Kubuntu 7.10

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YankeeDeuce 19 October, 2007 08:30:00 PM

Kubuntu 7.10 has been released and is available for download now.

Kubuntu 7.10 removed the feistiness, becoming the gutsiest release to date. Improved desktop, updated applications and increased usability features are just a few of the surprises with this latest release. The goal for Kubuntu 7.10, codenamed Gutsy Gibbon, was to remove the edge and the feistiness from previous releases and to continue on the creation of a secure and stable desktop environment, on a road to becoming the perfect KDE based operating system. The development team has once again succeeded in reaching their goals, and we are very happy to bring you this new release. We hope you enjoy your Kubuntu 7.10 experience.

Kubuntu 7.10 Highlights

KDE 3.5.8

The K Desktop Environment, a powerful graphical desktop environment, combines the ease of use, contemporary functionality and outstanding graphical design with the technological superiority of the Kubuntu operating system. The stable release of KDE in Kubuntu 7.10 is right up to date at version 3.5.8, released earlier this week.

Dolphin File Management

Dolphin is a KDE file manager, now the default file manager in Kubuntu 7.10, which allows quick navigation through the file system. Dolphin is not a replacement for Konqueror as Dolphin only acts as a file manager. Some of the main features of Dolphin are: a navigation bar for quick navigation through the file system, view properties are saved for each folder, split views, undo and redo functionality, renaming of multiple selected items in one easy step.

Restricted Driver Management

Kubuntu 7.10 now includes the same Restricted Drivers Manager as Ubuntu. The Restricted Drivers Manager is a control module that allows you to simply install drivers for your hardware that are of the non-free variety. Such drivers include the NVIDIA 3D graphics driver, the ATI 3D graphics driver, Broadcom wireless drivers and more. Though Kubuntu makes these drivers readily available to you, as non-free software they are not officially supported by the Kubuntu community, and if they break you can only receive fixes through the manufacturers of the drivers.

Office Suite

Kubuntu 7.10 includes OpenOffice.org 2.3, which is an open-source office suite similar in functionality to that of other office suites. The included applications are: Writer, a fully functional word processor, Calc, an advanced spread sheet program and Impress, a tool for creating effective multimedia presentations. OpenOffice.org is compatible with all major office suites.

For those of you wanting something lighter, KOffice is a simple install away. It includes world leading applications such as Kexi the database manager and Krita the image editor.

Enterprise Personal Information Management

Kontact, the Personal Information Manager in Kubuntu 7.10, unites an entire suite of PIM applications in one central environment. We now include the Enterprise version of Kontact, for advanced functionality.

Strigi Desktop Search

Strigi desktop search lets you find your files with ease. Use the web interface to turn the search on, or the applet (available in the Utilities menu) for quick access.

.deb Package Management

New for Kubuntu 7.10 is a KDE front end to the amazing APT package manager for third party packages. GDebi KDE makes it easier to install Debian based packages (.deb files) onto your system with just a click of the mouse. No more command line hassles when trying to manually install a package, and GDebi KDE even takes care of those pesky dependencies so you don't have to. Using GDebi KDE is simple, go to the directory where you have downloaded your package and just click on the file. Installation takes off, and you are on your way to a new application.

KDE 4 Beta 3

KDE 4, the largest update to ever come out of the KDE community, is present in the Kubuntu 7.10 universe repositories. KDE 4 Beta 3 is the version available released only the day before Kubuntu 7.10. Still recommended only for the developer minded as it is highly unstable, however it is getting to the point of much better usability. If you are interested in seeing how the future of desktop computing is shaping up, then take a look at our KDE 4 Beta 3 packages. For more information regarding the installation and configuration of KDE 4 Beta 3, please review the KDE 4 Beta 3 release notes page.

WinFOSS - Windows Free Software

Not only can you use Kubuntu and install Kubuntu from the Desktop CD or the DVD, but you also have some popular Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) available to install on your Microsoft Windows operating system. Advantages of this software include being absolutely free of charge, being free to modify and being free to copy and distribute. The applications provided are: Scribus, an advanced desktop publishing utility; Mozilla Firefox, a secure and fast web browser and Mozilla Thunderbird, a full-featured email client - reclaim your inbox!

Localisation

https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/feisty/+translations

Integration of language install with KDE's language configuration.
Automatic setup of non-Latin input methods
Menu item translations included in language packs for faster integration of new and updated translations, provided through Rosetta.
Due to the late opening of documentation translations, translations for the Kubuntu documentation will be in the first set of updates.

Server

The Ubuntu server edition builds on the functionality from the previous release simplifying common Linux server deployments. Included is a major virtualisation support initiative. On x86 systems with the Intel VT or AMD-V extensions, Kernel-based Virtual Machine support (KVM) allows users to run multiple virtual machines running unmodified Linux. Each virtual machine has private virtualised hardware: a network card, disk, graphics adapter and so on. Also included is VMI support which provides optimised performance under VMWare. Server packages are available for installation from the Kubuntu DVD as well as the Ubuntu Server CD.

Under the Hood, Latest Versions and New Qt Languages

New for developers in this release we have two more language bindings for Qt. Qyoto gives language bindings in C# suitable for Mono while Jambi lets you program in Java. We also have updated bindings of Qt Ruby and, our favourites, Python Qt.