Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter #51
N Ali
nali at ubuntu.com
Mon Aug 6 06:35:53 BST 2007
Welcome to the Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter, Issue #51 for the week July
29th - August 4th, 2007. In this issue we cover job opportunities at
Canonical, potential system issues caused by Automatix, the upcoming
fourth alpha release of Gutsy Gibbon, coverage of the US Lo``Co Teams
Project and meetup, and much much more.
'''UWN Translations'''
* Deutsch - Start one!
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuWeeklyNewsletter/Issue51/De
* Español - Start one!
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuWeeklyNewsletter/Issue51/Es
* Français - Start one!
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuWeeklyNewsletter/Issue51/Fr
* Italiano - http://wiki.ubuntu-it.org/NewsletterItaliana
* Português - Start one!
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuWeeklyNewsletter/Issue51/Pt
== In This Issue ==
* Canonical Job Opportunities
* Automatix: Package Architecture Could Lead to Serious System Problems
* Tribe 4 Freeze
* US Lo``Co Teams Project Digg Coverage and Meetup
* In The Press and In the Blogosphere
* Translation stats
* Bug Stats
== General Community News ==
=== Canonical Job Opportunities ===
Looking for good people. Apply within! - Jono Bacon is looking to
expand his growing Canonical Community Team by filling the position of
Exteranl Project Developer Relations. You must be smart, enthusiastic,
and a committed lover of Ubuntu and free software. The right
individual will get to work with upstream and downstream projects to
improve how they work with Ubuntu and vice-versa. For a full job
description, and instructions on submitting your resume, visit the
link. http://www.jonobacon.org/?p=1008
=== Automatix: Package Architecture Could Lead to Serious System Problems ===
Automatix is a configuration/package installation tool which has made
it easier for users to install graphics drivers, media codecs and
software not part of the Ubuntu Distribution. This review of the
package shows that Automatix has some serious problems, and in it's
current state is dangerous to your system. Potential problems run the
range from damage to small items of your configuration, up to and
including the potential to leave your system in an unbootable state.
Read the point by point analysis by following the link to the review.
http://mjg59.livejournal.com/77440.html
=== Tribe 4 Freeze ===
The next alpha release of Ubuntu's Gutsy Gibbon is due on Thursday,
Aug. 9, 2007. New features will include Gnome 2.19.6, Console Kit and
fast-user-swittch applet, tracker by default, KDE 4 beta 1, and more.
The freeze to main will be on Tuesday, August 7, 2007, so if you have
changes to this milestone, you need to get in touch with a member of
the release team.
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel-announce/2007-August/000321.html
(tribe 4 to be released)
== LoCo News ==
=== USA-wide Approved LoCo's by the end of the year. Lets do it! ===
Jono Bacon : The US Teams Project is working hard to get an Ubuntu
Loco Team in every state of the USA. Their specific goal is to have an
approved team in every state by the end of 2007. This goal is one that
can absolutely be accomplished. The project has come a long way, but
we need to work together as a community if we are going to achieve
this goal. Come on folks, lets make this happen. On a global scale we
are already kicking ass with Loco teams, lets now kick ass in the USA
and get an approved team in every state by the end of the year.jono's
posting about US Teams: http://www.jonobacon.org/?p=1007
=== US LoCo Teams Project Featured on Digg (Response is Tremendous!) ===
The US Loco Teams project received some needed help when an article
written by Christer Edward's, aka Zelut, was featured on Digg. Digg
picked up the article from a posting to the fridge and it created mass
excitement in the US Loco Teams Project. Within a two day period, some
nine new US State Teams were set up. Established teams were also
reporting anywhere from 4 to 15 new members signing up with their
Loco. Needless to say, it was a busy couple of days for this project.
Setting up all the needed resources for these new teams, which
included: IRC Channels, mail lists, Launchpad and wiki pages , is no
easy task. But many of the established US Loco teams stepped up to
help out. Their team members jumped right in and assisted in anyway
they could to help get things set up and questions answered. It was a
thing of beauty to watch! Not only the establishment of so many new
teams, but also the response of the community to help get it done.
Once again, the Ubuntu Community shows why they are the best!
http://digg.com/linux_unix/Ubuntu_In_The_United_States
=== US Loco Teams Meetup (A Night To Remember!) ===
On Saturday, August 5, 2007, Loco Teams from all over the US came
together in what will surely be remembered as one of the best nights
in US Loco Teams Project history. Following the successful Digg
article, US teams met in the US channel to introduce themselves, learn
and share ideas, and to celebrate their recent success. During the
minutes leading up to the start, team spirit was very high with
members announcing their respective states in a show of team unity.
