Ubuntu 7.10 released in versions

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Canonical Ltd. has announced the availability of version 7.10 of the Ubuntu Server, Desktop, Kubuntu and Edubuntu editions. All are available for free download since October 18. Canonical is the commercial sponsor of Ubuntu.

"Ubuntu makes no distinction between community and enterprise editions, Ubuntu 7.10 is our best work and is available freely to all. Ubuntu has consistently ranked number one in reviews of security update responsiveness and effectiveness. The Ubuntu platform is fully certified and supported, making it a secure choice for users looking to explore, deploy and enjoy Linux. Ubuntu 7.10 brings together the best open source and free software available in a stable, robust environment that just works", said Jane Silber, COO of Canonical UK

"We are privileged to have millions of users running Ubuntu every day. This gives us great insight into what they want from a free, Linux-based platform. Ubuntu 7.10 is another milestone in delivering on these requirements on the desktop and server", he added.

Key features of Ubuntu 7.10 Desktop:

The latest version of Ubuntu Desktop edition includes the following new features:

• Hardware management improvements - Improved plug-and-play configuration for printers, as well as automatic firmware installation for Broadcom cards
• Improved support for display systems - For laptop users, full support external VGA (projector) support is available out-of-the-box with easy reconfiguration when hardware is switched. For power users this release includes the ability to manage multiple monitors
• Windows compatibility - Users with a dual partition can read from and and write in files that are located in a Windows partition (including NTFS)
• Enhanced user interface – Simple 3D screen effects and graphics enhance the user experience
• Desktop search – gives users the ability to search their entire desktop, whether for files, folders, chat logs or photos. This capability includes the deskbar applet, a central location on users' desktops for all local and web search operations
• Firefox plugins - Automatic installation of popular Firefox plugins validated by Ubuntu for a richer, safer web-browsing experience

Key features of Ubuntu 7.10 server:

Ubuntu 7.10 Server edition features improved functionality, manageability, pro-active security and hardware compatibility and delivers a rapid deployment platform for developers and businesses.

• Enhanced security – AppArmor provides significantly enhanced security which protects the server from intrusion. Common server applications such as Apache and Postfix are protected with default policies. Administrators can easily lock down programs and resources and add policies for their specific requirements.
• Virtualized kernel - A tailored kernel optimized for use in virtualized environments. This smaller and simpler kernel is particularly suited for virtual appliances. This new kernel includes many improvements for paravirtualization, one of which is VMI (Virtual Machine Interface), a new independent way for hypervisors to relate to the kernel.
• Tickless kernel - A new "tickless" idle mode resulting in reduced power consumption/heat emission. This feature results in significant energy and cost savings on machines running several virtualized instances.
• LDAP authentication - Ubuntu Server is now fully supported as an LDAP authentication client. Additionally, a new profile based configuration utility (auth-client-config) makes setup of multiple servers easier than ever.
• File sharing - Enhanced Samba compatibility with Microsoft Windows clients, including Vista, that allows for better performances and off line login.
• Quick start profiles-Three new quick start profiles have been added supporting Mail, Print and Database server set up. These profiles are in addition to the existing LAMP and DNS ones and significantly ease deployment, management and maintenance for common "edge of the network" functions.
• Landscape Management - Commercially supported users of Ubuntu Server can take full advantage of this web-based management tool for managing large deployments.

New Versions of Kubuntu and Edubuntu:

New versions of Kubuntu and Edubuntu, derivatives of Ubuntu aimed at KDE enthusiasts and the education community respectively, are also being released at the same time.

Edubuntu is an education version of Ubuntu, designed to allow a teacher or network administrator to setup and maintain a classroom quickly and easily. It includes educational applications, an office suite, web browser, communication tools, and a secure operating system.

Edubuntu 7.10 introduces improvements to thin client functionality across the board, from increased speed through use of compressed images to an improved login manager now offering autologin, unencrypted graphics transport on demand, multiple server support and theming for all Ubuntu derivatives.

Kubuntu is a user friendly operating system based on Ubuntu and KDE, the K Desktop Environment. Kubuntu 7.10 comes with the KDE 4 Technical Preview which is a great opportunity for KDE enthusiasts to view and contribute to the future of KDE. Dolphin file manager and Strigi desktop search make the management and retrieval of files easier than ever. In addition, Kubuntu now offers Restricted Manager to easily install proprietary drivers, an on-screen keyboard for improved accessibility and the latest versions of Open Office (2.3) and of Amarok (1.4.7) so you can rediscover your music.

Genuinely free:

High-quality updates for Ubuntu 7.10 will be published at no charge to all users of the platform. This free maintenance service includes backports of new hardware support, minor updates and security updates. Ubuntu 7.10 will be maintained for 18 months on both the desktop and on the server upon which users can upgrade free of charge to a new version. Ubuntu 7.10 is not a Long Term Support (LTS) release (3 years support on the desktop and 5 years on the server), the next LTS release will be in 2008.

Ubuntu Server, fully supported:

For deployments which require additional service guarantees, full telephone and online support are commercially available from a professional support team at Canonical Ltd.