Karmic Koala Revisitted – And Updated!

Ubuntu – Karmic Improvements

Ubuntu – Karmic Improvements

Karmic Koala v9.10 – Ubuntu

Karmic Koala, Ubuntu v9.10 – At it’s official release date October 2009, and what I have seen so far in line with improvements and enhancements making it more user friendly and more easily adopted, to even those situations where they only know the Windows Operating System, and may not be aware of it’s associated risks. Using it blindly simply because it is pre-installed on the computer when they buy it.

Ubuntu, in it’s most recent revision of Karmic Koala, has really gone farther then any earlier distribution, bringing to the table new features, new ways of getting things done and a more uniform system for updates and software installs. As the Open Source Movement gains momentum and more and more software is becoming available using the license, you start seeing the likelihood of bringing the Open Source Idea mainstream using Ubuntu and Linux as the Vehicle. The means to the end, to bring back the community based ideals that seemed to have been lost in so many years since communes were commonplace. And Independence was not so highly promoted. As today, that is the main idea constantly reinforced. For far to long Microsoft has held a monopoly, and controlled the market, now is the time for change.

Now let’s get down to it, but first a bit of history of the first distribution I tried was v 7.04, and that was my first ventures into this enigma, that at that time was simply Linux, a system I have never tried previously, coming from the world of DOS I was similarly aware of the power of CLI (Command Line Interface) so that was not the difficult part, it was getting used to the form and function of this elegant system, even in the rudimentary state it was in then. Version 7.04 also known as Feisty Fawn following suit in the naming conventions that continue today with the most recent version being called Karmic Koala. For further definitions and some fun facts about Ubuntu’s naming conventions; https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ check it out.

It is not so much the naming convention that I really want to speak about, instead it is more specific to the immense improvements over previous versions of Ubuntu that are only experienced in Karmic Koala and we’ll go into detail shortly;

• An Integrated Disk Health Monitor, using Smart to check the status of your drive and offer recommendations on how to improve it.
• An improved install interface, with a clearly noted item under Applications>Ubuntu Software Center, where you can see the immense amount of programs and games that are open sourced and don’t cost you anything.
• A simpler interface to use either of the im clients (Empathy, Pidgin) which are basically similar to the yahoo messenger. enabling you to communicate with colleagues or friends. While also being able to access clients over multiple protocols.
• It does come pre installed but with the Open Source Alternative Firefox, enabling your system to be both more secure and more flexible with the diverse selection of addons that are available; www.addons.mozilla.com which can do what you need it to do, to make it more like your own system instead of yet another Microsoft Clone.
• Making Open Office as the standard office suite, another open source alternative to the proprietary likes of Microsoft Office and it’s incompatibilities. Enabling you to work with spreadsheets, or write with the simplest of ease. Also including presentation software and so much more. Using the most recent version of the Open Office Suite, which can also be found at www.openoffice.org with it’s regular updates and constant improvements as a direct result of numerous Open Source Advocates, writing the code each and everyday. Those individuals who understand how exciting community based initiatives can be. Who also realize how well written code based on standards instead of proprietary messes of code.
• Along with the Ext4 filesystem – there is more uptime and increased security, but that of course has been the case for as many years as Linux has existed. And also why Linux and any of it’s associated distributions is more secure then windows.
• The list goes on including an integrated dictionary, thesaurus, installed network manager and extensive help, from the included files to www.ubuntuforums.org and the numerous people such as myself who write on it, share their experiences to help those who have not explored it before make the transition.
• There is also an option to make things even simpler, to be able to have it setup within windows using www.wubi-installer.org which then does all the work for you as far as the install goes and gives you an option to check it out while retaining windows.

Integrated Disk Health Monitor; System > Administration > Disk Utility

This is a new addition to Ubuntu, Just seen since Karmic Koala, even Jaunty Jackaloupe did not have that specific program, and instead with v9.04 of Ubuntu, it was a different process to check disk health and run disk scans, enabling you to know about problems before they arise, now being integrated into the GUI (Graphical User Interface) enables you to see visually and run regular tests to be prepared if a disk begins to fail, to make a backup so as to not lose your data. Which is simply kept in what is considered your home directory. Since things are located in one such location while the system files are elsewhere you are able to more easily make a backup and replace your drive. From this location you can also label drives or work with other aspects of your drives. There are also some things you want to be careful with, which is why I would recommend reading the help files or doing searches online to have a good grasp as to what can be done with the program and what you must be aware of such as ;

• • Being Careful with the Delete Partition Option and some of the other aspects of the program, a good rule of thumb is if you don’t know what it will do then do not work with it.
  • Changing Labels and other options in this program, would be recommended to read up on what it does and how it will affect the system before you start modifying it. Though really, it’s good to experiment, just have a backup, I learned that the hard way.
  • Changing File Systems relates back to the earlier point, that these are really key parts to the drive and how the system communicates so I would say if you really want to experiment just go and download Virtualbox and install a Linux Distro on there to be able to play with it, modify it while still having an operational system. There is an earlier article on Installing and Using Virtualbox @ www.ubuntu101.wordpress.com read through it and get an idea how to install it then experiment as much as you like on a virtual machine. Then I would suggest trying what worked and did not crash out the virtual machine on your production computer. That way you have a chance to see what works and what doesn’t and then implement what has worked on your Primary Machine.