The meeting kicked off with the introduction of the US Team Mentors,
and then the channel was turned over to those in attendance. 103
members was the official count in channel, and this even included some
wives. A great time was had by all, and this is just another example
of the spirit that lives within the Ubuntu Community, and the US Teams
Project.
=== Ritech2007 (Reserch, Innovation, Technology) ===
Ritech is Indonesia's annual technology expo, and this year is special
because it emphasizes open source. Mega Glodok Kemayoran, Jakarta is
the place, and the dates are August 8-12, 2007. At first, the
Indonesian Ubuntu Community was to share space with another open
source institution. But when the Ministry found out about the presence
of Edubuntu, and the ability to host their own booth, the team was
given it's own space. More details of this exciting expo are available
via the link. http://wiki.ubuntu-id.org/Ritech2007
=== Ubuntu Chicago Meeting ===
The Ubuntu Chicago Lo``Co is having their next meeting in the middle
of downtown Chicago for everyone to enjoy. There will be a few short
talks about various topics and as always, the meetings are open to the
public. As a side note, the Chicago Lo``Co will be meeting before the
Chicago Gnu/Linux Users Group meeting so members are encouraged to
attend the Chi-GLUG meeting as well. Much more details are included on
the Lo``Co's webpage. https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ChicagoTeam/Meetings
== In The Press ==
* Hands on: Ubuntu Linux: Kubuntu and Xubuntu - You can of course
install Ubuntu and then add any desktop you want. The best method to
get KDE according to Barry Shilliday though is to install the KDE
version. This method however will leave the user without several of
the enhancements available in Ubuntu's Gnome version. This article
follows the steps necessary to install these needed extras, bringing
your KDE installation up to its full capabilities. New users to Linux
might have some trouble with a few of the set up steps, so the author
recommends that they should try the standard Ubuntu version which will
install these packages automatically.
http://www.pcw.co.uk/personal-computer-world/features/2195122/hands-ubuntu-linux-kubuntu
* Ubuntu Live: Dog Pile on Microsoft - Mark Shuttleworth, founder of
London-based Canonical Ltd., told the Ubuntu Live conference in
Portland last week that the company will focus on server improvements
in the coming year to make it more appealing to IT managers. They will
also place Ubuntu in more direct competition with other Linux
versions, such a Red Hat and SUSE. Attendees didn't bash other Linux
versions, but banded together to show support of Linux. Stephen
O'Grady of Denver based Red-Monk said that "Windows" was the bug that
needed to be fixed.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=operating_systems&articleId=299438&taxonomyId=89&intsrc=kc_feat
* Conexant Modem Driver Now Available on support.dell.com for Ubuntu
- Dell is now providing a Conexant modem driver download for the
Inspiron E1505n and 1420n. This driver is for Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn.
If you have been waiting for this upgrade, following the link to bring
your machine up to date.
http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/07/17/21325.aspx
* Windows vs. Linux vs. OS X: CIO John Halamka Tests Ubuntu - John
Halamka is responsible for the desktop productivity of 40,000 people
at Care-Group and Harvard Medical School. After years of Windows
usage, he evaluates Ubuntu as a replacement for desktops, thin clients
and public kiosks. John was concerned that Ubuntu would be too
consumer-oriented, but finds "the OS met all of his criteria and
exceeded his expectations." Overall, Ubuntu does well its UI,
management tools, and support and John comments "the Ubuntu community
had done a bang-up job developing an OS that was easy to install and
required little configuration."
http://www.cio.com/article/print/126702
* Windows' dominance stifles demand for Linux - There's been much
fanfare about Linux replacing Windows on desktops but we've yet to see
any major adoptions take place. This may have something to do with the
fact that up until now, none of the major PC manufacturers have
offered Linux as a pre-installed option. Analysts say the cost of
retraining staff, along with the entrenched installed base of Windows,
means it could be some time before Linux becomes a popular alternative
to Microsoft's desktop OS.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,39288391,00.htm
* Linux Vs. Mac: Which Is The Better Alternative To Microsoft
Windows? - If you're a Vista-wary Windows user who would rather switch
than fight, should you move to a Linux distro or Apple's OS X? Two
testers review Ubuntu and Mac OS-X in the following categories:
Installation & Migration, Hardware Support & Power Management,
Networking & Wireless, Productivity, Entertainment, Security, Windows
Integration, Stability, Backup and Disaster Recovery. Conclusions:
both systems preformed well and could offer advantages depending upon
the needs of the operator.
