Review: Ubuntu 9.10 first look

As Linux matures, it's becoming more accessible to the average user and Karmic Koala is one step closer to that eventuality.

The Ubuntu Linux menagerie has birthed a new creature, the Karmic Koala, with the release last week of Ubuntu Linux 9.10. The successor to the release code named Jaunty Jackalope (aka version 9.04) boasts a herd of changes and enhancements that are so far making testers smile.

For those unfamiliar with the operating system, Ubuntu Linux, based on the popular Debian distro, is probably the most popular consumer desktop Linux around right now. Each new version gets an unusual animal name, sequenced alphabetically; after Karmic Koala comes Lucid Lynx, due out next spring. Version numbers are based on the year and month of release (hence 9.10, released in 2009, month 10).

Let's have a look at what's new with the critter.

For starters, the installation image is on a Live CD – you just need to boot from it to experience the operating system, with no installation required, but the download is a relatively tiny 690 MB. This allows the unsure to dabble their toes in Karmic Koala (KK) waters, regardless of the OS actually installed on their system, without committing to it. If you do decide to bite the bullet, the installation is straightforward, even in a virtual machine (it runs quite happily under VMware, in a VM with 8 GB disk and 512 MB RAM).

Official system requirements are modest; you can likely use whatever hardware you have lying around, even if it can no longer run Windows.

Minimum System Requirements: 300 MHz x86 processor 256 MB of system memory (RAM) At least 4 GB of disk space (for full installation and swap space) VGA graphics card capable of 640×480 resolution CD-ROM drive or network card
Recommended Requirements: 700 MHz x86 processor 384 MB of system memory (RAM) 8 GB of disk space Graphics card capable of 1024×768 resolution Sound card A network or Internet connection Upgraders will likely be pleased with the slideshow that plays during installation, providing an overview of the new features (Linux novices, however, probably won't recognize most of the items under discussion). You can only do a direct upgrade to 9.10 from Ubuntu 9.04. Users of earlier versions of Ubuntu can only get to KK by either first upgrading to 9.04, then to KK, or by wiping their disk and starting fresh. Check the release notes for other upgrading gotchas.

The kernel (that's the basis of the operating system) is based on Linux kernel version 2.6.31. The new desktop is based on Gnome 2.28 (Linux veterans can download and install their preferred desktops later). It's clean and functional, and the Login Manager that gets you there has also been tidied up. It's all set up to make life easy for the Windows user making a first foray into Linux.

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