BetaAnnouncement

Xubuntu 8.10, codenamed the "Intrepid Ibex", is the next release of Xubuntu, scheduled to be released in October 2008. It integrates the latest Xfce-desktop releases with the high-quality and feature-rich core of Ubuntu, resulting in a light-weight and easy-to-use Linux distribution.

It introduces a new ready to use VNC remote viewer, the xfce4 dictionary application for ease in word spelling and definitions and incremental improvements to familiar applications.

Desktop highlights

xubuntu-intrepid.png

Xubuntu 8.10 includes Xfce 4.4.2, featuring the latest round of bug-fixes from the steadily-improving Xfce4 desktop environment.

The new version brings an improved application selection, including a more powerful client for VNC. The GpicView image viewer provides a cleaner and more functional interface than the image viewer it replaces, Ristretto. It also offers the latest in web-browsing software, shipping version 3.0.3 of Firefox, Xubuntu's default web browser. The movie player, Totem, now includes a plugin to view free digital content from the BBC.

A new wallpaper is also included. It is hoped that a new boot theme, GTK theme and icon theme will also make it into the final release, however, they are not yet packaged with this beta release.

Version 8.10 also ships version 0.7 of NetworkManager with several highly anticipated features such as:

  • system wide settings (i.e., no need to log in in order to get a connection)
  • management of 3G connections (GSM/CDMA)
  • management of multiple active devices at once
  • management of PPP and PPPOE connections
  • management of devices with static IP configurations
  • route management for devices

Furthermore, Dell's DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support) is included, which allows new kernel drivers to be rebuilt without having to wait for rebuilds of driver packages.

Finally, Ben Collins added a "Last successful boot" option to the boot loader. Thus, a copy of the running copy is preserved and will be available in case a newer kernel fails to boot. It also allows for older kernels to be automatically removed safely as opposed to being retained indefinitely.

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

Other

  • On the Desktop: Xfce 4.4.2, Abiword 2.6.4, Gnumeric 1.8.3, X.org 7.4

  • On the Server: Apache 2.2, PostgreSQL 8.3, PHP 5.2.6, LTSP 5.1
  • "Under the hood": GCC 4.3.2, glibc 2.8, Linux 2.6.27, Python 2.5

About Xubuntu

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

For more information about support, visit http://www.xubuntu.org/help

To Get Xubuntu 8.10 Beta

http://cdimages.ubuntu.com/xubuntu/releases/intrepid/beta

Download Xubuntu 8.10 Beta here:

Please download using Bittorrent if possible.

To upgrade to Xubuntu 8.10 Beta from Xubuntu 8.04 LTS, follow these instructions:

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

The final version of Xubuntu 8.10 is expected to be released on or about October 30, 2008.

Known Bugs

There are a few key issues that users will want to take note of before upgrading to this beta.

  • The e1000e device driver (which provides support for Intel GigE ethernet
    • hardware) is currently disabled due to a serious bug. A fix for this bug has already been prepared and will be released shortly as an update to all users of the beta release.

      https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/263555

  • No real-time kernel variant is available for the Linux 2.6.27 kernel

    • included with Ubuntu 8.10 Beta. Users of UbuntuStudio 8.04 who need real-time kernel support are advised not to upgrade to UbuntuStudio 8.10.

Feedback and Helping

If you would like to help shape Xubuntu, take a look at the list of ways you can participate at

Your comments, bug reports, patches and suggestions will help turn this Beta into the best release of Xubuntu ever. Please report bugs through the Launchpad bug tracker:

If you have a question, or if you think you may have found a bug but are not sure, first try asking on the #xubuntu IRC channel on FreeNode, on the Xubuntu-Users mailing list, or on the Ubuntu forums:

More Information

You can find out more about Xubuntu and about this preview release on our website, IRC channel and wiki. If you are new to Xubuntu, please visit:

Xubuntu/ReleaseNotes/IntrepidIbex/BetaAnnouncement (last edited 2012-03-25 16:39:17 by nblzone-227-162)