Kubuntu will release version 11.04, the Natty Narwhal, in April 2011. With this, the third alpha pre-release, we have introduced a few new things in in preparation for our next official version. Read below for some of the highlights. For more information of what is planned and being worked on, please read the To Do document.

NOTE: This is an alpha pre-release. Pre-release versions of Kubuntu 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 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.

Alpha releases can be downloaded from the following URL:

• http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/natty/alpha-3/

It is always best to check your CD image before you install! The MD5 checksums can be found alongside the CD images.

What's New In Alpha 3

On top of the underlying changes in our Ubuntu core, there are a number of new and interesting things happening for this alpha.

The Natty Technical Overview shows the changes in the rest of Ubuntu.

New Samba Filesharing

Thanks to the hard work of RodrigoBelem, we now have a working Samba filesharing system. You can now right-click on a folder in Dolphin, select "Properties" and easily share it with other computers on your network. It will even offer to install the Samba server if you do not already have it.

New Language Selector Module

We also now sport a new System Language Selector, now integrated into System Settings' Locale section. Now you can easily add, remove and manage languages wish extra security because it does not run as root. Many thanks to Romain Perier for working on this!

Printer Configuration Bugfixes

The system-config-printer-kde has seen updates, adding SMB printer browsing and fixing a number of important bugs: 295065, 460331, and 636685

OwnCloud Packaged

OwnCloud, the remote file storage server from KDE, has been packaged and is available to install from our archive.

Plasma and KDE Applications 4.6

The latest stable release of KDE's Plasma Workspaces and Applications brings new features and improvements all around. This includes:

• KWin sees significant performance improvements and better detection of graphic driver capabilities
• You can now associate programs with specific Plasma activities
• The power management configuration area has been given a new, easier to use interface

Phonon GStreamer backend

Our multimedia system has changed to GStreamer. This offers consistency with the rest of Ubuntu, HTML5 video in our web browser and improved codec install facilities.

GTK Oxygen Theme

GTK applications such as Firefox or Inkscape now fit in with KDE's Plasma desktop.

Games on the CD

By popular demand we've squeezed a game of patience onto the CD.

Known Problems

• 627815 "unable to save user-places.xbel"

• No ARM images due to various breakages

Feedback

We want to hear what you think about this alpha release of Kubuntu 11.04. 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!

Please give our Alpha 3 a try, and let us know what you think!