Ubuntu-LB Ubuntu

[Rami Omar]

Thanks Dani for that mail.

=== IN FOCUS: Ubuntu's Gutsy Leap Forward =============

   by Mark Joseph Edwards, News Editor, mark at ntsecurity / net

 

You've heard it stated that Linux isn't ready for prime time desktops in 
enterprise environments, but is that really true? The way I see it, such 
blanket statements are essentially harmful misinformation because how 
any particular OS is suited to a network environment depends entirely on 
the particular network environment and the needs of the users.

 

I've been experimenting with Linux for quite a long time and am more 
attracted to the free varieties as opposed to the ones from commercial 
companies because I don't want to pay to experiment. So my platforms of 
choice have typically been Debian or derivatives thereof. So far, my 
favorite desktop version of Linux is Ubuntu, which is based on Debian.

 

I recently stopped by the Ubuntu Web site to see what's happening 
because the developers have pledged to release an update at least every 
six months. I was pleasantly surprised to see that just last week, 
Canonical (the company that sponsors Ubuntu development) released Ubuntu 
7.10, code-named Gutsy Gibbon. I think the code name is fitting because 
based on the basic release notes, this latest version makes some 
considerable leaps in terms of security and overall manageability.

 

Before I get to the security aspect, I want to point out that Ubuntu 
7.10 now supports writing to NTFS partitions; previous versions 
supported only the ability to read NTFS partitions. The new version also 
supports fully automatic plug-and-play printer installations and 
provides improved thin-client support that offers better compression, 
automatic logon, and more. You can manage all clients, including client 
installations, configurations, and upgrades, from one system.

 

Ubuntu 7.10 Desktop Edition now also includes Compiz Fusion, which adds 
jazzy 3D effects. Other slick features include fast user switching, 
desktop search, a plug-in finder and installer for Mozilla Firefox, and 
automated installation of "non-free" driver packages.

 

That said, the security improvements are what really grabbed my 
attention. When you download Ubuntu, you can now choose an alternate 
installer that implements either full disk encryption or partition- 
based encryption. A new script has been added to the base installation 
that helps automate creation and storage of profiles for authentication. 
A third new feature of the base installation is the addition of 
AppArmor, which helps limit the resources that an application can 
access. AppArmor was maintained by Novell until last month, and now the 
open-source community has picked up the ball.

 

Finally, Ubuntu comes prepackaged with OpenOffice, and you can get 
Ubuntu in several styles. Kubuntu uses the KDE desktop instead of the 
Gnome desktop. Xubuntu is a lighter weight version of Ubuntu that 
requires less memory, which is helpful for use on older systems.

Edubuntu is tailored especially for educational environments and 
classroom use for children.

 

So that's it in a nutshell. If you're curious about Linux, seriously 
consider taking a good look at Ubuntu (available at the URL below). As 
far as I can tell, it's one of the best Linux platforms available.