Ubuntu Linux, which started with the tagline “Linux for human beings,” was originally an easy to use Linux distribution for desktop users. Canonical picked what they considered to be the best of breed applications from the many thousands available in the Debian Linux distribution, put on a healthy dose of polish, and released their own version.
When it comes to Ubuntu, Canonical’s Linux distribution, most pundits keep close tabs on April and October. Like clockwork, Canonical always releases Ubuntu upgrades during those months. Indeed, Canonical is beta testing Ubuntu 12.04 (code-named Precise Pangolin) now and expects to ship the new Linux release on April 26.
If you want to use Ubuntu Linux on your tablet, you’re in luck — if you happen to own a Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) Nexus 7, at least. That device, which Canonical has targeted as a proving ground for Ubuntu on mobile devices, can now run the operating system.
Ubuntu’s top priority may be knocking Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) off its pedestal, but the Linux distribution — and the company backing it, Canonical — are increasingly following scripts from Apple‘s (NASDAQ: AAPL) playbook to achieve that goal. Most recently, Ubuntu developers introduced an updated version of the Ubuntu One Music Store.
As Linux users look forward to the release later in April 2012 of Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, Canonical’s decision to cease sponsoring Kubuntu as an official Ubuntu variant has passed largely under the radar — a sign, perhaps, that Kubuntu’s user base is small. But as the first member of the Ubuntu family to lose official endorsement, where is Kubuntu headed?
It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here — in beta form, at least. Ubuntu One, Canonical’s file syncing service, now works on Mac OS X as well as Ubuntu, Windows and mobile platforms.
One of the nice things about Ubuntu, generally speaking, is that its update and release cycles are very predictable and reliable. Ubuntu Cloud Images, however, have long been an exception.
In most cases, “online tours” fall short of seeing the real thing. They’re convenient, but I can’t imagine many people buy a house or choose a college after only visiting them virtually. But when it comes to picking an operating system, online previews can work quite well, as the Ubuntu team’s online tour site exemplifies.
In case there’s not enough spice in your holiday season already, the latest and greatest version of Linux Mint has debuted, bringing with it huge interface enhancements, new apps and more.
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