Canonical’s latest free Ubuntu Linux operating system version is officially released today. Ubuntu 9.04 for desktop, server and “netbook remix” is available for immediate download, CD purchase or you can request a free CD.
Ubuntu is a free operating system that can be used on desktop PCs, notebooks, work/business PCs as well as other devices that support either the x86 CPU or ARM CPUs (beginning with version 9.04, previous versions only supported x86). It is a version of Linux that includes a graphical desktop. In fact, beginning with 8.x, Ubuntu comes standard with the Compiz Fusion 3D desktop, which enables some really amazing effects (see below) that puts Windows Vista to shame. As in Vista, these features require a moderate to high-end 3D accelerated graphics card, and can be enabled easily in the screen controls options.
The usable qualities of Ubuntu easily surpass anything seen in Vista. Its only real limitations come in the form of software. Most applications written for Windows were not also ported to Ubuntu (or, more generally, Linux). As a result, many of people’s favorite programs will not run natively in Linux. However, there are almost always alternatives that have been written which provide similar functionality, and are also free.
In the alternative, VMware has created a server version of their software which can be downloaded for free. It creates a virtual machine which runs inside of Ubuntu. From there, any Windows operating system can be installed and made to run full-screen, in a window or alongside multiple versions of Windows (and even other versions of Linux) at the same time. This functionality is limited only by system resources.
Note: In my tests on an AMD Athlon X2 CPU without hardware virtualization assist, the operating system ran about 30% slower in Ubuntu than it did natively on the machine by itself. In addition, some features (such as 3D games) were not possible due to driver limitations, which enable the Windows instance to operate smoothly with VMware’s hypervisor layer (and ultimately with Ubuntu itself). Files can be exchanged back and forth, as can data on the system clipboard. And, just as in regular Windows running natively on a machine, all software can be installed. Virtual Windows machines also have one additional feature which can be a life saver: Simply by copying the VMware disk files associated with the virtual machine, the entire state of a machine can be backed up or copied to another computer, allowing one to take a virtual machine from work to home and back again, even on a USB thumb drive, for example.
Ubuntu 9.04 includes the latest 2.6.28.8 kernel, and a host of features. Some of the highlights include:
OpenOffice 3.0
Latest Skype
Latest Adobe Flash
Faster boot times (reportedly as low as 25 seconds)
Gnome 2.26
Brasero 2.26 (all-in-one CD burning application)
Better (more intuitive) multi-monitor support
X.Org server 1.6, which supports several new video cards, as well as ATI-specific improvements including EXA acceleration (by default), 2D support for R6/R7 series, 3D support for R5 series, along with an updated -fglrx proprietary driver for R6/R7 series 3D support.
More uniform notifications and system messages
Ext4 file system support
A Netbook Remix version, which offers:
Even faster boot speeds
Enhanced power management
Easier network switching
More intuitive icons and other design changes
Native support for Acer Aspire One, Asus Eee PC 1000, Dell Mini 9
A Server Edition, which offers:
web, print, file, database and mail servers – more efficiently. Ubuntu 9.04 Server Edition integrates the latest, stable Open Source applications from across the community, packaged and ready for users to deploy. New enhancements include improved virtualization with the latest KVM features, clustering support in Samba file server and easier mail server setup with out-of-the-box Dovecot-Postfix integration.
In addition, Ubuntu 9.04 Server Edition will preview Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud (UEC). Ubuntu is the first commercially-supported distribution to enable businesses to build cloud environments inside their firewalls. With Ubuntu 9.04 Server Edition, organizations can explore the benefits of cloud computing without the data or security issues associated with moving data to an external cloud provider. Following a successful beta program last year, Ubuntu Server Edition 9.04 will also be fully available on Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2).
Jane Silber, COO, Canonical, says: “With every release, we see Ubuntu Desktop Edition make significant steps forward in appealing to mainstream computer users. With access to the latest office productivity suite, support for Skype and Adobe Flash, and faster boot times, we’re confident that Ubuntu 9.04 Desktop Edition will see more people join millions of others and make the switch to an open platform.”
Ubuntu 9.04 also comes with a native ARM processor port, for MIDs and low-end netbooks featuring an ARM CPU instead of an x86 CPU, and specifically the ARMv5EL and ARMv6EL-VFP architectures. See Geek.com’s previous coverage for additional information on Ubuntu’s ARM support.
You can download Ubuntu here.
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
