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diff --git a/published/ubuntu1004final.txt b/published/ubuntu1004final.txt deleted file mode 100644 index b861e8a..0000000 --- a/published/ubuntu1004final.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,50 +0,0 @@ -Canonical has announced the release of Ubuntu 10.04, or Lucid Lynx, as this release is known. Not only is Lucid Lynx an important update for the Ubuntu platform -- packed with new features, a brand new look and more -- Ubuntu 10.04 is a Long-Term Support release, making it the first such upgrade since 8.04. - -As a Long-Term Support (LTS) edition of Ubuntu, Lucid Lynx will be supported for the next three years on the desktop and five years on the server instead of the usual 18 months of free security updates. - -This edition will, therefore, set the scene for Ubuntu for a decent chunk of time and provide a launch pad for the distro’s move down a more refined and user-friendly path that subsequent releases should build upon. - -Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth (now VP of Product Design) wants Ubuntu to eventually beat Apple on the desktop in terms of features and user interface polish. While Lucid Lynx still has some rough edges, this release is a huge leap for UI design in Linux and puts Ubuntu well on its way to Shuttleworth's goal. - -There are, however, some changes that will no doubt raise the ire of die-hard Linux fans. For example, the close, minimize and maximize window buttons are now on the left (ala OS X) by default. It's a small change, but an endlessly frustrating one if you're used to the old style. Fortunately a quick trip to the gconf-editor will re-align the buttons with your muscle memory. - -Other less annoying changes give Ubuntu a nice, more polished look -- most of the GNOME panel widgets look much nicer in this theme and the icon set is considerably better than what we saw in the beta. - -But the changes in Ubuntu 10.04 aren't just skin deep. There are quite a few new applications, features and services that make Ubuntu seem more like a consumer-friendly OS like OS X than the Linux of the command line loving past. - -Between Canonical's web-based syncing service Ubuntu One (unveiled last year), the coming U1 music store and the new "Me Menu," Lucid Lynx is looking less like the stoic Linux desktops of yesteryear and more like a like, well, what everyday consumers want in an operating system. It's even got quite a few features Apple can't match. Oh, and it's free. - -The installation process for Ubuntu hasn't changed much over the last few releases, though the installer 10.04 does give you a glimpse of the new default theme, "Ambiance." A nice mixture of muted purples, oranges and browns, Ambiance has a somewhat darker and more professional look than the old human theme. - -Aside from the slick new looks, the default GNOME desktop has been considerably changed in Ubuntu 10.04, with redesigned widgets and the new "Me Menu." The "Me Menu" is a gateway to quickly access chat clients, "broadcast accounts" (which include Twitter, Facebook and the like through the very slick new social networking tool, Gwibber) and Ubuntu One for online backups and file sharing. - -The Ubuntu One storage is designed to give you a simple way to backup, sync and share files over the web. Ubuntu One offers 2GB of storage for free, with a 50 GB option available for $10/month. Ubuntu One also offers public shared folders which other Ubuntu users can access from their desktop (anyone not using Ubuntu can still access the files through their browser). - -Sadly, Ubuntu One continues to be somewhat buggy in our test. While actually syncing files, contacts (through Evolution) and notes (through Tomboy) worked just fine, the web interface continually timed out or failed to load for one reason or another. - -Still, so long as you don't rely on the web-based access, Ubuntu One make a great file syncing service and now that it's included in the "Me Menu" it's even easier to access and share your files. - -The other elements of the "Me Menu" are decidedly more fun, offering quick access to Gwibber, which makes a great Twitter and Facebook client (it also supports Flickr, Digg, Identi.ca and others), and Empathy for connecting to various chat networks. - -The Ubuntu One Music Store is also making its prime-time debut in this release. It offers a way to purchase DRM-free music directly through Rhythmbox, Ubuntu's default music player. - -Unfortunately, while the music store itself is fine -- we especially like that when you buy music it's automatically synced to the cloud via Ubuntu One -- the selection (which comes from 7Digital) leaves much to be desired. The Ubuntu One Music store is nice addition for Ubuntu and we look forward to seeing it expand, but it's definitely not the iTunes Store just yet. - -Of course the lackluster selection has far more to do with music industry politics and licensing issues than any shortcoming of Ubuntu's, but it does nevertheless reflect on the store. - -At least Ubuntu's music store delivers MP3 files rather than OGG, which, while popular with Linux fans, isn't supported by the iPod (technically, some models can be hacked to run the <a href="http://build.rockbox.org/">Rockbox firmware</a>, which does support OGG). - -The fact that Ubuntu One is tightly integrated with Rhythmbox is nice for GNOME fans, but means that other music players are left out of the fun. Canonical says that the music store will eventually be available also as a plug-in for Banshee, Amarok, and "a few other" Linux music applications. But for now it's Rhythmbox or the high road. - -There's also a brand new movie editor making its debut in this release of Ubuntu. The Pitivi video editor offers an iMovie-like timeline editor with all the basic video editing tools. Pitivi can handle anything GStreamer supports, so make sure you install all the additional GStreamer plugins available. - -We imported movies from three different cameras -- both AVI files and AVCHD. The AVIs worked without issue. The newer camera's .mts AVCHD files semmed to import successfully, but unfortunately we we're unable to play or edit them. Curiously, the files played just fine in Movie Player, which means the problem was most likely not in GStreamer, but with Pitivi itself. If you've got a camera shooting AVCHD, you may need to look elsewhere, but Piviti will do the job otherwise. - -The new Ubuntu Software Center features a completely redesigned interface for finding and installing software. The new look maker Ubuntu Software Center a bit more user friendly and almost app store-like in its design and layout. - -The basic GNOME apps all see updates in this release as well. Firefox, OpenOffice, and Evolution have all been updated to latest version. The only really noticeable change is in Firefox where Canonical has given Google the boot and opted to use Yahoo! as the default search provider. - -Those that consider GUIs bloat and think a good user experience involves green monospaced fonts on a pure black terminal window will not be pleased with the new Ubuntu. Unfortunately, from the looks of things you are Ubuntu's past (but at least part of Fedora's future) and the real world of everyday, dare we say ordinary, computer users are Ubuntu's future. - -The default human theme may be gone, but the emphasis on "Linux for everyone" remains well intact at the Ubuntu camp. Overall Ubuntu 10.04 is certainly one of the most polished looking Linux distros on the market. With built-in cloud syncing, a new music store and quick access to social networks, Ubuntu is clearly aiming at the mainstream audience and you can expect that trend to continue. - |