* New versions of the Fedora Core and Ubuntu Linux distirbutions
Editor’s Note: We’d like to let you know that starting Nov. 6, this newsletter will be renamed Network World’s Linux & Open Source Newsletter. The name change will better reflect the focus of this newsletter, which we hope you will continue to enjoy. Thanks for reading.
New versions of the Fedora Core and Ubuntu Linux distributions, released last week, bring improved user interface features; system management; and better performance to the respective open source operating system offerings.
Fedora Core 6.0 came first, last week, with new versions of the KDE and GNOME desktop environments (KDE 3.4.4 and GNOME 2.16, specifically), as well as improvements in printer management; faster start-up for applications; and file system access, according to the software package’s developers.
An upgrade to the CUPS printer configuration package, and other software, gives end-users the ability to have individual printer queues, and makes it easier for users to synch up with networked printers. A GUI has also been added to manage the Xen virtualization package included in the operating system. Also included is a SELinux tool for fixing problems that can come up when this security feature is turned on in Fedora Core. (SELinux, with its strict access permissions and controls, sometimes causes application issues if configured improperly.)
Shortly after the Fedora Core launch came Ubuntu 6.10, also, boasting better application performance; a streamlined look-and-feel; and improved support for the latest Intel hardware features.
Ubuntu 6.10, like Fedora Core 6, includes support for the latest GNOME and KDE desktops – although Ubuntu offers a separately-named sub-distro, Kbuntu, which has KDE as the default desktop. (GNOME is the overall default for just-plain Ubuntu).
Hardware enhancements in Ubuntu 6.10 include support for Intel’s Core Duo CPU technology, as well as its Centrino mobility chipset, used for Wi-Fi connectivity.
When deployed as a server, Ubuntu 6.10 includes an interesting twist with a pre-release version of the latest Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP) 5 package. LTSP is software that allows a Linux box to act as a terminal server for Linux terminal clients, or thin clients, attached to the server. All data in an LTSP system resides on the server, while bootable thin-client images are pushed down to the network-attached Linux terminals. (Some special configuration on the client hardware side is required to make PCs network-bootable.)
Additions to LTSP 5 include the ability for terminals to use USB-attached devices, such as memory sticks, digital cameras or iPods. Local printing for LTSP clients, as well as improved language support are also part of the package.
Download the latest Ubuntu package here; and Fedora Core packages here.
