Kubuntu

Introduction

On April 12th, 2007, Mark Shuttleworth stated that "the Fawn has found her legs," and announced the next development cycle codename for the 7.10 release, the Gutsy Gibbon. As with previous releases, the users had made it clear that usability and stability are the things they look for the most. Well, we are happy to say that the goals for the Kubuntu developers for 7.10 will be to increase the usability following the guides created by recent audits from the KDE community, increase stability while using the latest applications for the Linux desktop, and increasing the ease of installation.

Some of the things you can look forward to is better power management, desktop installation improvements, better data migration, and plenty of fixes to the K Desktop Environment. One thing you might be able to look forward to is the possibility of packages created in time for release, the new KDE 4 desktop. However, KDE 4 will not be the default desktop environment for Kubuntu 7.10, but you can guarantee the development team will work hard to bring you installable packages as soon as they possibly can.

Gutsy will not be the next LTS (Long Term Support) release, but it will nonetheless see a lot of server work and be useful for fast-moving server deployments.

NOTE: This is a RC (Release Candidate) (pre-) release. Pre-release version of Gutsy are NOT encouraged for anyone needing a stable system or for anyone who is not comfortable running into occasional, even frequent, breakage. Pre-release versions of Gutsy ARE recommended for Kubuntu developers and those who want to help in testing, reporting, and fixing bugs.

Screenshots will be available at: http://www.thecodingstudio.com/opensource/linux/screenshots/index.php?os=kubuntu

Previous Kubuntu 7.10 Releases

See below for where to download or upgrade from 7.04.

New In Kubuntu 7.10

Gutsy Gibbon RC (Release Candidate) CD release brings with it many updated, new, and exciting applications. For this latest release of Kubuntu 7.10, the usability standards have improved and there have already been some aesthetic changes. Besides these changes, there have been updates to many common applications as well as bug fixes to some of those annoyances you may or may not have run into. With every new pre-release, updates will be documented allowing you to thoroughly test your Kubuntu 7.10 installation. Remember that all of these features are part of a pre-release version of Kubuntu, and may still have issues. We ask that any problems you come across that you file a bug, if one has yet to be filed for your problem.
https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+filebug

Dolphin

INFO: http://enzosworld.gmxhome.de
KMenu -> System -> Dolphin

Kubuntu 7.10 now includes Dolphin as the default file manager. Dolphin has not replaced Konqueror, but was chosen as the default file manager to introduce new users to file management a bit easier than what Konqueror could do. The main focus of Dolphin is usability with the following features:

  • a navigation bar for URLs allowing quick navigation through your file system
  • split views
  • and more...

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/GutsyGibbon/Beta/Kubuntu?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=dolphin.png
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Dolphin, unlike Konqueror, does not provide browser support as well as some of the advanced KIO slaves and options that Konqueror provided, therefor easing the use of the application.

Restricted Drivers Manager

KMenu -> System Settings -> Advanced -> Restricted Manager

ATI Radeon, NVIDIA GeForce, Broadcom Wireless, and more. If you have it, and there is a restricted driver available, installation and configuration has never been easier.

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/GutsyGibbon/Beta/Kubuntu?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=krm.png
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Strigi

INFO: http://www.vandenoever.info/software/strigi/

Kubuntu 7.10 now includes Strigi, a very fast crawling and advanced desktop search daemon. Strigi, when compared to other indexers is extremely lightweight and has an extensive pluggable backend. Kubuntu has included the Strigi daemon with every install as well as various ways in which to use it. One way is to use the search icon in the task bar to the right or you can simply add the Strigi applet to the Kicker by right clicking on Kicker and selecting Add Applet to Panel... Launch the full interface with K-menu -> Strigi Desktop Search

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/GutsyGibbon/Beta/Kubuntu?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=strigi.png
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https://wiki.ubuntu.com/GutsyGibbon/Beta/Kubuntu?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=strigi1.png
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GDebi KDE

INFO: https://launchpad.net/gdebi

Kubuntu 7.10 has received its very own .deb file installer. Utilizing the Gdebi backend, one of the Kubuntu developers created an amazing and easy to use front end for users wanting to easily install .deb files that they have downloaded.

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/GutsyGibbon/Beta/Kubuntu?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=gdebi.png
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Edubuntu KDE

New in 7.10 is the Edubuntu desktop with KDE. Enjoy your favorite educational applications now from within KDE. If you are using one of the 7.10 releases, simply install the edubuntu-desktop-kde from the universe repositories.

Kubuntu Restricted Extras

MP3, MPEG, AVI, and more can now easily be installed in Kubuntu 7.10. To get all of the multimedia goodness you have been searching for, simply install the kubuntu-restricted-extras package from the multiverse repositories.

LiveCD Documentation Update

Back again with Kubuntu 7.10, RC, is the About Kubuntu document. This document has always been there, just not on the desktop since the days of Dapper. The reason behind this move was it was voiced by community members that it would be great to easily access documentation and information about not only Kubuntu, but also about what they can expect, a bit of information letting the user know they are safe and not damaging their system by running the LiveCD. Hopefully one of these days, this will be replaced by the Ubiquity Slideshow.

Konqueror and Flash

Konqueror and Flash (Adobe, flashplugin-nonfree) are working once again. Ubuntu developers have patched up gtk which was causing the freeze and CPU temperature increases.

For freedom lovers everywhere we have available Gnash, a 100% Free version of flash. Install the klash package for a Konqueror plugin.

KDE PIM

INFO: http://pim.kde.org

Kubuntu 7.10 has decided to utilize the KDE PIM Enterprise branch from KDE. What exactly is the Enterprise branch? It is a solid and more stable release of the famous KDE PIM suite of tools. Kontact is the main front end to the entire suite and incorporates the entire suite into one single application. KMail, KAddressBook, KAlarm, KNotes, and more, are all integrated into Kontact.

