DesktopLinux
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Forum  |  Polls  |  Blogs  |  Videos  |  ITLink

Keywords: Match:
Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Edubuntu 5.10 released
Oct. 13, 2005

[Updated Oct. 17, 2005] -- As promised several weeks ago, the Ubuntu team has announced the availability of the final versions of Ubuntu, Kubuntu, and Edubuntu version 5.10. The distributions include installation CDs, live CDs, and combination DVDs for three architectures.

Ubuntu highlights

Ubuntu, recently named best distro at the LinuxWorld Expo in London, is a Linux distribution for either desktop or server that the team claims features a fast and easy install. Ubuntu, which uses the Gnome 2.12.1 desktop, also issues regular releases and offers a selection of application packages installed by default. Numerous others package available from the network, the team said, in addition to a commitment to security updates for 18 months after each release and professional technical support from many companies around the world.

"Ubuntu" is an ancient African word meaning "humanity to others," according to the Ubuntu website.

Highlights of the latest version Ubuntu for the desktop, as described by the Ubuntu team, are:
  • Linux kernel 2.6.12.5
  • Gnome 2.12.1
  • OpenOffice.org 2.0 beta 2
  • X.org 6.8.2 with wider hardware support
  • An enhanced tool for easily installing new applications
  • A new tool which makes it easier to install support for multiple languages (Language Selector)
  • Editable Gnome menus
  • Applications are now linked into the Launchpad infrastructure (new entries on the Help menus for translation and support)
  • Support for writing audio CDs (Serpentine)
  • Graphical startup process with progress bar (USplash)
  • New documentation (Ubuntu 5.10 Quick Tour and Ubuntu 5.10 FAQ Guide)
  • Language packs with updates from the Rosetta translation platform, which makes contributing translations easier for everybody
Kubuntu highlights

Kubuntu is the Ubuntu operating system based on KDE, the K Desktop Environment, instead of Gnome, and offering KDE-related features.

Highlights of Kubuntu, as described by the team, include:
  • Linux kernel 2.6.12.5
  • KDE 3.4.2
  • X.org 6.8.2, with modular packaging
  • Adept and Adept Updater, Package Manager
  • KDE System Settings, Easier Control Centre
  • KDE Language Packs, now on the CD
  • KDE Bluetooth Framework
  • OpenOffice.org 2
  • GStreamer for Kaffine and AmaroK, media framework
  • Krita, image editor
  • KLaptopDaemon, now with hibernate support
  • Locate File Search, find files in Konqueror
  • Automounting, for CDs and memory sticks
  • Katapult, alt+space for program launching
  • Simplified Konqueror
  • Graphical startup with usplash

Off the desktop, the latest version of Ubuntu/Kubuntu boasts Linux 2.6.12.6, PHP5, 64-bit PowerPC and many other improvements.

Getting Ubuntu and Kubuntu

OSDir has a screenshot tour of Ubuntu here, and one of Kubuntu is here.

The Ubuntu project has a policy of mailing pressed CDs free of charge. To receive a complimentary copy of the CD -- or a handful of them to give to friends, your school or LUG -- place your request here.

Details on downloading Ubuntu and Kubuntu are, respectively, here and here.

More details on these releases can be found here.

Edubuntu 5.10, for classrooms

On Oct. 13th, the Edubuntu team announced the inaugural release of Edubuntu 5.10 Official.

Edubuntu, a partner project of Ubuntu Linux, is a flavor of the Ubuntu operating system that is optimized for classroom use. It has been developed in collaboration with teachers and technologists around the world.

Educators will be able to set up a computer lab or establish an online learning environment in an hour or less -- then administer that environment without having to become a fully-fledged Linux geek, Edubuntu said.

The release consists of an Install CD for the PC (Intel x86), 64-bit PC (AMD64) and PowerPC (Apple iBook and Powerbook, G4 and G5) architectures.

Software package highlights include:
  • KTouch, a typewriter simulator with touch-screen keys for typing instruction
  • KHangman, a spelling game
  • MathCommand mathematics instructor
  • KEduca-editor text editor
  • GPaint graphics
Edubuntu 5.10 is currently available for download, here. OSDir has a series of Edubuntu 5.10 screenshots available, here.



Related stories:


(Click here for further information)


Approaching the Linux Desktop
The purpose of this paper is to help organizations evaluate the Linux desktop against their own enterprise needs and discover what benefits the Linux desktop might bring to their organizations.

