30 Oct 2008 09:57
Canonical released desktop and server versions of Ubuntu 8.10, aka Intrepid Ibex, on Thursday. (The download is available on the Ubuntu website.) This latest installment of Linux for desktop computers and servers strives to be easy to use, a tough challenge given the complexities of Linux. Those who install the software will be greeted with this non-intimidating log-in screen.
Ubuntu comes with a variety of applications, including OpenOffice.org (though not new version 3.0 yet) and Gnome's Evolution software for email and calendars.
A new feature in Ubuntu 8.10 is the ability to launch a temporary guest session. This lets a person borrowing a computer perform actions such as logging into a web page without disrupting the main user's log-in credentials. It's also easier to fire up a guest session than to create an entirely new user account.
Ubuntu 8.10 features BBC content prominently. Here, video is shown in Totem, the video player built into Ubuntu.
Totem comes with a variety of plug-ins.
Another new feature in Ubuntu 8.10 is the ability to use 3G modems for connecting to a greater variety of wireless networks, either with dedicated modems or via Bluetooth to a 3G phone.
The Network Manager software lets Ubuntu users — brace yourself — manage their network connections.
Rhythmbox is an audio player that can play songs from online radio stations as well as music stored on the computer.
Ubuntu and many other open-source software projects are hosted at Canonical's Launchpad site.
Many things have changed about Ubuntu over the years, but not its brown colour scheme. Intrepid Ibex gets a new grunge-look background image by default.
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