First Beta Version of Ulteo Online Operating System
Gaël Duval has announced the first beta release of the Ulteo Application System. This innovative Linux distribution aims to drastically simplify the use of computers applying thin client principles to do so.
Users will not need to install applications; instead programs run centrally on an Internet server. To achieve this, Ulteo provides various online services including the Ulteo Online Desktop, which supports program execution in a browser, and offers up to one GB of online storage where users can store their documents. The recently published Ulteo Application System (Ulteo AS for short) implements the client for access to these services, and is thus the core element in the Ulteo Framework.
Under the hood, Ulteo AS is based on a pimped Ubuntu distribution. Users log in to the online desk via "Ulteo AA", a Kerberos-based authentication service; the connection is then established via VNC. Local files are synchronized with online versions by a synchronization service; currently an online storage limit of 10MB applies. On top of this, the developers have introduced a "My Digital Life" panel that helps users to manage their own documents and applications in a convenient way.
Ulteo mainly finances its operations with value-added "Gold" and "Premium" services. Ulteo’s founder and CEO Gaël Duval is well-known in the Linux community: he founded Mandrake Linux (later renamed to Mandriva) in 1998. Eight years later he was dismissed. Shortly after this Duval founded the Ulteo WebOS project. Duval tried to launch a similar concept dubbed Eazel, a few years ago but the endeavor failed.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
Plasma 6.3 Now Available
Plasma desktop v6.3 has a couple of pretty nifty tricks up its sleeve.
-
LibreOffice 25.2 Has Arrived
If you've been hoping for a release that offers more UI customizations, you're in for a treat.
-
TuxCare Has a Big AlmaLinux 9 Announcement in Store
TuxCare announced it has successfully completed a Security Technical Implementation Guide for AlmaLinux OS 9.
-
First Release Candidate for Linux Kernel 6.14 Now Available
Linus Torvalds has officially released the first release candidate for kernel 6.14 and it includes over 500,000 lines of modified code, making for a small release.
-
System76 Refreshes Meerkat Mini PC
If you're looking for a small form factor PC powered by Linux, System76 has exactly what you need in the Meerkat mini PC.
-
Gnome 48 Alpha Ready for Testing
The latest Gnome desktop alpha is now available with plenty of new features and improvements.
-
Wine 10 Includes Plenty to Excite Users
With its latest release, Wine has the usual crop of bug fixes and improvements, along with some exciting new features.
-
Linux Kernel 6.13 Offers Improvements for AMD/Apple Users
The latest Linux kernel is now available, and it includes plenty of improvements, especially for those who use AMD or Apple-based systems.
-
Gnome 48 Debuts New Audio Player
To date, the audio player found within the Gnome desktop has been meh at best, but with the upcoming release that all changes.
-
Plasma 6.3 Ready for Public Beta Testing
Plasma 6.3 will ship with KDE Gear 24.12.1 and KDE Frameworks 6.10, along with some new and exciting features.