Ultima Linux 8.4

Ultima Linux is a distribution built around the KDE desktop. Ultima Linux version 8.4 features KDE 3.5.10, runs on the Linux kernel 2.6, and i found it to have good selection of useful applications including OpenOffice, Mozilla Thunderbird, and Firefox. Media can be played with Xine and Mplayer or manage your iPod music collection in Amarok. Your CD/DVD burning needs are taken care of with K3B. Ultima 8.4 also includes the GIMP image editor for creating and editing all kinds of graphics plus you can enjoy out of the box 3D graphic support with ATI/Nvidia drivers. A few more things you can’t help but like about Ultima 8.4 are it supports Flash, includes Opera web browser, and get all of this on a clean uncluttered desktop. One thing i look for in a distribution is an even workspace where i can hopefully get some things done, so it’s nice to see a desktop that obviously had some thought put into its graphical layout.

Overall I enjoyed Ultima 8.4 for a few reasons. I found it had the best selection of applications for my audio, video, and any other needs right out of the box. 3D graphic support out of the box was great and the overall smooth feel of the release was probably the biggest selling point for me. Download the .iso file for Ultima Linux 8.4 here.

More Ultima 8.4 Screenshots

I spoke with Martin Ultima of Ultima Linux and this is what he had to say about the future of Ultima.

“As far as the future of Ultima Linux goes, it’s hard to say. Development
will continue, of course; I like the code, and I think there’s a lot of
good things in it the Linux community badly needs. But I don’t know if it
will stay under the Ultima name — it gives the project too much of a
“vanity” sound, and I honestly believe there’s too many distros, too much
duplication of efforts for Linux to become truly mainstream (which is one
of my goals).”

We look forward to exploring the Ultima distribution further as it looks like it has some real potential.

Ubuntu 8.10 New Install Features

The new Intrepid Ibex install provides several new features which will make it easier to install Ibex. One of those new features is a new interface for understanding how to do a “Manual ” installation. Most of the time the option “Guided” install is done because users are frustrated with how to create partitions correctly. The new interface is more graphical and intuitive which will help in the process.

The Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex install will be easier for most people using the new installer. See the full article Here

DragonFly BSD 2.0.1

Belonging in the same operating system class, DragonFly BSD is based on the same Unix ideals and APIs as BSD and Linux. DragonFly forked from FreeBSD in 2003 and focused on re-writing most of the major kernel subsystems until 2007. Since then, DragonFly BSD has created and released HAMMER, a new file system that solved numerous existing issues and provided new capabilities to DragonFly BSD. HAMMER was included with the July, 2008 release of DragonFly BSD 2.0. DragonFly BSD is now focused on its ultimate goal, providing native cluster support in the kernel.
The 2.0.1 release of DragonFly was released yesterday, incorporating recent improvements to Hammer, including the new cleanup utility.

• Buy DragonFly BSD 2.0.1
• Download DragonFly

RIP Linux 6.8 (Recovery Is Possible)

RIP Linux is a system designed for the purpose of booting, repairing, and when necessary rescuing your system. The lightweight tool fits on a CD-ROM or USB drive, takes 256 MB of RAM, and a 586 processor to run. RIP Linux 6.8 support a variety of different file types, contains several utilities for system recovery, and also has IDE/SCSI/SATA, RAID, LVM2, and Ethernet network support. Click Here for a complete description of RIP Linux 6.8

Elpicx 2.0 – Dual-Boot LPI Training For Ubuntu/Fedora

Now you can use the recently released Elpicx 2.0 live DVD to dual-boot Ubuntu 8.04 and Fedora 9 KDE with LPI (Linux Professional Institute) training materials like test emulators, reference cards, study notes and exercises for the LPI certification exam. Elpicx 2.0 is available as a 1.6 GB download in German and English. The Elpicx homepage states that “Ubuntu-Documentation and LPIC-Documentation were added together with software to prepare for the LPI exams.” It seems the combination of the Ubuntu 8.04 LTS and Fedora 9 desktops along with the LPI training in one package may be the key. Newbies often show symptoms of frustration when left to sort through Linux lingo in the forums. Combining training with the distribution may be what we’ve all eben waiting for. Buy Elpicx 2.0 on DVD