I run Kubuntu on my laptop (brother of Ubuntu), and I'm very disappointed to read that this RC still hasn't fixed the connecting to hidden wifi bug.
Simply put, you can't connect to a hidden wifi. I'd consider this a good reason for postponing the release. I mean, don't they imagine what an impact is created by this bug?
I haven't tried the RC yet, but the Beta was incredibly annoying with their KDE wallet for managing wifi connections. If they haven't fixed this, I'd stay away from Kubuntu and switch to Ubuntu.
Last but not least, they are supporting ext4. This is ridiculous. Ext4 was shown to potentially cause data loss, and they are still supporting it. Reiser4 is rock-solid compared to ext4.
Ubuntu 9.04 release candidate published
Summary
The Ubuntu project has published a release candidate, or final testing version, for the upcoming 9.04 version of its popular Linux distribution.
Topics
The Ubuntu project has published a release candidate, or final testing version, for the upcoming 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope version of its popular Linux distribution.
"We consider this release candidate to be complete, stable and suitable for testing by any user," said Ubuntu developer Steve Langasek in an email.
If release candidates prove stable, they sometimes end up being final production versions, although Ubuntu 9.04 still has a small number of bugs to be fixed. The software can be downloaded now from Ubuntu's website.
For this release, the project has focused on bringing faster boot speeds to users and a new desktop notification system. The server version of Ubuntu 9.04 has focused on integration with cloud computing (for example, integration with Amazon services) and a more integrated mail server stack based on the postfix and packages.
- See also: Canonical hits back at Microsoft in netbook spat
- Why Microsoft won round one of netbook wars
Ubuntu 9.04 is scheduled to be released on 23 April and will be supported for 18 months.
This article was originally posted on ZDNet Australia.
Talkback Most Recent of 112 Talkback(s)
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patibulo17th Apr 2009 -
I have connected to hidden WiFi before, but, in any case, a hidden WiFi
offers almost no security advantage.
DonnieBoy17th Apr 2009 -
agree
but there are situations, where you have no choice. At my work for instance, our wifi must be hidden. It's a rule, beyond my reach. What do I do?
If it is useless, then it shouldn't be part of the standard. But it is part of the standard. So any network manager that wants to be part of a release product must support it, period.patibulo17th Apr 2009 -
Well, I have connected to hidden wireless networks, and it worked fine, but
I have not tried it lately. In any case, no reason to hold up the release, that can be fixed with an update.DonnieBoy17th Apr 2009 -
In fact
hidden WiFi is decidedly a disadvantage. Because when the router stops broadcasting the SSID (and from what I understand it doesn't even do that completely) the client STARTS to broadcast it. Meaning every laptop is constantly broadcasting that SSID wherever it goes, because it's set to constantly look for it when disconnected.
However the original poster is right in that if he has no control over the router, knowing all this doesn't help his situation. KDE just does not have a decent NetworkManager client, and the more I have to deal with NetworkManager problems the more I dislike it. I've moved to WiCD on my laptop, which works on ANY X window manager. The client is a GTK program, but does not require Gnome.
Michael Kelly17th Apr 2009 -
Ext3 is still the default.
You can use ext4 if you wish.
I thought there have always been problems with wifi management in Kubuntu. I must say....it seems they should just drop the KDE effort and leave it to someone else.
storm14k17th Apr 2009 -
i hope they've got this one right...
i'd like to see a switch to wicd for networking. also xfce has released a patch for a major memory leak that has been present for a long while both in the 4.4 and 4.6 series of releases. 4.4.3 has the patch, xubuntu hasn't seen an update tho. firefox could use some serious optimization. i would also like to see some new color themes made available.
brokndodge@...17th Apr 2009 -
Firefox needs to be fixed by Mozilla...
I understand there may be some optimizations that are not present in the Linux build but should be there in the next version. I'm running the beta now and some things do SEEM better. I wish someone would do a decent study.
The color schemes are nice but of course some people will complain. I'm running one of them now on 8.10. Hopefully they've made a few tweaks to them since they are going to release them now.storm14k17th Apr 2009 -
As fast as ubuntu is
I am ready for Firefox to pick up the pace.
Have you found any options to speed up Firefox?
sparkkkey17th Apr 2009 -
re: As fast as ubuntu is
"Have you found any options to speed up Firefox?"
8 Easy Firefox Tweaks
^o^
n0neXn0ne17th Apr 2009 -
sparkkkey20th Apr 2009
-
Try one (or all) of these
for a "color theme".
http://www.linuxwallpapers.org/linux/slides/penguin-ms.html
http://www.linuxwallpapers.org/linux/slides/tuxbliss.html
http://www.linuxwallpapers.org/linux/slides/wredirect2.html
http://www.linuxwallpapers.org/linux/slides/debugwin.html
http://www.linuxwallpapers.org/linux/slides/full_Go_Camping.html
http://www.linuxwallpapers.org/linux/slides/msad3.html
http://www.linuxwallpapers.org/linux/slides/myclouds2.html
http://www.linuxwallpapers.org/linux/slides/suckmore_big.html
http://www.linuxwallpapers.org/linux/slides/step.html
Ole Man19th Apr 2009 -
Great to see the constant innovation on Ubuntu. I am looking forward to
trying out the netbook remix. Sure is exciting using Ubuntu compared to Windows!!!DonnieBoy17th Apr 2009 -
Enjoy your whopping 18 months of support
I guess it does go to show that you can't get security patches for a 9 year old Linux distro. Funny thing is I can still get security updates for Windows 2000. I guess when you release a real product you can afford to support it long term. Maybe Linux will snap to that some day. XP will be supported for 12 years before it is retired.
LiquidLearner17th Apr 2009 -
re:Enjoy your whopping 18 months of support for ever
"I guess it does go to show that you can't get security patches for a 9 year old Linux distro." ...
sudo update-manager -d
Version upgraded. Reboot when ready.
No productivity lost.
^o^
n0neXn0ne17th Apr 2009
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