Category: Ubuntu/Debian

Stuff about Ubuntu and Debian GNU/Linux

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Windows Vista Ultimate Powered by Ubuntu

I got this photo from a guy who’s able to con his dad into using Ubuntu by telling him that it is the newly released Windows Vista from Microsoft.

Suprisingly, his dad found out that the new “Windows Vista” is better than OS X and unaware that he’s currently using Ubuntu in his pc.

ubuntuvista.png

From the website :

Later, when he came home from work, I showed him his new “Vista” install, complete with the latest Office and Solitaire.

Well, it’s been a few days since that and now he says Bill Gates is better than Steve Jobs and brags about how OS X on my iMac is obsolete compared to Vista on his PC.

Original website : degredo.net
Screenshot: Ubuntu Vista

[tags]ubuntu,vista,microsoft,windows vista,funny,humor,humour[/tags]

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Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn was finally released !

The moment that we have been waiting for is here. Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn was finally released today (19 April 2007), despite rumors saying that the release might has to be delayed for a few days.

It seems everybody want a piece of Feisty Fawn right now, the mirrors are dead slow, one can only guess how many terabytes are being transfered this night alone. I would suggest to use the p2p bittorrent solution to download the iso file.

But the speed doesn’t bother me that much compared to the Ubuntu official website which seems ‘weird’ to me after the release.

Take a look at the ‘before’ and ‘after’ screenshot I took :

Before (on 18 April 2007)

ubuntu_com1_tn.png

After (on 19 April 2007)
ubuntu_com_tn.png

Seems like somebody is in a hurry to update Ubuntu.com website or was it a work by a professional cracker?

Anyway, enjoy your Feisty Fawn download :)

Updates : As of 0200 UTC (20 April 2007), the Ubuntu website is back to using the default layout again :)

[tags] ubuntu,linux,feisty,feisty fawn,open source, distro[/tags]

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GNUbuntu ? Ubuntu plans a completely free variant of its distro

The Ubuntu project is planning to release a new variant of its distribution which would appeal ‘Free Software’ purist which want no more than a 100% completely free operating system that works out from the box.

This intention has be made known by Mark Shuttleworth himself in the Ubuntu mailing list few days ago (12 April 2007).

However the unnamed release is not intended to be a ‘variant’ of the main Ubuntu release, putting it inline with the Kubuntu, Edubuntu and Xubuntu project.

The new variant of the distro will only feature software which only come with source code and that have full rights of modification and redistribution. Mark Shuttleworth also notes that works on the new variant will involve the folks from gNewsense team, an unofficial distro based on Ubuntu, which puts a possibility that the gNewsense distro will be completely integrated into the Official Ubuntu project.

The variant is estimated to be ready on the next cycle of Ubuntu release (Gutsy Gibbon) due on
October 2007. It unclear if the new Ubuntu variant will support playing mp3 or mpeg4 files as codecs for both for format are licensed under a GNU GPL compatible free software license despite their patented status.

p/s: If this plan works, I think you might be seeing FSF (or even Stallman) himself use Ubuntu on their computers anytime soon.

[tags]ubuntu,gnewsense,debian,linux,gutsy gibbon,gutsy,linux,opensource,open source[/tags]

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Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 (Etch) was officially released

The much anticipated Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 (Etch) was finally released on 8th April 2007.

The release was unofficially available since November last year but some technicalities prevented the project from making an official release announcement until all architectures it supported is of release quality.

Among softwares included in Debian Etch are :

  • GNOME 2.14
  • OpenOffice.org 2.0.4
  • GIMP 2.2.13
  • Iceweasel (Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3)
  • Icedove (Mozilla Thunderbird 1.5)
  • PostgreSQL 8.1.8
  • MySQL 5.0.32
  • GCC 4.1.1
  • Linux kernel 2.6.18
  • Apache 2.2.3
  • Samba 3.0.24
  • Python 2.4.4 and 2.5

Debian is one of the oldest GNU/Linux distribution project which is still active until today. Many of the newer Linux distribution (eg Ubuntu, mepis,knoppix) based their project on Debian codebase.

