Welcome to a special holiday edition of the Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter, Issue 26 for December 12th to 31st, 2006. In this issue we cover the community council meeting, Ubuntu XMas Edition 2006, changes at the UWN, upcoming meetings and events, Behind Ubuntu's latest interview, Ubuntu in the press, general community news and much more.

Translations: (Portuguese,Spanish)

In This Issue

• Coverage of the Community Council Meeting

• Ubuntu LoCo Team News

• Ubuntu Xmas Edition 2006
• Behind Ubuntu's latest Interview
• Ubuntu Women Unite
• Changes in Feisty
• Changes at the UWN
• Launchpad Update
• Ubuntu in the press
• This week's Quiz
• Upcoming Meetings and Events
• Community Spotlight
• Updates and Security Notices
• Bug Stats

General Community News

Ben Collins Interviewed

Behind Ubuntu had its latest interview is with our very own illustrious kernel Hacker, Ben Collins.

Ben is one of Ubuntu's premier kernel hackers. Currently employed by Canonical, Ben has been focusing on improving hardware support and stability. Ben's claim to fame is that he does all of his work out of a barn. His systems are secured using a 110 volt Stockmaster energized electric fence and a one tonne bull. When asked "How much time do you spend working on Ubuntu?", he answers: "I try not to keep count. Way more than I should." How much time do *you* spend on Ubuntu?

Read the full interview at http://behindubuntu.org/interviews/BenCollins/

Ubuntu-Women IRC Meeting

Ubuntu-Women will have an "open day" IRC meeting. Please join #ubuntu-women on irc.freenode.net on Thursday January 11, 2007 (starting 15:00 UTC, 03:00 PM, London, group 1), and Friday 12, 2007 (starting 03:00 UTC, 03:00 AM, London, group 2). Different schedules have been set to accommodate different timezones. Check the fridge announcement (http://fridge.ubuntu.com/node/697), the forum thread (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=320742), and the Ubuntu Women IRC Meetup Wiki page (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuWomenIRCMeetup).

Feel free to join, we are looking forward to meet you there!

Ubuntu Xmas Edition 2006

The new Ubuntu Xmas Edition 2006 includes integrated multimedia codecs, Flash Player 9, Java, Audacity, new Grub splash screen and animated "very pretty" boot up screen, Isomaster - CD / DVD ISO Editor, ClamAV - Anti-virus software, X-Chat - IRC Client, and a lot more!!! For download http://ubuntusoftware.info

Changes at the UWN

There have been some interesting developments at the UWN recently.

• The UWN is proud to announce that Cody A.W. Somerville (somerville32) has been appointed the new Co-Chief Editor of the Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter.

• Several translation efforts have been started to provide the UWN in native languages. See the frontpage of the UWN (http://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuWeeklyNewsletter) for more details.

• A script has been developed by Cody Somerville to help make the Feisty Changes section easier to write. In the past, it has taken 3-4 writers up to seven consecutive hours to bring you the Feisty Changes section. Hopefully the new script will make the process easier so that we can get the UWN to you on a more regular basis. The script will be tested for the first time for UWN Issue #27

As always, if you'd like to get involved with the UWN, please come visit us at #ubuntu-marketing on irc.freenode.net. If you'd like to contribute an article to the next issue of the UWN, please feel free to edit the appropriate wiki page.

Ubuntu Community Council Meeting

After a very long hiatus, the Community Council convened on December 12th to hold the first Community Council Meeting in months. The meeting lasted several hours and was able to resolve some tough issues.

• LeadershipCodeofConduct was approved

• ForumsGovernance was approved

• It was decided not to move off Freenode
• Elections and confirmations for new CC members will happen in January
• New position of CC Secretary, with Dennis Kaarsemaker as initial office bearer, approved
• Colin Watson announced his resignation from the Community Council. Thanks for your dedication, Colin!
• 19 new members were approved.

The UWN, on behalf of the Ubuntu Community, would like to welcome the following new Ubuntu Members:

• Alan Pope
• Alexandre Vassalotti
• Bill Weber
• Cody A.W. Somerville
• Emir Beganović
• Fabian Rodriguez
• John Wendell
• Joseph Price
• Mark van den Borre
• Michael Bienia
• Miguel Ruiz
• Mike Basinger
• Mirco Müller
• Nicolas Derive
• Nik Butler
• Sean Hammond
• Tony Yarusso
• Travis Watkins
• Zarul Shahrin

The next meeting will be on 09 January 2007, 21:00 UTC in #ubuntu-meeting on irc.freenode.net

For logs and more information about the Community Council Meetings, see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/CommunityCouncilAgenda

This Week's Quiz

Once again, we had an exciting quiz this week. The prize, the generic Ubuntu poster, was donated by our champion from last week, Lasse Havelund. Next week's quiz doesn't have a sponsor yet, which means it will be sponsored by Jenda Vančura with an Ubuntu poster.

