ie8 fix
madison

'Jaunty Jackalope' Ubuntu goes into beta

David Meyer ZDNet.co.uk | March 27, 2009 6:50 AM PDT

The next version of the Ubuntu Linux distribution, code-named Jaunty Jackalope, went into its beta phase late on Thursday.

Ubuntu 9.04, as it is more properly known, includes a range of enhancements over its predecessor, Intrepid Ibex, or Ubuntu 8.10. These include a new notifications system, improvements to the start-up process, and the distribution's first foray into cloud computing.

See also: Has Ubuntu hit a plateau with Jaunty Jackalope?"

The new version of the operating system also includes updates to the Gnome interface (now version 2.26, which comes with the Brasero all-in-one CD-burning application and offers improved handling of multiple monitors), the Linux kernel (now version 2.6.28) and the X.Org server (now version 1.6). The ext4 file system is now also supported.

Ubuntu is set to make a major move into cloud computing with its next version but one, Karmic Koala, but the server version of Jackalope takes a step towards this with its technology preview of the Elastic Utility Computing Architecture for Linking Your Programs To Useful Systems (Eucalyptus).

Eucalyptus is an open-source software infrastructure for the deployment of applications into the cloud. Its interface is compatible with the application programming interface (API) for Amazon's EC2 cloud-computing service, and its inclusion in Jackalope means users of the distribution can deploy and test their own private clouds that match the EC2 API.

According to the feature webpage for Jackalope's beta, users will be able to "dynamically create virtual machines, configure multiple clusters into a single cloud and even provide an EBS (elastic block storage) equivalent and an [Amazon] S3 compatible storage manager".

There are several known issues with the beta — these are listed on the Jackalope page — and Canonical, the company behind the distribution, is inviting users to test the release ahead of April 23, when the final incarnation of Jaunty Jackalope is due.

This article was originally posted on ZDNet.co.uk.

194
Comments

Join the conversation!

Just In

Honestly...
LeonBA 4th May 2009
Microsoft is anything but dead. Don't order the tombstone before the gunfight. I don't like MS very much either, but that doesn't mean we should let ourselves get carried away. Yes, *nix is cleaner, more secure, etc., but that doesn't mean it's about to wipe Windows off the map; it'll be with us for a long time.

I *do* hope that the improved quality of recent distros and the wider name recognition they're getting leads us out of single digits in desktop usage though. It would be neat to see a substantial fraction of people using open-source operating systems.
0 Votes
+ -
'Jaunty Jackalope' Ubuntu goes into beta
Loverock Davidson 27th Mar 2009
And no one cares. I can think of a few names
for it instead of Jaunty Jackalope but will
still keep the jacking name in there. It still
has linux as the core which is why people will
yawn at this release. It adds no value or
functionality, its just the same old stuff they
have been releasing every time with a few
package updates. Basically all they did was
save you the time of having to recompile all the
packages, but don't worry linux fanboys by the
time its released you will have to recompile all
new packages because it updates daily. Yes it
has that many issues! This release like previous
releases is going to be a bore.
0 Votes
+ -
Your Point?
medezark@... 27th Mar 2009
Pretty much the whole point of any Linux distribution is to package new and existing packages to meet a pre-defined set of goals. Ubuntu's goal is to approach an ease of use and feature set equivalent or surpassing to Windows/Mac OS. And they are making excellent progress in that regard.

IMHO, the only things linux lacks are good documentation and a development environment that can compete with Visual Studio. If Open Office could incorporate the latest VBA, they'd be well on their way.
0 Votes
+ -
Eclipse competes with visual studio
InAction Man 27th Mar 2009
M$ took the trouble of paying some french Eclipse specialists to write silverlight plugins for Eclipse.
0 Votes
+ -
And beats it...
storm14k 27th Mar 2009
...as far as I'm concerned.
0 Votes
+ -
That linux sucks?
Loverock Davidson 27th Mar 2009
I thought my point was pretty clear. This jacko
distro offers nothing new or enticing for
consumers.

Ubuntu's goal is to approach an ease of use
and feature set equivalent or surpassing to
Windows/Mac OS.


And linux has been around since 1991, ubuntu
much shorter but had plenty to build off of, so
why haven't they met this goal yet? Because
people don't want linux because its a big hassle
to install and operate. And if your one of the
lucky few who made it past installation once its
installed you sit there saying "ok its
installed, now what?" What a waste of time.
  • Flagged
0 Votes
+ -
Nothing to see here but stale air
Alan Smithie Updated - 27th Mar 2009
now move along
0 Votes
+ -
I have to disagree with you.
xXSpeedzXx 27th Mar 2009
I have found that linux has become quite user friendly. And what myself and many linux users have found that these distros not only update the kernel, but all of the installed software as well, through its package manager, which unlike Windows where you have to run the update on each individual software title.

