first draft of ubuntu review

1 files changed, 34 insertions, 30 deletions

diff --git a/ubuntu1510.txt b/ubuntu1510.txt
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+++ b/ubuntu1510.txt
@@ -6,68 +6,72 @@ Ubuntu One first debuted in 9.10, the Unity desktop became a default in 11.10 an
 
 Unfortunately -- or fortunately, depending on your viewpoint -- that's not a case with Wily Werewolf. There are a few new features worth mentioning in this release, but on the whole this is Canonical refining what it has already created, getting ready for the next LTS release (Ubuntu 16.04, due toward the end of April 2016), which will also likely be the last LTS release based on Unity 7.
 
-After that comes Unity 8. More on Unity 8 in a minute. But first, Ubuntu 15.10.
+After that comes Unity 8. More on Unity 8 in a minute. But first, Ubuntu 15.10, what might be the very last of its kind -- a stable, welcome update that doesn't require you to radically change your workflow or habits.
 
 ## Ubuntu 15.10
 
-While Ubuntu 15.10 is unlikely to win any awards for innovation there are some very useful new features in the kernel update, a couple of UI changes and plenty of application updates, all of which make it well worth the update.
+While Ubuntu 15.10 is unlikely to win any awards for innovation there are some very useful new features in the kernel update, a couple of UI changes for Unity and plenty of application updates, all of which make it well worth the update.
 
-The most notable UI changes in this release are the scrollbars, which are now pulled straight from GNOME 3. Canonical has abandoned its little disappearing "handle"-style scrollbars in favor on GNOME's defaults. The change appears to based more on code maintenance effort than any strong aesthetic feelings from Canonical. It would seem that writing and maintaining your own scrollbar code is more work than its worth. The visual change is minor and solves quite a few bugs in Canonical's home-grown scrollbars, making on the whole a win for users as well as the programmers tasked with maintianing the old code base.
+The most notable UI changes in this release are the scrollbars, which are now pulled straight from GNOME 3. Canonical has abandoned its little disappearing "handle"-style scrollbars in favor on GNOME's defaults. The change appears to based more on [code maintenance](https://plus.google.com/+WillCooke/posts/4WnzUY2PHix) effort than any strong aesthetic feelings from Canonical. It would seem that writing and maintaining your own scrollbar code is more work than it's worth. The visual change is minor and solves quite a few bugs in Canonical's home-grown scrollbars, making it, a win for users as well as the programmers once tasked with maintaining the old code base. 
 
-Most of what's interesting in this release is not directly from Canonical though. The most exiting thing in Ubuntu 15.10 is probably the updated kernel, which is now based on the upstream 4.2. 
+It might also mean that Unity is able to integrate upstream GNOME updates faster than it has been lately. With this release most of the GNOME suite of tools that powers much of Unity have finally been updated to 3.16, though a few holdouts like GEdit remain at older releases.
 
+Aside from the scrollbars, there's not a lot of visual changes to this release. Unity itself gets a slight version bump with some bug fixes and couple new features, including a new option to drag icons out of the Dash launcher and onto your desktop. If you were really missing the ability to clutter your desktop with something other than files, well, now you can throw some application launchers in there for good measure.
 
-There have not been many changes to Unity in this release, though it does recieve a slight version bump with some bug fixes and couple new features, including a new option to drag icons out of the Dash launcher and onto your desktop. If you were really missing the ability to clutter your desktop with something other than files, well, now you can throw some application launchers in there too for good measure.
+Other notable bug fixes in Unity include an annoying problem with fullscreen menu bars and the ability to access locally integrated menus -- that is, menus within the window rather than in the top bar -- on unfocussed windows.
 
+While those are welcome fixes, most of what's interesting in this release is not directly from Canonical. The most exiting thing in Ubuntu 15.10 is probably the updated kernel, which is now based on the upstream 4.2. 
 
+The 4.2 line brings support for for recent Radeon GPUs, as well as some new encryption options. There's also support for Intel's new Broxton chips, which just might be finding their way into an Ubuntu Mobile device at some point. 15.10 also marks the first time that the new live kernel patching has been available in Ubuntu.  This release also adds a new kernel for the Raspberry Pi 2. 
 
-Linux game afficandos will be happy hear that this release ships with support for the newish Steam controller. 
+Linux game aficionados will be happy hear that this release ships with support for the [new Steam controller](http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/10/steams-living-room-hardware-blitz-gets-off-to-a-muddy-start/4/). 
 
