Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter #87

Sun Apr 20 21:08:01 BST 2008

Welcome to the Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter, Issue 87 for the weeks April
13th - April 19th, 2008. In this issue we cover: Ubuntu 8.04 LTS
Release Candidate, Release Candidate Testing, Ubuntu Open Week,
Abiword 2.6 needs testers, ShipIt 8.04 CD orders, Hardy Heron release
parties, FISL (5th International Free Software Forum) in Brazil,
Ubuntu Desktop training, Ubuntu ported to ARM, and much, much more!

== In This Issue ==

 * Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Release Candidate
 * Release Candidate: call for testing
 * Ubuntu Open Week
 * Abiword 2.6 Testers Needed
 * ShipIt Accepting 8.04 CD orders
 * Ubuntu Stats
 * LoCo News
 * In the Press & Blogosphere
 * In Other News
 * Upcoming Meetings & Events
 * Updates & Security

== General Community News ==

=== Announcing Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Release Candidate ===

The Ubuntu team is pleased to announce the Release Candidate for
Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Long-Term Support) on desktop and server.  Codenamed
"Hardy Heron," 8.04 LTS continues Ubuntu's proud tradition of
integrating the latest and greatest open source technologies into a
high-quality, easy-to-use Linux distribution. The release candidate is
considered to be complete, stable, and suitable for testing by any
user. Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Desktop Edition features incremental
improvements to familiar applications, with an emphasis on stability
for this second Ubuntu long-term support release. The Ubuntu 8.04 LTS
family of variants, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, UbuntuStudio, and Mythbuntu,
have also reached RC status. The final release of Ubuntu 8.04 LTS is
scheduled for 24 April 2008.
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-announce/2008-April/000110.html

=== Release Candidate: call for testing ===

With the release candidate out, and in order to give users the best
tested and stable release of Ubuntu ever, the Testing Team is
currently looking for testers. If you want to help, please join
#ubuntu-testing on irc.freenode.net where the team will be hanging out
the whole week, coordinating testing. Here are some other links of
importance:

 * Testing procedures: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Testing/ISO/Procedures
 * Test cases: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Testing/Cases
 * Results reporting: http://iso.qa.ubuntu.com
 * Bugs: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs
 * Additional info: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Testing

Get involved and help make the Hardy release the best yet.
http://blog.qa.ubuntu.com/node/4

=== Ubuntu Open Week ===

 * When: Monday 28 April 2008 - Saturday 3 May 2008
 * Where: #ubuntu-classroom on Freenode
 * Schedule: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuOpenWeek/

The aim of "Open Week" is to help the Ubuntu community grow, and they
have an awesome set of topics ready for you. If you've considered
getting involved in Ubuntu and don't know where to start, then this is
a great opportunity to jump in. There will be sessions on all kinds of
subjects including an "Ask Mark" session. Remember, being part of
Ubuntu does not have to be a technical, hardcore programming or
packaging jobs. You can be involved with artwork, marketing, advocacy,
local community teams, documentation, translations and more. If you
are interested in being a part of the Ubuntu project, there is sure to
be a session for you, take this time to join the Ubuntu Community and
become part of the world-class team that puts Ubuntu together. We are
keen to show that everyone can be a part of our growing community.
http://fridge.ubuntu.com/node/1402.

=== Needed: testers, reviewers, and sponsors for Abiword 2.6 ===

There has been discussion in the last few weeks regarding the
possibility of including Abiword 2.6 in Hardy. The general consensus
of the release team seems to be that is would be desirable. Obviously,
the risks of making such a change at this point in the release cycle
was a part of the discussion held with the release team. However, the
release team would be willing to approve an FFe if the packaging was
of required caliber and appropriate testing occurred (and both cases
appear to be true). Please visit the link to find out how and where to
help make this package a part of the Hardy final release.
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel-discuss/2008-April/003868.html

=== ShipIt Accepting 8.04 CD Orders ===

Ubuntu ShipIt is now taking pre-orders for 8.04. ShipIt will send you
a CD of the latest version at no cost, but the delivery may take up to
ten weeks, so you should consider downloading the CD image if you have
a fast Internet connection. You can also check the status of existing
orders at this site. https://shipit.ubuntu.com/

== Ubuntu Stats ==

=== Bug Stats ===

 * Open (43210) +768 # over last week
 * Critical (31) +2 # over last week
 * Unconfirmed (20997) +655 # over last week
 * Unassigned (33730) +831 # over last week
 * All bugs ever reported (173748) +2324 # 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 Hardy ===

This is the top 5, not specific languages, so the languages might
change week to week.