Debian has the largest collection of softwares and the widest machine architecture support compared to other distro.

Please visit the official Debian GNU/Linux project website to get more information about it.

[tags]debian,linux,distro,opensource, open source[/tags]

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The Mystery Behind Ubuntu Release Name

Ubuntu users are no doubt familiar with the unique and funky name for its releases (Feisty Fawn, Breezy Badger, Hoary Hedgehog) in which it is more popular than the release number (7.04, 6.10, 6.06). Most people tends to remember the codename when refering to a particular Ubuntu release (such as Ubuntu Dapper as opposed to Ubuntu 6.06)

The main reason codename is used because it is easier for humans to memorize names compared to release number (hence the motto Linux for human beings). he same codename is also used as development name during initial buildup stage. Using the same codename has the advantage of reducing potential confusion that might arise from the different development/release name pairs.

Though the Ubuntu Wiki Page explains how codenames are formed, it doesn’t reveal the technique of naming the release is known as Alliteration.

The use of Alliteration
Alliteration is a form of mnemonics that uses the same alphabet (consonant) in two consecutive words, like Peter Parker and Lex Luthor. Phrases that use alliteration is easier to remember than those that do not.

Alliteration isn’t solely used by Ubuntu alone, other brand names or products that use alliteration includes :

  • Playboy Playmates
  • Spongebob Squarepants
  • Coca-cola
  • French Fries
  • Kit Kat
  • Pontiac Pursuit
  • Super Sonic
  • Take Two
  • Peter Pan
  • King Kong
  • Mickey Mouse
  • Paypal
  • Plater of Paris
  • Tic-tac
  • Ding Dang
  • Marilyn Manson
  • Kuda Kepang

Alliteration can make a phrase more memorable which explains why Ubuntu release name is more widely known than its release number (ie. How many people remembers Ubuntu Hoary release number?).

p/s: Now I know why I have no trouble recalling Paypal as a credit card processor service or French Fries when ordering chips at any fast food restaurant and Coca Cola as my favorite soft drink (yeah, carbonated drinks are not good, but at least they are not as pretentious as Ribena)

[tags]breezy badger,ubuntu,feisty,feisty fawn,linux,distro[/tags]

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New features in Ubuntu Linux Feisty Fawn

Here are some of the new features that you can expect from the upcoming Ubuntu release, Feisty Fawn.

Codec Wizard
Now you can play mp3,DVD and mpeg4 videos of yours without much hassle. Ubuntu Linux Feisty Fawn includes a cool Codec Wizard which automatically install the required codec for you when you first played the file.

Improved Network Manager
Connecting to existing network has been made easier with the pre-installed Network Manager. You can now connect to wired and wireless network with relative ease.

Windows Migration Assistant
Provide easy migration from Windows operating system to Ubuntu. Supports Internet Explorer bookmarks, Yahoo IM, AOL IM, Desktop Wallpaper and documents during installation.

Desktop Effects
The latest release includes desktop effects, making it a definite reason to try Feisty Fawn for a desktop user.

Thin Client
An attractive functionality for those that runs a computer lab, thin client server allows you. Edubuntu Feisty Fawn includes Classroom Server edition consists of two CDs, a server image and a server add-on image with additional education applications and languages complete with tips and best practices for educators.

Other than that, Feisty Fawn also includes latest software like GNOME 2.18, OpenOffice.org 2.2.0, X.org 7.2, Firefox 2.0.0.2 and Linux kernel 2.6.20.

Ubuntu Linux Feisty Fawn is schedule to be released in 19 April 2007, please visit the official Ubuntu website for more information.

p/s: Most of this material of this post is taken from Feisty Fawn Beta page

[tags]linux,ubuntu,feisty fawn,feisty,debian[/tags]