Ed Moltzen

The Chart

October 27, 2008

Early reports are that we could be hearing quite a lot of big news this week about the next generation operating system used the world over. Windows 7? Well, yeah.

But really keep your eyes on Ubuntu 8.10.

According to this press release:

Canonical Ltd. announced the upcoming availability of Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop Edition for free download on 30 October. In related news, Canonical also announced the simultaneous release of Ubuntu 8.10 Server Edition.

Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop Edition is designed for the pervasively connected digital lifestyle. With new 3G network support, users can move smoothly from wired and WiFi networks onto 3G cellphone networks while traveling. Ubuntu 8.10 is also built to be shared - users can start a quick "guest session" on the fly and let someone use their computer to surf the web or check email, while maintaining the security and integrity of their own data. And if that person really enjoys their brief session as an Ubuntu guest, they can put Ubuntu on any USB key and take it home to install on their own computer rather than having to burn a CD.

Creation of a "guest account" in Ubuntu 8.10 takes exactly one click. Configuration of a 3G account in a wireless deployment of Ubuntu 8.10 appears to be incredibly simplified. First appearances show that there are enough new features in this version of Ubuntu to make it worth a good, long look.

The release candidate of version 8.10 is already available to download and check out. An installation of that version in our lab, on an virtual machine, went very smoothly - - incredibly smoothly, actually - - and it will be interesting to kick the tires over the next few days. So far, so good.

So while Microsoft news may consume a lot of oxygen throughout the technology industry this week at its developers conference, a nice bit of action could very come from the Ubuntu 8.10 launch.