 * Spanish (15494 )
 * French (39226 )
 * English-UK (45823)
 * Swedish (55712 )
 * Brazilian Portuguese (63759)

Remaining strings to translate in Ubuntu 8.04 "Hardy Heron," see more
at: https://translations.launchpad.net/ubuntu/hardy/

== LoCo News ==

=== Hardy Heron Release Parties ===

The Hardy release is just around the corner, and it looks like the
LoCos are in full swing planning their parties. Help promote the
release and have a great time doing it.

Come join the fun! Information on Hardy Heron release
parties:https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardyReleaseParties

=== FISL - 5th International Free Software Forum Brazil ===

Brazil is one of the countries whose government has come out firmly in
favor of free software. The initiative includes plans to export around
2 billion USD worth of software per year; to replace Microsoft Windows
with Linux in 300,000 federal government computers; to transfer 1
billion USD in resources from the Telecommunications Fund (Fust) to
the free software-based Digital Communications System (SCD); and to
integrate the country's 200,000 public schools via open-source
technology.

 * Day One: (Porto Alegre, Brazil) FISL (International Free Software
Forum), is the biggest free software event in Brazil. In addition to
the GNOME booth that was set up, there were many discussions centering
around development for GNOME apps, translations of GNOME, and
generally GNOME itself. Many great folks were present who were known
formerly only from emails or their nicks.
http://www.bani.com.br/2008/04/17/fisl-first-day/

 * Day Two: Day two was a GNOME day, with many people showing their
support by wearing GNOME t-shirts and expressing an interest in
contributing to the project. Additionally, Planet GNOME Brazil, was
published. It will be an aggregate of Brazilian contributors. FISL is
a huge event here, with more than 7000
attendees.http://www.bani.com.br/2008/04/18/fisl-second-day/

Be sure to check out all the pictures here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74401586@N00/tags/fisl/

== In The Press ==

 * A Year Later, Sales of Linux on Dell Computers Continue to Grow -
About a year ago, Dell made an important move. Pushed by thousands of
comments on its IdeaStorm website, the company started offering Ubuntu
preloaded on a small selection of its machines. In an interview with
ComputerWorld a few days ago, Dell said that "sales of the
Linux-loaded machines are encouraging." However, they refuse to give
out any specific sales figures. "A [sales] number is not going to
validate it as much as our actions to date,", they said.
http://www.osnews.com/story/19646/A_Year_Later_Sales_of_Linux_on_Dell_Computers_Continue_to_Grow

 * Linux examined: Ubuntu Hardy Heron -   If there is a single
complaint that is laid at the feet of Linux time and time again, it's
that the operating system is too complicated and arcane for casual
computer users to tolerate. You can't ask newbies to install device
drivers or recompile the kernel, naysayers argue. One of the killer
features of Ubuntu is that the installation media is also a "live CD."
This means that you can boot it off the CD and try it out first before
installing it. And when you do install it, you'll be asked a minimum
of questions, and none of them are in the least challenging to anyone
who has ever installed Windows. If there's a distribution ready for
your neighborhood newbie, this is it.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9076879&intsrc=hm_list

 * Ampro Offers Ubuntu-Based Embedded Linux - Ampro Computers has
debuted new Linux support for its line of board-level embedded
computers. "Ampro selected Ubuntu Linux as the basis of our new
embedded Linux offering for three key reasons," Lehrbaum added.
"First, Ubuntu has rapidly emerged as one of the most popular Linux
distributions in both desktop and server applications, and the project
recently has become a key partner in Intel's Mobile and Internet Linux
(Moblin) initiative. Second, Ubuntu is a completely free and
open-source OS, availing developers of easy access to source code and
minimizing device costs. Third, Ubuntu features a simple yet powerful
package management infrastructure, APT, that enables quick and easy
software installation, updates, and security patches."
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1356685/

