- Tails 2.0 Linux Distro Improves Installation, Gets New Look
- Installation Assistant Helps Get Tails Running
- GNOME Shell Provides a New User Interface
- Tails 2.0 Is Based on Debian ‘Jessie’
- Tor Browser 5.5 Is the Default Browser
- You Won’t Find Windows Camouflage Mode
- Icedove Replaces Claws for Mail
- Tor Control Improves With Vidalia
Tails 2.0 Linux Distro Improves Installation, Gets New Look
The first major milestone release for the privacy-focused Linux distribution in 2016 makes it easy for new users to install and provides a new interface.
Installation Assistant Helps Get Tails Running
As part of the new release, Tails now has an Installation Assistant, documentation that details how to get and run Tails on Windows, Mac and Linux.
GNOME Shell Provides a New User Interface
With the 2.0 release, Tails is now embracing the GNOME Shell Linux desktop user interface as the default. The Tails implementation of GNOME Shell is what is known as “classic mode” and integrates both a top bar menu system and an activities-based window system.
Tails 2.0 Is Based on Debian ‘Jessie’
The Debian 8 (Jessie) Linux distribution serves as the base on which Tails 2.0 is built.
Tor Browser 5.5 Is the Default Browser
Tails 2.0 uses Tor Browser 5.5 as the default secure Web browser. Tor Browser 5.5 is built on top of the Firefox 38.6.0 Extended Support Release (ESR). Among the difference between the Tor Browser and Firefox is that Tor Browser routes traffic over Tor, rather than taking a direct path over the Internet.
You Won’t Find Windows Camouflage Mode
A key feature in previous versions of Tails was the ability for users to engage a “Windows Camouflage” mode. With Windows Camouflage, the Tails desktop can mimic the look of a Microsoft Windows desktop. Due to some incompatibilities with GNOME Shell, the Windows Camouflage mode has been removed in Tails 2.0.
Icedove Replaces Claws for Mail
Another change in Tails is the removal of Claws Mail in favor of Icedove as the default email client. Icedove is based on the Mozilla Thunderbird email project.
Tor Control Improves With Vidalia
A core element of Tails is the Linux distribution’s use of the Tor onion router network which helps to enable a degree of user privacy. With Tails 2.0, the Vidalia control panel for Tor is updated to version 0.2.21.