Delayed one day, the fifth alpha version of the upcoming Ubuntu 8.10 (codename Intrepid Ibex), which is scheduled for release in late October this year, was made available a few hours ago and, as usual, we intend to keep you up-to-date with the latest changes in the Ubuntu 8.10 development. Compared with the fourth alpha, which brought Private Directory Encryption, Guest sessions and a better Network Manager tool, this version comes with Linux kernel 2.6.27, GNOME 2.24 Beta 2, X.Org 7.4 and DKMS, a new tool that automatically rebuilds all kernel modules when the system's kernel will be upgraded. Let's take a quick look at the included applications:

· Kernel 2.6.27-2 (based on Linux kernel 2.6.27 RC)
· X.Org Server 1.5
· Mozilla Firefox 3.0.1
· OpenOffice.org 2.4.1
· The GIMP 2.4.7
· F-Spot 0.4.4
· Pidgin 2.5.0
· Brasero 0.8.1
· Transmission 1.33
· Rhythmbox 0.11.6
· Ekiga 2.0.12
· Evolution 2.23.91
· Nautilus 2.23.91
· Vinagre 2.23.90

For the Intrepid Ibex, the development team will prepare an unbelievable desktop, with amazing performance, that will work on mostly any computer (be it a high-end workstation or an old and dusty Pentium III machine). Another major feature planned for Ubuntu 8.10 is the ability to be connected to the Internet (wireless connections) wherever you go: "We want you to be able to move from the office, to the train, and home, staying connected all the way," said Mark Shuttleworth.

With Alpha 5, the development team introduces for the first time in the history of Ubuntu Linux, a kernel package which is still in early development, version 2.6.27. This kernel version is still in evaluation, but we really want to see it in the final release, and Ubuntu will finally be powered by a "just released" Linux kernel package! Moreover, there is a new option in the boot menu (Last successful boot) that kinda works like the very popular Windows' restore function. How it works? Ubuntu will keep a copy of your running (healthy) kernel, which will be available as a "Last successful boot" option in the GRUB boot loader. Here is the screenshot tour of this fifth alpha release of Ubuntu 8.10:







As you can see from the above screenshots, the default theme is still ugly (actually, it is not installed correctly; you can fix this by selecting the Human-Murrine theme from the Appearance Preferences window). Once again, the development team failed to implement an "Encrypt system" option in the Live Installer (let's hope that it will be available on future releases).

Here's the release schedule for Intrepid Ibex:

June 27th, 2008 - Alpha 1 release
July 11th, 2008 - Alpha 2 release
July 24th, 2008 - Alpha 3 release
August 14th, 2008 - Alpha 4 release
September 5th, 2008 - Alpha 5 release
September 18th, 2008 - Alpha 6 release
October 2nd, 2008 - Beta release
October 23rd, 2008 - Release Candidate
October 30th, 2008 - Final release of Ubuntu 8.10.

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 applications installed by default, every other package you can imagine available, network and professional technical support from Canonical Ltd and hundreds of other companies in the world.

Remember that this is an alpha release and it should NOT be installed on production machines. It is intended to be used for testing purposes only. Please report bugs to the Ubuntu Bug Tracker.

Download Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) Alpha 5 right now from Softpedia.

Download Kubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) Alpha 5 right now from Softpedia.

Download Xubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) Alpha 5 right now from Softpedia.

Download Edubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) Alpha 5 right now from Softpedia.

Download MythBuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) Alpha 5 right now from Softpedia.