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=201002048
* IBM Saves $250M Running Linux On Mainframes - Today IBM will
announce it is consolidating nearly 4,000 small computer servers in
six locations onto about 30 refrigerator-sized mainframes running
Linux, saving $250 million in the process. The 4,000 replaced servers
will be recycled by IBM Global Asset Recovery Services. The six data
centers currently take up over 8 million square feet, or the size of
nearly 140 football fields -
http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/07/31/1859220&from=rss
* First KDE 4.0 beta released - The KDE team is shipping its first
beta for the next-generation KDE desktop. The 4.0 beta is the starting
point for the integration process to start bringing new technologies
in KDE 4 libraries to applications. -
http://www.linux.com/feature/118383
* Time for a switch? - There's been a lot of talk about how good
Vista and OS is. However, few know about how good the free and easily
usable Linux and its 'distros' (short for distribution) are. A few
years ago, most people thought that Linux was only for people who were
tech savvy and knew computer codes, and it wasn't for the normal home
users. However, Linux has come a long way in the past few years and
has almost made a niche among the users. And, the best part about
Linux is that it's free. Linux has various distributions available for
download. Some like Red Hat are for servers, while some like Ubuntu,
its cousin Kubuntu, Open Suse and Fedora are for the desktop. So, if
you are looking out for a new computer and and want to save on the
cost of buying an expensive Operating System, you know what to look
at! http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pune_Times/Time_for_a_switch/articleshow/2257068.cms
== In The Blogosphere ==
* Enterprising Ubuntu? - Unlike consumer strategies, which are geared
toward overnight results, enterprise strategies take the long term
approach. The first step is longevity, and Ubuntu's three year rise in
popularity fullfills this goal. Step two is to speak the language of
the large enterprise customers. A work in progress for Ubuntu
according to this author. The third step is to differentiate your
product from the other guys. Ubuntu seems to be aimed solidly in that
direction with the addition of Landscape and Personal Packaging
Archive service. Whether these items will help Ubuntu gain a larger
share of the enterprise market is as yet unknown, but if Red Hat is
not paying attention, it should.
http://redmonk.com/sogrady/2007/07/30/ubuntu_enterprise/
* Serving Your Home Network on a Silver Platter with Ubuntu - It is
widely known that Linux is one of the best options for a server
operating system. However, the technical ability to run and maintain a
linux based server has often times been more than an everyday user
could manage. This article is geared toward helping anyone set up and
maintain a useful Linux server for their home network. One that is
headless(i.e. without a monitor, keyboard or mouse) and can be stowed
away out of sight. Once you have everything set up to meet your needs,
your LAN server/gateway should run like clockwork, requiring only
occasional upgrades. http://linuxgazette.net/141/lazar.html
* Open Source and Microsoft Free - Mike Kavis says: I have now been
Microsoft-Free at work for about 7 weeks. I have also found solutions
for almost all of the initial hurdles I encountered in the first week.
Email, Office, Browser and printing have all been solved with open
source applications. My goal of this article is to prove that people
can be productive at work without the need of Microsoft software. I
found the Ubuntu install to be quite simple. People tend to accept
that fact that Windows is a simple install because they receive their
desktops or laptops already configured. Is the Windows install really
all that much easier then the Linux install or is it the fact that
most people never have to bother installing Windows?
http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/eai/madgreek/archives/open-source-and-microsoft-free-17339
(mentioned in slashdot)
* Windows vs Ubuntu - why switch? - I want to re-install my work PC -
get rid of Windows and install Ubuntu. Here's why…It seemed clear 5
years ago that Linux could do all I want a computer do, do it well,
and maybe even gratis. The only problem was that it took a lot of
effort to get to the system set up correctly in the first instance.
Once it was ready it was great, but getting ready took time, research,
and effort - that's fine for messing around at home, but not so good
for getting work done. I now run Ubuntu Desktop Linux on my home PC,
with virtually no effort required to run it - as these things should
be. http://tallblog.conted.ox.ac.uk/index.php/2007/08/03/windows-vs-ubuntu-why-switch/
== Meetings and Events ==
=== Tuesday, August 7, 2007 ===
==== Kernel Team Meeting ====
* Start: 15:00 UTC
* End: 16:00 UTC
* Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
* Agenda: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/Meeting
=== Wednesday, August 8, 2007 ===
==== Edubuntu Meeting ====
* Start: 12:00 UTC
* End: 14:00 UTC
* Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
* Agenda: https://wiki.edubuntu.org/EdubuntuMeetingAgenda
=== Thursday, August 9, 2007 ===
==== Gutsy Tribe CD 4 Release ====
* Gutsy Tribe 4 will be released today!!