Migrating To Linux: Application Challenges and Solutions
Several solutions exist to help organizations migrate in an orderly fashion from Windows to Linux desktops. This paper establishes the characteristics of an ideal cross-platform solution and reviews these alternatives in light of this ideal standard. The paper takes a closer look at the pros and cons of various solutions and outlines the business benefits that can be achieved.

Linux Advantages: Publicly Available Information on Linux Software
This paper offers a brief summary of readily-available Linux information to help businesses sort out this widely misunderstood operating system.

Top 5 Strategies for Managing Linux
Despite continuous evolution in the manageability of Linux, a 2006 survey cited manageability concerns as a top reason why organizations are hesitating to adopt Linux. Levanta believes Linux can be as manageable, if not more so, than other operating systems by following key strategies. These strategic recommendations were developed from experiences in numerous customer environments, both large and small.

Why Choose Novell for Linux?
This paper outlines the benefits of switching to the Linux platform and choosing Novell as a high-performance, enterprise solution.

Enterprise Linux Selection Guide
Considering moving your enterprise to the Linux operating system? Since there are so many similar versions, choosing the right one can be tough. This paper offers a clear process to help you make an informed decision and get the features, support, and cost that are right for your business and technical needs.

Overcoming Challenges in Managing Linux
Levanta has created a new administration model with innovative technology that breaks down the barriers to making the most of Linux systems. This paper will provide an in-depth look at the workings of Levanta’s product, the first Linux appliance of its kind.

SUSE Linux Enterprise 10 for Retail Businesses
Discover why major retailers have switched to SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop in the back office. SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 is a low-cost desktop that offers a complete set of productivity applications and interoperates seamlessly with the other Windows, Macintosh and UNIX desktops in your store.

Moving to a Linux Desktop
Migrating from Windows to Linux on the desktop can be a substantial undertaking because it has the potential for touching -- and perhaps disrupting -- every user in your organization. Unlike a data center (server and infrastructure) migration that is largely transparent to users, the cultural and administrative transitions and environment readiness required to support a Linux desktop migration are extensive.

Seven Good Reasons to Exchange Exchange
This paper describes seven compelling reasons why you should switch from Exchange to Scalix.

 



Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Popular recent stories:
• Lightweight GNOME alternative emerges
• Linux gains action RPG
• World's cheapest Linux-based laptop?
• WiFi software arrives on Linux desktops
• BeOS-like distro focused on content creation
• Graphics board vendor touts faster Linux drivers
• Linux mini-PC takes two Watts to tango
• Hats off to Fedora 9
• Debian looks to launch lenny in Sept.

All-time Classics:
• Choosing a desktop Linux distro
• Banshee -- the next best thing to Linux iTunes
• The Best Free Desktop Linux . . . and how to make it better
• Running World of Warcraft on Ubuntu
• Linux-powered Asus Eee PC mini-laptop arrives
• A simple Linux backup method
• The well-tempered Debian desktop
• What's the best Linux for beginners?
• VirtualBox: The best virtualization program you've never heard of
• Getting to know Puppy Linux
• Xandros 4: The best desktop Linux for Windows users


Desktop Linux books

Join our Desktop Linux discussion forums:
•  Moving to Linux
•  Linux/Windows debate!
•  Linux Q&A
. . . and more


BREAKING NEWS

• OSCON 2008 presentations, videos posted
• Debian distro named for little green man
• Google spins web browser
• Summit debuts for Linux end users
• "UbuntuLite" reviewed
• Linux in the SME
• Linux: not yet photo-friendly
• Linux to gain anti-virus software
• Linux gains backup utility
• Testing Lenny
• HP offers Linux on low-end mini-notes
• Dell shipping five Hardy Heron systems
• IBM pushes "Microsoft-free" desktops
• Unified communications groupware comes to Linux
• Lightweight GNOME alternative emerges


Linux-Watch headlines:
• OSCON 2008 presentations, videos posted
• Linux -- not yet photo-friendly
• Microsoft buys additional Linux support
• SFLC publishes GPL compliance guide
• Linux switch vendor sued over GPL
• Judge Kimball rules -- the sequel!
• Microsoft tactics push India toward Linux
• Bell, SuperMicro sued over GPL
• "Business intelligence" software goes GPL
• Will Atom bomb?


Visit the...


news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Forum  |  Polls  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.