Intrepid Ibex to lose support in April

The Intrepid Ibex version of Ubuntu will not receive updates or security fixes after the end of April, the Linux distribution's release manager has warned.

In a mailing list message on Monday, Ubuntu release manager Steve Langasek reminded users of the deadline for Canonical support for Ubuntu 8.10, also known as Intrepid Ibex, which was launched in October 2008.

"As with earlier releases, Ubuntu committed to ongoing security and critical fixes for a period of 18 months. The support period is now nearing its end, and Ubuntu 8.10 will reach end of life on Friday, 30 April, 2010," wrote Langasek.

Langasek urged users to upgrade to version 9.04, Jaunty Jackalope. Once that upgrade is completed, users should then install the latest version, Ubuntu 9.10 or Karmic Koala.

"It's perfectly possible to stay on 8.10, but you're putting yourself at risk of security breaches if someone targets 8.10," a spokesman for Ubuntu backer Canonical said on Monday.

The spokesman confirmed that the sole reason for the upgrade was that Canonical is keeping to its 18-month rule for support of standard releases. Version 8.10 was the first to feature an Ubuntu LiveUSB creator and an encrypted private directory.

The next version of Ubuntu, version 10.04 or Lucid Lynx, is scheduled to arrive on 29 April, giving an additional upgrade option. Lucid Lynx will also be a long-term support version, and it is available for download now in beta in desktop, server and netbook versions. It adds consumer-friendly features such as integrated social networking and also gives the distribution a new look.