Download Ubuntu 8.10 rc1

The developers of Ubuntu Linux have sent the first release candidate of Ubuntu Linux 8.10 via the Ubuntu mailing list announced. This branch of the Linux distribution is codenamed ‘Intrepid Ibex’ and includes Gnome 2.24, X.Org 7.4 and Linux Kernel 2.6.27. At the same time, of course, the other members of the Ubuntu family have also been updated such as Kubuntu, Xubuntu, UbuntuStudio and Mythbuntu. The abbreviated announcement of this first release candidate is as follows:

Announcing the Release Candidate for Ubuntu 8.10

The Ubuntu team is pleased to announce the Release Candidate for Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop and Server. Codenamed “Intrepid Ibex”, 8.10 continues Ubuntu’s proud tradition of integrating the latest and greatest open source technologies into a high-quality, easy-to-use Linux distribution.

We consider this release candidate to be complete, stable, and suitable for testing by any user.

Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop Edition delivers the features you need for an increasingly mobile digital life, including 3G wireless support and guest sessions that lets users temporarily share computers without compromising security.

Ubuntu 8.10 Server Edition consolidates its support for virtualization with an integrated Virtual Machine builder, and brings with it a fully-supported Java stack and support for per-user directory encryption.

The Ubuntu 8.10 family of variants, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, UbuntuStudio, and Mythbuntu, also reach RC status today.

The final release of Ubuntu 8.10 is scheduled for 30 October 2008 and will be supported for 18 months on both desktops and servers. Users requiring a longer support lifetime may choose to continue using Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, with security support until 2011 on the desktop and 2013 on the server, rather than upgrade to 8.10.

Before installing or upgrading to Ubuntu 8.10 please read the release notes.

About The Release Candidate:

The purpose of the Release Candidate is to solicit one last round of testing before the final release. Here are ways that you can help:

• Upgrade from Ubuntu, Kubuntu, or Edubuntu 8.04 to the Release Candidate by following the instructions in the release notes referenced above.
• Participate in installation testing using the Release Candidate CD images, by following the testing and reporting instructions at http://wiki.ubuntu.com/Testing/ISO.

desktop features:

• Xorg 7.4 brings improved support for automatic configuration of input hardware, such as keyboards and mice.
• 3G support: Network Manager 0.7 comes with a number of greatly anticipated features, including management of 3G connections (GSM/CDMA) and PPP/PPPoE connections.
• Guest sessions: the User Switcher panel applet provides a new option for starting a Guest session. This creates a temporary, password-less user account with restricted privileges – perfect for lending out your laptop for a quick email check.

server features:

• Encrypted private directories: the installer now offers the option to configure a secret encrypted folder for each user, to be unlocked and mounted at login time, using ecryptfs.
• Virtualization: Ubuntu 8.10 ships with a Virtual Machine builder that allows complete Virtual Machines to be built from the command line in less than five minutes, with support for scripting custom virtual images.
• Java: a complete free Java™ stack is supported in Ubuntu 8.10, including OpenJDK and Apache Tomcat 6.0, making Ubuntu a great choice for Java development and deployment.

kubuntu features:

Kubuntu builds on the groundwork of the Kubuntu 8.04 KDE 4 Remix to provide a fully-supported KDE 4 desktop in Kubuntu 8.10. please see here for details.

Ubuntu features:

Xubuntu comes with the light-weight Xfce 4.4.2 desktop environment for those who want a desktop that is easy to use, but places particular emphasis on conserving system resources. please see here for further details.

Ubuntu Studio features:

Ubuntu Studio includes the updates to input hardware and sound device management from Ubuntu Desktop, and includes a complete suite of tools for generation of audio, video, and graphic content.

Mythbuntu features:

see here for information about the Mythbuntu release candidate.

A more complete tour of the features new in 8.10 can be found at http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/810rc.[break]