Herd3

Differences between revisions 12 and 36 (spanning 24 versions)
⇤ ← Revision 12 as of 2007-02-01 09:56:09 →
Size: 9526
Editor: adsl-074-245-140-197
Comment:
← Revision 36 as of 2007-02-02 23:37:37 → ⇥
Size: 7081
Editor: 81-179-69-111
Comment: evo vertical preview was first in evo. 2.8, aka edgy
Deletions are marked like this. Additions are marked like this.
Line 4: Line 4:
Ubuntu "Feisty Fawn" 7.04 has two and a half more months to go until it's release date planned in April 19th, and already many exciting features have been introduced. Herd 3, the third Alpha release kicks off the most active period in the release schedule. Ubuntu "Feisty Fawn" 7.04 has two and a half more months before its planned release on April 19th. Herd 3, the third Alpha release kicks off the most active period in the release schedule.
Line 7: Line 7:
Note: This is still an alpha release. Do not install it on production machines. The final stable version will be released in April 2007. __Note__: This is still an alpha release. Do not install it on production machines. The final stable version will be released in April 2007.
Line 9: Line 9:
== Installation ==
Line 10: Line 11:
== GNOME 2.17.90 ==
Yet another step in Gnome has been made bumping the version to 2.17.90, the sixth release before 2.18. This new version of Gnome comes with a lot of work done on translations, a major upgrade to Gnome Control Center, GTK has gone through a round of bug fixing and a general polish has been giving to the user interface.		 Ubuntu's graphical installer, Ubiquity, now integrates partitioning and selection of mount points, similar to the partitioner on the alternate install CD.
Line 13: Line 13:
=== Gnome Control Center ===
Gnome Control Center (g-c-c) is a centralized interface containing a variety of configuration applets ("capplets") for changing system settings and preferences, similar to KDE's KControl, Mac OS's System Preferences, and the MS Windows Control Panel. It includes such things as accessibility configuration, desktop fonts, keyboard and mouse properties, sound setup, desktop theme and background, user interface properties, and screen resolution, among other things. It is currently maintained in Ubuntu by the Ubuntu Core Development team.		 There are still several missing pieces here: the [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Ubiquity/AdvancedPartitionerRewrite graphical disk view] isn't implemented yet; validation doesn't work properly; and it's slower than it should be. Backups are still recommended before using this. If you want to use the old partitioner instead, run `ubiquity --old-partitioner` from a terminal window.
Line 16: Line 15:
Gnome Control Center has been given a bit of a face-lift in more recent developments. As noted before, the version in Feisty has a slightly different interface layout and some extra features, making it significantly more usable. Here's a sneak peak of what things look like as of Herd 3
http://ubuntuforums.org/gallery/data/500/g-c-c.png		 == New Desktop Applications ==
Line 19: Line 17:
=== GNOME Control Center ===
GNOME Control Center changes settings including fonts, keyboard and mouse properties, sound setup, themes, desktop background, accessibility, and screen resolution.
Line 20: Line 20:
=== GTK+ 2.10.9 ===
GTK+ 2.10.7 is a multi-platform toolkit for creating graphical user interfaces. This release is the continuing effort to keep it rock solid.		 The new interface in Feisty groups similar tasks, and includes instant search.
Line 23: Line 22:
attachment:g-c-c.png

=== Evolution 2.9.4 ===
Evolution 2.94 adds many new features.
Line 25: Line 28:
Ekiga is an open source VoIP and video conferencing application for GNOME. Ekiga uses both the H.323 and SIP protocols. It supports many audio and video codecs, and is inter operable with other SIP compliant software. The release that just hit Feisty is a major "bug fix and polish" release, making it much more user-friendly.
http://ubuntuforums.org/gallery/data/500/Screenshot-Ekiga.png
Ekiga is a VoIP and video conferencing that supports many audio and video codecs. Since it uses SIP and H323 it works with other SIP compliant software. The release that just hit Feisty is a major "bug fix and polish" release, making it much more user-friendly.

attachment:Screenshot-Ekiga.png
Line 30: Line 35:
Epiphany is a web browser designed to be powerful while having a simple interface, and being friendly for non-technical users. It uses the Gecko rendering engine underneath, and on the surface complies with the Gnome Human Interface Guidelines, being intended to integrate closely with the Gnome desktop. This release sees feature updates to the interface, including in the area of theming options, bookmarks, history, and menus, as well as a handful of bugfixes. Epiphany is a web browser that's powerful and simple. It uses the same rendering engine as Firefox but integrates more closely with the GNOME desktop. New features in this release include new theming options, bookmarks, history, and menus.
Line 33: Line 38:
GEdit is a full-featured graphical text editor supporting multiple files open (tabs), a vast array of syntax highlighting options, automatic indentation, UTF-8 character support, spell-check, print preview, and is extensible, with a number of plugins available for more features. This release includes some miscellaneous fixes to make it more intelligent for certain options and behaviors, as well as a half dozen translation updates. GEdit is a graphical programmer's editor with tabs, syntax highlighting, automatic indentation, spell-check, print preview, and a wide variety of plugins. This release includes more intelligent behavior.