But in general, I have not had any hassels getting linux up. Laptop wireless cards are about it, but there are plenty of front ends, and support forums out there to assist in doing that, and is almost becoming a non issue.

And I have given linux distros to people of the older generation, and they prefer it over windows in its ease of use. They are impressed by how well it recognizes hardware, and most come with open office installed ready to roll, and they can download Gimp and a host of other free opensource software, and no longer have to worry about expensive windows upgrades to get new features with their linux client.

You may feel that linux is a waste of time, but I would rather spend time on linux than waste money on Windows upgrades, although I do and will anyway. An OS is a tool to get things done. Sometimes linux is the right tool, somtimes Apple, and sometimes Windows.
0 Votes
+ -
You shouldn't
Loverock Davidson 27th Mar 2009
I have found that linux is still a pain to use.
Every interation its still more of a hassle than
what its worth. Those updates you speak of can
not be trusted. The repositories are always
getting hacked and are down for months at a
time. Consider yourself lucky if you are able
to connect to them.

I find it really hard to believe that you had no
hassles with linux. Linux is known for being a
hassle prone product which explains its small
market share. I'm not the only one who feels
this way, there are millions of others as well.

Anyone you gave linux to had their tech friend
come over and wipe it. All the software you
mentioned is crossplatform so you could have
saved yourself those those people a lot of time
just by installing the applications on their
chosen OS. They don't need some linux fanboy
telling them what they should and shouldn't run.

You seem very hung up on mentioning Microsoft
Windows even though I had never mentioned it.
Got a bit of envy there? That is part of the
reason why linux fails, its user base just
assumes way too much about people.
0 Votes
+ -
Oh boy the hypocrisy.
xXSpeedzXx 27th Mar 2009
"They don't need some linux fanboy
telling them what they should and shouldn't run"

So they need someone with single vision to point them to a paid product. A product that due to its huge market share is the target of 99.99% of all malware.

And besides I don't tell them to "leave" windows. They were already looking for alternatives. I simply gave them a few more. And I flat out tell them, and even show them, here is the disk, you can try it, use it, and if you decide you like it, install it.

And besides I am fan boy of all the OS's I've used. Windows, OSX, OpenSolaris, BSD, OpenSuse, Ubuntu, Madriva, Fedora, Debian, Linspire, and more. I have had no issue with any of these, through installation, management, and use. At a campus I worked at, I even set up a linux lab. People that when in to use it, didn't even notice the difference, other than the color scheme.

I simply give someone a tool. I tell them to try it. If they like it use it. If not, spend the $200 on the Bloated Windows OS, or buy that spendy Apple. I all I do is give people options. If they have questions, I help them. No big deal.

Biggest complaint I hear about Windows is all the crap that gets onto their machine. Especially these scarewares out there. And for them it works fine, and they are happy, as many people I know that use linux are.
0 Votes
+ -
What are you talking about?
Loverock Davidson 27th Mar 2009
So they need someone with single vision to
point them to a paid product.


I never suggested any product, I suggested which
product not to use based on real world
experience. You mention Windows yet again, you
seem to really be hung up on it. Maybe you
should just drop your linux box and run it
instead.
0 Votes
+ -
Re: The hypocracy...
AmraLeo 28th Mar 2009
Try not to pay any attention to Lovey, he was pecked by a pack of penguins when he was a child...
0 Votes
+ -
@AmraLeo -
MGP2 Updated - 28th Mar 2009
Try not to pay any attention to Lovey, he was pecked by a pack of penguins when he was a child... Posted by: AmraLeo Posted on: 03/28/09

So, are you saying....

Loverock Davidson picked a pack of pecking penguins? Did a pack of pecking penguins did Loverock Davidson pick? silly
0 Votes
+ -
Linux is a cancer (Steve Ballmer)
araknos Updated - 28th Mar 2009
Linux existence is the sum of a remainder of an unbalanced equation inherent to the programming of Windows. Linux is the eventuality of an anomaly, which despite Microsoft's sincerest efforts they have been unable to eliminate from what is otherwise a harmony of mathematical monopoly. This has led Linux, inexorably, here. 99.9% of all user subjects accept Microsoft, as long as they are given a choice, even if they are only aware of the choice at a near unconscious level. While this answer functions, it is obviously fundamentally flawed, thus creating the otherwise contradictory systemic anomaly, that if left unchecked might threaten the system itself. Ergo, those that refuse Windows, while a minority, if unchecked, will constitute an escalating probability of disaster. LINUX IS A CHOICE OF FREEDOM! You prefer your everyday usual computer experience without having your privacy garanteed, just use Windows, I dont care!
0 Votes
+ -
red/blue
viztor 9th Apr 2009
Loverock is a blue pill kinda guy.
0 Votes
+ -
Really??
mtabholt 29th Mar 2009
"I have found that linux is still a pain to use.
Every interation its still more of a hassle than
what its worth. Those updates you speak of can
not be trusted. The repositories are always
getting hacked and are down for months at a
time. Consider yourself lucky if you are able
to connect to them."

