Ubuntu Karmic Koala in First Alpha
The first alpha release of the successor to Ubuntu 9.04 is available for download. Ubuntu 9.10, code-named Karmic Koala, includes Kernel 2.6.30 and GNOME 2.27.1.
Karmic Koala, aka Ubuntu 9.10, is expected to appear in its final version some time in October of this year. Developer Martin Pitt announced its first alpha only weeks after Ubuntu 9.04 shipped.
Alpha 1 is first and foremost for developers only, albeit stable, and as a rule includes a whole bunch of bugs. A collection of prior postings and a chance to subscribe for posting new ones are on the Karmic-changes page.
The alpha currently has the developer version of Kernel 2.9.30, GNOME 2.27.1 and the driver architecture for Intel processors that should migrate from the EXA to UXA acceleration method over the course of the Karmic Koala release cycle.
Ubuntu especially needs testing of the new "kernel mode setting" feature designed to reduce the flicker of video mode switching at boot-up and speed up suspend/resume. Karmic Koala also uses GCC 4.4 as the default compiler, which also went through some fundamental changes.
CD images are available for Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Xubuntu. There are also images for ubuntu versions for ARM processors, Netbook Remix, MIDs and server systems. Live CD versions are unfortunately not yet available because Kernel 2.6.30 lacks support for the aufs filesystem.
Issue 39: Getting Started with Linux – /Special Editions
Buy this issue as a PDF
News
-
Microsoft Brings procmon to Linux
The creators of Windows have brought the sysinternals procmon tool to the open source operating system.
-
New KDE Slimbook Available
The makers of the KDE Slimbook have released a Ryzen-4000 powered laptop.
-
PinePhone Now Offers a Convergence Package
The makers of the Linux PinePhone are now offering a model that makes desktop/mobile convergence a reality.
-
Flutter is Coming to Linux
Google and Canonical have joined forces to bring Flutter to the Linux desktop.
-
Purism Launches a Mini PC
The makers of the Librem line of Linux-based laptops have released a mini PC.
-
openSUSE Leap 15.2 Adds AI Machine Learning
With the new release of openSUSE Leap comes some exciting new features, including machine learning.
-
Google’s Nearby Sharing Could Work with Linux
Google’s answer to Apple’s AirDrop feature is rumored to work with the Linux desktop.
-
System76 Launches Ryzen-Powered Laptop
The new System76 Serval WS includes a powerful AMD Ryzen CPU.
-
Linux Mint Drops Snap
Linux Mint has officially dropped their support for Canonical’s snap packages.
-
Lenovo Upping Their Linux Support
Lenovo is now offering full certification and Linux preinstalled hardware.