The latest releases of Ubuntu for desktop and server are available today for download. This release brings together the best of free and open source software delivered on a stable, easy to use and learn platform.
New features since Ubuntu 7.04
GNOME 2.20
The Gutsy Gibbon release candidate brings you the latest and greatest GNOME 2.20 with lots of new features and improvements.
Desktop 3D effects
Compiz Fusion is enabled by default and will bring 3D desktop visual
effects that improve the usability and visual appeal of the system.
Ubuntu 7.10 automatically detects whether the hardware is capable of
running compiz; if not, it falls back to normal desktop. Additional
effects can be enabled in “System/Preferences/Appearance” under the
“Visual Effects” tab. There you can also disable the effects entirely.
Desktop search
The deskbar applet is now included in the default configuration. It
allows quick access to your common actions, including opening web
bookmarks and searches, sending messages to your contacts, and more.
The Tracker indexer has been added to the desktop, making it easier
and faster to search for your documents, photos, music, videos, chat
logs, and all other files. You can use Tracker in the search dialog,
the file selector, nautilus, or the deskbar applet.
Fast user switching
It is now possible to easily switch between user sessions without
the inconvenience of entering your username or password numerous times,
a time-saver on computers shared by multiple users.
Firefox plugins in Ubuntu
Firefox now comes with an improved plugin finder wizard that allows
users to search and install packaged plugins easily, bringing users a
richer web-browsing experience with the integrated security support of
the rest of the Ubuntu system:
In addition, users can now open the Ubuntu application installer
with a list of packaged Firefox extensions available by clicking on a
link in the Firefox Addons dialog:
Dynamic screen configuration
Several drivers, including ones for ATI, nVidia, and Intel graphics
chips now support the X Resize and Rotate Extension (xrandr). This
enables dynamic monitor detection, and resizing and rotating of video
output, for no-fuss support for projectors and external monitors.
If you have this hardware and used MergedFB / Xinerama previously,
you may need to update your X configuration to use this new feature.
Graphical configuration tool for X
You can now configure what driver you want to use for your graphic
card, change the default resolution for all users or change your
monitor’s refresh rate without having to turn to the terminal. A new
GUI has been added making it easy to adjust your video and monitor
settings. This tool can also set up dual screen capabilities for cards
that use the Xinerama mode.
Fully automatic printer installation
Printers are now automatically configured by merely plugging them in and turning them on. Printer setup cannot get any easier!
Handling of non-free device drivers
Restricted-manager can now handle drivers which are free in
themselves, but which require non-free firmware or other packages to
operate. Only three clicks are needed to fetch and install firmware for
wireless cards with Broadcom chipsets, and for a number of Winmodems
commonly found in laptops, provided that you have an alternative
Internet connection.
When restricted-manager detects hardware for which a restricted driver is available, a notification window pops up:
NTFS writing
While previous Ubuntu releases only supported read access to Windows
(NTFS) partitions, Gutsy Gibbon now fully supports reading and writing
to them, by integrating the NTFS-3g project. This significantly eases file and document sharing with Windows.
Power consumption
Ubuntu includes the latest Linux kernel, featuring dynticks. It
allows the processor to use less power and produce less heat. For
laptops this means more battery life and burn-free laps and for
desktops and media center PCs, a quieter, cooler environment.
Encrypted hard disks
The alternate installer now given you the option to encrypt the
entire hard disk (or individual parts if you partition manually). This
provides robust data protection for laptops and other mobile devices
which may be lost or stolen. Please keep in mind that this only
protects the data when the machine is powered off.
AppArmor security framework
This easy-to-deploy kernel technology limits the resources an
application is allowed to access and can be used to provide an added
layer of protection against undiscovered security vulnerabilities in
applications. Head to the AppArmor user guide to learn about this new security feature.
Additional installation profiles for Ubuntu Server
New pre-configured installation options have been added to the
Ubuntu Server CD. Mail Server, File Server, Print Server, and Database
Server options join existing LAMP and DNS options for pre-configured
installations, easing the deployment of common server configurations.
Profile-based Authentication Configuration
Deploying authentication configuration has become a lot easier with
the addition of auth-client-config. Files may be added to the profiles
database, allowing for an administrator to set up a single profile for
site-wide network authentication roll-outs. Find out more about AuthClientConfig.
Improved thin-client support
The speed of LTSP thin clients has been greatly improved through the
use of compressed images, and LDM, the thin-client login manager
included in Edubuntu, also now has support for autologin, multiple
servers, and unencrypted graphics transport as an additional speed
boost.
Ready to download?
Get it while it’s hot! Visit the download page to get Ubuntu 7.10 now, or see a list of other ways to get Ubuntu.