This Week:

Quizmaster : Alexander Vassaloti Champion : Alex Howell Sponsor : Lasse Havelund Prize : Ubuntu poster

Next Week:

Sponsor : Jenda Vančura Prize : Ubuntu poster

To participate in the quiz, join #ubuntu-trivia on irc.freenode.net on Friday and/or Saturday UTC-nights - the topic will tell you when the next quiz is scheduled.

To give a quiz, contact Alexandre Vassalotti (theCore) - we will find you a spot. To donate a prize, please contact Jenda Vancura (jenda) - your generosity is appreciated. The generic prize is an Ubuntu poster ($5 value).

LoCo News

Interview on people Behind Ubuntu-ph

The first interview for "People Behind Ubuntu-PH", the LoCo Team of Ubuntu Philippines, was conducted by Mrs. Yolynne Medina via email. She is one of the active members of Ubuntu-PH. The first person interviewed is Mr. Jerome Gotangco, initiator of Ubuntu-PH.

Read more about the interview: http://ubuntu-ph.org/node/78

Ubuntu-ve at Expotecnologica

This week the Venezuela LoCo team had very productive week at the Expotecnologica held at the convention isle of a very famous shopping mall in the city of Maracaibo, Venezuela. The invitation came rather late, so preparations for the event were not very many. The event gathered the latest trends in technology. Representatives from companies like Nintendo, Epson and A2 Softway (software development group) offered services, and the different university projects gave the event a very special touch of local talent.

Read more about it: http://www.ubuntu.org.ve/?q=node/494

Changes In Feisty

Changes in Feisty has been deferred for this issue. Please check back next week!

Launchpad News

Bug Notification Issue

Over the Christmas break, Launchpad stopped sending bug notification emails - a service important to many developers as it helps them keep track of bugs related to them on Launchpad. Matthew Revell had the following to say in an email:

• "I'm sorry for the inconvenience that this has caused you. We've found the bug responsible and will have the fix rolled out by Thursday (4th Jan). We have pretty good quality control but obviously it wasn't thorough enough for us to catch this bug before the Christmas holiday. We're now reviewing how we test changes to Launchpad and will implement a new QA process for the bug mail system. I'm glad to say that no data was lost. You may not receive notification of all bug changes straight away, though, as we are currently looking at the best way to process the backlog."

For more information about Launchpad, please visit http://launchpad.net or visit #launchpad on irc.freenode.net

Rosetta Statistics

Changes in Rosetta from Sept 3rd to December 31st:

• Templates: +161 (4341 -> 4502)

• Strings: +34916 (697429 -> 732345)

• PO Files: +10388 (140753 -> 151141)

• Languages: +6 (223 -> 229)

• Translators: +3352 (14753 -> 18105)

In The Press

Ubuntu vs SUSE vs Fedora

Ubuntu was compared against these two distributions, and although all three had "good and bad", in the end, Ubuntu won the editor's heart. Ubuntu's strong desktop focus and simple installer tipped the scale in our favor ;). The notable complaints were the lack of an active firewall by default and no clear, easy way to get one installed.

You can read the complete shootout at: http://www.helpero.com/news/Computers/Linux/UBUNTU-vs-SUSE-vs-FEDORA_20.html

How One Small Business Switched to Ubuntu

The Inquirer ran a story on how one small business switched its servers successfully to Ubuntu after becoming frustrated with its current setup. Check it out: http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=36635

Mark Shuttleworth on out-innovating Apple and Microsoft

Red Herring, a technology business magazine, interviewed Mark Shuttleworth about recent developments in the world of open source and his plans for Ubuntu.

A nice highlight from the interview is:

• "Q: What about growth in adoption rates, any kind of numbers that you can give me?
  • A: We know now that there are probably at least 8 million [Ubuntu] users."

Who knew there are 8 million of us? Read it at: http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=20495&hed=Linux%3A+Ubuntu+Founder+On+Microsoft+%E2%80%9CChallenge%E2%80%9D

Windows and Ubuntu on One PC

PCWorld has a nice article on how easy it is to have Windows and Ubuntu installed on the same PC. It has some good caveats for interoperability issues between the two OSes.

