Introduction

Jaunty Jackalope will in time become Kubuntu 9.04.

The focus of 9.04 for the Kubuntu community is delivering a polished, user-friendly KDE 4.2-based desktop. We will continue migrating much of our existing Kubuntu software to KDE 4. Jaunty is the first dazzling step into the future of desktops with innovation not seen elsewhere.

Alpha 5, the fifth in a series of testing CD images that will be released throughout this cycle, represents the very latest snapshot of Jaunty Jackalope. The pre-release images are known to be reasonably free of major undocumented 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. The Alpha 5 release can be downloaded from the following URL:

• http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/jaunty/alpha-5/

NOTE: This is an alpha (pre-) release. Pre-release versions of Jaunty are NOT encouraged for anyone needing a stable system or for anyone not comfortable running into occasional, even frequent, breakage. Pre-release versions of Jaunty ARE recommended for Kubuntu developers and those who want to help in testing, reporting, and fixing bugs. Please do not use this in a production environment with data or workflows that you cannot do without.

New or Improved In Alpha 5

In short, everything!!

The Jaunty Jackalope Alpha 5 CD release includes a brand new desktop as well as many fixes and new applications. For this latest release of Kubuntu 9.04, we are exploring some desktop additions and updates to many common applications as well as bug fixes to some annoyances you may have encountered. With every new pre-release, updates are documented, allowing you to thoroughly test your Kubuntu installation. Remember that all of these features are part of a pre-release version of Kubuntu and may still have issues. We ask that you, for any problems you come across, file a bug if one has yet to be filed for your problem.

• https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+filebug

KDE 4.2

KDE has recently released version 4.2.0 of their amazing desktop environment. There are many changes including bug fixes, new functionality, and more. Some of these changes include, but are not limited to:

• Significant refinements of Plasma and KWin, the KDE workspace
• Many improvements:
  • Compositing desktop effects
  • New desktop effects
  • The return of the optional "Classic Desktop" motif
  • More configuration options

For complete details of the KDE 4.2 release, please consult http://kde.org/announcements/4.2/ .

The Kubuntu team continues the evolutionary process of refining and enhancing the KDE 4.2.0 packaging. New in Alpha 5 are Python bindings for Marble, KDE Educational's desktop globe.

Quassel

Quassel is a new IRC client that is now the default for Kubuntu Jaunty and is available on the CD. For Alpha 5, Quassel has been updated to version 0.4. It is feature-complete for Jaunty. It needs testing so that we can identify bugs and get them fixed. While Quassel is a split client-core application, it works very well as a standard, standalone IRC client. A quick How-to can be found here.

KMail/Akonadi/Amarok2

An issue preventing the coexistence of Amarok2 and Kmail/Akonadi has been addressed, so now both can be installed together.

Amarok 1.4 is no longer available. Amarok 2 is available from the Universe repository but is not installed by default. It will be present in the final Jaunty release, so please install it, test it, and alert the Kubuntu developers to regressions by filing bug reports.

New KDE 4 Network-Manager Plasmoid

Alpha 5 contains a new plasmoid-network-manager for testing. The older knetworkmanager panel applet is still available but no longer starts automatically. Please file bugs against this new plasmoid if you encounter regressions from the older knetworkmanager applet.

Kdebluetooth

Kdebluetooth has been updated and is back in Alpha 5 but needs work and lots of testing as well. Please give it a try and help out by filing bug reports.

Kubuntu Documentation

We have reintroduced Kubuntu Documentation in the hopes that people use KHelpCenter. We need volunteers to help update the information from KDE 3- to KDE 4-based applications.

If you are interested in helping out, please contact:

• Richard Johnson

Known Issues

• Network manager does not show by default. You can add it to plasma through the Plasma button in the bottom right. For the old version use Alt-F2 and type "knetworkmanager".
• Due to software regression on the latest upload of Plasmoid Network Manager, wireless connection may not work for you. Next update just after the alpha 4 release will fix this issue.
• Kmail sieve functionnality has a bug, doesn't work and causes CPU hang. You shouldn't use it at the moment.

• A bug in the udev package prevents the LVM encryption option from working correctly after reboot into the installed system. As a workaround, users wishing to test with this option can install with Alpha 3 or wait for Alpha 5. 325690

Feedback

We want to hear what you think about the current release of Kubuntu 9.04, The Jaunty Jackalope, Alpha 4 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!