== In The Blogosphere ==

 * Linux is Good for the Elderly - Why should older users change to
Linux? Primarily because of cost. Obtaining and loading Linux is
without cost. Similarly when updates are issued there is no additional
cost to install the updates. Is it difficult to use Linux? If you are
familiar with using windows you may be surprised at how similar Linux
is to windows. What if you have a problem and cannot solve it? Since
Linux is open source there are millions of users who are extremely
well versed in the use of Linux and you will find that there is always
someone who has the answer to your problem and provides a solution to
your difficulty.
http://ubuntulinuxhelp.com/linux-is-good-for-the-elderly/

 * Shuttleworth starts countdown to Ubuntu 8.04 release - The next
red-letter day for Ubuntu fans will be April 24, when Ubuntu 8.04 LTS
(Long Term Support) arrives. In an interview, Mark Shuttleworth made
the point that, while many executives have yet to realize it, "Open
source software projects and Linux distros are actually better than
proprietary companies at hitting deadlines." In particular,
Shuttleworth says, "Companies are now comparing Linux with Vista, and
it's clear that's Linux does a better job of meeting people's
expectations. Taken all-in-all, Shuttleworth feels that Ubuntu users
will find Ubuntu 8.04 to be a great distribution, whether they intend
to use it in their businesses, on their desktops, or to introduce new
users to Linux. http://www.linux.com/feature/132575

 * Ubuntu 8.04 Beta - Now that the beta release of Hardy is out, it is
time to give it a try. Installing fresh is the best way to see how it
will look to someone who is new to Linux. After installation, the
first reboot into Ubuntu was a seamless experience, and even though
there were many updates to download and install, the package manager
took care of everything. Once you get it all set up and configured,
Ubuntu is a very well behaved OS.
http://comphobby.org/archives/163-Ubuntu-8.04-Beta.html

 * Ubuntu takes early lead in Open Source Census - They announced it
in December, but OpenLogic's census of open source software is now
actually open for business. Ninety percent of participants have
Ubuntu, and about half are in the US (with an impressive and
results-bending 33 percent from Finland). Two thirds of them are small
businesses (ten to 49 people). The data set is still too small to be
valid. http://community.zdnet.co.uk/blog/0,1000000567,10007846o-2000469549b,00.htm

== In Other News ==

=== Canonical Announces Ubuntu Desktop Training ===

Canonical announced training for corporate and home desktop users to
get started with Ubuntu. "This desktop training is designed with new
users in mind, so they can experience first hand how easily Ubuntu,
and free software, can fit into their work and personal lives," said
Billy Cina, training manager, Canonical. The retail price for this
course is $100 and can be purchased through shop.canonical.com. Bulk
discounts for corporations are available upon request.
http://www.ubuntu.com/news/online-desktop-training

=== Curl debuts its RIA features for Ubuntu Linux ===

Curl Inc. today announced support for Ubuntu Linux, which will allow
desktop Ubuntu users to easily see Curl-enhanced Web content on their
computers without having to manually configure a player. According to
Bert Halstead, chief architect at the Cambridge, MA. based company:
"It gives Ubuntu users the ability to see Curl content in the way it
is meant to be seen," with enhanced features.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=printArticleBasic&articleId=9078299

=== Ubuntu ported to ARM ===

A Nokia-sponsored project is porting Ubuntu Linux to the ARM
architecture. The "Handheld Mojo" team has completed ARM builds of
Feisty Fawn (dubbed "Frisky Firedrake"), and Gutsy Gibbon ("Grumpy
Griffin"), with Hardy Heron compilation starting soon. Meanwhile,
Ubuntu is gaining better support for devices with small screens and
limited input devices thanks to work by the Ubuntu Mobile and Embedded
team, and its forebear, EmbeddedUbuntu, as well as Intel's Moblin
project.  http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS2097004728.html

