Minor improvements coming in Ubuntu Linux update release
Summary: The latest update to the long-term support version of Ubuntu 12.04 brings a few improvements to the popular Linux operating system.
Ubuntu 12.04 Linux isn't just a very popular end-user Linux, it's also Canonical's Long Term Support (LTS) version. That means, besides Linux distributions' usual constant stream of improvements, it gets updates for business users and the first one is just about here.
Officially, August 23rd will see the first update, Ubuntu 12.04.1, to the operating system. Actually, the Ubuntu update is running a bit late. In any case, here's what you can expect from it.
First, there are no major changes. This is not a Windows style Service Patch (SP) update or Patch Tuesday release. Security patches in Ubuntu, as it tends to be in all Linux distributions, are made as soon as they're available.
A first look at Ubuntu 12.04 (Gallery)
According to Canonical, what you will get are “fixes and enhancements translate into a rock-solid, thoroughly tested upgrade path for any enterprise running Ubuntu 10.04, the last LTS release. Users on 10.04 LTS will then receive their first system notifications encouraging them to upgrade to the new LTS release. Consequently, we expect an even bigger shift among enterprise users than we experienced when it was first made available, back in April. Enterprise users can now be completely confident that the upgrade will be fast and free from disruption.”
In addition, Canonical, which started supporting an ARM version of Ubuntu Server with 12.04. In this new release, Canonical has added support for Calxeda SoCs (system on a chip). Ubuntu's developers, as Victor Tuson Palau, Canonical's commercial engineering director, recently explained are big believers in ARM servers finding a role in the datacenter.
Ubuntu is also continuing to strengthen its support for OpenStack as its preferred cloud infrastructure. With 12.04.1, Ubuntu is introducing Ubuntu Cloud Archive, This is an OpenStack online software repository. With it, administrators can download the latest versions of OpenStack without having to migrate away from their chosen LTS release.
As part of this, Ubuntu users will be able to download Folsom, the forthcoming release of OpenStack, and run it within their existing installation of Ubuntu. Folsom is currently set to be released on September 27th.
On the desktop side, Canonical claims “a raft of bug fixes and security updates combine with five years of guaranteed updates and the option of commercial support to make this release an extremely attractive alternative to Windows.” I completely agree with them on that score!
This release will also include all security updates from the Ubuntu Security Notice list (http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/precise/). This includes all patches affecting Ubuntu 12.04 LTS that were released up to and including August 16, 2012. For further fine details on what's been changed see the Ubuntu 12.04.1 release notes.
The Linux company, based out of the Isle of Man, also noted that Ubuntu 12.04.1 is certified on 40 desktops, 98 laptops and 8 netbooks and 41 servers, including 12 of the latest HP Proliant Gen8 servers.” Dell will soon be releasing a high-end developers' laptop just for Ubuntu.
Canonical also pointed out that they “provides commercial support for Ubuntu 12.04 LTS in the form of Ubuntu Advantage, a subscription program that gives enterprise customers the choice of two levels of support and access to the time-saving systems management tool, Landscape, which includes audit, compliance and ongoing management features for large Ubuntu deployments.”
While Ubuntu 12.04.1 is meant primarily for businesses, casual users will also get at least one major advantage from it. Once released, you can download this version and use it to install Ubuntu with all the latest updates on new PCs. In the recent past when you did this, you had to install Ubuntu 12.04 and then update it with 500MBs or so of updates since Ubuntu 12.04's April release. With this edition, you'll spend less time getting your new PC up and running the most up-to-date version of Ubuntu.
Related Stories:
Ubuntu 12.04.1: LTS maintenance release
Ubuntu 12.04 vs. Windows 8: Five points of comparison
Linux developers working on Windows UEFI secure boot problem
If my mother-in-law can use Ubuntu Linux, anyone can
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Talkback
Minor improvements coming in Ubuntu Linux update release
** tumbleweed **
That's interesting, kind of sad though...
Instead of trolling in OpenSource go play with your metro?Modern?Windows8?Start Menu?WinRT? toilet tiles? whatever its name is just GTFO!
Kudos to ubuntu
Clem is the man and he knows one thing and two about working with desktop! Both win 8 and unfortunately Ubuntu took one step backward in desktop area :(
I like Mint also
You're right about Clem, he knows how to make a quality product.
F*** me!
Did you miss the line that said -
In other words, SJVN feels this update will do nothing to move peopel away from Windows, while Canonical is worried about the realese of Windows 8.
If they where both truely opptimistic, they would never feel the need to mention MS in any statement or article.
And did you miss the part that said
"This is not a Windows style Service Patch (SP) update or Patch Tuesday release. Security patches in Ubuntu, as it tends to be in all Linux distributions, are made as soon as they're available.
Steven trashed Microsoft's Patch Tuesday.
Will-E, Nope
Don't know what realese is, Canonical worried not at all.
“move peopel away” What are peopel?
This has nothing to do with Windows 8
Keeping to schedules?
pretty sad when the most comments
I think all that bashing pushed him into a corner he may never get out of.
It's been out for days.
The BIGGEST improvement I found is IT ACTUALLY WORKS! (Well, SORT OF.) When 12.04 came out I made the mistake of updating 11.10. The video just flat-out died. Absolutely nothing worked. Two machines, two NVidia video cards and one on-board Intel video and NONE of the video worked. Unfortunately, that totally trashed my current install on the one machine I didn't test first with the Live CD version. Everything was still there, but I couldn't see anything. Even "failsafe" video crashed.
When I got 12.04.1 it booted correctly and gave me the option to install "alongside" my existing install. From THAT the GRUB menu gave my old 11.10 as one of the available boot kernels. Unfortunately, none of that actually worked. Only 12.04.1 would boot and that would only boot to the new install. I ultimately wound up doing a full-blown install of 12.04.1. EVERYTHING from my previous install gone.
Fortunately, I basically use Windows and pretty much all my data was on a separate hard disk for that.
Now I have a NEW problem! It doesn't recognize my monitor, like 11.10 did. I guess I'm gonna have to just stick with Win 7 except for occasional "just for yucks" dabbling.
Worked flawlessly for me
Why businesses?
"Ubuntu 12.04.1 is meant primarily for businesses
Many consumers will also enjoy having 5 years of support for 12.04. There will be no need for them to upgrade their systems every 6 months and, potentially, trash their systems. The 6-month Ubuntu release schedule is mainly for Linux enthusiasts, many of which do clean installs rather than upgrades.
Canonical's 5-year LTS support cycle should also be attractive to OEMs that pre-install Ubuntu on consumer devices. Less change is better.
Minor improvements coming in Ubuntu Linux update release
User friendliness
However for me resources would have been better spent in addressing the following issues experienced by many still.
Wifi should by now, work out of the box, on live disc & on install. the alternative STA hybrid driver offerd, does not work with many Broadcom cards.
Colour printing, especially with Canon hit & miss.
The desperate search for any alternatives to installing apps/drivers from Tar files, ( Canon again!).
To have these addressed & fixed I would gladly trade all ,(except the new App searcher!), of the "minor?" improvements of Dash previews, Web App intregration & other Unity integration tweeks.
It is more out of a concern that many potential ubuntu adopters have & will find these issues a deal breaker. Though occurances have much reduced over the short that I have been using Linux.
it would be a shame that the opportunity that presents itself with the rapturous welcome of W8 be lost, through the misconception that Ubuntu & Linux is still only for the geeks!
Shocking Error
It had been stated in all the places I looked that it was to be 16th, but they jumped the gun.
Oh well , I was like Steven, taken by surprise.
Must get on with the uprade.
Bugger!
Bye Bye 10.04