Announcing the Next Ubuntu Bug Day! – August 19th 2010

By boredandblogging | Published: 2010-08-17

This week’s Bug Day target is *drum roll please* Banshee!

  • 72 New bugs need a hug
  • 15 Incompletes bugs need a status check
  • 19 Confirmed bugs need a review

Bookmark it, add it to your calendars, turn over those egg-timers!

Are you looking for a way to start giving some love back to your adorable Ubuntu Project? Did you ever wonder what Triage is? Want to learn about that? This is a perfect time!, Everybody can help in a Bug Day!

Open your IRC Client and go to #ubuntu-bugs (freenode) the BugSquad will be happy to help you to start contributing!

Wanna be famous? Is easy! remember to use 5-A-day so if you do a good work your name could be listed at the top 5-A-Day Contributors in the Ubuntu Hall of Fame page!

We are always looking for new tasks or ideas for the Bug Days, if you have one add it to the Planning page https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuBugDay/Planning

If you’re new to all this and you want to know more about ubuntu?, head to http://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs

[Discuss the next Ubuntu Bug Day on the Forum]

Originally sent to the ubuntu-devel-announce Mailing List by Kamus on Tue Aug 17 14:47:07 BST 2010

Ubuntu Translations Interviews: Ricardo Pérez (Spanish Translation Team)

By boredandblogging | Published: 2010-08-16


Ubuntu is brought to users in their own language by a large community of volunteer translators, who tirelessly work on localizing every part of the operating system on every release.

In this series of interviews we’ll get to know who they are, about their language and how they work.

This week we’re introducing you to Ricardo Pérez, the Spanish translation team coordinator.

Could you tell us a bit about you and the language you help translate Ubuntu into?

Hi! I’m Ricardo Pérez, I’m 35 years old and I’m a computer science teacher in a High School at south of Spain, in the Andalusia region. Since some years ago, I’m the Ubuntu Spanish Translators Team administrator and one of its translators. Spanish is one of the most spoken language around the world as well as in Internet – only English goes before ;). There are also a huge amount of Spanish-speaking Ubuntu users out there.

How and when did you become an Ubuntu translator?

I started to translating Ubuntu into Spanish virtually at the same time as Rosetta begins to life. I’m talking about ends of year 2005. I always liked to translate technical texts into Spanish and my work as a teacher pushed me to do so. For example, some years ago I translated into Spanish a book about computer programming fundamentals called “How to think like a computer scientist” and I adapted it from Python to Eiffel at the same time (if you’re curious, this is the link: http://sourceforge.net/projects/httlcseifspa/) ;).

I always loved Rosetta and its ease of use, so translating Ubuntu using Launchpad is like an enjoyable game for me. 😉

What other projects do you help with inside the community?

I practically spend 99% of my Ubuntu time in translating and reporting bugs ;).

Do you belong to an Ubuntu LoCo team? If so, which one?

Well, I’m a member of the Ubuntu Spain Team, but I’m not involved on any of it’s activities.

How can people who want to help with translating Ubuntu and all the various pieces and parts into your language get started?

The best they can do is to take a look at many already translated applications, and then go to the Ubuntu Spanish Translators wiki (on https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuSpanishTranslators) and read all the guides and recommendations. There are some things about translating into Spanish which could sound weird the first time you hear them. ;).

What’s the desktop experience for Ubuntu users in your language? Is Ubuntu in your language popular among native speakers?

If I’m not wrong (and I don’t think so), Ubuntu is the most popular Linux distribution among Spanish speakers. Ubuntu is also the Linux distribution choosen as the base for Guadalinex, the derivative distro of Andalusia.

Where does your team need help?

Translating, translating and translating :). We need more contributors, and we need quality.

Do you know of any projects or organizations where Ubuntu is used in your language?

Apart from the Goverment of Andalusia (and its own Linux distribution called Guadalinex), Ubuntu is used in University as well as High Schools.

What do you feel is the most rewarding part of translating Ubuntu?

It’s a pleasure to know that your work is being used in many places around the world. I like to see my translated strings printed on Spanish books and articles about Ubuntu :).

Is there anything else about your team or translation efforts that I haven’t asked you about that you would like to talk about?

I don’t think so. It was a great interview :D. Thanks very much!

