By Jack M. Germain LinuxInsider Part of the ECT News Network
10/28/09 4:00 AM PT
Canonical plans to release Ubuntu 9.10, aka Karmic Koala, on Thursday. The open source operating system for both desktops and servers touches down around the same time as Windows 7. Code writers gave special attention to the core server product and kernel in this latest edition. They also asked the user community to list minor annoyances they had with the previous version so they could be tweaked and fixed.
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Canonical, the commercial developer of the open source operating
system Ubuntu, will release on Thursday Ubuntu 9.10 Server Edition and
Ubuntu 9.10 Desktop Edition. The two latest releases, which go by the moniker "Karmic Koala," come on the heals
of last week's release of Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) Windows 7 operating system.
The latest Ubuntu releases could raise the ante in the competitive field of computer operating systems, where Microsoft, Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) and open source offerings like Ubuntu vie for users.
Ubuntu 9.10 Server Edition introduces Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud
(UEC) as a fully supported technology. Ubuntu 9.10 desktop
features a redesigned interface with faster boot and login, a revamped
audio framework and improved 3G broadband connectivity.
"This is a busy week for operating systems. But users get the
advantage because it's a great time for consumers to try out Ubuntu
for free rather than paying for an upgrade to Windows 7," Steve
George, director of support and products for Canonical, told
LinuxInsider.
Feigned Competition
Canonical is not planning to initiate a special media campaign against
Windows 7, which was released last week. In fact, the fact that both new operating
system releases are taking place at roughly the same time is purely accidental, according to
George.
"Actually, we think Microsoft planned its release to coincide with
ours," quipped George.
The nomenclature for Canonical's release timetable is based on the year
and month of the planned release. So Ubuntu 9.10 stands for 2009,
10th month. This latest version comes with free security upgrades for
18 months, he explained.
Server Specifics
Code writers gave special attention to the core server
product and kernel in this latest edition. For example, numerous
kernel improvements support both Xen (guest) and KVM (host and guest)
virtualization. Caching performance is also improved.
Developers added MySQL 5.1 and upgraded the directory stack and Single
Sign On tools for improved directory integration. This version offers
fully supported framework enhancing Web server options.
Also included is support for the USB 3.0 protocol to handle higher
transfer rates when those devices become available. Server users will
get additional system management support through the WBEM (Web-based
enterprise management) protocols, which open up support of Ubuntu
environment to the most popular system management tools currently
deployed in enterprises.
Ubuntu's own systems management tool, Landscape, now has a dedicated
server for its hosted version that allows deployments to be managed
entirely
within the firewall and will fully support Ubuntu 9.10 Server Edition
and Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud.
Desktop Delights
In their approach to growing this newest Ubuntu version, Canonical code writers made it a point to focus on details. The 100 Paper Cuts initiative
organized with the Ubuntu community allowed users to nominate minor
annoyances that impacted their enjoyment of the platform.
That feedback so far led to over 50 fixes that removed minor irritants,
such as inconsistent naming or poorly organized application choices.
Larger-scale user experience improvements include a refreshed Ubuntu
Software Center. This gives users easier access to information about
the software available and brings the world of open source
applications closer to them.
Plus One More
Ubuntu 9.10 includes the integration of 'Ubuntu One' as a standard
component of the desktop. This is an umbrella name for a suite of
online services which were released in beta in May 2009.
Ubuntu One offers users an enhanced desktop experience with simplified
backup, synchronization and sharing of files with an expanded set of
features
including Tomboy Notes and contacts synchronization.
Netbook and smartbook users will be able to use the Ubuntu 9.10 Netbook Remix
(UNR) interface. UNR
integrates the Empathy instant messaging program for text, voice,
video and file transfers to make communication easier.
Effortless Experience
"Ubuntu 9.10 gives users more reasons than ever to seriously consider
Linux at a time when many are thinking again about their operating
system options.
We are delivering a platform for users interested in an easy-to-use,
great-looking, Web-friendly operating system," said Jane Silber, COO
at
Canonical.
Deployment on popular notebook, desktop and netbook models
continue to drive Ubuntu into the mainstream of computing choices, she
said.
Opportune Time
The main significance for consumers to consider Ubuntu as an
alternative to Windows 7 is the cost of upgrading, according to
George. The new release will work with most current-generation hardware, so users will not have to worry about costly
upgrades, he explained.
"We see three main reasons to consider Ubuntu as a Windows 7
alternative. One is it is easy to use. Two, it's fun to work with a
beautiful interface. Three, Ubuntu comes with all the applications
consumers and business users need," said George.
Consumers can install the latest Ubuntu release within Windows XP or
Windows Vista to try out a fully functional version of the open source
operating system, noted George. This way, the existing Windows
environment remains intact on the user's computer until a decision is
made between migrating to Ubuntu or staying with Windows.
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