Ubuntu Release, Maintenance and Support Schedule

Mark Shuttleworth has written a good blog post detailing about future Ubuntu release schedule and the length of support for a particular release, whether its a standard release or an LTS (Long Term Support) release.

In his post, he also explains about the point release concept for the LTS, which each Long Term support installation will receive continuous updates up until the next release of LTS. Which is due to be released in two years time. This point release will allow fresh LTS installation to receives new patches and updates without going through the hassle downloading them through the internet.

Standard releases will continue to receive patches and updates for one and a half-year and Server LTS release will continue to receive updates for 5 years.

For more information read Mark Shuttleworth post, The Art of Release

Using lsb_release to get Ubuntu release information

Sometimes when you are about to ask questions or to get help about something related to your Linux computer, you might be asked which distro and the release of the distro you are using.

Same goes if you need to fix something or install binary packages on someone else’s computer. The first thing you should know, is the name of the distro and the release they are using. The simplest way is to use “lsb_release” command, which are included on most modern GNU Linux operating system.

Just run : lsb_release -a
And you will be given information you need to install binary packages, submit a bug report or to determine which solution best for the particular distro.

No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 7.10
Release:        7.10
Codename:       gutsy

Ubuntu Hardy Python XML error bugfix – xml.dom.ext

This was brought to my attention when I’m working on a python code to parse xml documents. I found out that in Ubuntu Hardy, the python-xml package has moved xml.dom.ext.* package to /usr/lib/python2.5/site-packages/oldxml thus breaking python code which depended on python-xml.

One way to work around this bug is to append :

sys.path.append('/usr/lib/python%s/site-packages/oldxml' % sys.version[:3])

just before you import stuff from xml.dom.ext.*. Hope that would help you.

Get cool “Powered by Ubuntu” sticker locally in Malaysia

Are you one of Ubuntu users? Then you can proudly display it with one of the “Powered by Ubuntu” stickers stamped on your computers. The only problem was, it used to be difficult to get one of those stickers as they were not offered in Malaysia.

Fortunately, Kebayan IT now offers “Powered by Ubuntu” stickers with reasonable price in Malaysia. They offers RM3/piece (without shipping) for the stickers, with each piece contains 9 “Powered by Ubuntu” stickers in various color.

Now you can turn this

In to this

How cool was it? Please visit Kebayan IT Ubuntu Stickers website for more information.

Melayubuntu – the best local Ubuntu blog

Today I would proudly write about a fine, if not the best local Ubuntu blog for Malaysian, Melayubuntu. Best of all, its written in Malay !

The website is filled with loads of Ubuntu tips which is useful for Ubuntu users, whether they are new or an old timer. It is the one particular blog which should be worth subscribing for.