The same goes for Linux desktops, in fact. , , and may get the lion's share of media attention, but there are myriad other choices available out there for those who don't like the default option in their chosen distribution.

I've mentioned several before, and just recently one of them got a big update. Xfce--which is reportedly a favorite of Linux creator Linus Torvalds himself--has now reached version 4.10, and this latest release brings some compelling new features to the table.

If you're not thrilled with your current desktop or are interested in finding a lightweight one with a small footprint, the new Xfce is definitely worth checking out.

The culmination of more than a year of development, Xfce 4.10 is a stable version of the software that focuses primarily on polishing the desktop and improving the user experience, its developers explained in the software's official late last month. Here's a rundown of some of its key new features.