Ok, so I have read a number of your posts over the years, and most of the time you fail the turing test.
You obviously use computers at least somewhat, because you are dead set on defending M$ and blasting Linux - or are you? I might be pointing out the obvious, but your arguments are so blindingly foolish to anyone who has actually *used* linux, that you can't possibly be for real, and yet I have actually worked with some really dumb people, so, I guess it is possible, but I just have to see that man behind the curtain!
You seriously can't figure out how to use Ubuntu?? Dude, my 12 year old son has it running on his computer with no problems - it's good enough for his homework, music and learning python programming on the side...
That is an old strategy, Stalin and Hitler relied on it with deep faith.
0 Votes
+ -
Maybe....
cdiazh 29th Mar 2009
it is a problem with the keyboard - chair interface, or like the other techs and myself saying around the shop here, an ID-10-T issue.
0 Votes
+ -
Life isn't so bad after all...
betomiller 3rd Apr 2009
I've been using Linux in various incarnations for several years, and have settled on Ubuntu 8.10. I disagree with those who claim problems with the release, and with Linux per se. It is stable and works. I can't say the same of MS Vista32...some application packages seem to be nothing more than betas, but that's hardly Microsoft's fault. Some years ago Microsoft was claiming at IT meetings that the operating system is self-healing, but that's hardly the case. Problems remain with repairing corruption of Windows DLL files, the complexity of the Registry model itself, and with the lack of a unified database for Outlook. In contrast, Ubuntu and its siblings are easier to live with, which is not to say that some applications in Linux are still wanting.
0 Votes
+ -
Microsoft?
viztor 9th Apr 2009
Are they still in business?

0 Votes
+ -
Why bother?
Charles Norrie 21st Apr 2009
Why bother hassling Ubuntu users with your rants?

If you don't like it, don't use it.

Meanwhile the rest of us are quite happy with our Linux addiction, and Shuttleworth who feeds it, having suffered for years with horrible Gatesware.

You aren't by any chance Mr Ballmer in disguise, are you?
0 Votes
+ -
Support
chromeronin Updated - 28th Mar 2009
Apart from the latest games there is nothing I cant do on a Suse or
Unbutu desktop these days, and plenty in a server that I would simply
not be able to afford if I had to Buy Windows Server or OS X Server
(and hardware) to run it on.

Actually, once I moved everything over to Linux, swapping to other
OS's is a breeze, as I have choosen to use protable cross platform
apps or server based solutions.
I live in an internet cloud, but it's not googles. I run my own. My own
IMap mail server, web server, database server, streaming media
server, etc and not a cent has gone to MS for it.
0 Votes
+ -
linux sucks?
warpuck@... 28th Mar 2009
Novell NOS and Warp-AIX are the only systems I have found to be more stable than Linux, Most Mac & SCO systems are close. Ease of use award...Mac. The alltime IT tech job security award goes to Microsoft. I use Linux at home. At home I use a 1 Ghz PIII, 512Mb iPAQ Desktop computer with Ibex Linux. A 3.2Ghz P4, 512Mb HP box with XP is used at work because Linux is ferbotten. Guess which has longer uptime, is more stable and also faster? Want to watch molasses pour? Put Vista 32 on a p4 3.2Ghz with 1GB of ram.
Not many systems cost more than a Novell NOS system, except maybe AIX, but they they deliver on time, every time and only catatrophic equipment failure can take them out. Strange that Linux costs the least for software and equipment for NOS and Desktop systems and is almost as good as Novell. It is definately better, more stable and cheaper than a all Microsoft system. As for Mac the Desktop is great, but the NOS is well...unique.
Then good! It is just a test. If you cant install your own brand-pure home-made source-readable operating system, then you do not deserve to be in control of your machine, Windows has to.





















































