Issue122

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WORK IN PROGRESS

Welcome to the Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter, Issue #122 for the week December 14th - December 20th, 2008. In this issue we cover ...

UWN Translations

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In This Issue

General Community News

Holiday Schedule for Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter

Due to the holidays, the UWN will not be published next week, Sunday, December 28th, 2008.
We will return to normal activity on Sunday, January 4th, 2009.
The editors and contributors of the Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter wish you a happy and safe holiday.

Announcing the next "Global Ubuntu Bugjam"

jorge has given us the dates for the next Global Bugjam: February 20 to 22, 2009. This is an opportunity for people to get together online and really make an impact on fixing bugs. For LoCo Teams, it's an opportunity to physically get together, socialize, meet new people, and share the love of Ubuntu. jorge even supplies a way to organize local support for the bugjam. http://castrojo.wordpress.com/2008/12/17/announcing-the-next-ubuntu-global-bug-jam/

Ubuntu on Amazon EC2 Beta released

Rick Clark has released the information that Amazon has started beta testing the Ubuntu 8.10 Server Edition EC2 Cloud Computing, and is accepting applications for access[1]. Amazon will charge EC2 users for their usage of the service, but there is no additional charge for the Ubuntu Server. You can find out more information about Ubuntu on Amazon:

Information about Amazon's EC2 service is available at:

Main frozen for Alpha 2

Steve Langasek has reported that the Alpha 2 second milestone for Jaunty Jackalope occurred on December 18, 2008. With this, the milestone freeze is in effect, and hold any disruptive or unnecessary files until after the release of Alpha 2. Primary focus should be on resolving existing bugs[1] and helping get the archive in a consistent state[2].

Next Ubuntu Developer Week set for January

Ubuntu Developer Week is coming in January. This means a week of IRC sessions where you can jump right in, participate, learn and ask all your questions. Daniel Holbach wants your questions, so he can get the appropriate people together to be presenters. So, what you like, what you want to learn, what would excite you and help you get started. Go to Daniel's blog site and leave a comment. http://daniel.holba.ch/blog/?p=303

New MOTUs: Stéphane Graber and Nathan Handler

Nathan Handler just joined the MOTU team. He has done fantastic work and we're very happy he's on board now. Launchpad: https://launchpad.net/~nhandler Wiki: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/nhandler

Stéphane Graber joined the MOTU team. Having put a lot of effort into LTSP and friends, we were only too happy to welcome him on board. Launchpad: https://launchpad.net/~stgraber Wiki: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/stgraber

Ubuntu Stats

Bug Stats

  • Open (47440) -508 # over last week
  • Critical (19) +4 # over last week
  • Unconfirmed (18496) +17 # over last week
  • Unassigned (39305) -517 # over last week
  • All bugs ever reported (237806) +1139 # over last week

As always, the Bug Squad needs more help. If you want to get started, please see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BugSquad

Infamous Bugs

Translation Stats Intrepid

  • Spanish (17186) -97 # over last week
  • French (61915) +/-0 # over last week
  • Swedish (72541) +/-0 # over last week
  • Brazilian Portuguese (80766) -543 # over last week
  • English (UK) (81460) +/-0 # over last week

Remaining strings to translate in Ubuntu 8.10 "Intrepid Ibex," see more at: https://translations.launchpad.net/ubuntu/intrepid/

5-a-day bug stats

Top 5 contributors for the past 7 days

  • crimsun (211)
  • hew (168)
  • jibel (165)
  • chrisccoulson(62)
  • dholbach (45)

Top 5 teams for the past 7 days

  • dcteam (211)
  • ubuntu-au (168)
  • ubuntu-berlin (50)
  • ubuntu-de-locoteam (47)
  • ubuntu-co (40)

5-A-Day stats provided by Daniel Holbach. See http://daniel.holba.ch/5-a-day-stats/

LoCo News

Ubuntu in national Danish TV again

The Danish LoCo has done it again. Following their first appearance on television, where they set up Ubuntu for a family with children, they have now followed up with the family. The family is still using Ubuntu, and the father's company has also moved to Ubuntu. This tops off their 2008 year of parties and advertising very nicely. http://martinpihl.dk/words/ubuntu-in-national-danish-tv-again

New in Intrepid Ibex

Launchpad News

Launchpad interveiw: Meet Jonathan Lange

Jonathan is one of the busy people working on the SSH server and the systems that live behind it for Launchpad. This is the system that allows you to download branches and commit to them through bzr. His humor, as well as his interest in computers and software, come through quite well in this interview. But, did he really ingest an ancient Tibetan philtre that granted him the ability to walk through walls, and compel him to give away Python code every so often? http://news.launchpad.net/meet-the-devs/meet-jonathan-lange

