The Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala Release Candidate has been released and is available for download. In addition to the GNOME version of Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu Studio, and Mythbuntu versions have also been released. Anticipation continues to build for next weeks’ release of the Ubuntu 9.10 stable version which will provide significant improvements and updates to the popular Ubuntu Linux desktop.
The Ubuntu ShipIt Program. If you’re not familiar with it, you’ve probably never typed in “free Ubuntu CD” on Google or any other search engine. ShipIt is the Ubuntu service that gives away free Ubuntu installation CDs in an effort to make sure people have few restrictions obtaining Ubuntu. ShipIt has been a huge success shipping millions of free Ubuntu CDs over the past few years. The CDs are not free for Canonical, the company backing Ubuntu and the ShipIt program. This has caused Ubuntu to deploy some interesting techniques designed to cut the cost or need or the Free Ubuntu installation CDs.
Limiting Free Ubuntu CDs for people who:
-Can upgrade to the new release without a CD
-Can download their own CD for free
Ubuntu users can also:
-Download the CD wallet artwork
-Become an Ubuntu member by contributing to Ubuntu, making them eligible for more CDs
-Purchase CDs
Requesting a free CD from the Ubuntu ShipIt program will take at least 4-6 weeks. For a more dependable solution order Ubuntu on CD or USB US Priority Mail now. Ubuntu training is available in video and course form.
I’ve posted a short video walk-through of the new Ubuntu 9.10 Software Center. The Software Center will replace Add/Remove applications in the final release of Ubuntu 9.10.
Inside the Ubuntu Software Center users will see Get Free Software and Installed Software options. If Get Free Software is selected users can choose from packages broken down into categories or departments for ease of use. A filter field is also available in the top right corner. After packages are selected details about the package and expandable screenshots for each package is shown. This is in my opinion on of the biggest advantages of the Software Center over Add/Remove applications setup. If Installed Software is selected from the column on the left users will see an alphabetical list of software packages installed. Selecting a package wil result in details, screenshot and a button to remove the package.
After packages have been either added or removed the In Progress selection appears along with Get Free Software and Installed Software options on the left. With In Progress selected on the left users can see the current status of packages whether they are downloading, being installed or removed. I was skeptical of the Software Center at first but it does have some bright spots that, I think, make it worth the change. What do you think? Ubuntu Software Center or Add/Remove Applications.
The first question I hear Linux newbies ask is what is the best distribution to use? I think right now plenty of linux desktop options exist for newbies however a few things set Ubuntu ahead of the pack in my opinion.
Support
Although exact figures are nearly impossible to gather, Ubuntu has been estimated to have over 10 million users and is by far the most popular Linux distribution. This makes getting help easier because places like the UbuntuForums and IRC-client are full of people that can answer any question a newbie throws at them. In addition to free support an increasing number of Ubuntu book, training CD, and training course options can be seen everywhere.
Future
Ubuntu has a great team of people on board that have sacrificed a lot to get it to where it is now. Ubuntu has been built in an organized manner with a planned release every six months. Scheduled releases bring routine enhancements and new features to the operating system. In most cases I’ve found Ubuntu versions can be upgraded from within without any re-installation.
Flavors
What other distribution do you know that has been developed in multiple flavors the way Ubuntu has? Having Kubuntu, as good as it is, around is excellent as many people use Kubuntu that would never use Ubuntu. Having Xubuntu and Ubuntu Studio release at the same time and all carry their own distinct assets just increases the user base of Ubuntu that much more.
I’ve listed only a few of the advantages to using Ubuntu. What are your personal reasons for using Ubuntu over the next guy?
Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala now includes an installer slideshow. I’ve always liked the idea of rotating slides of information about the OS while it’s installing to give the users something to do. No matter what you put on the slides this is going to be more entertaining for users than staring at the progress bar. While installing Ubuntu 9.10 Alpha 5 you may have noticed a similar feature has been added to Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala. After entering information into the installer and clicking the Install button, users will see a slideshow of highlights, tips, and featured applications one after another. The one thing that sets that Ubuntu installer slideshow apart from others I’ve seen is it only plays through once. I found this to be a nice touch and I also anticipate many more slides by the final release.
Here’s a look at some of the slides I captured while installing Ubuntu 9.10.
Firefox features, no icon yet when I intalled
Features of FSpot photo manager.
Accessibility options on Ubuntu
Uses for Evolution email client
Empathy IM application features
OpenOffice features and options
How to play media with Ubuntu 9.10
Tips on adding new packages in Ubuntu 9.10
Where to get help when using Ubuntu 9.10
What do you think? Is The Ubuntu installer slideshow useful for new users so they know what to expect or just a waste of time and space?
The Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala Release Candidate has been released and is available for download. In addition to the GNOME version of Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu Studio, and Mythbuntu versions have also been released. Anticipation continues to build for next weeks’ release of the Ubuntu 9.10 stable version which will provide significant improvements and updates to the popular Ubuntu Linux desktop.