Become an Ubuntu Translator

Do you speak languages? Join the our translation community and make Ubuntu accessible to everyone in their own language. You can:

[Discuss Ubuntu Translations Interviews: Ricardo Pérez (Spanish Translation Team) on the Forums]

Multi-touch Support Lands in Maverick

By boredandblogging | Published: 2010-08-16

Canonical is pleased to announce the release of uTouch 1.0, Ubuntu’s multi-touch and gesture stack. With Ubuntu 10.10 (the Maverick Meerkat), users and developers will have an end-to-end touch-screen framework — from the kernel all the way through to applications. Our multi-touch team has worked closely with the Linux kernel and X.org communities to improve drivers, add support for missing features, and participate in the touch advances being made in open source world. To complete the stack, we’ve created an open source gesture recognition engine and defined |a gesture API that provides a means for applications to obtain and use gesture events from the uTouch gesture engine.

Our multi-touch work began in Ubuntu 10.04 LTS, when we worked to get additional touch hardware supported in the Linux kernel, particularly the Dell XT2, HP tx2 tablets and the Lenovo T410s laptops. With that in place, and active development in X well under way, we reviewed our options for gesture recognition in Linux. The Maverick cycle has seen us produce several prototypes for gesture recognition software and the Ubuntu archives now include the results of that effort.

The world’s expectations of software experience are being raised by advances in mobile computing. We are bringing that revolution to the Linux desktop: for window management and applications. Though our work at the application level has only just started, we are certain that multi-touch and gestures will be central to the way we use Linux applications in future.

The success of touch in applications depends on several key factors:

  • toolkit integration of gesture APIs
  • touch support for legacy applications
  • designing new applications for finger-based interactions

Work has begun on all three fronts in Ubuntu, and we expect it to remain an area of active interest over the next few releases up to 12.04 LTS.

Ubuntu is the fruit of collaboration across the huge Ubuntu community, and also the amazing work of many other communities that form around individual projects and initiatives like Debian. The uTouch framework enables work to begin across many of those communities to make touch a first-class interaction model in open source desktop and mobile software.

Existing contributions in other projects have provided fertile ground for uTouch. To name just a few:

  • Stéphane Chatty at ENAC has lead much multi-touch hardware support in the kernel
  • Peter Hutterer at Red Hat defined multi-pointer X and proposed a multi-touch protocol for a future version of X
  • Carlos Garnacho of the GNOME community has done multi-touch work in X and GTK

We’re look forward to continued collaboration, ensuring that Linux remains the preferred platform for people building cutting-edge devices and software.

Canonical is working with manufacturers of touch-enabled products and those of their underlying technology in order to bring innovations in user experience to a broader audience. Our aim is to bring the natural, tactile experience of the world to the desktop, window manager, and applications you value — all the software that you depend upon to get things done and have fun. Touch will be part of the Ubuntu Netbook, Desktop and Light products from 10.10 and beyond.

[Discuss Multi-touch Support Lands in Maverick on the Forums]

Originally posted here by Canonical on Monday, August 16th, 2010 at 1:47 pm

Feature Freeze in place for Ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick Meerkat)

By boredandblogging | Published: 2010-08-12

The Feature Freeze is now in effect for Maverick. The focus from here until release is on fixing bugs and polishing.

If you believe that a new package, a new upstream version of a package, or a new feature is needed for the release and will not introduce more problems than it fixes, please follow the Freeze Exception Process by filing bugs and subscribing ubuntu-release.

Please also make sure that specs assigned to you for Maverick are updated to their current status (which should be at least Beta Available if not Deferred, or unless granted a freeze exception).

https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu/maverick/

Our next testing milestone, Maverick Beta, is in 3 weeks (September 2). The list of bugs targeted for beta can be found at:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/maverick/+bugs?field.milestone=27563

Per the policy described at <https://wiki.ubuntu.com/RCBugTargetting>, this list is used for tracking bugs that are blockers for the beta milestone – so as you can see, the list is currently quite short. If you know of other bugs that should be considered blockers, please nominate them for release and set the milestone target for those bugs. If you have questions about whether a bug should be considered a blocker, please contact me or a member of the release team.

And of course, please also consider helping with the bugs already listed there if you have the time.

Beyond that short list of bugs that are blockers for Beta, we have those bugs that are listed as release-critical for Maverick as a whole:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/maverick/+bugs

If you aren’t among the small group of people who have milestoned bugs assigned to you, please consider helping with those release-targeted bugs.

