Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) Release Date and Features

[Hostels]

The new version of Ubuntu is coming out on October 30th - code name Intrepid Ibex. Here are a few of the interesting new features in the alpha version:

• This release brings much better support for hot-pluggable input devices such as tablets, keyboards, and mice. At the same time this will allow the great majority of users to run without a /etc/X11/xorg.conf file.
• Encrypted private directory - support for an secret encrypted folder in your Home Folder
• Guest session - This creates a temporary password-less user account with restricted privileges: the account cannot access any users' home directories, nor permanently store data. This is sufficiently safe to lend your laptop to someone else for a quick email check, or to use it as a surf station for guests in your house.
• Network Manager 0.7 - management of 3G connections and other types of Internet connections
• Totem BBC plugin - a new plugin for the Totem movie player that fetches free digital content from the BBC.

More details on Ubuntu 8.10 here.

[ifij775]

Originally Posted by Hostels

The new version of Ubuntu is coming out on October 30th - code name Intrepid Ibex.

[...] this will allow the great majority of users to run without a /etc/X11/xorg.conf file.

This file was always the biggest hurdle to getting a linux box running. People always joke about the windows BSOD, but never mention the linux BSOD [Black screen of death], ie nothing comes up. Linux has come along way, since most notebooks were on the incompatibility list.

[Hostels]

xorg.conf is a pain if you encounter it. It will be great to permanently get rid of it. If you have the right hardware it can be avoided though. I use Linux 99% of the time and haven't seen an xorg.conf file since 2005 except when trying to get Xubuntu running on a really old machine...

A good thing about the "black screen of death" is that it's not really "death" -- you still have a functional computer that can search Google for the fix (Lynx browser).

Ugly, but it works

[ifij775]

Originally Posted by Hostels

-- you still have a functional computer that can search Google for the fix (Lynx browser).

Ugly, but it works

Been there, done that...

Now I have a mac :-)

JK, the mac has it's own issues. Don't get me started.

[Hostels]

Macs have some nice features. Parallels is great. Too bad OS/X is locked into the hardware or I would dual boot Ubuntu with OS/X on this computer.

[Hostels]

Ubuntu 8.10 "Intrepid Ibex" is out:
http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whati...u/810features/

Download link:
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
(Bittorrent link is halfway down the page.)

[Scotch Argus]

Thanks for that - the guest session feature sounds like it could have possibilities for a public access terminal. I'll give it a try.

[Scotch Argus]

They've removed the displayconfig-gtk command feom this release. I think it was deemed unneccessary as it will detect graphics cards and monitors. Unfortunately this means I'm back to 800x600, as it incorrectly installs the wrong driver for my onboard intel 865 graphics. In 8.04 I could use the above command to make it use the intel 810 drivers. Now I can't, so am stuck with the vesa drivers, which have a max of 800x600 for me. Seem to be number of people complaining, so maybe there'll be a fix.

[Hostels]

I just looked up that displayconfig-gtk issue and it looks common. One forum thread says that a bug report has been filed.

I downloaded 8.10 but haven't installed it yet. I have a Thinkpad T43 and apparently you can't put in a HD larger than 80 GB without some workarounds.

I wanted to put a 160 GB drive in before I switch to Ubuntu 8.10, but maybe I'm stuck until I buy a new laptop...

[aboriginalhostel]

Originally Posted by Hostels

I have a Thinkpad T43 and apparently you can't put in a HD larger than 80 GB without some workarounds.

I wanted to put a 160 GB drive in before I switch to Ubuntu 8.10, but maybe I'm stuck until I buy a new laptop...

What's the problem is about? SATA should be a standard layout at any hard disks, any geek could (even you with a proper screwdriver if you don't avoid warranty issues) replace it for you within minutes. Apparently you could boot from external HDD as well but it's a bit more complicated for everyday use...