The History of Ubuntu Linux – Part Two
Posted on 04 December 2007 by admin
Continuing our history of Ubuntu is the release to rule them all — The Dapper Drake. This most famous and most stable version of Ubuntu was actually released two month later than the planned release schedule of 6 months. The original date of April 2006, was pushed back by Mark Shuttleworth to June 1st, making this version 6.06. This released marked the debut of the LTS (Long Term Support) distribution system, where the versions of Ubuntu Desktop and Server would be supported for a longer period of time, providing bug and security fixes for three years on Desktop edition and five years on the server edition. The LTS put Ubuntu on the map in the Server based market tightly controlled by Red Hat and now Novell’s Suse. An option to have easy to install (through apt-get) security updates for free became a very attractive option for organizations wanting or using Linux in their server environments. Adding to the benefits were the new version of GNOME 2.14, Linux kernel 2.6.15 and X.Org 7.0. The option to upgrade from the previous releases was a godsend for the Ubuntu users.
However, one of the most important changes in this release was a new graphical installer. Bundled with the LiveCD, it allowed the desktop CD to be used as a LiveCD and as an installer. Adding to this were more of terrific desktop additions including a faster startup process, graphical shutdown process, OpenOffice.org 2.0.2, improved support for video playback, and Network Manager support. Dapper Drake was also available to be installed on USB Flash drives and it was the first Ubuntu release to support the SPARC architecture for server edition.
The Edgy Eft release of Ubuntu (version 6.10) followed the 4 months of development after the release of 6.06. Important additions to this release were the new startup screen, new version GNOME 2.16, Linux 2.6.17, and X.Org 7.1. Tomboy, a new desktop note taking application was included in this release, as well as the F-Spot, a Mono based photo manager, which came as replacement of gthumb. The new version of OpenOffice.org, Firefox and Evolution added to the overall usability of this release. The automated problem report system was also a major addition to Edgy Eft, putting it into a position to better compete with Windows.
Ubuntu 7.04 release came with a plethora of new features. Data migration from Windows, new and easier ways to install multimedia codecs, binary drivers, as well as networking improvements and of course, GNOME 2.18, the 2.6.20 kernel were among the most notable additions to this version. Feisty Fawn became the best Desktop Linux distribution by far. Easy installation of multimedia codecs, new desktop effects, networking improvements, including easier connection to wireless networks and zeroconf for instant networks are just some of the major improvements and additions to this version of Ubuntu that put it far beyond anyone’s reach in the Desktop space for Linux. Easier install of proprietary drivers, better debugging of crashes, quick diagnostic tools and of course the inclusion of two new games: Sudoku and Chess added the prestige already enjoyed among the thousands if not millions of Linux Users. The Feisty Fawn, it seemed was the Biggest Step in the RIGHT direction for Ubuntu so far.
The most current release, The Gutsy Gibbon version 7.10, is a yet another major improvement upon the already existing excellent Desktop platform, that is Ubuntu. As if reading the minds of their users, Ubuntu developers have added features longed for by many die hard and casual Linux geeks. Cool new Desktop 3D features provided by Compiz Fusion, made this release so much more pleasing visually than that old stale screen of Windows XP, we were so used to already. With the 3D addition came the graphical tool for configuring X.org, so if some were still scared of switching to Ubuntu, this new tool in addition with more graphics card drivers available should most definitely ease you in into the new and wonderful world of Ubuntu Linux Desktop. Fully automatic printer installation and the ability to read and now write to NTFS file systems, make this version ever more user friendly and easier to adapt to.
Recent News and Future Plans
"On 1 May 2007, Dell announced they would sell desktops and laptops with Ubuntu installed and on 24 May 2007 these computers went on sale in the United States.They also stated that customers would be able to buy support for Ubuntu through Dell, with the support coming from Canonical. On 8 August 2007 these computers went on sale in the UK, France and Germany as well. In October, Tesco followed in Dell’s footsteps and started to sell desktop computers with Ubuntu 6.06 LTS pre-installed on them. However unlike Dell, they do not offer Canonical’s support program.
During July 2007 at Ubuntu Live 2007, Mark Shuttleworth announced that Ubuntu 8.04 (out April 2008) would be the next LTS (Long Term Support) release. He also added that Canonical is committed to releasing a new LTS version every two years." (Wikipedia)