+Developers get some love in this release too, with updates for Python and Ubuntu Make, Ubuntu's impressive suite of developers tool. If you're looking for a quick way to get, for example, a basic Android development environment set up, you'd be hard pressed to beat Ubuntu Make's simple `umake android` command. 
 
-Stability-wise Ubuntu 15.10 has been rock solid in my testing. I have had some trouble installing 15.10 via chrubuntu on a new Dell 13 Chromebook, primarily related to trackpad drivers, but otherwise it's been very stable on all the devices I've tested it on -- especially my old eeepc where Ubuntu offers something that gets very little press -- UI scaling. Typically HiDPI screens get all the attention, and indeed Unity looks great in high res, but Ubuntu also has some great scaling in the opposite direction. Using the slider under Settings >> displays it's possible to downsize the entire UI, which gains you some precious real estate on smaller screen. It doesn't work everywhere -- Firefox is my most-used exception -- but it does make it easy to reclaim a few pixels on small screens.
+Anyone doing tech support from an Ubuntu machine will be happy to hear that Virtualbox has been updated with the latest version, which offers guest additions for Windows 10. The rest of Ubuntu's standard application suite has been updated as well, including the latest version of Firefox, Thunderbird, Chromium and more. Of particular note is LibreOffice, which has been upgraded to version 5, a major update for LibreOffice users. 
 
-kernel 4.2 
-stateless persistant interfaces
-gnome 3.16
+Stability-wise Ubuntu 15.10 has been rock solid in my testing. I have had some trouble installing 15.10 via chrubuntu on a new Dell 13 Chromebook, primarily related to trackpad drivers, but otherwise it's been very stable on all the devices I've tested it on -- especially my old Eeepc where Ubuntu offers something that gets very little press -- UI scaling. Typically HiDPI screens get all the attention, and indeed Unity looks great in high res, but Ubuntu also has some great scaling in the opposite direction. Using the slider under Settings >> displays it's possible to downsize the entire UI, which gains you some precious real estate on smaller screen. It doesn't work everywhere -- Firefox is my most-used exception -- but it does make it easy to reclaim a few pixels on small screens.
 
-gtk upstream gnome scrollbars
-python 3
+## Flavors
 
-Steam controller
+When most people refer to Ubuntu they mean the Unity desktop version, but there half a dozen other official Ubuntu "flavors" using just about every popular desktop available out there. The release of Wily Werewolf beings updates for all of them, but perhaps none as big or impressive as Kubuntu 15.10.
 
+Kubuntu has always been on eof the nicer KDE-based distros, but this release is particularly impressive. With Kubuntu 15.04 earlier this year Kubuntu made the leap to Plasma 5, the next generation of KDE, but things were rough around the edges in my experience. Kubuntu 15.10 adds an impressive list of bug fixes and some impressive polish that make it one of the best KDE desktops available right now.
 
-fullscreen menubar
+This update features Plasma 5.4 and KDE Applications 15.08, which means just about the latest set of apps and underlying tools you can get in a KDE distro. 
 
-Virtualbox updated with guest additions for Windows 10
+The new Breeze desktop with its flat, colorful, high contrast look is what KDE refers to as a modernized interface, with "reduced visual clutter throughout the workspace."  For more details on what's new in Plasma 5, see our [earlier review](http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/08/17/kde-plasma-5-for-those-linux-users-undecided-on-the-kernels-future/).
 
-Don't change things so much that you can't get work done.
+Unfortunately Kubuntu 15.10 comes along with news that the lead developer of Kubuntu is [leaving the project](https://kubuntu.org/news/jonathan-riddell-stands-down-as-release-manager-of-kubuntu/). The good news is that he'll still be actively involved in KDE, but the bad news is he made some troubling accusations about Canonical's misuse of donations as the reason for his departure. Canonical has reportedly launched an internal audit to figure out what, if anything, went wrong.
 
+The other notable update among the various Ubuntu flavors is an Ubuntu MATE release intended for the Raspberry Pi 2. The lightweight MATE desktop is a natural fit for the Pi and the new tailored release makes it much easier to get it installed and up and running on your Raspberry Pi 2.
 
-Online search is still enabled by default.
+## Unity 8
 
+Despite a healthy list of new features in Unity and quite a bit of change in some of the other flavors, many, including me, feel a certain sense of disappointment with 15.10.
 
