Check out the demo video that shows some of what the latest version of Ubuntu's operating system, Lucid Lynx, can do. It's not comprehensive, but it's shows some cool stuff.
Link to video found here
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Lucid Lynx
Scheduled for release in April 2010, Lucid Lynx, the newest open-source operating system to be released by Canonical, promises to be more user-friendly and customizable and efficient than ever before. Canonical is an international information technology company devoted to the promotion of the Ubuntu project.
Launched in 2004, the Ubuntu project is a free operating system than can be contributed to by anyone, according to www.Ubuntu.com.
Canonical and Open Source
Canonical’s mission is to fully realize the potential of free software for individuals and organizations alike, according to their website. The core idea of open-source, in this case the Ubuntu project, is that software is better created by those who actually use it, thereby changing the way the industry operates.
The latest version of the most popular Linux-based operating system for regular consumers is designed with the user in mind, and works to become more and more like the market-leading Windows operating system.
Linux was started as a class project by Linus Torvalds in 1991 as an alternative to proprietary operating systems like Microsoft’s Windows or Apple’s Mac OS.
Though lacking a concrete estimate of Ubuntu market share, (anecdotal estimates are about 30 million) the operating system is quickly gaining popularity, thanks in part to its vocal adoption by IT giant Novell. (Linux promotional video may be found here)
The Ubuntu Appeal
With updates released up to several times each day and major version releases about every six months, Ubuntu generally runs flawlessly and is always quick to integrate the best feature suggestions from users.
Part of the Ubuntu appeal comes from the complete functionality the operating system boasts upon install. Media players, document processing suites, image editing and hardware drivers come already on board. “It just works” says the Ubuntu website.
The operating system also has inherent software that aids in making most any hardware work seamlessly with the operating system as well as the rest of the hardware, i.e. microphones work with webcams, CDROM burners work with music players and so on.
Lucid Lynx
The latest incarnation of Ubuntu, Lucid Lynx, continues the trend, along with new features that help create a fully-customizable software experience. In addition, Lucid Lynx is designed with “light” in mind, according to the official Ubuntu Wiki.
The idea of light extends beyond design into how the system manages resources. This means that the way the “brain power” of the computer is more carefully supervised, and less of the power is used at any given time. That frees up processing power for other programs, like image editing or playing games.
Open Source Dissent
Lucid Lynx and the greater Ubuntu project are not without their critics however. TechSource blogger Jun Azua was quick to comment on the striking similarity between the Lucid Lynx theme (pictured on top) and that of Mac’s OS X. (pictured on bottom)
Among Ubuntu forums, there is wide-spread dislike of all things Mac, and the initial similarities between the two have been hotly discussed.
Beyond criticisms specific to Lucid Lynx, there are a number in the open source community who dislike the Ubuntu project and its goal of making open source usable for everyone. Numerous comments on Ubuntu community forums allude to dislike of Ubuntu’s usability.
The most outspoken posts indicate that some feel that Ubuntu dilutes the Linux community and its occasional “in-crowd” mentality. Some elite users feel that those who need a user-friendly operating system should stick to Windows or Mac OS.
Lucid Lynx is still in alpha testing, but users are invited and in fact welcome to assist with design and testing. More information may be found at www.Ubuntu.com.
Images from www.junauza.com
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