Ubuntu 7.04
The happy people are back again for a new release. Ubuntu has been steadfast in its entrance into the Linux world for several years now. It is clear at this point that there is some longevity in mind. With LTS (long term support versions) being released on a regular basis, Ubuntu is pioneering new standards in the Linux world.
The latest version 7.04 offers an improved splash screen to open the festivities. The live cd even seems to run faster than its predecessor which again indicates that Ubuntu is not only about major changes but also refinements. Other notable features that make life easier include:
- 2.6.20 kernel
- Gnome 2.18
- restricted drivers manager (shows up in your taskbar and prompts for installation of drivers such as Nvidia, super easy and convenient)
- Windows Migration tool makes copying settings during the install easy from that “other” OS
- Improved Network Manager including better wireless config with wpa security
- Easy Codec Installation (probably the major complaint about the last release even though it really wasn’t difficult, but codec addition has been made even simpler)
- Built in Beryl. Perhaps taking the cue from Fedora on this one, there is an easy way to enable Beryl settings from within the Gnome Environment
Overall, a nice improvement over the last quality release. Ubuntu continues to help move Linux in the right direction. If you are interested in trying out a distro, Ubuntu is definitely recommended. It’s no wonder why those Ubuntu people are smiling so much.