Most Linux distros bundle GNOME desktop environment (DE) with even minor version numbers (3.8.x, 3.10.x). Like Fedora was released with GNOME 3.10.3. The version 3.11.2 was available in November but it was not bundled .The reason behind it is that GNOME takes a different approach to their software releases. The odd minor versions (3.9, 3.11) of GNOME are development versions of the subsequent even versions (3.10, 3.12). So the .11 version is roughly an alpha version of the .12 branch.

GNOME 3.12 is scheduled to be released on March 26th this year. The version 3.11.4 is January’s snapshot of GNOME development. Since this is a development version ,it needs to be compiled manually and installed. Interested people can check the JHbuild manual for details on compiling.