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Ubuntu, which has risen to prominence only recently, released its third version, numbered 5.10 and also called Breezy Badger. Also arriving is Mandriva 2006, which comes in three versions: Discovery/Lx for beginners, PowerPack for more advanced personal computer users and PowerPack+ for servers. The products cost about $54, $96 and $239, respectively.
Ubuntu is available for free, but a start-up called Canonical that sponsors the project sells support.
Mandriva said its new versions are notable for their inclusion of support for wireless networking and other features in Intel's Centrino technology and Skype VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) software. In addition, the versions include software acquired when Mandriva bought the assets of Lycoris in June.
Mandriva was formed after MandrakeSoft acquired Conectiva, another Linux seller, in February. Mandriva Club members can download the new software; others can order it online.
One new Breezy Badger feature is the Linux Terminal Server Project, which lets organizations set up a computer that provides shared network access and computing services for a group of older PCs.Also included is the new version 2.0 of the OpenOffice.org 2.0 software suite; the latest GNOME 2.12 user interface and, in the case of an Ubuntu offshoot called Kubuntu, KDE 3.4.3; support for the Launchpad service to help with translation and bug-fixing; unified driver software Hewlett-Packard all-in-one printers; and support for Oracle's Cluster File System version 2 and Red Hat's Global File System for multiple-server installations.
Ubuntu issues new releases every six months. The next, 6.4, is called Dapper Drake.
See more CNET content tagged:
Mandriva,
Ubuntu,
Oracle Corp.,
wireless networking,
VoIP
Mandriva 2006 is already be available free of charge for network installations, at public mirrors around the world. Those mirrors have around 12,000 (yes, twelve thousand) packages for MAndriva 2006, available for free. See http://easyurpmi.zarb.org for mirror information and set up.
Mandriva 2006 ISOs will be available for everybody in about 15 days.
Mandriva ISOs only contain the most used of those 12,000 packages, as not all fit in 4 CDs :)
Right now, the Mandriva Club members are the only ones who can access Mandriva 2006 ISO images. As Mandriva Club members are Mandriva voluntiers, developers or paying members, they can acess first and without the wait to Mandriva 2006 ISOs first, beating the rush and the "slashdot effect" of everybody trying to access the mirrors.
Cheers
distribution includes Wireless support.
Mandriva's contribution is there own wireless
setup GUI as part of their administration tools.
Most people will find Kwifimanager from KDE a
bit easier though. Either way, it's still more
straight-forward (for most cards) than
performing the same configuration under XP.