Spread the word: http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,128136-c,linux/article.html

Yo' Mamma likes Ubuntu

Like most parents these days who buy a computer at Best Buy or Wal-Mart and then take it home, plug it in and start using the Web, the computer they bought usually has Windows pre-installed. After a couple months, using the computer deteriorates into a sluggish experience. One particular mother loves Ubuntu after her son installed it on her new laptop.

Read more about the article at: http://shootingthekids.dpblogs.com/2006/12/14/yo-mamma-likes-ubuntu/

Meetings and Events

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

Technical Board Meeting

Start: 20:00 UTC End: 22:00 UTC

• Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting

• Agenda: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/TechnicalBoardAgenda

Wednesday, January 3, 2007

Edubuntu Meeting

Start: 20:00 UTC End: 22:00 UTC

• Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting

• Agenda: https://wiki.edubuntu.org/EdubuntuMeetingAgenda

Xubuntu Meeting

Start: 22:00 UTC End: 23:59 UTC

• Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting

• Topic: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Xubuntu/Meetings

Thursday, January 4, 2007

Ubuntu Development Team Meeting

Start: 16:00 UTC End: 18:00 UTC

• Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting

Tuesday, January 9, 2007

LoCo Team Meeting

Start: 15:00 UTC End: 16:00 UTC

• Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting

• Agenda: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LoCoTeamMeeting

Forum Council Meeting

Start: 16:00 UTC End: 18:00 UTC

• Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting

• Agenda: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ForumCouncilAgenda

Community Council Meeting

Start: 21:00 UTC End: 23:00 UTC

• Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting

• Agenda: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/CommunityCouncilAgenda

January 15 - 20th, 2007

linux.conf.au 2007 Sydney

• There will be a rather large Ubuntu contingent this year at the 2007 linux.conf.au conference in Sydney, Australia. Our own Jono Bacon, Robert Collins, and Scott James Remnant will be presenting. Melissa Draper will be conducting a 10 minute soapbox session on Open Day so look for her when the programme finalizes.

  The ubuntu-au Local Community Team will have a booth on Open Day, Thursday the 18th from 3pm to 8pm. An Ubuntu social event will occur on Wednesday evening. Be sure to check http://ubuntu.org.au/ Wednesday morning for time and location.

  More details including the programme can be found at http://lca2007.linux.org.au

Community Spotlight

This week we will be taking a look at the Ubuntu Marketing Team (the people who make an enormous effort every week to bring you what has been happening in the Ubuntu world). The Marketing Team is focused on promoting Ubuntu's uptake in various ways, essentially looking for ways to make people aware of Ubuntu and what it offers.

Ubuntu Bug #1 (http://launchpad.net/malone/bugs/1) is our inspiration, and its final bugfix is our final goal. Spreading all Free Software, particularly Ubuntu, is in the interest of the Team.

The scope of the Marketing Team is:

• Provide a unified front to enable the proliferation of the Ubuntu distribution, inclusive of all marketing activities
• Creatively advocate and positively promote the Ubuntu distribution on behalf of the Ubuntu community
• Understand and respond to the requirements of individuals interested in migrating to the Ubuntu distribution, making it easier for others to do so
• Understand the need to find zero-cost and cost-effective awareness strategies that allow for unlimited scalability
• Provide resources that enable positive and accurate press coverage with a long reach
• Develop long-standing stakeholder relationships that encourage open dialogue and deeper understanding
• Remain approachable by all members of the general public regardless of technical ability
• Remain an 'open' team, understanding that a perfect marketing team recognises that all users are potential advocates
• Be prepared to change and mould to the waves of market forces whilst remaining resolute in our founding principles
• Respect and incorporate the views of the FOSS and Ubuntu community, Canonical Ltd and all users
• Ensure professionalism and Quality of Service at all times

The main projects the Marketing Team is currently working on are:

• The Fridge (A community-driven news website. You can find it at: http://fridge.ubuntu.com/)

• Ubuntu Weekly News (Weekly news for the community about the community)

• Case Studies (gathering Ubuntu use cases, http://www.ubuntu.com/mystory)

• Herd Reports (updates in the current development version of Ubuntu)

• Ubuntu Video (Portal showcasing Ubuntu videos, take a peek at: http://www.ubuntuvideo.com/)

• Marketing Surveys (surveys on the needs of current, potential and previous users, see current ones at: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MarketingTeam/UbuntuSurveys)

• Spread Ubuntu (a website providing resources for grassroots advocacy, work in progress)
• DIY Website (gathering place for DIY Marketing materials, homegrown campaigns and DIY howtos, work in progress)

Interested in helping out? Joining is easy!