=== Xfce 4.4 ===

==== Thunar ====
Thunar replaces the previous file manager, Xffm. It includes basic file management functionality as well as advanced features, including the ability to rename multiple files at a time and recognition of removable media upon inserting the media or plugging in the drive.

attachment:thunar1.png

==== Xfce-panel ====
The Xfce-panel can now support multiple panels out of the box. The new Panel Manager allows for easy configuration of panel preference, including, Transparency and Panel Opaqueness.

Many Panel plugins now run as seperate processes, preventing crashes from unstable plugins from crashing the whole panel.
Line 36: Line 53:
== Xfce 4.4 ==

=== Thunar ===
Thunar replaces the previous file manager, Xffm. Thunar was written from scratch to provide a similar to Nautilus and pcmanfm, using GTK+ 2.4. Thunar includes basic file management functionality as well as many advance features. The Bulk Renamer easily enables users to rename multiple files at a time. Thunar also enables easy media and removable drive recognition. Thunar will create a new icon representing the removable drive or media upon inserting the media into the drive or plugging in the removable drive.

http://ubuntuforums.org/gallery/data/500/thunar1.png

=== Xfce-panel ===
Being completely rewritten for the Xfce 4.4 release, the Xfce-panel now has the option to support multiple panels out of the box. The new Panel Manager allows for easy configuration of panel preference, including, Transparency and Panel Opaqueness.

Panel plugins are now run as processes separate from the panel. This prevents an unstable plugin from crashing the whole panel. Depending on the stability of the plugin, developers can create plugins as a unique process or as part of the panel process.
Line 49: Line 55:
An easy preferred applications GUI has been integrated making it no longer necessary to edit shell profiles to change the default Web Browser, Mail Reader, and Terminal Emulator. An new way to specify preferred Web Browser, Mail Reader, Terminal Emulator and other apps.
Line 51: Line 57:
== Installation ==

Ubuntu's graphical installer, Ubiquity, now features a brand new advanced partitioning tool. The primary goal here was to get rid of the nasty separation between partitioning and selection of mount points, and to make the underlying behavior more consistent with that in the alternate install CD's partitioner.

There are still several missing pieces here: the [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Ubiquity/AdvancedPartitionerRewrite graphical disk view] isn't implemented yet; validation doesn't work properly; and it's slower than it should be. Backups are still recommended before using this. If you want to use the old partitioner instead, run `ubiquity --old-partitioner` from a terminal window.

== Desktop Search ==

Desktop search for Ubuntu has developed in leaps and bounds.

=== Tracker ===		 == Faster Searching ==
Line 64: Line 60:
=== Beagle ===
Line 67: Line 62:
== Painless Codec Installation ==
A long awaited feature has been implemented in Feisty Fawn Herd3 release, Easy Codec Installation. From now on instead of giving an obscure error message when trying to play some media file, Ubuntu will try to install the necessary codecs automatically, and start playing the desired file. attachment:Easy_Codec_Installation.png		 attachment:DesktopSearchSmall.png
Line 70: Line 64:
== Kernel == == Simpler Multimedia ==
Easy Codec Installation has been implemented in Feisty Fawn Herd 3, When trying to play media files, Ubuntu will try to install the necessary codecs automatically, and start playing the desired file.
Line 72: Line 67:
The latest updates of Feisty's kernel brings with it many bug fixes allowing for a much more stable experience , and myriads of hardware drivers expanding the already large list of hardware Ubuntu supports. attachment:Easy_Codec_Installation.png
Line 74: Line 69:
=== KVM ===
With the addition of latest kernel updates, Feisty's kernel has paravirtualization called KVM which ties into either Intel's VT or AMD-V technology. When tied in with the userspace component, this offer virtualization which is much faster than previously possible. This is still in testing and may not make the final release.		 == Networking Improvements ==

New in Feisty is Network Manager, a simple way to find and connect to wireless and wired networks.

attachment:NetworkManager.png

New Zeroconf support makes it easy to network desktop computers without needing servers to assign IP addresses or names.

== Virtualization ==

=== Kernel Virtual Machine ===
Users with Intel's VT or AMD-V technology can use KVM, when combined with the userspace component, allows for fast virtualization. This is still in testing and may not make the final release.

attachment:QemuSmall.png
Line 78: Line 85:
Along with the KVM paravirtualization solution, Feisty's kernel also includes VMware's VMI layer. This is also being tested and may not make the final release. Feisty's kernel also includes VMware's VMI layer. This is may also not make the final release.
Line 80: Line 87:
== Language Support ==

Gnome 2.17.90 and GEdit 2.17.4 have had many additional languages added.
Line 131: Line 141:
 * Mike MacCana

Introduction

Ubuntu "Feisty Fawn" 7.04 has two and a half more months before its planned release on April 19th. Herd 3, the third Alpha release kicks off the most active period in the release schedule.

