Retiring Hoary: Ubuntu 5.04 reaches end-of-life for security support

By boredandblogging | Published: 2006-10-31

Last week Canonical announced the official date for Hoary Hedgehog’s retirement: October 31st 2006. Ubuntu 5.04, as Hoary is officially known, was released more than 18 months ago on April 8th 2005 and was the highly successful upgrade to the first ever Ubuntu release Warty Warthog (4.10).

On October 31st, after 18 months of hard work, Hoary will reach its End-Of-Life (EOL) which means it will not receive any new security updates from Ubuntu. Users still using this version are highly encouraged to upgrade to a newer version of Ubuntu to continue enjoying a secure computing environment.

The only supported upgrade path from Hoary to newer Ubuntu releases is first to Breezy (Ubuntu 5.10), then to Dapper (Ubuntu 6.06 LTS).

Living on the lighter Edge: Announcing Xubuntu 6.10

By boredandblogging | Published: 2006-10-31

The Xubuntu community is happy to announce the release of Xubuntu 6.10, codenamed “Edgy Eft”.

Xubuntu is lighter on system requirements than its better known cousins Ubuntu and Kubuntu since it uses the Xfce Desktop environment, which makes it ideal for old or low-end machines, thin-client networks, or for those who would like to get more performance out of their hardware.

Included in this new release are:

  • Newer Xfce Desktop Environment (4.4 RC1) which brings trashcan support in Thunar and the panel, accessibility settings for the keyboard, and other improvements and fixes.
  • New artwork for the boot splash, login screen and wallpaper.
  • The more mature gxine media player replaces xfmedia.
  • New printer GUI: system-config-printer from Fedora Core 6.
  • Easier installation of packages with gnome-app-install.
  • A calculator application and a dictionary panel plugin.
  • Better support for users with motor disabilities via configurable sticky keys, mouse keys and an on-screen-keyboard application.
  • Newer versions of firefox, abiword and gnumeric.
  • New LTSP version on the alternate CD for setting up thin client networks.
  • Other changes common to all Ubuntu variants such as the new 2.6.17 kernel, Xorg 7.1 and the upstart init system.

Xubuntu 6.10 is available for download today!

Phosphorus Pumpkin Released! Happy Halloween.

By boredandblogging | Published: 2006-10-31

It's the day before November and all already the house, there wasn't a sound, not even a mouse. About the front, astride the door, a pair of surprises stood, waiting to pounce:

Surprise!

Over at the Ubuntu Forums the ever mysterious “s_h_a_d_o_w_s” has uploaded some excellent pictures of carved Kubuntu and Ubuntu pumpkins prepared for Halloween. Congratulations on the detailed work.

Perhaps if any Trick or treat'ers knock on your door today, you can offer them a nice shiny Ubuntu CD!

Edging into the Classroom: Edubuntu 6.10 released today!

By boredandblogging | Published: 2006-10-27

Richard Weideman along with lead developer Oliver Grawert and the Edubuntu and Linux Terminal Server teams have announced the release of Edubuntu 6.10, code-named the Edgy Eft.

Edubuntu out now!

Edubuntu combines the power of the Ubuntu core system with the best software for the job from the GNOME and KDE worlds. For efficient, affordable computing, Edubuntu is designed to work out of the box across many Thin Client computers using the LTSP (Linux Terminal Services Project).

  • KDEedu 3.5.5: software including KStars, KGeography and KTurtle
  • Gcompris 7.4: around 50 activities, including Tangram, Mosic and memory games.
  • Schooltool 0.11: The Shuttleworth Foundation sponsored management and adminstration support system, including the SchoolBell calendaring solution.
  • Tux4kids: even more high quality, freely-usable education software.
  • Firefox 2.0: safer and more secure browsing for everyone.
  • Evolution 2.8.0: a familiar email interface on the power of Edubuntu, now with vertical panes for email viewing.
  • Student Control Panel: unified, powerful teacher management tool for the Edubuntu and LTSP experience.
  • Local device support: LTSP-5 support for transparently accessing local iPods, digital cameras, USB and CD-rom storage attached to an individual client computers, even when the software is running on a central server.

Edubuntu remains 100% Free Software, ensuring that everyone is free to use and share Edubuntu without costly licensing fees.

Download Edubuntu today and help everyone to learn.

Weekly News #19: All about releases

By boredandblogging | Published: 2006-10-26

Ubuntu Weekly News #19 is out, covering the extremely busy week of October 15th-21st. The week has been packed, continuing use 6.06LTS, building up to the final gold disk for 6.10 and even the announcement of the naming for 7.04 due out next year!

In this issue there’s coverage of:

  • The Ubuntu 6.10 release candidate
  • Mark Shuttleworth code-naming Ubuntu 7.04
  • A feel-good “Thank You!” for the Edubuntu team
  • All the latest changes in Edgy
  • Oracle relationship speculation
  • BBC World Service interview about Ubuntu and online text-books
  • Finding and scheduling release parties
  • The Toronto Free Software and Open Source Symposium
  • The lastest backports and happening with 6.06 LTS

The main weekly feature highlights the Scribus desktop publishing (DTP) package. Scribus is a fantastic tool used for creating flyers, posters, or any other similar material that requires a high-level of graphic design and control. One of the most popular features is direct PDF output for transferring high-quality output to both the Web and commercial printers, something that makes the program extremely easy to get to grips with.

Read Issue #19 and then get involved with the team behind the newsletter by joining the Ubuntu Marketing Team.