This modern take on Xfce is the perfect distro for audio fans – here’s why

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• Extrox is a new take on MX Linux.
• You'll find numerous audio tools and an intuitive Conky manager.
• Extrox is free to use, but is best for those with Linux experience. 

MX Linux was the first Linux distribution to make Xfce a viable desktop for those new to the open-source operating system. And with its collection of MX Tools, users had plenty of clear and obvious options at their fingertips. MX Linux made the hard not so hard.

Now, imagine a Linux distribution that takes MX Linux and gives it a fresh polish, thereby improving an already established distribution.

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That's Extrox.

If you combine the Xfce desktop with the Compiz compositing window manager, you get a desktop with a bit more panache than if you were to use Xfce alone. Compiz helps to turn Xfce into something akin to KDE Plasma, so you get far more eye candy options.

And who doesn't like a bit of eye candy?

I'm certainly a fan.

But is Extrox nothing more than a prettier version of MX Linux?

Let's find out.

Audio anyone?

As someone who's a big fan of audio, I found Extrox quite intriguing. Click on Multimedia, and you'll see why. 

In the Multimedia category, you'll find more tools than you've ever seen on a desktop operating system. There are quite a lot of plugins that serve LSP (Linux Studio Plugins). This collection of plugins and other various tools is compatible with CLAP, LADSPA, LV2, VST2/LinuxVST, VST3, and JACK standalone formats. Clearly, the developer is into audio.

The collection of multimedia tools can be overwhelming for those not seriously into audio. As you navigate the multimedia menu, you'll likely need to conduct some research to understand not only how it all works, but also what each plugin does.

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Color me impressed.

Applications galore

Extrox isn't just about audio. In fact, you'll find a vast array of preinstalled applications, such as:

• All the MX Tools
• LibreOffice
• Catfish file search
• Clipboard manager
• FeatherPad (text editor)
• Gedit (text editor)
• LuckyBackup
• Password & Keys (password and key manager)
• PhotoGIMP
• Firefox
• Thunderbird
• Orage Calendar
• Lollipop (music player)
• Easy Effects

Extrox is one of those distributions that you can install and not have to worry about installing much else. If you find a missing piece of software, open the MX Package Installer, search for it, and install.

One pleasant surprise with the MX Package Installer is that it includes Flatpak support, which means you can choose from thousands of apps from Flathub to install.

The desktop

Although I absolutely respect it, I'm not always the biggest fan of Xfce; I prefer a more modern-looking UI. With Extrox (and Compiz), you get a bit more modernity with Xfce. 

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Compiz has been around for some time and is well known for its outstanding collection of desktop effects. One of the best options found in Compiz is the Desktop Cube. When this first appeared on the scene, I thought, “This is the future of the desktop.”

The only thing missing from Compiz now is the 3D Cube, but that doesn't seem to be available to Extrox. Even so, there's still a ton of effects you can apply from within the CompizConfig Settings Manager.

Conky

If you're into Conky (a tool that displays various types of information on the desktop), then you'll dig Extrox. Within the desktop menu, you'll find MX Conky, a tool that makes adding and configuring Conky a breeze.

Who is Extrox for?

At first glance, I would say Extrox is for anyone who loves working with audio and wants a distribution that won't hog resources or cause multimedia tools to function less optimally than they should.

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At the same time, Extrox is a great option for those who like the idea of Xfce but also want to enjoy a more modern UI.

I'm not sure if I would recommend Extrox to new users, but given that this distribution is somewhat new, I can imagine it will evolve into an operating system that anyone can use.