[Discuss Feature Freeze for Ubuntu 10.10 on the Forum]

Originally sent to the ubuntu-release Mailing List by Robbie Williamson on Thu Aug 12 16:17:51 BST 2010

Talking about Ubuntu Studio with Scott Lavender, Project Lead for Ubuntu Studio

By boredandblogging | Published: 2010-08-12

Have you ever wanted to know more about some of the Ubuntu derivative distributions? In this interview we look at Ubuntu Studio with Scott Lavender Ubuntu Member and Project Lead for the Ubuntu Studio Project.

IMG_4896

Amber Graner: Scott can you tell readers a little about yourself and how long you have been involved with Ubuntu and Ubuntu Studio?

Scott Lavender: My name is Scott Lavender and I’m in my first release as the project lead for Ubuntu Studio.

I got started with Ubuntu during Feisty Fawn in January of 2008 due to an article in PC Magazine. I usually don’t buy such magazines but the cover mentioned an article about using Linux, specifically Ubuntu.

During Hardy I discovered Ubuntu Studio by accident and as a musician I was greatly intrigued by it. I spent the following year acquainting myself with the included applications and learning about Linux audio in general.

I felt that Ubuntu Studio rocked so much (oi, that sounded Jono-ish) that I decided I wanted to give back by contributing to the project. So just over a year ago I introduced myself to the Ubuntu Studio team and began helping in any and every way I could.

During that time Ubuntu Studio was suffering from attrition and a lack of distinct, active leadership. This isn’t to intimate that development was completely absent as several developers long associated with the project continued to work on core systems such as the audio stack. However, the project had lost focus and day-to-day activities were being neglected.

Ubuntu Studio was too important to me to see it devolve and possibly die, therefore rationalizing that passionate, albeit inexperienced, leadership was better than no leadership, I offered my services, as they were, as project lead.

AG: For those readers who haven’t heard of Ubuntu Studio can you tell people what Ubuntu Studio is and how it differs from Ubuntu?

SL: Topically, Ubuntu Studio could be described as “a multimedia editing/creating flavor of Ubuntu.” That is how it is described on the wiki – https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuStudio.

To be clearer and more substantive, it should be noted that Ubuntu Studio is based on Ubuntu and therefore share the same code and repositories. Any applications available in one is likewise available in the other.

Ubuntu Studio begins to differ, however, with the selection of applications installed. As a multimedia flavor of Ubuntu we include a substantial amount of applications for audio, video and graphics that are not included in a vanilla Ubuntu installation.

Additionally, there are significant, detailed configurations that are intended to improve performance. The most prominent example use case would be enabling real-time priorities for recording audio.

Lastly, I would remiss if I failed to point out that since we start with the exact same code base, any problems experienced with hardware or applications in Ubuntu will also most likely be experienced in Ubuntu Studio, and vice versa.

AG: How many people are currently involved with developing Ubuntu Studio?

SL: Not many! Less than five people are actively and directly working on Ubuntu Studio at any given point. That number is probably closer to three at most times.

Currently, we struggle to maintain the functional necessities like ISO testing and addressing bug reports given the availability of human resources. Aspects of the project like updating/maintaining the web site, improving documentation, community development, art and themes, and programming are being horribly neglected.

At this point I would like to clear up the ugly misconception that someone must be a dynamic and experienced developer to help Ubuntu Studio. Only a modicum of general, common experience would suffice for most of our needs.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. If you are interested in helping or want more information please see my latest blog post.

AG: What are the biggest challenges you face in developing a derivative of Ubuntu? What type of funding if any do you have for this project?

SL: I feel that any challenges faced as a derivative of Ubuntu are small and inappreciable, especially in contrast to other challenges like the aforementioned lack of contributors and developers. Furthermore, I would note that the benefits as a Ubuntu derivative greatly outweigh any challenges experienced.

At this time I am unaware of any monetary funding for this project. However, like other derivatives, we receive other support such as ISO image systems (building and hosting), ISO QA testing, and web site hosting.

That being said, if monetary funding were made available to the project we would certainly find an appropriate and helpful use for it.

AG: How easy is Ubuntu Studio for people who aren’t familiar with audio, video, and graphic design to learn and master? What do people need to know prior to using Ubuntu Studio?

SL: Hmmm…I view this as a tool versus art, learning versus mastering question. To answer this, I would like to establish a slightly alternate definition of Ubuntu Studio as a collection of applications installed in a multimedia configured operating system and as such, I consider Ubuntu Studio as a tool.

