Ubuntu 9.10 Beta Released

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The Ubuntu team is pleased to announce the beta release of Ubuntu 9.10 Desktop and Server editions, and the Ubuntu Netbook Remix.  Codenamed “Karmic Koala”, 9.10 continues Ubuntu’s proud tradition of integrating the latest and greatest open source technologies into a high-quality, easy-to-use Linux distribution.

Ubuntu 9.10 Desktop Edition improves on the work of 9.04 to get you going faster, with improved startup times and a streamlined boot experience.

Ubuntu 9.10 Server Edition integrates Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud setup in the installer and provides improvements to system security with AppArmor, including an AppArmor profile for libvirtd to further isolate virtual
machines from the host system.

The Ubuntu 9.10 family of variants, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Edubuntu, Ubuntu Studio, and Mythbuntu, also reach beta status today.

Desktop Features

GNOME 2.28 featuring Empathy:  with this latest beta release, Ubuntu now uses the Empathy instant messaging service by default, introducing the Telepathy framework.

Ubuntu Software Center:  the first step in a replacement for Add/Remove Software has landed for testing and feedback.

New boot experience:  multiple changes to look, feel and speed of the boot experience have been included in the Ubuntu 9.10 beta.

Please see http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/karmic/beta for details.

Server Features

Cloud computing:  Ubuntu 9.10 builds on the tantalizing cloud support in Ubuntu 9.04, with support for Eucalyptus configuration at install time and publishing of standard VM images for UEC.

AppArmor:  Ubuntu 9.10 continues to raise the bar for server security, with AppArmor profiles enabled by default for ntpd and libvirt providing another layer of protection from attacks on the network or via guest virtual machines.

Ubuntu Netbook Remix Features

Ubuntu Netbook Remix is optimised to run on Intel atom based netbooks. It includes a new consumer-friendly interface that allows users to quickly and easily get on-line and use their favourite applications. This i interface is optimised for a retail sales environment.

It includes the same faster boot times and improved boot experience as Ubuntu desktop.

Kubuntu Features

Kubuntu 9.10, built on KDE 4.3, brings users a complete, full-featured KDE4 desktop with many new applications and innovations.

This is the first release for a new Kubuntu variant, Kubuntu Netbook Edition. Built on a Kubuntu base, it brings users an exciting first look at KDE’s netbook-oriented desktop environment.

Please see https://wiki.kubuntu.org/KarmicKoala/Beta/Kubuntu for all the details.

Xubuntu Features

Xubuntu 9.10 comes with the light-weight Xfce 4.6 desktop environment to provide a desktop designed for productivity while conserving system resources.

Xubuntu 9.10 is proud to offer an improved multimedia experience with the Exaile media player, a more integrated power management solution with the Xfce4 power manager, and more convenience built right in with improved multimedia volume key support and more consistent desktop notifications.

Please see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Xubuntu/KarmicKoala/Beta for the full list and details about all the great enhancements Xubuntu 9.10 has to offer.

Edubuntu Features

Edubuntu 9.10 transitions from an add-on educational CD that depended on an existing Ubuntu installation to a full Ubuntu derivative delivered on as a DVD image. This allows prospective users and decision makers to try the educational offerings prior to installation and the flexibility to make Edubuntu a first class educational operating system.

Mythbuntu Features

Mythbuntu 9.10 introduces MythTV 0.22.  The entire stack has been ported to QT4 and now allows for very neat UI effects.  Also 0.22 adds support for VDPAU hardware acceleration, and HD-PVR hardware support.

Please see http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Release_Notes_-_0.22 for more details about things introduced in 0.22.

See http://mythbuntu.org/9.10/beta for information about the Mythbuntu beta release.

Other

  • On the Desktop: GNOME 2.28, KDE 4.3, XFCE 4.6.1, OpenOffice.org 3.1.1, X.Org server 1.6.3
  • On the Server: Apache 2.2, PostgreSQL 8.4, PHP 5.2.10, LTSP 5.1
  • “Under the hood”: GCC 4.4.1, glibc 2.10, Linux 2.6.31.1, Python 2.6.2

The full release notes can be found at http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/karmic/beta

About Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a full-featured Linux distribution for desktops, laptops, and servers, with a fast and easy installation and regular releases.  A tightly-integrated selection of excellent applications is included, and an incredible variety of add-on software is just a few clicks away.

Professional technical support is available from Canonical Limited and hundreds of other companies around the world.  For more information about support, visit http://www.ubuntu.com/support

To Get Ubuntu 9.10 Beta

To upgrade to Ubuntu 9.10 Beta from Ubuntu 9.04, follow these instructions:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/KarmicUpgrades

Or, download Ubuntu 9.10 Beta here (choose the mirror closest to you):

 Europe:

 

  North America:

  Oceania/Australia:

 

  Rest of the World:

   http://releases.ubuntu.com/9.10 (Great Britain)

Please download using Bittorrent if possible.

The final version of Ubuntu 9.10 is expected to be released in October 2009.

Feedback and Participation

If you would like to help shape Ubuntu, take a look at the list of ways you can participate at

 http://www.ubuntu.com/community/participate/

Your comments, bug reports, patches and suggestions will help turn this Beta into the best release of Ubuntu ever.  Please note that, where possible, we prefer that bugs be reported using the tools provided, rather
than by visiting Launchpad directly.  Instructions can be found at

 https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs

If you have a question, or if you think you may have found a bug but are not sure, first try asking on the #ubuntu IRC channel on FreeNode, on the Ubuntu Users mailing list, or on the Ubuntu forums:

 http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-users
 http://www.ubuntuforums.org/

More Information

You can find out more about Ubuntu and about this preview release on our  website, IRC channel and wiki. If you are new to Ubuntu, please visit:

 http://www.ubuntu.com/

To sign up for future Ubuntu announcements, please subscribe to Ubuntu’s very low volume announcement list at:

 http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-announce

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