Next Generation Ubuntu: First Gutsy Gibbon Beta

The distribution uses kernel 2.6.22 which introduces dynticks for more frugal power consumption – a benefit that laptop users will appreciate. Thanks to the new kernel version, Intel's Powertop software will run in native mode, another bonus for power tuners.

Ubuntu includes the brand new Gnome 2.20, although X.Org 7.3 has not made the cut for this release. Despite this, the Ubuntu desktop enables a couple of basic 3D effects by default, assuming a graphics adapter with 3D support. Ubuntu automatically detects and configures printers, and it can write to NTFS partitions thanks to the NTFS-3g project.

Things are also happening on the browser front: Ubuntu users can install Firefox plugins via the package manager, and Gnash, which is free, although not quite stable, is available on request as a GPL'd replacement for Flash. Ubuntu relies on AppArmor for security.

The download site offers Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu and Edubuntu. The final release of the Debian-based Linux distribution is scheduled for October 18, 2007.

The new Kubuntu does not include KDE 4.0, but it does integrate the Dolphin file manager and the Strigi desktop search engine with KDE 3.5.7 to give users a first impression of the next generation KDE. KDE 4.0 will be made available in the form of KDE4 packages at a later stage. As a further highlight, Kubuntu includes the new Open Office 2.3 and improved proprietary driver installation support.