Therefore, as a tool, Ubuntu Studio is not prohibitively difficult to learn assuming a minimal subset of prerequisites. Some of those prerequisites would include experience with a Linux system and a fundamental understanding of the preferred artistic medium. To exemplify, a proficient artist or musician familiar with Ubuntu would probably experience very little trouble creating art or music with Ubuntu Studio. In contrast, a Windows user bereft of artistic abilities would find it difficult to create either art or music in Ubuntu Studio.

While I believe learning Ubuntu Studio and becoming proficient is readily assessable to most people, I do not think that mastery is likely. Without intending to sound like a Zen aphorism, has Blender been mastered yet by anyone? This is but one aspect of Ubuntu Studio.

Prior to using Ubuntu Studio I would suggest that a user clearly identify what they intend to accomplish, determine the appropriate application(s)*, and then research that application to understand how its commands work. For example, if I wanted to record a live band I would probably determine that I need to use JACK and Ardour. I could then search for a tutorial that explains a typical use case.

This may seem overly complicated, but painting a picture requires choosing the appropriate canvas, brushes, and pigments. Additionally, the proper knowledge of how to mix the pigments or different brush strokes may be required as well.

* The following are good resources to determine which application is required: Ubuntu Studio’s online documentation, Ubuntu Forums, mailing list, and IRC Channel #ubuntustudio on freenode.net.

AG: Can you explain how Ubuntu Studio deals with questionable media codex (ie mp3, AAC, etc)? What is your policy in regards to these dealing with formats such as those?

SL: Ubuntu Studio ascribes to the same licensing policy as Ubuntu; proprietary formats are not shipped in the ISO images but are available in the repositories.

AG: Does the Ubuntu Studio project follow the same release schedule Ubuntu? If so, what can Ubuntu Studio users expect from Ubuntu Studio on 10.10.10?

SL: Ubuntu Studio does follow the same release schedule as Ubuntu.

For 10.10.10 I believe users can expect appreciable progress in resolving integration between Pulse Audio and JACK (professional grade, low latency sound server) and the continued additions of LV2 plugins and applications.

I wish I could be more definitive and explanatory about the Pulse Audio / JACK integration but much of this process is based on what happens upstream with Pulse Audio and Lennart Poettering.

AG: Since 2007 how has the project progressed and grown? What has been the most surprising and most rewarding advancement of the project to date?

SL: It is possible that I cannot properly answer this question since I’ve only been directly involved with the project for just over two years.

However, while I have been involved I have see tremendous growth in terms of stability and usability. Given the nature of open source development, this did not occur without significant and sustained efforts.

I think getting JACK into the main repositories has been the most surprising and rewarding advancement to date. Surprising because it had not already been accomplished and rewarding because many applications were then able to be built against JACK to harness that functionality.

AG: What do you see the Ubuntu Studio project becoming over the next 3 to 5 years? How can those goals be realized?

SL: I would like to see Ubuntu Studio accomplish at least two things in the next 3 to 5 year; develop an active and supporting community around it and to identify and explore the possibility of cultivating additional user bases.

KDE has a rich and vibrant community, something similar is what I would like Ubuntu Studio to develop. This would be characterised by significant and frequent user suggestions and feedback, user contributions of art and music to be include in the releases and web site, and user testing of ISO images and bug fixes. Already users routinely report bugs, for which I am grateful.

There has also been discussion about broadening Ubuntu Studio into universities and perhaps semi-professional / indie bands. But these discussions are embryonic at best and we need to improve the development team before we should consider this again, especially given the fact that these additional user bases would probably be inexperience with Linux or Ubuntu.

To realize these goals the development team needs more active members. I mentioned it before, but it worth mentioning again, *anyone* can contribute, you do not need to be a developer to help Ubuntu Studio! And hopefully we can improve community activity which will be required as well.

AG: Where can people go to download Ubuntu Studio? Where can they find support documentation? What resources do you have for people to contact the team?

SL: Probably the most comprehensive and current place for Ubuntu Studio ISO images is: http://ubuntustudio.org/downloads

Support documentation is generally divided into two categories; using Ubuntu Studio and developing / contributing to Ubuntu Studio.

The team can be contacted by mailing list or on the IRC channel #ubuntustudio-devel on freenode.net.

AG: Scott is there anything else you would like to tell readers about Ubuntu Studio that I haven’t asked you about?

SL: No, I think all items I can think of have been covered already.

Thank you for this interview and the chance to bring Ubuntu Studio into the collective consciousness.

[Discuss Talking about Ubuntu Studio with Scott Lavender, Project Lead for Ubuntu Studio on the Forums]

Originally posted here by Amber Graner on August 11, 2010