Launchpad interview with Adam Olsen(Exaile)

The Exaile media player began life as a clone of Amarok but developed for GNOME rather than KDE. At the time, Adam felt that Amarok was a bit buggy despite the qualities it had. First hosted on his own servers, he moved to Launchpad when his server was hacked. In this interview Adam describes some of his interaction with Launchpad and how he likes it. http://news.launchpad.net/projects/exaile-media-player

Launchpad 2.1.12 released

Just released, Launchpad 2.1.12 and two exciting new ways for other services to use data in Launchpad. One is the bug plugin API and plugins for Bugzilla and Track. The API allows you to create your own plugins for other bug trackers as well. The other is the Drupal modules for launchpad that let you use Launchpad to authenticate your Drupal site’s visitors and assign Drupal roles based on someone’s Launchpad team memberships. http://news.launchpad.net/releases/launchpad-2112-new-bug-tracker-plugin-api

Preparing for signed PPA's

Personal Project Archives are getting the ability to have signed packages. Instead of having individual private keys on file with Launchpad or creating one key for all the packages, Launchpad is generating new keys for each archive and then signing each build made from the time of the key’s creation. It will take some time to generate all the keys so, for a while, some packages will have keys and some won't. Check your PPA overview page to see if your key is ready yet. http://news.launchpad.net/general/preparing-for-signed-ppas

Launchpod episode #14: Drupal Modules

Stuart Metcalfe talks about the Launchpad Drupal modules[1].

Ubuntu Forums News

In The Press

  • Ubuntu-sponsored FOSScamp builds community - The week-long Ubuntu Developer Summit (UDS) meets every six months at changing locations to discuss what will be in the next release of Ubuntu. The mostly unpublicized FOSScamp always meets the weekend before. The FOSScamp un-conference has no program, no invited speakers, and costs nothing. Like some sort of geek Woodstock but smaller, the Ubuntu hip just show up. The large whiteboard in the lobby advertising conference sessions was completely blank. Anyone can pick up a marker and schedule a presentation in one of the five conference rooms. The speakers are self-selected and self-proclaimed, but not every available slot gets filled with a topic because a hot topic may not have much scheduled against it, as speakers are also attendees and don't want to miss it. Article author Robin Rowe tells us, "I've spoken at many open source conferences -- Open Source Days, FOSDEM, GUADEC -- but being able to invent sessions in the moment and to experiment with session topics was new to me, and freeing. It was fun interacting with the audience, being in more of a discussion format than a presentation. During the two days of FOSScamp, I led twice as many FOSScamp sessions as I would at a typical conference, including Paint-Photo Editing, OSS Biz Models, OSS Leadership, and UI Year 2020." In about six months, the date and location of the next Ubuntu FOSScamp will be announced on Jono Bacon's Ubuntu blog. Don't miss it! http://www.linux.com/feature/155866

  • Java Performance: Ubuntu Linux vs. Windows Vista - Have you ever wondered on what operating system Java works the best? Phoronix ran a number of Java benchmarks on both Windows Vista Premium and Ubuntu Linux to see how the Java Virtual Machine performance differs. In addition, when running Ubuntu, Phoronix tested both Sun's official Java package as well as the OpenJDK alternative. The Java tests they ran included Sunflow Rendering System, Bork File Encrypter, Java SciMark, and the Java 2D Microbenchmark (j2dbench test profile). All tests were executed through the Phoronix Test Suite, though on Windows Vista they had to be manually run, but testing was carried out the same way as the Phoronix Test Suite. Java on Ubuntu was pretty much the hands-down winner compared to Microsoft Windows Vista Premium SP1. Running the Java tests on Ubuntu had experienced significant advantages when it came to file encryption, Fast Fourier Transforms, Successive Over Relaxation, Monte Carlo, and the composite Java SciMark performance. In only the Sunflow test were the results between Ubuntu and Windows even close. With the Java 2D Microbenchmark, Windows was faster but that likely falls on the Intel Linux graphics driver having little in the way of performance optimizations and Java on Linux not yet utilizing the X Render extension. These six tests didn't stress all areas of the Java stack, but it provides a brief look at where the Java performance is between Ubuntu Linux and Windows Vista. http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=java_vm_performance&num=1

