How To Install Ubuntu 11.10

UBUNTU 12.04

The Ubuntu Developer Summit for Precise has ended yesterday, so here is short list of possible changes in Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin.

64-bit, 750MB ISO

Ubuntu will promote 64-bit images starting with Precise. This means that when you go to Ubuntu.com and click to download Ubuntu, the 64-bit image will be selected by default. You can of course choose to download 32-bit images instead if you want to. Until now, the 64-bit images weren't promoted due to the lack of multiarch support, but with this problem solved, there's nothing blocking it anymore.

The Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin ISO size will increase to 750MB which means it won't fit on a CD anymore so you'll need either an USB stick or DVD. There were issues the last cycle with fitting everything on the CD so this is a welcome change for the developers. The reason only 50MB were added is to make sure there's not too much stuff added on the ISO just because it's possible.

Greeter, USC, Unity

Unity Greeter improvements: LightDM will use the wallpaper the user sets for the greeter and other info might be exposed to the greeter as well, by connecting it with the messaging indicator. Also, the Unity Greeter (via LightDM) will be used as the lock screen.

Other Unity Greeter changes:

• theme widgets
• make login box look like lenses
• design and implement session / password changer
• other design improvements

There were also discussions about signing in to Ubuntu using with Ubuntu One credentials or Facebook account. This would be especially useful for OEM to get rid of the "creating user account" step. But, durring the discussion, there were many potential issues raised, most importantly: the need to be connected to the Internet to be able to log in.

The Ubuntu Software Center will get a huge list of improvements. Most importantly: while currently the startup time is around 11.2s, the goal for Precise is a value under 2s. Also, at the end of the "View" menu will be a checkbox: "New Applications in Launcher" which will automatically add newly installed applications to the Unity launcher.

Some missing Synaptic features should also be added to Ubuntu Software Center, such as reinstall, update, pin a version.

Other Ubuntu Software Center changes:

• new categories: ebook, Indicator, lens and scopes
• videos
• one-conf enhancements, further improving the application sync between computers
• support multiple screenshots or localized screenshots
• new interface for help or refund for applications
• support for plugins

Unity:

- It seems that starting with Precise, you won't be able to re-enable the whole systray ("whitelist all"), but only allow whitelisting specific apps,

- better Unity integration for various applications (includes badges, quicklists, etc.),

- you will be able to drag lenses onto the launcher,

- Unity 2D should use the Unity window decoration buttons for maximized windows.

Overlay Scrollbars need to be ported to xul (Firefox, Thunderbird), vcl (LibreOffice), swing (Java) and nux. The Qt port is already in progress but there's no news about the others for now.

Wayland might be available as a tech preview for Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin, however, this is a low priority task. There are many things that need work to be able to optionally install Wayland: write a Wayland compositor, patch LightDM to support Wayland, PolicyKit/screensaver/lock screen support and more.

Default applications in Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Lubuntu

Banshee will probably be replaced by Rhythmbox as the default music player in Ubuntu 12.04. Since Tomboy and Gbrany are the only applications that still use Mono, they will dropped from the ISO too, meaning Ubuntu 12.04 might be Mono-free.

Vinagre, tsclient and rdesktop will probably be replaced with Remmina and FreeRDP.

"tsclient is a UI front-end for rdesktop (and was dropped by default for 11.10). Vinagre is a UI front-end for RDP (rdesktop currently), VNC and SSH. Remmina is a UI front-end for FreeRDP, and supports RDP, VNC, NX, XDMCP and SSH"

The reason for this is that rdesktop is not actively maintained, Remmina uses a better UI than Vinagre and supports the same features and GNOME might switch from Vinagre to Boxes (check out Boxes here). By the way, you can find a FreeRDP PPA here.

Zeitgeist Activity Log Manager might be integrated into Control Center, so you can blacklist folders or applications or clear the Zeitgeist history which is important for privacy reasons.

PiTiVi video editor, GNOME Sushi and GNOME Documents were proposed but were rejected from being included by default in Ubuntu 12.04.

Lubuntu: LightDM will be enabled by default for Alpha 1.  Lubuntu Software Center will also be added by default, but Synaptic won't be removed. And finally, Viewnior will be set as the default image viewer for Lubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin.

Kubuntu: LightDM will replace KDM and there will be a nice Plasma theme for LightDM. Also, low fat settings will be turned on by default; this is a package designed to reduce memory usage by up to 32% and reduce KDE’s startup time by 33%. And finally, the Kubuntu devs are also considering replacing Kopete with KDE-Telepathy by default.

