoy it!
1. Easy-to-use AppCenter
AppCenter, the elementary OS software store similar to PlayStore, is very easy to use. We can find software and install it by few clicks. Every installation requires a simple password authentication. We will get version 0.2 or above on Loki 0.4.1.
2. User-Friendly Calendar
Maya, the elementary OS calendar app, is advanced inside its gorgeous look. You can setup your Google Calendar account so easily in less than 10 seconds (yes, that’s real). Also, you can setup your CalDAV calendar account (e.g. Fruux.com service) in similar manner. I admit using Maya is truly easier than using GNOME Calendar, for now. We will get version 0.4 or newer on Loki 0.4.1.
3. Beautiful Mail Client
Geary, the elementary OS mail client similar to Outlook, is beautiful, simple, and ready for casual users. It’s very easy to setup Gmail account here, by just 10 seconds or less. It supports IMAP/SMTP for Gmail, Yahoo!, Outlook, and custom services.
And it’s hard to find account setup as easy as this:
4. File Manager
Pantheon Files, the file manager similar to Explorer, is very simplistic and it requires no skill to use. Even it doesn’t have menu or settings. So, all user interactions are done by clicks. Despite its simplicity, it has all features casual users need: multitab, MTP, connect to server (FTP/SFTP, WebDAV, etc.), folder color, disk space indicator, bookmark, and open in terminal. We will get version 0.3.4 above starting on Loki 0.4.1.
5. Easy to Update
The update manager inside AppCenter is also simplistic. You just find what software need to be updated, and just click update them.
6. Multimedia Support
Noise and Audience respectively are audio and video players of elementary OS. You see them on desktop as Music and Videos. They can play any multimedia format such as MP3 or MP4 (of course, OGG and WEBM as well) thanks to the inclusion of GStreamer plugins inside Loki. Because of this, any user should not worry anymore about playback.
7. Create WiFi Hotspot
On elementary OS Loki, by one click you can create a WLAN Hotspot easily. This is incredibly wonderful when you want to share your internet access to your friends (either for laptops or smartphones). You can try it, for example, connect your USB tethering to elementary OS and got to System Setttings > Hotspot > switch it on > give it a password > let your friends connect to your hotspot. How easy! Indeed, System Settings on Loki is wonderful.
8. Language & Keyboard
Do you need Arabic, Japanese, Chinese, or Russian keyboard layout? Add them yourself and change between them by one click. It’s so easy to do with System Settings > Keyboard > Layout > press Add (+) button > add more than one layout > see the keyboard choice appears on the top panel. Of course, it helps a lot whenever you’re a language teacher or writer.
Miscellaneous
Here, I should mention some important aspects good for you to know:
- Memory consumption of Loki 0.4.1 at idle after freshly-installed is around 700MB. To compare it, the closest is deepin 15.4 700MB, while Ubuntu Unity 17.04 consumes 1GB, Ubuntu Budgie 800MB, Kubuntu 400MB. In fact, I can run it very smoothly on my ASUS X44C with 64bit Celeron 1.8Ghz & 2GB of RAM.
- Loki 0.4.1 is based on Ubuntu 16.04.2 Xenial Xerus.
- Loki 0.4.1 contains many many serial updates between December 2016 until April 2017.
- It uses Linux kernel version 4.8.
For Whom Loki Is?
We can conclude that elementary OS Loki is for casual users that need 100% just-work system with simple, focused, and beautiful interface. Users can use elementary OS Loki on laptops and PCs, even Macintosh.
Support elementary OS
You can help elementary OS development by donating via Patreon or BountySource. You can also buy their merchandise such as t-shirts or mugs at Store. If you’re software developer, you can sell or distribute your works on elementary OS’s AppCenter Dashboard. You can also be a part of elementary developer team at https://elementary.io/get-involved.
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