  • One Linux to Rule Them All? - techradar.com has an interesting interview with Jeremy Allison, leader of the Samba project. Of particular interest is Allison’s assertion that Ubuntu, thanks to its unparalleled popularity and huge user base, has “the strongest chance to take Linux mainstream.” Author of this article, Christopher Tozzi, agrees. Ubuntu is making significant progress where other distributions have failed for ten years: namely, consolidating the resources of the free-software community into a single Linux distribution that has enough users and developers to present itself to those outside the IT world as the pre-eminent representative of the Linux community. Ubuntu has managed to make itself almost synonymous with Linux, at least for non-techies. Sure, there are problems with this association, which grossly oversimplifies the relationship between the kernel, desktop environments and applications. But simplification–even if it approaches benevolent deception–is what Linux needs if it aspires to take over the desktops of the world. Ubuntu’s dominance doesn’t mean that other distributions can’t exist or should become irrelevant. But there needs to be one distribution that mainstream users can directly and easily associate with Linux, without having to learn what a kernel is or read the 26-year history of the GNU project. And Ubuntu may well prove to be that distribution. http://www.WorksWithU.com/2008/12/15/one-linux-to-rule-them-all/

  • ZaReason Preparing Ubuntu Servers - ZaReason, one of the best-known companies developing Ubuntu desktops and notebooks, plans to introduce Ubuntu server products soon. ZaReason CEO Cathy Malmrose mentioned the server news to WorksWithU a few months ago, but details about ZaReason’s server strategy remain sketchy. ZaReason briefly mentions its server plans in an online FAQ, which states simply: "We will be launching our servers on the site in Q4 2008", but time is running out in Q4. In some ways, ZaReason and Ubuntu are going into uncharted waters together. So far, Canonical’s Ubuntu Server Edition initiative has yielded mixed results. WorksWithU's 1000 survey confirms that companies are embracing Ubuntu Server Edition faster than the mainstream media realizes, and disruptive software companies like Unison are porting their server applications to Ubuntu. However, Ubuntu is a work in progress on the server and Sun Microsystems is the only major server maker to endorse Ubuntu Server Edition so far. There are pockets of success though. System76, another vocal Ubuntu proponent, sells Ubuntu certified servers, and ZaReason’s anticipated entry into the Ubuntu server market should provide another moderate step forward for Canonical’s server strategy. http://www.workswithu.com/2008/12/17/zareason-preparing-ubuntu-servers/

In The Blogosphere

  • Back from UDS - Blogger Stuart Langridge returns from the Ubuntu Developer Summit and tells us, "It was fascinating meeting everyone and seeing it all up close. Lots of stuff went on: I got interviewed by the Ubuntu UK guys for their podcast; I caught up with a few people I hadn’t seen for a while and lots of people I’d never met face-to-face before; I threw together a quick “lifestream” bit of JavaScript which would track a tag across various sites and it ended up on Launchpad." Langridge tell us that he starts work for Canonical at the beginning of January, he's really excited because he gets to make the desktop he uses be even better. http://www.kryogenix.org/days/2008/12/15/back-from-uds

  • Going Loco Over the Ubuntu Logo - Ubuntu is undoubtedly the most popular Linux distribution at the moment. It has millions of passionate users and tons of dynamic community members that can prove it, and some people have taken their love for Ubuntu to the extremes. This blog posting then shows us pictures of the Ubuntu logo in many forms including tattoos, hair cuts, bread, buns, cookies, cakes, soup, and more! Ubuntu fans will enjoy reviewing the photos and adding links to their own versions of the Ubuntu logo to the comments section at the bottom of this article. http://www.junauza.com/2008/12/going-loco-over-ubuntu-logo.html

In Other News

Linux is a way of life, not a clone of windows

Locutus tells us "All too often I hear the phrase, if only Linux would do such'n'such like Windows then it would be more popular." Generally those type of remarks only come from Windows users. These are the type of people who have a look at Linux, play around with it for a bit and then say it is no good because the menu is too different. They then complain loudly and make demands that Linux be made more "user friendly", ie. more like Windows. That is not going to happen. People will try and make Linux like Windows but they don't get much support. The most popular distributions are also the most Linux flavored ones. Locutus says he will never understand why some Windows users are like this. To them it is just an operating system because that is all Windows is to them. Linux is more than just an operating system - it is a way of life. It does not mean the way of life in the sense that you dress in technicolor tie dyed clothes, give up on personal hygiene and listen to bad poetry. It refers to the sense of being able to express yourself in the manner you want in your computer. Until Windows people understand this they will suffer a huge culture shock when they try to understand Linux. Linux is all about individuality, freedom of expression and having control over your computing environment. Linux is not a company with a goal to capture market share. It is a labor of love by people who want freedom of choice. Linux is not and has never aspired to be a clone of anything. If it does seem similar to other operating systems that is because that particular functionality is the best way to do it. So if you want Linux to be a clone of Windows then just use Windows. Linux doesn't care, Linux is what Linux does. No more and no less. http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/locutus/linux-is-a-way-of-life-not-a-clone-of-windows-28864

