Distro Release: Ubuntu 9.10 Now Available
The latest version of Ubuntu Linux, 9.10, has just been released.
Moments ago on the Ubuntu homepage, the latest version of the world's most popular Linux distribution became available for download.
Ubuntu version 9.10 is last interim release before the next and third LTS (Long Term Support) edition. Along with the usual Server and Desktop editions, and the more recent Ubuntu Netbook Remix, Canonical has added Ubuntu Moblin Remix to their lineup. The alternate installation CD as well as both 32-bit and 64-bit versions are still available.
New to the stable of installation choices are Marvell Dove, Freescale i.MX51, Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud, and Amazon EC2 images. All Ubuntu forks such as Kubuntu and Xubuntu have also been updated to 9.10, the former adding Kubuntu Netbook Remix to the usual Desktop Edition offering.
Ubuntu 9.10 brings with it several complete changes to previous defaults: ext4 has replaced ext3 as the default file-system, empathy replaces Pidgin as the instant messaging client, and the Palimpsest Disk Utility has replaced GParted as the partition manager. There's no shortage of updates to 9.10 either: the GRUB boot loader has been updated to version 2, Firefox is now at version 3.5, and GNOME has been updated to version 2.28.
The latest Linux kernel, version 2.6.31, is also shipping with the new Ubuntu. Newly integrated into the OS is Ubuntu One, an online backup and syncing service. The 'Add/Remove Applications' tool has been ditched for the iTunes App Store-like 'Ubuntu Software Center'. Almost every facet of the theming has also gotten a complete overhaul.
Take a look at their changelog and marketing page for a more detailed listing of the changes and features in 9.10, or better yet download it yourself. You can run it as a live CD, install it in a virtual machine, or use the Wubi installer to check it out without committing any changes to your current partitions.
We here at Tom's Hardware have been keeping tabs on both the beta and the release candidate and like the progress we've observed, but have so far withheld final judgment. After we've had a few days to play around with the final product, we'll bring you a full review, so stay tuned. In the meantime, tell us what you think in the comments below. You can also find help, or simply help others in the Ubuntu 9.10 thread right here on the Tom's Hardware Forums.






Ya, it has the XP window borders and says things like "Windows has a problem", when I get them I'm just like "Ya, I know" LOL
older PC.
They say the release is imminent yet last week they had 26 open tickets but this week they have 27 with 7 additional closed!!!!
buncha jerks.
I'm installing fresh on a new drive, pls let me know how the upgrade turns out.
BTW, what's with all the Mac OS comparisons by people who don't know Mac OS? Are you guys not running Windows? How about how the new Ubuntu compares to the OS you are already struggling with?
Will do. I was debating going that route (and still might at some point, perhaps try the KDE variant instead of GNOME), however i just finished configuring all my programs, aliases, conky, desktop, etc, and i just don't think i have it in me to do it all again so soon.
But I want to know when the next official 2 year maintenance Ubuntu OS comes out.
Ya, it's a little clogged right now because everyone is trying to get it. 10.04 "Lucid Lynx" will be the next LTS, look for it near the end of April.
Try wine, it is supposed to support some windows apps and games.