+There's something to be said for solid updates that don't rock the boat and let you keep getting work done, but that's what LTS releases are for. If you prize stability, stick with 14.04 (or use Debian stable). It would be nice to see the x.10 releases return to something a bit edgier and more experimental.
 
-LibreOffice has been upgraded to 5.0.1.2, a major update for LibreOffice users. Firefox on the version that we tested is sitting at 41.0.2. By the time you read this, it will most-likely be updated again and you may see a newer version be pushed out through the Ubuntu Repositories. 
+That said, you actually can get something very experimental in this release, something so experimental in fact that it isn't quite ready for even a .10 release -- Ubuntu running Unity 8.
 
-Radeon GPUs, flash-friendly file system, live patching kernel code, dmcrypt updates.
+Yes, the very thing that has made Ubuntu a tad boring lately -- as all development effort has been focused on Ubuntu Mobile and the new Unity 8 -- is actually [relatively easy to install](https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Unity8inLXC). It's still very buggy which is why it's available as an LXC container, which helps keep it fully isolated from your production machine. 
 
-## Flavors
+I took it for a spin and, well, here's the thing about Unity 8: it's buggy and unstable, but it's getting really close. 
 
-Kubuntu and mention MATE for raspberry pi
-
-## Unity 8
+It's possible to experience what Canonical has in mind and it actually looks pretty great. The real exciting parts of Unity 8 though isn't on the desktop, but on Ubuntu Mobile and Canonical's vision of "convergence". Convergence, for Canonical, means the mobile device becomes, which the addition of monitor, a full desktop PC. To make this possible Canonical has developed Unity 8, which will bring the same underlying code base to both the desktop and mobile versions of the OS. 
 
-Why the disappointment of a release? 15.10 is canonical getting its ducks in a row for Unity 8. You can in fact play about with Unity 8 in 15.10, using and LXC container.
+The most impressive Unity 8 demo I've seen comes from Canonical engineers, who have posted a couple of [video demos of GIMP](https://plus.google.com/+MichaelHall119/posts/HBRyD8npeJk) running on an Ubuntu Mobile device. 
 
-It's here that you'll find the highly experimental things that used to come along in .10 release. So experimental in fact they aren't quite ready for even a .10 release, hence the container version that's isolated from your actual production machine. Here's the thing about Unity 8, it's buggy and unstable, but it's getting really close.
+The point isn't that GIMP is on your phone, that's more a novelty since the interface would be unusably small and, in the end, pointless beyond the "hey look at that" factor. The point is that you plug your phone into a monitor and all the sudden you have the full power of GIMP running on a device that fits in your pocket (and reverts to a powerful mobile OS when you unplug it from the monitor). It sounds good and now, for the first time, it actually looks believably good. 
 
-There will be a day soon when the minor, perhaps unremarkable releases like 15.10 are a thing of long lost memories.
+What you can see in the desktop version is the opposite portion of Canonical's convergence, mobile applications scaling up to run on the desktop device, along with some new visual splashes like the 3D app switcher and flatter visual look showcased in the video below.
 
-Unfortunately, there will be growing pains.
+https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiw1XDVopjc
 
-It depends why you like Ubuntu. If you want a desktop that's reliable, solid, but also pushing things forward, which is to say if you want the experience Unity has been providing for the last three, perhaps even four releases then you will likely want to get the LTS release coming next April in 16.04. This will likely be the last Unity 7 release.
+It won't be for everyone, but if you're underwhelmed by iOS and Android's attempts to provide a desktop-quality experience with the applications you already use, Ubuntu Mobile is looking like it might finally deliver the goods.
 
-If you want to live on the edge, Unity 8 will likely be, if not the default, at least only a login screen away come this time next year.
+Ubuntu Mobile is also the reason you have boring .10 releases like Wily Werewolf. Canonical getting its ducks in a row for Unity 8. There will be a day soon when the minor, perhaps unremarkable releases like 15.10 are a thing of long lost memories. There will no doubt be growing pains involved with the transition to Unity 8.
 
-Canonical's vision of convergence... etc
+If you want a desktop that's reliable, solid, but also pushing things forward, which is to say if you want the experience Unity has been providing for the last three, perhaps even four releases, then you will likely want to get the 16.04 LTS release coming next April. It will likely be the last Unity 7 release.
 
+If you want to live on the edge, Unity 8 will likely be, if not the default, at least only a login screen away come this time next year. In the mean time enjoy your quiet days of Ubuntu 15.10.