Ubuntu 9.10: Karmic Koala

Ubuntu, the popular Linux distribution, is set to release version 9.10, named "Karmic Koala", in October 2009. Mark Shuttleworth, billionaire, space tourist and the driving force behind Ubuntu, has announced the outlook and features for the successor to version 9.04, Jaunty Jackalope. Jaunty Jackalope itself is at present only in alpha and is due for full release in April. The current release is Ubuntu 8.10, known as "Intrepid Ibex".

A major focus of development in Ubuntu 9.10 are the server functions relating to cloud computing. Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) will be included for use with Amazon's Elastic Computing Cloud (EC2) for easier cloud computing. The Ubuntu developers are also working with Eucalytpus, an open source software infrastructure for implementing cloud computing on clusters. To save energy, the system will be able to disable systems with low utilisation.

Some objectives for the desktop version are shorter startup times and a revised login screen. The developers are also working on better hardware support for the growing number of inexpensive Netbooks. There is already a special Netbook Remix of Ubuntu for Netbooks.

See also:

• No 2.6.29 kernel for Jaunty Jackalope, a report from The H.
• First alpha version of Ubuntu 9.04, a report from The H.
• Ubuntu 9.04 named Jaunty Jackalope, a report from The H Open.
• Ubuntu 8.10 First Tryout, a feature from The H Open.
• Hyperic 4.0 for cloud watchers, a report from The H.
• Amazon offers virtual Windows servers for hire, a report from The H.

(crve)