Thursday, October 18, 2007
Ubuntu 7.10 released
Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon) was released today. After having some not-quite-ready-for-prime-time tech support issues with upgrades to Feisty the last time around, it's probably worth waiting a week or so before upgrading. If you're setting up a new system on Ubuntu, though, it's probably the way to go.
But, here's something interesting. The front page of the Ubuntu website has a picture that looks like a dictionary defining the term “Ubuntu 7.10”. The pronunciation key says the pronunciation is “\oo-boon-too\”. I always thought it was pronounced “oo-bun-too”. You learn something new every day. (You learn more quickly if you read the FAQ. Real nerds don't read manuals? :-) ) It's not quite as earth-shattering as learning that the “i” in “Linux” is a short vowel (unless you're Linus Torvalds himself, who pronounces it as “ee”).
But, here's something interesting. The front page of the Ubuntu website has a picture that looks like a dictionary defining the term “Ubuntu 7.10”. The pronunciation key says the pronunciation is “\oo-boon-too\”. I always thought it was pronounced “oo-bun-too”. You learn something new every day. (You learn more quickly if you read the FAQ. Real nerds don't read manuals? :-) ) It's not quite as earth-shattering as learning that the “i” in “Linux” is a short vowel (unless you're Linus Torvalds himself, who pronounces it as “ee”).
Labels: free software, gnu, linux, ubuntu
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Ubuntu 7.04 released!
A new version of the popular GNU/Linux operating system distribution Ubuntu 7.04 (aka, Feisty Fawn) has been released on schedule. Ubuntu variants, such as the KDE desktop version Kubuntu have also been released simultaneously.
For anyone who's already got Ubuntu, upgrade instructions are also up. The same page contains instructions for Kubuntu. (Note: For Kubunti upgrades, the link on the top of the page is broken. The information is on the same page. Follow the instructions labeled "Network upgrade for Kubuntu desktops (recommended)" about halfway down the page.)
If you don't yet have Ubuntu, you can download it or have a CD shipped to you.
[UPDATE: The info about the instructions for Kubuntu.]
For anyone who's already got Ubuntu, upgrade instructions are also up. The same page contains instructions for Kubuntu. (Note: For Kubunti upgrades, the link on the top of the page is broken. The information is on the same page. Follow the instructions labeled "Network upgrade for Kubuntu desktops (recommended)" about halfway down the page.)
If you don't yet have Ubuntu, you can download it or have a CD shipped to you.
[UPDATE: The info about the instructions for Kubuntu.]
Labels: free software, linux, software
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Festival of Free Software?
Debian has (finally) released Debian GNU/Linux 4.0, codename "etch," the next stable version of the popular community-run Linux distribution.
Here's what Slashdot user plasmacutter had to say (copy-pasted, so, spelling/capitalization errors are original):
As for me, one old webserver (an old Dell laptop named "craptop") that was running "etch" while it was still the "testing" distribution is now running "etch" stable.
Here's what Slashdot user plasmacutter had to say (copy-pasted, so, spelling/capitalization errors are original):
western nations base their entire diet around bread, so passover takes a huge chunk out of nerd diets (i know first hand), so to compensate for the scarcity of kosher food, they must have guzzled more caffeinated beverages.. thus resulting in the warp speed rush to 4.0 ..
As for me, one old webserver (an old Dell laptop named "craptop") that was running "etch" while it was still the "testing" distribution is now running "etch" stable.
Labels: computers, debian, free software, geekery, gnu, linux, software, yay
Monday, November 13, 2006
Geek out! Java GPL'd!
Sun GPL'd Java! The second-to-last major hurdle to a completely free and functional Linux desktop was passed today, when Sun donated their code to the community under the most popular copyleft free software license around.
This announcement will have a few consequences for the free software desktop:
Note: Immediately, only the compiler, virtual machine, and the cross-platform help system are available. Most of the class library will not be released until March. 2007. According to the new OpenJDK front page:
Of course, we must hope that the system will compile and run without those “few” components. Whatever they are, they might be targets for GNU Classpath to replace.
Now, if only Adobe would follow their lead and release an open-source Flash... (yes, I know about GNash. It's a promising project, but, it doesn't work with most of the Flash that's on the web today.)
This announcement will have a few consequences for the free software desktop:
- Sun's Java code can now be included in the main branches of Debian and other distributions that will only distribute software for which source code is freely available.
- Such distributions will no longer be required to disable features or rewrite crude hacks in OpenOffice.org and similar programs that required features of Java to be available that were not present in the free software versions.
- The GNU Compiler for Java and GNU Classpath projects won't have to spend time duplicating Sun's efforts. Instead, they can work to integrate the two programs and improve on what both already developed. Sun's version of Java will benefit from increased scrutiny and bug-fixing.
Note: Immediately, only the compiler, virtual machine, and the cross-platform help system are available. Most of the class library will not be released until March. 2007. According to the new OpenJDK front page:
The remainder of the open-source JDK will be available in the first half of 2007. At that time this project will host the source code for the complete JDK except for a few components that Sun does not have the right to publish in source form under the GPL; pre-built binaries will be provided for those components.
Of course, we must hope that the system will compile and run without those “few” components. Whatever they are, they might be targets for GNU Classpath to replace.
Now, if only Adobe would follow their lead and release an open-source Flash... (yes, I know about GNash. It's a promising project, but, it doesn't work with most of the Flash that's on the web today.)
Labels: free software, GPL, Java
