Beta2

Revision 18 as of 2012-09-06 18:42:13

Clear message

The Ubuntu team is pleased to announce the first beta release of Ubuntu
12.10 Desktop, Server, Cloud, and Core products.

Codenamed "Quantal Quetzal", 12.10 continues Ubuntu's proud tradition 
of integrating the latest and greatest open source technologies into a
high-quality, easy-to-use Linux distribution.  The team has been hard 
at work through this cycle, introducing new features and fixing bugs.

This release now has a consolidated set of Ubuntu images.  There is no
longer a traditional CD sized image, DVD or alternate image set, but 
rather a set of 800MB desktop images that can be used from USB or DVDs.   

With Ubuntu 12.10,  Kubuntu, Edubuntu, Lubuntu, and Ubuntu Studio 
also reached Beta 1 status today.


Ubuntu Changes
--------------

Some of the new features now available are:

 * Update Manager has been renamed Software Updater and now checks for 
   updates when launched.

 * A new X.org stack has been introduced which includes xserver 
   1.13 candidate versions, mesa 9.0, and updated X libs and drivers. 

 * Unity has been updated to version 6.4 including support for dash
   previews and coverflow view.  Now that compiz with GLES support has
   landed, unity-3d works again on the pandaboard.

Please see http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/ for details.


Ubuntu Server and Cloud Images
------------------------------

 * ARM hard float (armhf) cloud images are now available.

 * OpenStack folsom testing packages are available.  
   Openstack instance architecture testing support has been 
   added, as has a heterogenous scheduler for ARM.

 * Apache Tomcat 7 is now the default supported version.

 * Ceph has updated to 0.48.1 (upstream argonaut stable release), 
   and includes RADOS Gateway (S3 and Swift Compatible), as well 
   as performance improvements.

 * Floodlight (Openflow Network Controller) and mininet (Network Simulation)
   packages available


Kubuntu
-------

Kubuntu 12.10 now comes on a 1GB image for a USB drive or DVD.  In addition
other significant changes include:

 * KDE's plasma and applications have been updated to version 4.9.
 * Telepathy-KDE is now the default chat program offering easier setup for
   modern networks like Facebook and GTalk.

 * Calligra is now the default office and graphics suite adding top class
   painting and database applications.

 * The release of Rekonq 1 gives Kubuntu the stable web browser it deserves.

 * New login manager LightDM adds a guest session feature for letting your
   friends use your computer quickly.

 * Digikam 2.8 adds better photo handling.
 
 * OwnCloud 4 gives many web applications in your own remote or local cloud

Please see https://wiki.kubuntu.org/QuantalQuetzal/Beta1/Kubuntu for details.


Edubuntu
--------

In Edubuntu 12.10, a new package called 'edubuntu-netboot' is introduced. This
package now provides the functionality previously provided by ltsp-live and
will also be used for casper-netboot.

In addition, Tomboy has been re-introduced and Gnote removed.

For more details on what has changed in Edubuntu 12.10, please refer to
http://www.edubuntu.org 


Lubuntu
-------

Lubuntu 12.10 has had a significant update of the visual identity, including
new icon themes, wallpaper, and better integration with the applications.
Other notable highlights include:

 * A new version of the session manager is available for testing. 

 * A new version of pcmanfm (file manager), including at lot of bug fixes,
   external thumbnailer support, multiple screen support.

 * catfish, a searching utility, have been added to the default installation.

For more information about the changes in Lubuntu 12.10, 
please go to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Lubuntu.


Ubuntu Studio
-------------

Ubuntu Studio 12.10 Beta 1 ships ...
 

Please see http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/quantal/beta1 for more details
on the above products.


About Ubuntu
------------

Ubuntu is a full-featured Linux distribution for desktops, laptops, and
servers, with a fast and easy installation and regular releases.  A
tightly-integrated selection of excellent applications is included, and
an incredible variety of add-on software is just a few clicks away.

Professional technical support is available from Canonical Limited and
hundreds of other companies around the world.  For more information
about support, visit http://www.ubuntu.com/support .

If you would like to help shape Ubuntu, take a look at the list of ways
you can participate at:  http://www.ubuntu.com/community/participate .

Your comments, bug reports, patches and suggestions really help us to
improve this and future releases of Ubuntu.   Instructions can be 
found at: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs .


To Get Ubuntu 12.10 Beta 1
--------------------------

To upgrade to Ubuntu 12.10 Beta 1 from Ubuntu 12.04, follow 
these instructions:

  https://help.ubuntu.com/community/QuantalUpgrades

Or, download Ubuntu 12.10 Beta 1 images from a location near you: 

  http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/download (Ubuntu and Ubuntu Server) . 

In addition they can be found at the following links:

  http://releases.ubuntu.com/12.10/ (Ubuntu, Ubuntu Server)
  http://cloud-images.ubuntu.com/releases/12.10/beta-1/ 
  (Ubuntu Cloud Images)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/12.10/beta-1/ 
  (Ubuntu DVD, preinstalled ARM images, source)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-core/releases/12.10/beta-1/
  (Ubuntu Core)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/netboot/12.10/ (Ubuntu Netboot)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/12.10/beta-1/ 
  (Kubuntu)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/edubuntu/releases/12.10/beta-1/ 
  (Edubuntu)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntustudio/releases/12.10/beta-1/ 
  (Ubuntu Studio)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/lubuntu/releases/12.10/beta-1/ 
  (Lubuntu) 


The final version of Ubuntu 12.10 is expected to be released 
on October 18, 2012.


More Information
----------------

You can find out more about Ubuntu and about this beta release on our
website, IRC channel and wiki. 

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

  http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-announce