Unfortunately there was no Xubuntu session (or I've somehow missed it) so there's no info about Xubuntu this time.

GNOME version: Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin will continue to use most GNOME 3.2 applications but will use GTK3.4 and pick up some GNOME 3.4 components such as GNOME Games, Gedit and others. Some more important applications will remain at version 3.2 while applications not included by default in Ubuntu can be updated to 3.4. Also, gconf and GTK2 will probably remain on the CD.

The reason for this is that Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin will be released just a month after the GNOME 3.4 release so there is not enough time to get everything ready.

These are of course just a few of the possible changes in Ubuntu 12.04, but we'll have a more in-depth look when each change lands in Precise.

Google Chrome OS vs Google Chromium OS

Google Chrome OS vs Google Chromium OS

In our recent post about how to install Google Chromium OSseveral users have raised the question about validity and relevance. It is our duty to expand on those concerns and fill in the blanks for users who are not quite aware of the difference (Chrome vs Chromium), or in many cases similarities.

The Google Chrome OS is the official build which will be released and supported by actual Google developers. This operating system will, like Microsoft’s Windows, be supported regularly with fixes and bug updates upon release. The Google Chrome OS will also be significantly more stable, because it will be more or less a finished product.

The Chrome OS will be featured on a plethora of Google machines which will be sold in the future (after its official release of course). This means that when you hear a salesman talking about a laptop outfitted with the “latest Google Chrome OS”, he/she is most likely talking about the operating system specifically designed and supported by Google.

The Google Chromium OS is an open source release of the Chrome OS… but what does that mean?

It means that both the Google Chrome OS and Chromium OS are the same. With exception to the rather evident fact that the Chromium OS can be expanded upon by anyone. Anyone meaning, any developer in existence – even you.

Because the official Chrome OS has not been released, the Google Chromium OS is basically the “cutting-edge” version. That does not necessarily mean it is the “best” version, it simply means that it includes the most “up-to-date” features and specs.

Because the Chromium OS is “up-to-date” it means that some of the more prominent Google OS performance issues will be fixed and expanded upon. The Chromium OS is basically a giant testing environment for Google developers, which means that it can be quite buggy and problematic.

This process of releasing a buggy “open-source” product allows developers to hash out problems with the official Google Chrome OS and see how the fixes and updates react in the Chromium builds. The developers also earn support and feedback from the community of individual developers who alter the software personally.

The Chromium OS can be customized by anyone, and changed/altered with a broad range of programming options. This is part of the “open source” idea, a release that allows any user the option to tailor the product to their individual needs.

To expand more on the idea that anyone can custom tailor an open source OS, we will give a prime example: Hexxeh, the 17 year old developer who redesigned, and currently maintains, the Google Chromium OS Flow build we recently previewed in an earlier article.

This in turn means that the Google Chromium OS will, in most cases, appear and act differently than the official Google Chrome OS when it’s finally released. Google will most certainly patent and include unique features and user interface options that Chromium users and developers don’t. After all, they are the original creators…

For those of you stating that the Chromium OS is not the same as the Google Chrome OS, you are both correct, and incorrect simultaneously. The Google Chromium OS IS NOT exactly the same as the official Google Chrome OS. However, the Chromium OS and Chrome OS will both use the same source code and likely include most, if not all, of the same features and benefits.

For you less technology (and programming) oriented viewers out there, it more or less means they speak the same language and function on a day to day basis nearly identical to each other, but for all intensive purposes look differently (just like fraternal twins).

Hopefully this clears up any questions or issues you have concerning the Google Chrome vs Chromium operating systems!

We have created a forum discussion about the official Google Chrome and Google Chromium operating systems. Please join the discussion and share your personal thoughts and opinions. You can join in the discussion by visiting the forum thread here!

Windows 8 Features & Release Date

Windows 8 Features & Release Date

Windows, being one of the most used OS, brings great challenges for Microsoft to keep its users impressed in the next version of Windows.

Although Windows 7 has done exceptionally well since its release, Microsoft has been constantly working to make the next version of Windows a better one by further improving upon the existing features, and have added new impressive Windows 8 features along with a stunning UI.

