About UBUNTU:

Ubuntu is a community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need – a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more.

Linux ubuntu 9.04

This is a pre-release version of Ubuntu and is almost ready for general use. If it is important that your computer run reliably please continue to use the current stable release (8.10) until this version is ready on   April 23rd, 2009.

Ubuntu has brought Linux to the masses better than any other Linux distribution. And with its recent 9.04 release, Ubuntu has not only continued to create one of the most user-friendly operating systems available, it has made it faster and more reliable.

Let’s take a look to see if there is one (or 10) reasons to entice you to install Ubuntu 9.04.

1: Ext4 file system

With the ext4 file system  you will find support for volumes up to 1 exabyte and files sizes up to 16 terabytes. The ext4 file system also replaces traditional block mapping with extents. An extent is a range of single, contiguous physical blocks, which will improve performance for large files as well as reduce fragmentation. Another ext4 feature that will be of interest for enterprise-level needs is that it breaks the 32,000 subdirectory barrier found in ext3. With ext4, a directory can now hold 64,000 subdirectories.

2: GNOME 2.26.1

This is the first update to the 2.26 release of GNOME, and the bug fixes are aplenty. Most notable fixes for the desktop are for GNOME Desktop Core, Nautilus (file manager), Brasero (CD Burning suite), Evolution (groupware suite), GNOME Panel, Glib, and gtk+.
3: Speed

Ubuntu 9.04 shows a marked improvement in both the boot process and the desktop. The biggest improvement is with the boot process. I have noticed the boot process of machines running 9.04 cut at least in half. The desktop has also enjoyed a boost in speed, with applications starting up in a fraction of their usual times. Most notable are start-up times for OpenOffice and Firefox.

4: Cleanup Janitor

This new feature allows users to remove junk from their system to save space. Cleanup Janitor cleans up packages that were installed to meet dependencies but that are no longer needed, packages that are no longer supported, and configuration tweaks that are missing from the system.

5: Nautilus encryption

This is one outstanding feature that was built into the Nautilus file manager. From within any directory (that you have permissions to act upon), you can right-click a file (or directory) and you will see two new menu entries: Encrypt and Sign. Of course, you’ll have to have a key generated to use either of these menu entries. Fortunately for those users new to encryption, an outstanding GUI for that very purpose is included with Ubuntu 9.04. Once a key is generated, a user can encrypt and/or sign directories and files with a simple right-click from within Nautilus.

6: Xorg 1.6

With the inclusion of 1.6, more video cards will find support from Ubuntu. ATI video cards will enjoy EXA acceleration by default, R6xx and R7xx cards will have 2D support, R5xx cards will have 3D support, and an updated (albeit proprietary) fglrx driver offers R6xx/R7xx 3D support. Nvidia cards will no longer need to install a proprietary driver, thanks to the Nouveau drivers. Much time has been put into reverse engineering these drivers so that users of Nvidia can enjoy outstanding performance and features while still enjoying open source drivers. You will also find much improved multi-monitor support.

7: Notifications and system messages

One of the nits to be picked in past releases was that notifications and system messages seemed to be done by many people, which lead to an inconsistent feel. Ubuntu now has a unified notification system. This system combines the notifications of all applications into a single interface. This also includes new, unified icons for notifications. This will keep the notification area much cleaner than prior releases.

8: Native ARM support

This is going to be a real boon for those who own or plan to release mid to low-end ARM-based netbooks. It’s especially interesting since Freescale is planning the release of an ARM-based sub-US$200 netbook within the year. You may have an ARM-based PC or netbook lying around just waiting to be given new life. If so, Ubuntu 9.04 is what you need. If you don’t have an ARM-based netbook handy, rest assured that soon, ARM-based netbooks will hit the shelves.
9: Better menu layout

I mentioned this briefly, but it deserves much more attention. One of the issues that can hinder a good user experience on a desktop is intuitive menus. GNOME has come a long way with this, but it needed a little help from Ubuntu. Now the default GNOME menu system makes perfect sense. Everything is not only where you think it should be, it’s all easy to navigate. Even some of the OpenOffice components are split out of the Office menu (one example is OpenOffice Draw, now on the Graphics menu). I was never a huge GNOME fan, but I have to say with regard to menu layout, it’s the best of the best.

10: Better wireless support

Much of this comes thanks to the 2.6.28 kernel, where a more feature-rich wireless stack has been worked in. The wireless in the kernel also has a farther reaching support for wireless devices. Thankfully, this will translate to fewer users having to install drivers to get their wireless NICs and cards to work.

Get it while it’s hot. ISOs and torrents are available at:

http://releases.ubuntu.com/releases/9.04/ (Ubuntu Desktop and Server)

Download Ubuntu 9.04 Alpha 5 (Jaunty Jackalope) right now from Softpedia.