0 Votes
+ -
Loverock..........presumably
GOTBO 30th Mar 2009
because you've got rocks for brains! With your attitude you're quite obviously a danger to both yourself and others. Ubuntu met their goals some time ago. Living in denial aint going to change that, so you might as well just accept it.
0 Votes
+ -
it lacks more than that...
inertman@... 27th Mar 2009
i will give this new release a try. but every iteration previous to this needs me to get out a wired mouse and keyboard as the support for my bluetooth desktop is non-existant. this is funny as i can install every version since 4 w/ it but as soon as it is installed, it ceases to function. so i get out a wired desktop, go to any of a number of sites to find a driver and documentation to make it work, do as instructed, and every time my computer goes into standby, i have to restart and re-setup the bluetooth. so it makes it very difficult to want to spend much time evaluating it if i have to have another complete system just to test a new linux release. and as neither logitech nor hp have linux drivers for their peripherals, this is further reason to skip new releases. however, now that more manufactureers are developing a linux environmment, hp included, this may change if not already, but non of my equipment is supported, the same argument everyone uses against vista and/or 64-bit versions.
0 Votes
+ -
You're mad!
GOTBO 30th Mar 2009
Why on earth would you want a development of something as crap as VBA on Linux? VBA is a just horrible. The thought of something like this appearing in Linux is repulsive and probably why no such development stream currently exists.
And no one cares.

If you didn't care, you wouldn't post at all. Yet you were the FIRST to post.
0 Votes
+ -
No one cares about it
Loverock Davidson 27th Mar 2009
I'm just saving them time from having to read
the article about it. So in a sense, I care
about end users and not wanting to waste their
precious time.
0 Votes
+ -
Your concern is touching.
Letophoro 27th Mar 2009
In a 'use this doll to show me where he touched you' kind of way.

It seems to me that your posts are designed to do naught but get people to waste their precious time. I will however admit that, on occasion, your posts aren't a complete waste of time. The hyperbole that you post is occasionally amusing.

I do however reiterate that it is inherently obvious to the most casual observer that YOU care.
0 Votes
+ -
If I can touch just one soul
Loverock Davidson 27th Mar 2009
and have that one soul not use linux then I have
done my job. Just to correct you, my posts are
never a complete waste of time.
0 Votes
+ -
Why would you want to stop someone from
xXSpeedzXx Updated - 27th Mar 2009
using linux. Afraid that they may become smarter than you?

You sound like the stubborn person that refuses to use computers, because they love to shuffle through endless piles of paper to get what they need. And for many people, a Linux kernel running OOo, Gimp, and Firefox may be all they need to do what they want to do with their computer. So why force them to pay 150 - 200 dollars for the OS, another 150 - 700 for office software, another 100 - 200 for Grapics imaging manuplations software, such as Photoshop, other than to spend huge amounts of money for something stuff they can get for less, and have a huge community of support for.
0 Votes
+ -
Why wouldn't I?
Loverock Davidson 27th Mar 2009
Are you seriously saying that running linux
makes you smarter? I beg to differ. Ask a lot of
the PHD's what they use and I will bet its not
linux.

No I'm not stubborn at all. I'm well versed in
the IT field, I just know linux has no place in
it. And for many people running linux just won't
suit their needs like so many of you fanboys
think it will. So they move on to better
solutions that work for them and make them more
productive.
0 Votes
+ -
Ugh, Now you're after souls.
Letophoro 27th Mar 2009
You couldn't just leave it with hearts, minds, and some Fava beans? I mean really, do you have to go after the soul too?
0 Votes
+ -
What's MORE disturbing is . . .
JLHenry Updated - 27th Mar 2009
the image of him in his parent's basement, fantasizing about souls . . . .

sad



0 Votes
+ -
If these people need to be saved
Loverock Davidson 27th Mar 2009
from the evils of linux then you need to get the
whole body.
0 Votes
+ -
@LD so now linux is evil.
xXSpeedzXx 27th Mar 2009
I get it. Linux the root of evil. What a laughable concept, considering the large number of webservers out there running linux.
0 Votes
+ -
It has always been evil
Loverock Davidson 27th Mar 2009
anyone using it for more than 5 minutes could
tell you that
0 Votes
+ -
Bwaaaa ha ha ha. GREAT subject line, Lovey...
MGP2 Updated - 27th Mar 2009
If I can touch just one soul

I literally busted out laughing at that. Good one!

jmorgan...it's all a matter of perspective.

Linux has its fan bois who go to every Windows blog and they troll and post flame bait and they give each other virtual high-fives and what not.

And we Windows users have Lovey. And maybe it ain't right on my part, but it IS amusing to see some people get caught in a back & forth with Lovey. Ya gotta admit...he's nothing if not persistent. But I'll also give him this. I've never seen him be disrespectful to other people the way they are to him (Not directed at you, but certain LFBs who shall remain nameless). That's a sign of a good debater. Now, I know half the stuff he says about Linux isn't true...but neither is half the crap the LFBs post in the Windows blogs. So, let's just chalk it up to "what comes around....goes around".
0 Votes
+ -
I believe you work for Microsoft
Charles Norrie 21st Apr 2009
And if this is a marketing campaign to get people to use the product it's dire.