==== Ubuntu Development Team Meeting ====
* Start: 15:00 UTC
* End: 17:00 UTC
* Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
* Agenda: No Agenda Set Yet
=== Friday, August 10, 2007 ===
==== MOTU Team Meeting ====
* Start: 17:00 UTC
* End: 19:00 UTC
* Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
* Agenda: https://wiki.ubuntu.comMOTU/Meetings
=== Saturday, August 11, 2007 ===
==== Xubuntu Developers Meeting ====
* Start: 17:00 UTC
* End: 19:00 UTC
* Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
* Agenda: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Xubuntu/Meetings
== Community Spotlight ==
=== New US Loco Team Off to a Flying Start ===
The Minnesota Loco Team got off to a flying start that can be
attributed to the recent Digg article, great support, and enthusiastic
team members. After getting it's start just a week ago, this team
already reports having registered 13 members in Launchpad, and
participating in their IRC channel. They also have their wiki page up
and running, a team forum page, and have put in their request for a
mailing list. They also have plans to work with the LUGs in their
state to further advocate Ubuntu and Open Source. Nice job team
Minnesota, keep up what is considered by all to be a great start for
your team.
== Updates and security for 6.06, 6.10, and 7.04 ==
=== Security Updates ===
* USN-492-1: tcpdump vulnerability -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-security-announce/2007-July/000566.html
* USN-493-1: Firefox vulnerabilities -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-security-announce/2007-August/000567.html
* USN-494-1: Gimp vulnerability -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-security-announce/2007-August/000568.html
=== Ubuntu 6.06 LTS Updates ===
* fireflier 1.1.6-2ubuntu0.6.06 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/dapper-changes/2007-July/012462.html
* tcpdump 3.9.4-2ubuntu0.2 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/dapper-changes/2007-July/012463.html
* firefox 1.5.dfsg+1.5.0.13~prepatch070731-0ubuntu1 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/dapper-changes/2007-August/012464.html
* gimp 2.2.11-1ubuntu3.4 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/dapper-changes/2007-August/012465.html
=== Ubuntu 6.10 Updates ===
* tcpdump 3.9.4-4ubuntu0.2 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2007-July/008372.html
* firefox 2.0.0.6+0dfsg-0ubuntu0.6.10 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2007-August/008373.html
* gimp 2.2.13-1ubuntu3.3 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2007-August/008374.html
=== Ubuntu 7.04 Updates ===
* fireflier 1.1.6-3ubuntu0.1 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/feisty-changes/2007-July/008674.html
* tcpdump 3.9.5-2ubuntu1 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/feisty-changes/2007-July/008675.html
* firefox 2.0.0.6+1-0ubuntu1 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/feisty-changes/2007-August/008676.html
* xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:1.9.94-1ubuntu4 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/feisty-changes/2007-August/008677.html
* gimp 2.2.13-1ubuntu4.3 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/feisty-changes/2007-August/008678.html
== Bug Stats ==
* Open (31270) +305 # over last week
* Critical (19) -1 # over last week
* Unconfirmed (15776) +259 # over last week
* Unassigned (23555) +358 # over last week
* All bugs ever reported (112545) +1038 # over last week
As always, the Bug Squad needs more help. If you want to get started,
please see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BugSquad
== Translation Stats ==
1. Spanish (23957) -480 # over last week
2. French (38762) -4 # over last week
3. Swedish (54406) -53 # over last week
4. English-UK (60205) +40 # over last week
5. German (63046) 0 # over last week
Remaining string to translate in Ubuntu 7.10 "Gutsy Gibbon", see more
at: https://translations.launchpad.net/ubuntu/gutsy/
== What is it? ==
New to UWN is Whatisit. Each week we will be including a close up
photograph, and the full photograph of the previous week's item. You
will have until the next UWN release to guess what the item is on the
Ubuntu Forums: http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=243
attachment:whatisit.jpg
== Archives and RSS Feed ==
You can always find older Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter issues at:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuWeeklyNewsletter
You can subscribe to the Ubuntu Weekly News via RSS at:
http://fridge.ubuntu.com/uwn/feed
== Additional Ubuntu News ==
As always you can find more news and announcements at:
http://www.ubuntu.com/news
and
http://fridge.ubuntu.com/
== Conclusion ==
Thank you for reading the Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter.
See you next week!
== Credits ==
The Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter is brought to you by:
* Martin Albisetti
* Dawid van Wyngaard
* John Crawford
* Nick Ali
* And many others
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