Improved Install Interface; Applications > Ubuntu Software Center

Previously with Jaunty Jackaloupe v9.04 of Ubuntu and earlier Linux Distributions there were multiple ways to install from the diverse collection of software that was available as Open Source. Installable through either Synaptic, Terminal, or Add/Remove Software which seemed a bit excessive. In Improving the situation as well as making the interface more easily navigable the Ubuntu Software Center was brought into existence. What it is quite simply is a categorical system similar to the earlier Add/Remove Program but more simple to use as you really only and click and it installs, as long as you are onlne, as it pulls the data from locations throughout the FoSS Inter Webs, so it pulls the files from a location and installs it on your system. The whole process goes very quickly depending on your connection speed and moments later you have another program to explore. If you find you don’t like it you can simple go back to the Ubuntu Software Center – Click on Installed Programs and find the one you want removed and click again. Far more simpler then trying to figure which one of the three you had to use in previous distributions of Ubuntu and Linux. The direct result it seems was this particular program, as a step in increasing efficiency or simply to make it easier to use for the End User, The Consumer. And the Ubuntu Software Center replaced Add/Remove Programs but for those purists, or those who know synaptic or terminal better both those are still options.

Instant Messenger Improvements Pidgin & Empathy – User Name Enhancements

Instant Messenging has been around alot of years and in previous distributions there was only Pidgin to Choose from when using Ubuntu, with Karmic Koala they improved that by increasing functionality of Pidgin and Building the earliest version of a program called Empathy because Pidgin though an awesome program had some issues while it was missing some functionality that comparative instant messengering programs such as Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger had been just starting to grasp. The ability to use the high speed connection that were becoming more and more a standard for the consumers to be able to use these programs for Audio/Video Conversations. To bring what is usually confined only to offices of corporations to the common user, to be able to open up new means to communicate with the world – with full streaming capability. Admitted Linux was a bit behind on this curve – at least as far as making it simple enough for the end user, they had and still have Ekiga Smartphone that is basically a similar software to Microsoft Meeting. It has the same capabilities, but as far as im clients there was only those I mentioned earlier.

As far as Username Enhancements, you are now able to use that as the one place for anything in reference to the currently logged in user. Meaning you can go online or offline for either of the im clients (Pidgin or Empathy) resulting in an easy point and click approach to everything you need to, that previously was in different locations – not quite integrated as well as it is now. From the simple effort of clicking on your name you see a drop down menu, that also goes so far as to have a Shutdown, Restart, Switch User and a host of other options initially out of sight unless you knew where to find it. There is also an option to login as a guest account, so soon as people who may want to check out your computer are aware – can show them how to open up a guest session just to see the difference and the ease of use of the program. Within the Guest Session you are able to access most things but it is certainly a limited account. And it is also a good way to give them a chance to see the interface and try to understand it.

Open Office – Installed Applications > Office > Word Processor/Spreadsheet etc.

Open Office is the Alternative to Microsoft Office, giving you a fully functional Office Suite, built on Open Source Code, that is compatible with most formats of Microsoft Office. Within the office suite you have a Word Processor, Draw Program, Database Management, Spreadsheet and Presentation Software without the excess cost of MS Office. Completely based on standards that work just about everywhere, if only M$ will take note and recognize it’s better to be based on standards then some proprietary annoyance. Such as one of the more recent versions of Office, using some sort of extension that was only readable on MS Office machine, completely not standard, and as a result more annoyances, because it was not compatible with any other software, which would often result with people trying to figure out how to convert it, because the software they were using could not read it.

Just about every Open Source Program is based on standards as a result they are compatible over a wide range of devices, insuring flexibility and the ability to work with it over multiple software programs. Thereby enhancing the whole of the work that was done, simply because it was standards based. Which is also why it makes better sense to use FoSS (Free and Open Source Software) then any of the previously known proprietary variations. With Open Office installed initially you have the best software to do everything you need regardless of the device you may need to continue the project on, depending on what you want to do. As there are easy enough ways to save a file as a .doc file or a .xls just in case you have the misfortune of having to use something Microsoft in the time of the project. Also using Open Source Software you are helping build momentum of the Open Source Movement, to be able to do your part to enhance the software through offering feedback or asking questions through the active community based websites, who are advocates for Open Source and Community Based Software. To help the world understand that there is more to software then just what Microsoft wants to tell you about. Or that the commercials speak of.

Just as Open Office is an Open Source Alternative, so Firefox is the Open Source Alternative to using Internet Explorer, with it’s associated security issues, and non-standards based system. While Firefox is exceedingly expandable, with the many addons people work on all the year round, that enhance the program, which in itself is more Secure, and quite a bit more effective then what is usually installed on a brand new pc. Putting you and your system at risk right off the shelf simply because the systems that are sold are rarely as up to date as they should be, and without any awareness of the importance of updates may just remain that way until someone informs them. At least with Ubuntu, Linux Firefox is already installed and usually up to date. And if not unlike Internet Explorer – Firefox checks for updates automatically, prompting you to update upon the first run. Which is why Firefox is appropriately setup on an operating system that is based on Open Source and Community Based Efforts.

Ext4 File System

As there is still more testing to be done on this particular feature of Karmic Koala, I figure I would just mention it, though will have further information for you soon as I have it. In Fact if you the reader finds some good links regarding the Ext4 File System Share them in the comments. Will check them out as the opportunity presents itself.

In conclusion this article really only scratched the surface as to what is new and exciting on Ubuntu, the objective for later on in the process is to step it up even more and go into more detail about what is occurring. As with most Community Based Initiatives there is always improvements as each day passes someone somewhere is working on something new and exciting for Ubuntu and For Linux, it is only a matter of time until we see even more excitement associated with this and the later distributions yet to be made public. Karmic is looking quite good and working quite well, so I wonder what is lined up for the next distribution?