First Alpha of the New Ubuntu
Just a month after the release of Ubuntu 8.10, the first alpha of Ubuntu 9.04 has become available. The next distro version should boot more quickly, require less power, integrate more web services and include a backup solution.
The Ubuntu developers decided to move from Intrepid Ibex to Jaunty Jackalope, the fabled "killer rabbit" of North America.
Ubuntu certainly has fabulous plans for its new release. For one thing, 9.04 should boot much faster, mainly because it will be loaded on netbooks and mobile devices with decreasing hardware resources. Maybe a recent performance benchmark from Phoronix, where Ubuntu 8.04 booted more slowly than its predecessor, had something to do with it as well.
At the same time, Ubuntu wants to integrate Canonical's Netbook Remix package, a special Ubuntu variant that, thanks to its support of Intel's Moblin Atom processor, is especially designed for netbooks and other small display devices. A further goal is to integrate more web services in desktop applications. Totem currently supports YouTube videos and Banshee integrates Last.fm radio. Apparently Ubuntu wants to capitalize on this trend.
Strange that an improved power management is just now on the agenda, considering that the power-saving theme was current about a year and a half ago. Now wireless will be deactivated with a cable connection and a power module reduces USB consumption. Users are recommended to shut off WiFi and Bluetooth when not being used.
Not least of all, Ubuntu 9.04 should include an integrated backup solution. Securing data hasn't always been a priority, considering that a definitive solution is still in planning stages. Timevault seems to be a viable candidate.
ISO images for 32-bit and 64-bit systems for testing the alpha are available for Kubuntu, Xubuntu and Ubuntu Studio. Just be aware that these versions are not yet ready for a production environment.
Comments
comments powered by DisqusSubscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.
-
Linux Kernel 6.14 Released
The latest Linux kernel has arrived with extra Rust support and more.
-
EndeavorOS Mercury Neo Available
A new release from the EndeavorOS team ships with Plasma 6.3 and other goodies.
-
Fedora 42 Beta Has Arrived
The Fedora Project has announced the availability of the first beta release for version 42 of the open-source distribution.
-
Dash to Panel Maintainer Quits
Charles Gagnon has stepped away as maintainer of the popular Dash to Panel Gnome extension.
-
CIQ Releases Security-Hardened Version of Rocky Linux
If you're looking for an enterprise-grade Linux distribution that is hardened for business use, there's a new version of Rocky Linux that's sure to make you and your company happy.
-
Gnome’s Dash to Panel Extension Gets a Massive Update
If you're a fan of the Gnome Dash to Panel extension, you'll be thrilled to hear that a new version has been released with a dock mode.
-
Blender App Makes it to the Big Screen
The animated film "Flow" won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 97th Academy Awards held on March 2, 2025 and Blender was a part of it.
-
Linux Mint Retools the Cinnamon App Launcher
The developers of Linux Mint are working on an improved Cinnamon App Launcher with a better, more accessible UI.
-
New Linux Tool for Security Issues
Seal Security is launching a new solution to automate fixing Linux vulnerabilities.
Icons for user mounted devices still show up on the desktop
Desktop icon