Download Ubuntu 11.04 final

On Thursday, version 11.04 of Ubuntu Linux was released. A new version is released twice a year and, as with AMD’s Catalyst drivers, the release year and month form the version number. New in version 11.04 is the Unity user interface, which previously used Gnome. Unity was introduced in the Netbook version of Ubuntu 10.10 and is now also used for the desktop. Gnome is still the underlying layer and it is therefore jumped back to the Gnome environment when, for example, the hardware is not sufficient to run Unity. Other notable changes are that the Rhythmbox media player has been replaced by Bansheee and we now find LibreOffice instead of OpenOffice.org.

What’s new?
The release of Ubuntu 11.04 has seen the arrival of a new look and feel for Ubuntu. A whizzy, new launcher and dash, and a clever workspace manager are some of the biggest changes. Take a look at what’s new and then feel free to choose between the classic and new desktop experiences at login.

The launcher
It’s pretty hard to miss the new launcher that sits on the left-hand side of your screen. It’s designed to make getting to your favorite tools and applications quick and easy. You can hide and reveal it in the top-left corner of your screen, add and remove applications and bookmarks, and keep track of your open windows.

The dash
When you click on the Ubuntu logo in the top-left corner of your screen, the new dash will appear. It’s another simple way to get to your shortcuts and search for other applications and programs. So you can get fast access to your email, music, pictures and much more.

Workspaces
Ubuntu 11.04 gives you a really easy way to manage multiple windows and applications. Simply click on the Workspaces icon in the launcher and all your active spaces will pop up. You can move between your different windows easily so there’ll be no more cramping multiple apps into a small space.

FAQs

• Where will I find all my files?
  Your files will be right where you left them. Simply click on the File Manager icon in the launcher to find your saved documents.
• Can I upgrade from my current version?
  Yes! You can follow the same upgrade process as normal. Simply upgrade from the Update Manager and choose between our new and classic desktop experiences at login.
• What will happen to my settings?
  No need to worry… your files and bookmarks will stay the same.
• Will it work with my hardware?
  Ubuntu 11.04 is built to take advantage of the very latest technologies, but it should work on a most desktops, laptops and netbooks too. If you don’t have the required hardware, Ubuntu will automatically start the classic desktop experience so you won’t have to worry about a thing.
• Can I change my mind?
  No problem at all. You can choose to launch the classic desktop experience when you log in to your computer.