Voyager

Overview

Voyager Linux (also known as Voyager Live) is a free, open-source Linux distribution maintained by a French development team. It's based on Ubuntu (primarily following the Ubuntu LTS cycle, with some versions receiving short-term updates) and stable branches of Debian (such as Voyager 12.5, based on Debian 12 Bookworm). Designed with aesthetics, user-friendliness, and efficiency in mind, it's targeted at internet, office, multimedia, and gaming users, offering a dual GNOME and Xfce desktop environments. (The latest versions, Voyager 25.04 and 24.04 LTS, released in May 2025, feature GNOME 46, Xfce 4.18, and Linux kernel 6.8.) Voyager Linux uses Ubuntu's Ubiquity installer, supports Snap and Flatpak packages (Firefox Snap versions are removed by default in favor of .deb versions), and comes pre-installed with a rich selection of applications, such as Krita, GIMP, LibreOffice, Firefox, and Transmission. It emphasizes privacy protection (no ads or data collection), lightweight and efficient, and cross-platform support (PC and tablet). It offers a Live USB mode and the Voyager Box tool for simplified customization.

History and Development

• Origins:
  • Before 2012: Voyager Linux originated in France as a derivative of Xubuntu, focusing on beautifying the Xfce desktop and adding Avant Window Navigator (AWN) and Conky.
  • November 2012: A Reddit user shared Voyager Linux (based on Xubuntu), calling it "a beautified Xubuntu, delightful, and a break from Windows."
  • 2019: A GNOME variant was introduced, offering a dual desktop choice of GNOME and Xfce.
  • May 2020: Voyager 20.04 LTS was released, based on Xubuntu 20.04, adding a macOS-style design (Dock and top bar) and support for Snap.
• Development History:
  • June 2022: Voyager 22.04 LTS will be released. Based on Ubuntu 22.04, it features GNOME 42, Xfce 4.16, and kernel 5.15. The Snap version of Firefox will be removed in favor of the .deb version, and the Voyager Box and Conky themes will be added.
  • April 2023: Voyager 23.04 (non-LTS) will be released. Based on Ubuntu 23.04 "Lunar Lobster", it features GNOME 44 and kernel 6.2, and will include the Kora theme and ArcMenu extension.
  • November 2023: Voyager 23.10 will be released. Based on Ubuntu 23.10, it features GNOME 45 and kernel 6.5, emphasizing efficiency and modern design. - April 2024: Voyager 24.04 LTS will be released. Based on Ubuntu 24.04 "Noble Numbat," it will feature GNOME 46, Xfce 4.18, and kernel 6.8, unifying the GNOME and Xfce desktops.
  • May 2025: Voyager 25.04 (non-LTS) and 24.04.1.2 LTS will be released, supporting GNOME 46 and Xfce 4.18, adding tablet mode and automatic Ventoy installation.
  • Future Plans: Voyager 25.10 will disable Xorg (defaulting to Wayland), and GNOME 50 (early 2026) will completely remove Xorg support, requiring manual installation of Xfce.
• Community and Support:
  • Maintained by a small French team, the website voyagerlive.org provides content in French and English. - Support channels: Forum (voyagerlive.org/contact-3/), SourceForge (sourceforge.net/projects/voyager), Reddit.
  • User feedback states, "Voyager is the most beautiful and streamlined Ubuntu derivative, with a rich pre-installed package library."
• Open Source License:
  • GPL.

Key Features

Voyager Linux focuses on aesthetics, user-friendliness, and multiple desktop environments, making it suitable for both beginners and developers. Here are its key features:

1. Beautiful Desktop Environment
   • GNOME 46 and Xfce 4.18 are provided by default, and can be switched at the login screen.
   • GNOME adopts the macOS style (bottom dock, top bar, ArcMenu extension), while Xfce is lightweight and efficient. - Voyager Box offers one-click desktop customization (themes, Conky, wallpapers).
2. Ubuntu-Based Stability
   • Based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (5-year support) or short-term releases (such as 25.04, 9-month support).
   • Installation takes 3-4 minutes using the Ubiquity installer.
3. Rich Pre-Installed Software
   • Pre-installed software includes Krita, GIMP, LibreOffice, Firefox (.deb version), Transmission, Thunderbird, VLC, Rhythmbox, KeePassXC, and more.
   • Supports Flatpak and Snap, with Firefox Snap removed by default.
4. Performance and Hardware Support
   • Minimum requirements: 1 GB RAM, 2-core CPU, 24 GB disk space (4 GB RAM, 50 GB disk space recommended).
   • Kernel 6.8 supports Intel, AMD, and Nvidia.
   • Idle usage: 1.3-2 GB RAM, 1-15% CPU usage.
5. Security and Privacy
   • Default ufw firewall enabled, Wayland support.
   • No ad data collection.
6. Mobile Office and Tablet Support
   • Supports Ventoy automatic installation and USB portable workspaces.

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• Beautiful and User-Friendly:
  • GNOME and Xfce's macOS-style interface (Dock, ArcMenu, Conky) surpass Deepin's unique style.
• Ubuntu LTS Stability:
  • Based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, with 5 years of support.
• Rich Pre-installed Software:
  • Includes Krita, Transmission, LibreOffice, and more.
• Lightweight and Performance:
  • Xfce is suitable for low-spec devices, while GNOME is suitable for modern hardware.
• Community Support:
  • Active on voyagerlive.org and SourceForge.

Limitations

• Small Development Team:
  • The French team is small, resulting in high maintenance pressure.
• Resource Usage:
  • GNOME mode consumes 1.3-2 GB of RAM and 14-24 GB of disk space.
• Language Issues:
  • Some Ubuntu Store descriptions are in French.
• Package Bloat:
  • Excessive pre-installed software (e.g., Cawbird, Kodi).

Summary

Voyager Linux is a free, open-source Linux distribution based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and Debian 12. It focuses on aesthetics (macOS-style with GNOME and Xfce), user-friendliness, and efficiency. It runs on Kernel 6.8, supports Flatpak and Snap, and comes pre-installed with Krita, Transmission, LibreOffice, and more. The latest versions 25.04 and 24.04 LTS (May 2025) offer GNOME 46 and Xfce 4.18, suitable for internet, office, and multimedia tasks.