Kubuntu
Introduction
On August 29th, 2007, Jono Bacon announced the next release, version 8.04, codenamed the Hardy Heron, on the Ubuntu Developer Announce mailing list.
The focus for 8.04 for the Kubuntu community will be stability. Following the stability portion of our goals, the Kubuntu developers plan on implementing a new strategy which will allow Kubuntu to catch-up with some of the functionality of Ubuntu. No worries for those of you waiting for Kubuntu and KDE 4 as we have already released a LiveCD based on Kubuntu 7.10, the Gutsy Gibbon.
Alpha 2, the second in a series of milestone CD images that will be released throughout the Hardy development cycle, represent the very latest snapshots of Hardy. The pre-release images are known to be reasonably free of CD-build or installer bugs, however they are not recommended for use in stable environments. These releases will be for those who are developing, documenting, and testing. Alpha releases can be downloaded from the following URL:
NOTE: This is an alpha (pre-) release. Pre-release version of Hardy 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 Hardy 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/?q=node/55
Previous Kubuntu 7.10 Releases
New In Alpha 2
Hardy Heron Alpha 2 CD release brings with it many updated, new, and exciting applications. For this latest release of Kubuntu 8.04, 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 8.04 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
KDE 4 RC 2
INFO: http://www.kde.org/announcements/announce-4.0-rc2.php
KDE 4 Release Candidate 2 was released on December 11th and promptly packaged for both Hardy Heron and the Gutsy Gibbon. With this latest release comes numerous amounts of bug fixes, a new Plasma panel which replaces the familiar Kicker looking style.
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A preview of the Konqueror Webkit renderer is available in the webkitkde package. Note to bloggers: experimental packages do not indicate taking a clear position.
Amarok 1.4.8
INFO: http://amarok.kde.org
KMenu -> Multimedia -> Amarok 
Amarok Headquarters reports yet again another release of the marvelous Amarok 1.4 'Fast Forward' series.
- Just like its predecessor, Amarok 1.4.8 fixes a fairly large amount of bugs, and therefore increases stability of Amarok's stable branch of development. Among the major improvements is the resolution of an issue that could, under some circumstances, cause a complete lockup during dynamic playback. Last.fm metadata fetching now also works with xine 1.1.8 and we made sure you can now also use your brand new iPods with your favourite music player
Qt 4.3.3
INFO: http://trolltech.com/company/newsroom/announcements/press.2007-12-05.0846999955
Qt 4.3.3 was released on December 5th, including numerous bug fixes, support for the Common Development and Distribution License, as well as fixes to the build system.
Digikam 0.9.3 RC 1
INFO: http://www.digikam.org
Latest 0.9.3 release candidate version includes several improvements:
Tasty Menu
INFO: http://www.notmart.org/tastymenu/index.html
Tasty Menu is a Kicker panel applet that replaces the current, or default, KMenu. Key features include:
- A single column for favorite or frequently accessed applications as well as two columns for browsing installed applications.
- Ability to search for applications as well as the ability to include Beagle or Strigi search integration.
- Newly installed applications will be highlighted for user convenience.
- Drag and drop support
- And more...
Speedcrunch
INFO: http://speedcrunch.org/en/index.html
KMenu -> Utilities -> Speedcrunch
Speedcrunch has been updated to the 0.9 release of the calculator application. This latest release brings bug fixes as well as new features such as:
- A faster and more accurate math engine
- Real value factorials
- Inverse hyperbolic functions
- Always-on-top feature
- And more...
KGmailNotifier
INFO: http://www.kde-apps.org/content/show.php/KGmailNotifier?content=55375
KGmailNotifier is a small applet that runs in the system tray of the Kicker, notifiying the user when new email arrives in their Gmail account. Features include:
- Popup notification displaying the author and subject of new incoming mail
- Linked popup takes you directly to your inbox
- Aural notification
- LED support for notebooks and multimedia keyboards
- And more...
Thinkpad Flashing for Kopete
INFO: http://www.kde-apps.org/content/show.php/kopete-thinklight?content=47886
A Kopete plugin which allows a Thinkpad's light to flash on every incoming message.
Rear Speaker Volume Support in KMix
A patch was added to the kdelibs package that allows KMix to correctly adjust the volume for the rear speakers in a surround sound speaker system.
SMB Printer Browsing
INFO: https://bugs.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/kdebase/+bug/57666
User Hard Disk Mounting
INFO: https://bugs.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/kdebase/+bug/177036
New contributor iRon has given us a patch to allow for users mounting hard disk partitions if they do not appear in fstab. This feature is still in testing.
Flash in Konqueror
Konqueror now includes updates for the latest versions of Adobe Flash which recently broke compatibility. Testing is needed of this.
http://www.kdedevelopers.org/node/3162
Feedback
We want to hear what you think about the current release of Kubuntu 8.04, The Hardy Heron, Alpha 2 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!
HardyHeron/Alpha2/Kubuntu (last edited 2008-08-06 17:00:05 by localhost)