The latest edition of the Ubuntu operating system, is out today. Aside from various stability and performance tweaks, it’s main new feature is a cloud computing technology designed to match that offered by Amazon.

The new edition is version 9.04, dubbed in characteristically alliterative style as Jaunty Jackelope. Among the claimed changes are:

• a new default disc burning application, brasero;
• better handling of multiple monitor set-ups;
• a new system for visual notifications which uses larger and more visible icons;
• improved boot performance (which, in direct comparisons, reportedly cut boot times from 45 to 25 seconds);
• the option to use the new ext4 file system which offers better performance (ext3 remains the default option); and
• increased support for Wi-Fi and 3G networks and switching between the two.

The new version also includes the EUCALYPTUS technology. Taking its name from the somewhat tortuous phrase “Elastic Utility Computing Architecture for Linking Your Programs To Useful Systems”, it’s designed for cloud computing on computer clusters. It’s primarily aimed at local networks rather than the internet as a whole. The system is compatible with the EC2 service offered by Amazon.

Canonical, the firm which distributes Ubuntu, says this is a first for commercially-supported Linux systems. It points out the system allows firms to experiment with cloud computing on internal networks protected by an external firewall, heavily reducing the security risks.

The system is also available in a custom-built netbook edition. This features a redesigned interface which gives more emphasis to internet activities and is better suited for the smaller displays on netbooks; those who’ve tested it say the effect is more reminiscent of a smartphone display than a PC. The edition is available for direct download to a USB stick. Canonical says this edition has been successfully tested on several of the most popular netbooks currently available.

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Entry was posted on Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 at 2:22 pm under Linux, Open source.

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