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While the web struggles over the importance (or non-importance) of Linux Mint surpassing Ubuntu on the DistroWatch leaderboard, it’s business as usual for the crew at Canonical. And with a new release deadline looming on the horizon, it’s time to start releasing milestone builds of Ubuntu 12.04.
On December 1, the first alpha Ubuntu 12.04 was made available from Canonical’s servers. As is typically the case with the company’s early releases, there aren’t a whole lot of front-facing changes yet in Precise Pangolin. A few noteworthy apps are presently M.I.A., including note app Tomboy, the Banshee media player, and gbrainy — a collection of brain games for the GNOME desktop.
Two new betas from Mozilla are included: Firefox 9 and Thunderbird 9. The Ubuntu software center has also received some minor tweaking, with support added for multiple screenshots. It’s a subtle change, but who doesn’t want the option of checking out a few more action shots before downloading an app or game?
Canonical is also clearly focused on making Ubuntu 12.04 a good fit for enterprise settings. Frontman Mark Shuttleworth notes that it’s an LTS release and has promised a smooth upgrade process from Ubuntu 10.04, better support for multi-monitor configurations, and improved manageability. He also feels that Canonical has moved beyond the daunting task of transitioning to the Unity interface and can now get to work on “perfecting” the Ubuntu desktop experience.
As always, you can grab ISO downloads for the new Ubuntu alpha (http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/precise/alpha-1/) from Canonical’s servers — or go the P2P route and torrent 12.04 instead.
For those members interested in this release here is some updated information.
Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, Codename Precise Pangolin Releases Its First Alpha
What is a Pangolin?
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A pangolin ( /ˈpæŋɡəlɪn/), also scaly anteater or Trenggiling, is a mammal of the order Pholidota.
This quarter of the year has been very busy for Ubuntu lovers. Ubuntu 11.10 was released a few months ago, Linux Mint 12 saw its release last month and Distrowatch placed Linux Mint above Ubuntu in popularity ranking. There are two distinct schools of thought on Ubuntu’s new desktop experience. While one believes in adapting to the new Unity desktop, the other just cannot get enough of Gnome.
In the midst of this geek war, Ubuntu has released Ubuntu 12.04 Alpha 1 (http://fridge.ubuntu.com/2011/12/02/ubuntu-12-04-development-update-6/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ubuntu-12-04-development-update-6), only seven weeks into the release cycle. The release is meant to be a sneak-peek into the upcoming LTS release. Extensive work was done in this version, to include Intel’s Sandy Bridge support. Do not intend to use it on your regular work machine, but do give it a trial run.
New Features
◦ Ubuntu 12.04 includes the new Linux kernel 3.2 instead of the earlier kernel version 3.0. Although this new Linux kernel is a release candidate 3, its final version will be included in the final release of Ubuntu 12.04. The new kernel includes support for Nvidia Fermi chipsets and a brand new Samsung Exynos DRM driver for ARM devices.
◦ The default music player reverted to Rythmbox from Banshee.
◦ Changes in software packages include Firefox 9 and Thunderbird 9, both in beta stage.
◦ Tomboy is missing from the software collection.
Ubuntu 12.04 will see a final release in April. Until then, you can download and try Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Alpha 1 (http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/precise/alpha-1/).