Quick Look: Ubuntu 11.10 Beta

In two days, September 1st, Canonical will unleash to the world the first Beta version of the upcoming Ubuntu 11.10 (Oneiric Ocelot) operating system, due for final release on October 13th, 2011.

With this occasion we thought it will be a great idea to inform our Ubuntu readers about some of the interesting features that will be included in this first Beta release of Ubuntu 11.10.

We also remind everyone that just like the previous release (Ubuntu 11.04), this version of the Ubuntu operating system will have two Beta releases; the second one will be availble on September 22nd.

Ubuntu 11.10 is dubbed Oneiric Ocelot and will include new and breathtaking "under the hood" technologies, such as Linux kernel 3.0, multi-arch support, GNOME 3.2 desktop environment, GTK3, Python 3.2, GCC 4.6.1, Common UNIX Printing System (CUPS) 1.5.0, and lots more.

Highlights of Ubuntu 11.10 Beta 1:

· Linux kernel 3.0.1;
· GNOME 3.1.5;
· Improved Unity interface;
· Revamped session and power indicators;
· New login screen (LightDM);
· New ALT + Tab switcher;
· Deja Dup backup tool;
· Mozilla Thunderbird 7 default email client;
· Mozilla Firefox 7 default web browser;
· Revamped Ubuntu Software Center;
· LibreOffice 3.4.2;
· Improved Unity 2D;
· Port to GTK3 of launchers and panel to perform better;
· Lots of bugfixes and overall improvements.

Ubuntu 11.10 Beta

Even if it's not recommended, existing Ubuntu 11.04 users are able to upgrade this Thursday to the Beta release of Ubuntu 11.10 by hitting the Alt+F2 key combination and type in "update-manager -d" (without quotes) into the command box. Click on the "Upgrade" button where it says "New distribution release '11.10' is available".

Ubuntu 11.10 (Oneiric Ocelot) will be the 15th release of the Ubuntu operating system. Don't forget to visit our website this Thursday, September 1st, for an in-depth article about the Ubuntu 11.10 (Oneiric Ocelot) Beta 1 release, when we will unveil more features and the download links, of course!

About Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a Linux distribution for your desktop or server, with a fast and easy install, regular releases, a tight selection of excellent packages installed by default, every other package you can imagine available from the network, and professional technical support from Canonical Ltd and hundreds of other companies around the world.