Microsoft released the early version of Windows 8 on a prototype tablet last week. Those of you who would like to taste and experience the all new Windows 8, you can download the Developer Preview, which is currently in pre-beta version. The developer version shows off the current stage of the OS. It is available for free download, and comes in three different packages:

• (1) 64-bit version – Only the OS
• (2) 32-bit version – Only the OS
• (3) 64-bit version with developer tools 

Windows 8 offers a number of new Windows 8 features from its all new UI to Windows App Store and improvised security features. Here’s a list of new features and improvements which will arrive with Windows 8:

Windows 8 is the first edition of Windows which will work on both ARM based tablets and traditional x86 (as well as x32 and x64) PCs based on ARM processors from Intel and AMD.

“Support for ARM-based chipsets, touch, and sensors makes Windows 8 work beautifully on your choice of a full spectrum of devices, such as 10-inch slates with all-day battery life, ultra-lightweight laptops, and powerful all-in-ones with 27-inch high-definition screens,” Microsoft contends, in a Windows 8 Guide distributed with Windows Developer Preview

The “Windows To Go” seems to be an exciting feature that basically allows Windows 8 to boot from a USB device (called as Live USB), including user’s programs, settings and files. The feature is designed to work with both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, and on both legacy NIOS and UDFI firmware. However, Microsoft says that a user will not be able to “Hibernate” with this feature.

“Windows To Go is a new feature in Windows 8 that enables enterprise administrators to create USB drives containing complete, managed Windows images that users can use to boot and run Windows on any Windows 7 or Windows 8 capable computer. Windows To Go makes it possible for employees to use a managed device whether they work from home, a client office or in a free seating environment. This session will discuss Windows To Go, its hardware requirements and building compatible and complementary software.”

Another interesting thing about this feature is that, if the USB drive is removed, Windows will automatically freeze, but will continue to operate if the USB drive is inserted back in the next 60 seconds after removal.

To compete with Apple, Windows has confirmed the introduction of a Windows Store, similar to Mac App Store, which allows users to browse through Windows applications, while developers can publish their Metro-style apps on Windows 8 devices.

Few days back, Microsoft gave a strategic view of its app store, and gave a quick demo on how it works. Microsoft revealed that the Windows App Store will be the only place where users can access the Metro-styled apps. Here’s a quick demo that shows how users will be able to buy their apps:

Speaking about the UI, Windows 8 certainly has got a mind blowing interactive UI, which has been extensively redesigned to a “Metro-style” design, which shows the most important information to you, embodies simplicity, and gives you full control over it. The UI is designed to provide a fluid and intuitive interaction and navigation with touch, or a mouse and keyboard.

Julie Larson-Green, Corporate Vice President, Windows who stated: “Everything that’s great about Windows 7, is better in Windows 8,” gave a quick hands on look at the Windows 8 user-interface. Here are some of the screenshots she released:

Windows Logon Screen – Unlike the traditional way of entering a password to unlock the screen, Windows 8 can be unlocked by just tapping on the right areas of the screen.

Windows 8 Start Screen – The Start screen is yet another impressive UI. The screen basically groups all your applications together, which you can easily drag and drop, or add new things.

Control Panel

Playing Videos in Windows 8

Windows 8 Task Manager

The Windows Defender which was first released with Windows Vista is getting a security upgrade with the upcoming Windows 8. This would probably edge-our third-party antivirus and anti-malware programs. Windows Defender will become a full-fledged anti-malware solution for Windows 8. This will include protection against all types of malware such as virus, worms, trojans and rootkits.

In addition to that, Windows Defender will provide real-time detection and protection from malware threats using a file system filter, and will interface with Windows secured boot, which is another security feature.

The developer preview of Windows 8 comes with a Metro version of Internet Explore (IE) 10. Since it is a preview version, it does not support any browser plugins and extension – including Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight. However, it will feature full screen browsing mode by default, implements several new HTML5 capabilities, turbocharges HTML5 performance, and adds some security options for Web applications.

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It is reported that Windows 8 is expected to have the same system requirements as Windows 7, and will run on existing PCs/laptops that run Windows 7. Here are the following minimum system requirements to run Windows 8:

Processor: 1GHz or faster 32-bit or 64-bit processor

RAM: 1GB (32-bit) or 2GB (64-bit)

HD Space: 16GB for 32-bit (or 20GB for 64-bit)

We can expect Windows 8 to be launched sometime in mid-late 2012, however, it’s too early to predict the Windows 8 release date, since it is still under development. Nevertheless, the only question that haunts each and every one of us – Will Windows 8 win the battle against Apple which it had lost several years back?