I first came across Ubuntu when I reviewed version 5.04 (Hoary Hedgehog) earlier this year. I was pleased with its easy installation process, clean GNOME desktop, and great package management features. Now a new Ubuntu release is out, version 5.10 (Breezy Badger), and we’re going to take it for a spin to see if it holds up to the reputation for stability and ease of use that we’ve come to expect.

Ubuntu follows a six-month release cycle, with each new release being only slightly different than the previous. Which is great for users because this minimizes the potential for unpleasant surprises in new versions. Ubuntu 5.10 builds on the stability of 5.04, and packs in the latest Linux desktop software. This includes GNOME 2.12.1 (desktop), Firefox 1.0.7 (web browser), Evolution 2.4.0 (email client), GAIM 1.5.0 (instant messaging), OpenOffice.org 2.0 beta 1.9.129 (office suite), GIMP 2.2.8 (image manipulation), and X.org 6.8.2. Numerous improvements include better laptop suspend/resume support, a polished graphical bootup process, easier application installation, better multi-language support, and simpler dual-boot configuration.

Installation

Our Breezy Badger test drive begins with a clean installation from the single-CD installer disc. The target machine was a generic PC with an AMD Athlon processor and 1.5gb memory. Ubuntu’s text-based installation process consists of two stages. During the first stage, the user answers a series of simple questions to configure basic system settings like default language, keyboard layout, disk partitions, and timezone. The installation of base system packages follows, ending with installation of the GRUB boot loader.

The second stage begins after a system reboot. Users familiar with older versions of Ubuntu will notice the new graphical bootup. The second stage installs the remaining system packages. The entire installation process took approximately 47 minutes and required very little user intervention.

Ubuntu Server

Usually when we think ‘Ubuntu’, we envision ‘desktop’ Linux. Ubuntu, however, is quite capable as a file/mail/web server too. An Ubuntu server can be installed with a minimal package set, taking up approximately 400mb on disk. You install Ubuntu as a server either by running the separate ‘ubuntu-server’ install CD, or by typing ‘server’ at the installer prompt, using the standard Ubuntu install CD.

Upon initial setup you may be surprised that no default network services are running, not even ssh. Fortunately, adding most standard packages is easy with ‘apt-get install’ as these are included on the CD. I was able to install Apache 2, PHP 5, Plone 2.1 and Zope 2.8 without problems.

On the Desktop

At first glance users may not see any glaring differences between Breezy Badger’s GNOME desktop and the previous Ubuntu release. However, a closer look reveals quite a few small changes sprinkled all over.

A new entry ‘Add Application’ has replaced the ‘Run Application’ entry in previous releases. ‘Add Application’, also known as GNOME App Install, gives you an easy way to install applications onto your Ubuntu system by presenting a list of available programs. Experienced users can launch the Synaptic package manager from within GNOME App Install via the ‘Advanced’ mode entry under the File menu. Where did the earlier ‘Run Application’ disappear to? You can still launch the ‘Run Application’ dialog using the ‘Alt-F2′ keyboard shortcut.

The entries under the GNOME Applications menu can now be modified, thanks to a simple menu editor utility, SMEG (Simple Menu Editor for GNOME). Although SMEG’s functionality is very basic, it was easy to add new entries, sub-menus, and manipulate existing entries. The ability to restore the default menu configuration would be a great addition — just in case we delete something by mistake. SMEG can be launched via the ‘Applications Menu Editor’ entry under the ‘Applications’->’System Tools’ menu.

The Nautilus file browser includes a number of usability improvements in this release. Navigating up and down a hierarchy of folders is much faster in ‘list view’, because you don’t need to launch another window to view the files inside a sub-folder. ‘Breadcrumb’ icons represent your current ‘location’ instead of just a text entry box. For example, if your location is ‘/var/spool/mail’ — there will be icons for ‘var’, ’spool’, and ‘mail’ — allowing quick access to those folders. Finally, a Nautilus sidepane that shows Places (default and bookmarked locations) is now available.

A peek into the GNOME System menu reveals the addition of three new entries under the ‘Administration’ menu. First, you can use the ‘Language Selector’ utility to configure a default language for your system, and also install additional language packs. Second, the ‘Services’ utility provides a simple graphical interface to activate basic system services (e.g., crond, ntpdate, cupsys) on your system. Finally, the ‘Shared Folders’ utility lets you configure folders that can be shared with other Windows or Linux systems on your network via NFS and Samba.

Breezy Badger is the first Ubuntu release that has been integrated with LaunchPad, Ubuntu’s online translation and bug tracking infrastructure. Entries in each application’s Help menu will give users an opportunity to translate the application into their native language or report a bug. Every so often all the translations would be exported to language packs, that would be updated periodically to reflect ongoing translation efforts.

Kubuntu

Users who prefer KDE for their desktops will want to try out Kubuntu, an offshoot of Ubuntu with a package set geared for KDE. Kubuntu is available from kubuntu.org and can be installed two ways. Choosing the first way, you download the Kubuntu install CD ISO image and then run a default installation. The second way allows you to install the Kubuntu desktop package (kubuntu-desktop) on top of an existing Ubuntu 5.10 system, which gives you an hybrid environment with a mix of GNOME and KDE packages. Kubuntu, like its GNOME cousin, is also available as a ‘Live CD’.

Kubuntu’s default package set includes KDE 3.4.3, OpenOffice.org 2.0, KMail (email client), Kontact (personal information manager), Kopete (instant messaging), Konversation (IRC client), AmaroK (audio player), Kaffeine (video player), Krita (image manipulation), and Adept (package management). KOffice 1.4 is available, but not installed by default.