The marketing team is always looking for people to help out. We have huge plans to bring the wonder of Ubuntu to the world, and the more people helping do that the faster we progress.

• Read through the pages linked to from the MarketingTeam page to get an idea of what we are currently working on.

• Join the mailing list. You can have a read through the archives to catch up on what has been discussed previously - but this isn't necessary as important points will be put into the wiki.
• Much of the team's communication and project coordination take place in our IRC channel: #ubuntu-marketing on irc.freenode.net
• Once you've made up your mind, join the team in Launchpad.

For more information about the Ubuntu Marketing Team, see the following links:

• Marketing Team Wiki: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MarketingTeam

• Marketing Team on Launchpad: https://launchpad.net/people/ubuntu-marketing

• Marketing Team IRC channel: #ubuntu-marketing on irc.freenode.net

• Marketing Team mailing list: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-marketing

• Marketing Team Meeting Agenda: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MarketingTeam/Meetings

Updates and security for 6.06 and 6.10

Security Updates

• USN-395-1: Linux kernel vulnerabilities - http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-395-1

• USN-380-2: Avahi regression - http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-380-2

• USN-396-1: gdm vulnerability - http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-396-1

• USN-397-1: mono vulnerability - http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-397-1

• USN-398-1: Firefox vulnerabilities - http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-398-1

• USN-399-1: w3m vulnerability - http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-399-1

Ubuntu 6.06 LTS Updates

• maxima 5.9.2-2ubuntu3 - https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/dapper-changes/2006-December/012325.html

Ubuntu 6.10 Updates

• control-center 1:2.16.1-0ubuntu4.1 - https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2006-December/008113.html

• udev 093-0ubuntu18.0edgy1 - https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2006-December/008112.html

• mdadm 2.4.1-6ubuntu5.2 - https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2006-December/008114.html

• kopete 4:3.5.5+kopete0.12.3-0ubuntu2.2 - https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2006-December/008115.html

• gnome-system-tools 2.15.5-0ubuntu5~prop1 - https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2006-December/008116.html

• gnome-panel 2.16.1-0ubuntu4~prop1 - https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2006-December/008117.html

• gnome-applets 2.16.1-0ubuntu4~prop1 - https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2006-December/008118.html

• gnome-netstatus 2.12.0-5ubuntu7~prop1 - https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2006-December/008119.html

• system-tools-backends 1.9.7-0ubuntu5~prop1 - https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2006-December/008120.html

• synaptic 0.57.11ubuntu12.1 - https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2006-December/008121.html

• k3d 0.5.12.0-1ubuntu2.1~proposed1 - https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2006-December/008122.html

• openoffice.org 2.0.4-0ubuntu4 - https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2006-December/008123.html

• control-center 1:2.16.1-0ubuntu4.2 - https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2006-December/008124.html

Bug Stats

• Open (20732)
• Critical (21)
• Unconfirmed (10539)
• Unassigned (15625)
• All bugs ever reported (69894)

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

Check out the bug statistics: http://people.ubuntu-in.org/~carthik/bugstats/

Archives and RSS Feed

You can always find older Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter issues at: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuWeeklyNewsletter

You can subscribe to the Ubuntu Weekly News via RSS at: http://fridge.ubuntu.com/uwn/feed

Additional Ubuntu News

As always you can find more news and announcements at:

• http://www.ubuntu.com/news

and

• http://fridge.ubuntu.com/

Conclusion

Thank you for reading the Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter.

If you'd like to read the UWN in your native language, please check http://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuWeeklyNewsletter for a list of translations.

See you next week!

Credits

The Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter is brought to you by:

• Cody Somerville
• Jenda Vančura
• Isabelle Duchatelle
• Martin Albisetti
• Joey Stanford
• Rj Ian S. Sevilla
• Daniel T. Chen
• And many others

Feedback

This document is maintained by the Ubuntu Marketing Team. Please feel free to contact us regarding any concerns or suggestions by either sending an email to ubuntu-marketing@lists.ubuntu.com or by using any of the other methods on the Ubuntu Marketing Team Contact Information Page (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MarketingTeam).

If you'd like to contribute an article to the next issue of the Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter, please feel free to the edit the wiki page for the next issue: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuWeeklyNewsletter/Issue27