Revision as of 08:35, 9 March 2008 by imported>Oliver Smith
Ubuntu is a distribution of the Linux operating system created by Canonical Ltd. It is based on the ideas of the Ubuntu philosophy ("humanity towards others"). Its slogan is "Linux for human beings", reflecting its focus on ease of use. The latest release is 7.10, codenamed "Gutsy Gibbon". A previous "Long Term Support" release, codenamed "Dapper Drake", is also still supported.
Development cycle
A new version of Ubuntu is released every six months i.e. every April and October. The version number is made up of the year and the month that it was released. For example, Ubuntu 7.10 means that it was released in October (from the "10") 2007 (from the "07"). After a release, development of the next release begins. Each development cycle has Alpha releases, a Beta release and a Release Candidate before the final release.
The Ubuntu developers take a snapshot of the Debian Unstable repositories. They then focus on ensuring that all of these packages work, and upload newer version of packages when necessary. The release dates are designed so that new versions of X and GNOME can be included.
History and releases
4.04 Warty Warthog
| Release date: |
2004-10-20
|
| Supported until: |
2006-04-30
|
4.10 - Hoary Hedgehog
| Release date: |
2005-04-08
|
| Supported until: |
2006-10-31
|
5.10 - Breezy Badger
| Release date: |
2005-10-13
|
| Supported until: |
2007-04-13
|
6.06 LTS - Dapper Drake
| Release date: |
2006-06-01
|
| Supported on desktops until: |
2009-06
|
| Supported on servers until: |
2011-06
|
6.10 - Edgy Eft
| Release date: |
2008-04
|
| Supported until: |
2008-10
|
7.04 - Feisty Fawn
| Release date: |
2007-10-18
|
| Supported until: |
2009-04
|
7.10 - Gutsy Gibbon
| Release date: |
aa/aa/aa
|
| Supported on desktops until: |
2011-04
|
| Supported on servers until: |
2013-04
|
8.04 LTS - Intrepid Ibex
| Release date: |
2008-10-30
|
| Supported until: |
2010-04
|
User interface
Ubuntu uses the GNOME desktop environment. It includes graphical applications for most tasks, although it does still have a fully operational command line. The default look is the "Human" theme, which uses a caramel color in the active windows and menu items.