I suppose we have to regard it as a suble sort of nagware.
0 Votes
+ -
I want my time wasted
Charles Norrie 21st Apr 2009
by Ubuntu.

If you gave me a computer to keep with Windows o it, I'd still wipe it and put on Ubuntu.

Why?

It works!
0 Votes
+ -
Move along, nothing to see here
Timpraetor 27th Mar 2009
It's just another trainwreck of a message baiting the readership.

As with all other Loverock posts, this one is a bore.
0 Votes
+ -
Another one denies himself
Loverock Davidson 27th Mar 2009
of the truth. That is what linux fanboys are
known for, living in denial and thinking that
everything is peachy with linux. I can't wait
until reality sinks in, the expression on your
face will be priceless.
0 Votes
+ -
Troll
ejhonda 27th Mar 2009
Even us Windows supporters are embarrassed by your drivel...
0 Votes
+ -
Its not trolling, its telling the truth (NT)
Loverock Davidson 27th Mar 2009
@
0 Votes
+ -
No, it's trolling.
LeonBA 4th May 2009
You come in making sweeping disparagements about a distribution of Linux without even indicating you've seen it? That's trolling, or at least flamebaiting.

I like what I see in Ubuntu, myself. I switched over from Windows full-time a couple months ago, and overall I'm liking it so far. And I see improvements in 9.04; they're small improvements, but that's a sign that the distro has matured. If you don't see any improvement in the latest version of Ubuntu, it might be that you don't want to see them.
0 Votes
+ -
EJHonda...build a bridge...
MGP2 Updated - 27th Mar 2009
and get over yourself. He's not doing anything that many, many, many Linux fan boys don't do in the Windows blogs.
0 Votes
+ -
Lovey, why do you even bother?
914four 27th Mar 2009
Since you really add nothing to the discussion except pages and pages of nonsense, I suspect you have little else to do. If you would try Ubuntu or Mint yourself for a bit, maybe you'd at least have a valid argument to make, but some of the stuff you post! Geesh!
0 Votes
+ -
Because The Truth Is Out There(R) (C) (TM)
Loverock Davidson 27th Mar 2009
I bother because my experiences and that of
milions of others have proven time and time
again that there is a real danger and hassle of
running linux. We all want the web to be a
safer place and we can accomplish this by
eliminating linux from the equation. If you had
read my posts they are straight forward no-
nonsense posts. You can either choose to accept
it or live in denial.
0 Votes
+ -
And your aim is to suppress it?
914four 27th Mar 2009
It's either ironic or appropriate that you used the motto from the X-Files, but I haven't quite decided which. My point is though, that spreading FUD isn't the way to find the truth. And the biggest danger linux poses to anyone IMHO is to Microsoft's bottom line. C'mon Lovey, OpenSource will set you free! wink
0 Votes
+ -
Well...
zkiwi 27th Mar 2009
As pretty much all of your assertions and silliness are wrong and the exact opposite is true, I guess your verbal vomit is tantamount to a declaration that Linux is about the best thing since sliced bread.

Oh, and I'm still waiting for Microsoft to "spank the EC" as you were so fond of declaring. I guess if you're still on that kick then the world should expect Microsoft to be fined or ruled against by the EC sometime soon.
0 Votes
+ -
Honestly...
LeonBA 4th May 2009
Microsoft is anything but dead. Don't order the tombstone before the gunfight. I don't like MS very much either, but that doesn't mean we should let ourselves get carried away. Yes, *nix is cleaner, more secure, etc., but that doesn't mean it's about to wipe Windows off the map; it'll be with us for a long time.

I *do* hope that the improved quality of recent distros and the wider name recognition they're getting leads us out of single digits in desktop usage though. It would be neat to see a substantial fraction of people using open-source operating systems.

Join the conversation!

Formatting +
BB Codes - Note: HTML is not supported in forums
  • [b] Bold [/b]
  • [i] Italic [/i]
  • [u] Underline [/u]
  • [s] Strikethrough [/s]
  • [q] "Quote" [/q]
  • [ol][*] 1. Ordered List [/ol]
  • [ul][*] · Unordered List [/ul]
  • [pre] Preformat [/pre]
  • [quote] "Blockquote" [/quote]
ie8 fix

The best of ZDNet, delivered

ZDNet Newsletters

Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox

Facebook Activity

ie8 fix