Another addition to the KDE PIM suite from the developers of Kubuntu is the default installation of the necessary utilities for using GPG and S/MIME encryption/decryption and signing/verification. All GPG components will be correctly configured with the initial installation, however those who are upgrading will have some configuration changes needed. For more information on the GPG implementation, please read https://help.ubuntu.com/community/KMailGPGAgent#head-c6757d6675d3932eaeffb136479725842a81d9b6.

KvKbd

INFO: http://www.kde-apps.org/content/show.php/Kvkbd?content=56019
KMenu -> Utilities -> KvKbd

Kubuntu 7.10 now includes its very own virtual keyboard called KvKbd. The main purpose of this inclusion was to provide added accessibility to users with limited mobility.

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/GutsyGibbon/Beta/Kubuntu?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=kvkbd.png
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KDE

INFO: http://www.kde.org

Kubuntu 7.10 includes the latest release of KDE, the K Desktop Environment, version 3.5.7. KDE is the default desktop environment for the Kubuntu GNU/Linux distribution. Included with this latest release of KDE are bug fixes, updates, and added features such as:

  • KPDF now shows tooltips for links when hovering on them and displays more complex PDF files correctly
  • Kopete, the KDE instant messenger, received various bug fixes

For a more robust breakdown of all of these changes, please read http://www.kde.org/announcements/changelogs/changelog3_5_6to3_5_7.php.

Artwork

Kubuntu 7.10 may use KDE, but Kubuntu has made KDE even more beautiful with custom artwork by updating the:

  • boot splash
  • main login window
  • KDE splash screen
  • background image
  • color scheme

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/GutsyGibbon/Beta/Kubuntu?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=kdm.png
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https://wiki.ubuntu.com/GutsyGibbon/Beta/Kubuntu?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=ksplash.png
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https://wiki.ubuntu.com/GutsyGibbon/Beta/Kubuntu?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=color.png
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OpenOffice.org

INFO: http://www.openoffice.org
KMenu -> Office

Kubuntu 7.10 now includes OpenOffice.org 2.3, the latest release of the multi-platform, multilingual, and open-source office suite comparable and compatible with all other major office suites. Included with OpenOffice.org is:

  • Writer - a fully equipped word processor and desktop publisher
  • Calc - a spreadsheet application
  • Base - a database application
  • Impress - a presentation application
  • Draw - a graphics and diagrams editor

  • Math - an OpenOffice.org component for mathematical equations

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/GutsyGibbon/Beta/Kubuntu?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=ooo.png
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https://wiki.ubuntu.com/GutsyGibbon/Beta/Kubuntu?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=ooo1.png
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The latest release of OpenOffice.org, version 2.3.0, includes bug fixes, updates, and added features. For a breakdown of these fixes, updates, and features, please read http://development.openoffice.org/releases/2.3.0.html.

KOffice

INFO: http://www.koffice.org/
NOTE: KOffice is located in the universe repositories and is not installed by default.

Kubuntu 7.10 provides access to the latest maintenance release of KOffice, KDE's free integrated office suite. Included with KOffice is:

  • KWord - a frame-based, full-featured word processor
  • KSpread - a spreadsheet application
  • KPresenter - a presentation application
  • Kivio - a flowchart application
  • Kexi - an integrated database application
  • KPlato - a new project management application
  • Krita - a pixel based image editing and paint application
  • Karbon14 - a vector-drawing application

In addition to the application, KOffice also includes robust embeddable objects:

  • Kugar - business quality reporting software
  • KChart - full-featured charting engine
  • KFormula - mathematical formula handling
  • KThesaurus - built-in thesaurus

Some of the new features in version 1.6.3 of KOffice are:

  • Edit -> Find action added, works within table, query and form views as a global, context-dependent window

  • Simple Printouts - added support for printing and previewing images
  • Users can create database templates that can be accessed within the startup dialog window.

For a full breakdown of the 1.6.3 release, please read http://www.koffice.org/announcements/changelog-1.6.3.php.

Amarok

INFO: http://amarok.kde.org
KMenu -> Multimedia -> Amarok

Kubuntu 7.10 is helping you to rediscover your music by including the latest release of Amarok, version 1.4.7. Amarok is the ultimate music player with an intuitive interface which makes playing your music easier than ever before.

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/GutsyGibbon/Beta/Kubuntu?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=amarok.png
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This latest release of Amarok includes bug fixes, an improved collection backend, icon recoloring, and a cleanup of the streams provided to you insuring you have the coolest streams available. For more information on this latest release, please read http://amarok.kde.org/en/node/243.

Qyoto C# and Jambi Java Qt Bindings

New in RC are bindings for the Qt framework for users of C# and Java programming languages. Install qyoto-examples or qtjambi-demo to see what can be done with these langagues.

Download

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

Europe

Asia/Pacific

Africa

North America

South America

Upgrade from 7.04

Using Kubuntu 7.04 (The Feisty Fawn)? Want to easily upgrade to Kubuntu 7.10? If the answer was yes to both questions then please read the instructions available at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GutsyUpgrades#head-3cb12417f0af7f24d4a34f2ae4040bf791c42f52

Please make sure that you have enabled the Pre-released updated in Adept before attempting the upgrade. This is noted in the instructions as well.

Feedback

We want to hear what you think about the current release of Kubuntu 7.10, The Gutsy Gibbon, RC CD Release. We want to know if it Rocks, if it is just OK, or it is flat out wrong. No matter the feedback, as long as it is in line with the Ubuntu Code of Conduct we would like to hear it.

So what are you waiting for, head on over to the Feedback Page and let us know!

GutsyGibbon/RC/Kubuntu (last edited 2008-08-06 17:00:14 by localhost)