Ubuntu Podcast #15

Josh Chase and Nick Ali from the Georgia US LoCo released episode #15. Some topics covered:

  • UDS Recap
  • 4000 People at French Team release party!
  • Ubuntu Hall of Fame: Alberto Milone
  • System76 launches $899.00 Gazelle Ultra

  • IBM rolling out virtual desktops that are Microsoft free + Ubuntu + and include the Lotus Symphony and Lotus Notes apps

    http://ubuntupodcast.net/2008/12/16/ubuntu-podcast-episode-15/

Meeting Summaries

Upcoming Meetings and Events

Christmas Week

New Years Week

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Server Team Meeting

Server Team Meeting

Ubuntu Start: 16:00 UTC
Ubuntu End: 17:00 UTC
Ubuntu Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
Ubuntu Agenda: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ServerTeam/Meeting

Ubuntu Start: 16:00 UTC
Ubuntu End: 17:00 UTC
Ubuntu Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
Ubuntu Agenda: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ServerTeam/Meeting

Kernel Team Meeting

Kernel Team Meeting

Ubuntu Start: 17:00 UTC
Ubuntu End: 18:00 UTC
Ubuntu Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
Ubuntu Agenda: Not listed as of publication

Ubuntu Start: 17:00 UTC
Ubuntu End: 18:00 UTC
Ubuntu Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
Ubuntu Agenda: Not listed as of publication

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Foundation Team Meeting

Foundation Team Meeting

Ubuntu Start: 16:00 UTC
Ubuntu End: 17:00 UTC
Ubuntu Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
Ubuntu Agenda: None listed as of publication

Ubuntu Start: 16:00 UTC
Ubuntu End: 17:00 UTC
Ubuntu Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
Ubuntu Agenda: None listed as of publication

QA Team Meeting

QA Team Meeting

Ubuntu Start: 17:00 UTC
Ubuntu End: 18:00 UTC
Ubuntu Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
Ubuntu Agenda: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/QATeam/Meetings/

Ubuntu Start: 17:00 UTC
Ubuntu End: 18:00 UTC
Ubuntu Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
Ubuntu Agenda: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/QATeam/Meetings/

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Thursday, January 1, 2008

Ubuntu Mobile Team Meeting

Ubuntu Mobile Team Meeting

Ubuntu Start: 12:00 UTC
Ubuntu End: 13:00 UTC
Ubuntu Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
Ubuntu Agenda: None listed as of publication

Ubuntu Start: 12:00 UTC
Ubuntu End: 13:00 UTC
Ubuntu Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
Ubuntu Agenda: None listed as of publication

Desktop Team Meeting

Desktop Team Meeting

Ubuntu Start: 13:00 UTC
Ubuntu End: 14:00 UTC
Ubuntu Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
Ubuntu Agenda: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DesktopTeam/Meeting

Ubuntu Start: 13:00 UTC
Ubuntu End: 14:00 UTC
Ubuntu Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
Ubuntu Agenda: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DesktopTeam/Meeting

Ubuntu Java Meeting

Ubuntu Java Meeting

Ubuntu Start: 14:00 UTC
Ubuntu End: 15:00 UTC
Ubuntu Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
Ubuntu Agenda: None listed as of publication

Ubuntu Start: 14:00 UTC
Ubuntu End: 15:00 UTC
Ubuntu Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
Ubuntu Agenda: None listed as of publication

Friday, December 26, 2008

Friday, January 2, 2008

Tunisian LoCo Team Meeting

Ubuntu Start: 20:00 UTC
Ubuntu End: 22:00 UTC
Ubuntu Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-tn
Ubuntu Agenda: None listed as of publication

Community Spotlight

Updates and Security for 6.06, 7.10, 8.04, and 8.10

Security Updates

Ubuntu 6.06 Updates

Ubuntu 7.10 Updates

Ubuntu 8.04 Updates

Ubuntu 8.10 Updates

UWN #: A sneak peek

Archives and RSS Feed

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Additional Ubuntu News

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Conclusion

Thank you for reading the Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter.

See you next week!

Credits

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Glossary of Terms

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