=== CNR.com Releases Beta CNR Client for Ubuntu 8.04 ===

Linspire, Inc., developer of CNR, a one-click digital software
delivery service for desktop Linux and web-based software, today
announced the immediate availability of a beta CNR Client for Ubuntu
8.04 LTS. Available for free at CNR.com, the beta CNR Client for
Ubuntu 7.04, 7.10 and now for 8.04 Hardy Heron, provides users with
free access to an online marketplace where they can find, learn about
and with one-click download and install the latest desktop Linux
software applications of their choice, both free and commercial.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/cnrcom-releases-beta-cnr-client-for-ubuntu-804,354504.shtml

== Upcoming Meetings and Events ==

=== Wednesday, April 23, 2008 ===

==== LoCo Council Meeting ====
 * Start: 20:00 UTC
 * End: 21:00 UTC
 * Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
 * Agenda: Setting up basic structure, set up meeting times, wiki pages, etc.

==== Server Team Meeting ====
 * Start: 21:00 UTC
 * End: 22:00 UTC
 * Location: IRC channel #ubuntu-meeting
 * Agenda: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ServerTeam/Meeting

== Updates and Security for 6.06, 6.10, 7.04, and 7.10 ==

=== Security Updates ===

 * [USN-601-1] Squid vulnerability -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-security-announce/2008-April/000691.html
 * [USN-603-1] poppler vulnerability -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-security-announce/2008-April/000692.html
 * [USN-603-2] KOffice vulnerability -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-security-announce/2008-April/000693.html

=== Ubuntu 6.06 LTS Updates ===

 * squid_2.5.12-4ubuntu2.4 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/dapper-changes/2008-April/012675.html
 * mysql-dfsg-5.0 5.0.22-0ubuntu6.06.10 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/dapper-changes/2008-April/012676.html
 * poppler 0.5.1-0ubuntu7.4 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/dapper-changes/2008-April/012677.html
 * koffice 1:1.5.0-0ubuntu9.4 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/dapper-changes/2008-April/012678.html

=== Ubuntu 6.10 Updates ===

 * squid_2.6.1-3ubuntu1.7 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2008-April/008543.html
 * lighttpd 1.4.13~r1370-1ubuntu1.7 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2008-April/008544.html
 * poppler 0.5.4-0ubuntu4.4 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2008-April/008545.html
 * koffice 1:1.5.2-0ubuntu2.4 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/edgy-changes/2008-April/008546.html

=== Ubuntu 7.04 Updates ===

 * squid_2.6.5-4ubuntu2.2 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/feisty-changes/2008-April/008901.html
 * libapache2-mod-python 3.2.10-3ubuntu1.1 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/feisty-changes/2008-April/008902.html
 * lighttpd 1.4.13-9ubuntu4.6 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/feisty-changes/2008-April/008903.html
 * poppler 0.5.4-0ubuntu8.3 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/feisty-changes/2008-April/008904.html
 * koffice_1.6.2-0ubuntu1.3 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/feisty-changes/2008-April/008905.html

=== Ubuntu 7.10 Updates ===

 * squid_2.6.14-1ubuntu2.2 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/gutsy-changes/2008-April/010197.html
 * update-manager 1:0.81.3 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/gutsy-changes/2008-April/010198.html
 * lighttpd 1.4.18-1ubuntu1.4 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/gutsy-changes/2008-April/010199.html
 * poppler 0.6-0ubuntu2.2 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/gutsy-changes/2008-April/010200.html
 * koffice_1.6.3-0ubuntu5.2 -
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/gutsy-changes/2008-April/010201.html

== 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:

 * Nick Ali
 * John Crawford
 * Craig A. Eddy
 * And many others

== Glossary of Terms ==

 * FFe - Feature Freeze exception

== Feedback ==

If you would like to submit an idea or story you think is worth
appearing on the UWN, please send them to
ubuntu-marketing-submissions at lists.ubuntu.com.
This document is maintained by the Ubuntu Marketing Team. Please feel
free to contact us regarding any concerns or suggestions by either
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of the other methods on the Ubuntu Marketing Team Contact Information
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feel free to edit the appropriate wiki page. If you have any technical
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