Ubuntu

Ubuntu

A freshly installed Ubuntu desktop.

Ubuntu is the most popular desktop linux distribution. Last polled It has around 8 million active users. Canonical issues a new desktop and server release every six months. It has several variants based on it the two most popular being Kubuntu which uses the KDE desktop and Xubuntu uses the XFCE desktop.

Help Installing and configuring Ubuntu:

How to install Ubuntu: (pictures) https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GraphicalInstall

How to install Ubuntu: (video) http://screencasts.ubuntu.com/MoS2007/09_Installing_Ubuntu_Part_1

If you're looking for a complete overview The Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference book has been released for free as a downloadable 2MB PDF (or you can buy the printed book from Amazon for USD$10): http://www.ubuntupocketguide.com/download.html.

The Ubuntu Pocket Guide covers everything from what linux is to how to secure your system using encryption.

Ubuntu 9.10

Ubuntu 9.10 will be released in October 2009, it is currently in Alpha status.

Annoucement: http://www.mail-archive.com/ubuntu-devel-announce@lists.ubuntu.com/msg00304.html

Forum Thread: http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?t=757806

Ubuntu 9.04

Ubuntu 9.04 Desktop Edition delivers a range of feature enhancements to improve the user experience. Shorter boot speeds, some as short as 25 seconds, ensure faster access to a full computing environment on most desktop, laptop and netbook models. Enhanced suspend-and-resume features also give users more time between charges along with immediate access after hibernation. Intelligent switching between Wi-Fi and 3G environments has been broadened to support more wireless devices and 3G cards, resulting in a smoother experience for most users.

Review: http://lifehacker.com/5224586/first-look-at-ubuntu-904-jaunty-jackalope

Screenshots: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Ubuntu-9-04-Released-109987.shtml

Technical Overview: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/releasenotes/904overview

Forum Thread http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?t=712221

Download: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

Ubuntu 8.10

Ubuntu 8.10 codename Intrepid Ibex.

Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop Edition delivers the features you need for an increasingly mobile digital life, including 3G wireless support and guest sessions that lets users temporarily share computers without compromising security.

Ubuntu 8.10 ships with the Linux 2.6.27 kernel, X.Org 7.4, and GNOME 2.24. Among the general improvements in the Intrepid Ibex release include a much-improved BulletProofX, NetworkManager improvements, and much more.

Review: http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=ubuntu_810&num=1

Screenshots: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Ubuntu-8-10-Release-Candidate-Screenshot-Tour-96353.shtml

Technical Overview: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/IntrepidIbex/TechnicalOverview

Download: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

Forum Thread http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?t=692386

Ubuntu 8.04.2 LTS

This is the second maintenance release of Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, Ubuntu 8.04 is a Long Term Support release which means it will continue to be supported with maintenance updates and security fixes until April 2011 on desktops and April 2013 on servers.

Over 200 post-release updates have been integrated, and a number of bugs in the installation system have been corrected. These include security updates and corrections for other high-impact bugs, with a focus on maintaining stability and compatibility with Ubuntu 8.04 LTS.

Release Notes: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/releasenotes/804

Download: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

Forum Thread http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?t=656851