Ubuntu Karmic Koala Beta Launches

The "Karmic Koala"  aka Ubuntu 9.10 Desktop Beta, Server and Netbook editions,and the Ubuntu Netbook Remix are now available.

The final release is now only a few weeks away and the Beta is a major milestone. I'd expect to see a whole lot more users try out the Beta than the Alpha versions as Ubuntu devs work on eliminating any blocking bugs.

From a feature point of view it looks to me like everything is now locked down. At the top-level, the Koala is supposed to be even faster to boot up then the 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope release.

For desktop users the big items are the GNOME 2.28 desktop GUI which was just released a week ago. Ubuntu users will also (finally) get a much needed update to Firefox 3.5

There is also, yet another new way to add new software. With Karmic, Ubuntu is adding something they call the Ubuntu Software Center. It's not a replacement for Add/Remove or for Synaptic, yet. The idea is to provide on simple more streamlined and optimized interface for users to find, add or remove software.

Personally I think it's a good idea, but I know that I'm not likely to shift away from Synaptic anytime soon.

On the Server side, Ubuntu is continuing its Cloud push which began with the last release.
Ubuntu 9.10 Server Edition integrates Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud setup in the installer as well as providing security access controls with integrated AppArmor profiles.

The final Karmic release is currently scheduled for October 29th.

Article courtesy of InternetNews.com.