Edubuntu

Edubuntu is a distribution focused towards teachers and their classrooms. Like Ubuntu and Kubuntu, it is available as either a ‘Live CD’ or an installable package. A default desktop installation takes approximately 45 minutes and occupies 1.8gb on disk.

Edubuntu debuted with Breezy Badger and highlights packages to help teachers create educational content including tests and worksheets. Additional packages supporting classroom management activities such as grading tests and tracking scores is planned for future releases. Packages for students include the KDE Edu suite (KTouch, Kstars, KPercentage, etc.), word processing and publishing tools (OpenOffice.org, Scribus), educational games, programming languages and tools.

Edubuntu takes advantage of LTSP (Linux Terminal Server Project) integration in Breezy Badger and comes configured as an LTSP server by default. Teachers can utilize this to give students hands-on experience with educational tools, via LTSP thin-clients. When setting up your Edubuntu LTSP server, having an understanding of how LTSP works will certainly help. Also, it would be great if the LTSP administrative utilities (ltsp-utils) were available from the GNOME Applications menu. Have a look at the Edubuntu installation notes (http://wiki.edubuntu.org/LTSPServerSetup) for additional tips on setting up the LTSP server.

Conclusion

In the short time that I’ve spent using Ubuntu 5.10 (Breezy Badger), I’ve really come to like it. The installation was painless, all my hardware was detected and configured correctly, package management was easy, and the clean-cut GNOME desktop is terrific. If you haven’t tried Linux on your desktop yet, get your hands on the ‘Live CD’ version of Breezy Badger — if you like what you see, this is a great distribution to embark on your desktop Linux journey. For users already into Ubuntu, an upgrade to Breezy Badger is definitely worth it.

Kubuntu is a great alternative for Ubuntu users who find they are more productive using KDE. However, long time SuSE users may find the Kubuntu KDE desktop a bit bare, as it lacks the powerful YaST configuration tools. Edubuntu is a step forward towards an education focused distribution, offering a well-rounded set of applications for the classroom. My hope is that efforts behind Edubuntu will energize development of more educational packages for Linux.

Before I forget, one of Ubuntu’s many strengths is it’s active user community. Getting help with any kind of configuration issue is amazingly easy — just check out http://www.ubuntu.com/support/supportoptions/freesupport for the various online forums, mailing lists, and web sites dedicated to Ubuntu.

The State of Massachusetts recently adopted the OpenDocument Format (ODF) setting a landmark precedent to support open standards for all document exchange between the state and its customers — businesses, citizens and other government entities. This decision signals a big win for open source software (OSS) and open standards adoption in government.

No taxation without representation

The decision by the modern state recalls the signature event of an earlier Massachusetts: the Boston Tea Party of 1773 where American “Sons of Liberty”, dressed up as Mohawk Indians, jumped onto British East India Company ships and dumped 45 tons of tea into the Boston harbor to protest King George III’s increase in taxation on the American colonies. Throwing overboard proprietary document formats is the equivalent message to the kings of today’s software industry that the right to freedom and open standards for documents and data is worth fighting for. What Massachusetts has done may be more effective in practice than all of the anti-trust activity to date of the US Department of Justice (DOJ).

“What Massachusetts has done may be more effective in practice than all of the anti-trust activity to date of the US Department of Justice.”

Setting a precedent

Peter Quinn, CIO of the State of Massachusetts (and evidently chief Mohawk), has set the bar high. Mandating the clean XML ODF instead of Microsoft’s XML format has the potential to percolate through all the US state governments and even the federal government. The Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) was instrumental in preparing the ODF and companies such as IBM, Sun, and Adobe were part of this team. ODF is the next generation of HTML and XML and is in the process of being ratified by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Companies such as IBM, Sun, Adobe and Google are now working on consolidating the ODF to handle XForms and metadata. Massachusetts will start using ODF compatible office automation applications for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation graphics by January 1, 2007. A plan to ensure conformance to ODF and migrate all current documents, train staff and standardize desktops will be implemented. All new applications will have to support ODF natively from 2007 onwards.

So what does this standard buy for the state? Assured interoperability, content flexibility, and easier content management. These benefits lead to improved IT services and to better citizen services and governance. In recognizing these benefits, the Australian government has cited the Massachusetts precedent and will mandate the use of ODF to help provide its citizens greater access to information.

“Discard vendor lock-in and adopt the Massachusetts bill of rights for open document standards.”

Applications such as OpenOffice.org, StarOffice, KOffice, Scribus, IBM Workplace support, or will soon support, ODF. Microsoft’s office products do not directly handle ODF but the company has 18 months to add the support required. Even though Microsoft has sponsored OASIS, it has ironically created proprietary extensions to standard XML for audio, video, GIS and voice. Microsoft could realize tremendous good-will by contributing its extensions back to the open standards so that the ODF improves for everyone. This would be a “win-win” for all customers who would then be able to use open standards for interoperability across open source and proprietary products.

Then again, King George didn’t understand the benefits of lower taxes or less “lock-in” either. But King George would be well advised that any government across the world desiring better governance through freedom, transparency and openness in providing data and public information to their citizens will now have a clear precedent to discard colonial vendor lock-in and adopt the Massachusetts bill of rights for open document standards.

A call to all developing nations is in order: Take note of the benefits of mandatory open standards for all IT automation infrastructure. Open standards will improve governance and help provide citizen services fairly and transparently.