Note: This is still an alpha release. Do not install it on production machines. The final stable version will be released in April 2007.

Installation

Ubuntu's graphical installer, Ubiquity, now integrates partitioning and selection of mount points, similar to the partitioner on the alternate install CD.

There are still several missing pieces here: the [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Ubiquity/AdvancedPartitionerRewrite graphical disk view] isn't implemented yet; validation doesn't work properly; and it's slower than it should be. Backups are still recommended before using this. If you want to use the old partitioner instead, run ubiquity --old-partitioner from a terminal window.

New Desktop Applications

GNOME Control Center

GNOME Control Center changes settings including fonts, keyboard and mouse properties, sound setup, themes, desktop background, accessibility, and screen resolution.

The new interface in Feisty groups similar tasks, and includes instant search.

attachment:g-c-c.png

Evolution 2.9.4

Evolution 2.94 adds many new features.

Ekiga 2.0.4

Ekiga is a VoIP and video conferencing that supports many audio and video codecs. Since it uses SIP and H323 it works with other SIP compliant software. The release that just hit Feisty is a major "bug fix and polish" release, making it much more user-friendly.

attachment:Screenshot-Ekiga.png

Epiphany 2.17.90

Epiphany is a web browser that's powerful and simple. It uses the same rendering engine as Firefox but integrates more closely with the GNOME desktop. New features in this release include new theming options, bookmarks, history, and menus.

GEdit 2.17.4

GEdit is a graphical programmer's editor with tabs, syntax highlighting, automatic indentation, spell-check, print preview, and a wide variety of plugins. This release includes more intelligent behavior.

Xfce 4.4

Thunar

Thunar replaces the previous file manager, Xffm. It includes basic file management functionality as well as advanced features, including the ability to rename multiple files at a time and recognition of removable media upon inserting the media or plugging in the drive.

attachment:thunar1.png

Xfce-panel

The Xfce-panel can now support multiple panels out of the box. The new Panel Manager allows for easy configuration of panel preference, including, Transparency and Panel Opaqueness.

Many Panel plugins now run as seperate processes, preventing crashes from unstable plugins from crashing the whole panel.

Preferred Applications

An new way to specify preferred Web Browser, Mail Reader, Terminal Emulator and other apps.

Faster Searching

Now available from Ubuntu repository is the latest stable release of Tracker, a fast small desktop search tool. Version 0.5.4 features incredible indexing speed, very low resource usage, improved mime and text file detection, and FUSE-based filesystem support. Frontend improvements include better deskbar integration and bug fixes.

Also available from the repositories is Beagle, a desktop search tool. This version contains bug fixes, memory usage reductions, and a few new backends.

attachment:DesktopSearchSmall.png

Simpler Multimedia

Easy Codec Installation has been implemented in Feisty Fawn Herd 3, When trying to play media files, Ubuntu will try to install the necessary codecs automatically, and start playing the desired file.

attachment:Easy_Codec_Installation.png

Networking Improvements

New in Feisty is Network Manager, a simple way to find and connect to wireless and wired networks.

attachment:NetworkManager.png

New Zeroconf support makes it easy to network desktop computers without needing servers to assign IP addresses or names.

Virtualization

Kernel Virtual Machine

Users with Intel's VT or AMD-V technology can use KVM, when combined with the userspace component, allows for fast virtualization. This is still in testing and may not make the final release.

attachment:QemuSmall.png

VMware

Feisty's kernel also includes VMware's VMI layer. This is may also not make the final release.

Language Support

Gnome 2.17.90 and GEdit 2.17.4 have had many additional languages added.

Download Herd 3

Get it while it's hot. ISOs and torrents are available at:

Reporting Bugs & Testing

Feisty Fawn has bugs! (I bet you're not surprised). Your comments, bug reports, patches and suggestions will help fix bugs and improve future releases. Please report bugs through Malone.

If you want to help out with those bugs, the Bug Squad is always looking for help.

If you plan to do an installation of Feisty Herd 3, be sure to head to [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Testing/ReportingResults Test Reporting Wiki]. With just a few minutes of time at your hands, you can really help to improve Ubuntu. We have two different tests; one takes just a short while, but the other is more thorough.

Participate in Ubuntu

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

More Information

You can find out more about Ubuntu on our [http://ubuntu.com website] and [http://wiki.ubuntu.com wiki].

To sign up for future Ubuntu development announcements, please subscribe to Ubuntu's development announcement list at:

Previous Herds

Credits

Herd 3 release notes were brought to you by:

  • Martin Albisetti
  • Bryan Karen
  • Tony Yarusso
  • Colin Watson
  • Eldo Varghese

  • Mike MacCana

Feedback

This document is maintained by the Ubuntu Marketing Team. Please feel free to contact us regarding any concerns or suggestions by either sending an email to ubuntu-marketing@lists.ubuntu.com or by using any of the other methods on the Ubuntu Marketing Team wiki page.

FeistyFawn/Herd3 (last edited 2008-08-06 16:27:05 by localhost)