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* '''Project Timelord'''<ref>[http://www.kubuntu.org/news/timelord "Project Timelord Announcement"]</ref> – An initiative, name inspired by [[Doctor Who]], to improve the developer workflow and quality of Kubuntu.
* '''Project Timelord'''<ref>[http://www.kubuntu.org/news/timelord "Project Timelord Announcement"]</ref> – An initiative, name inspired by [[Doctor Who]], to improve the developer workflow and quality of Kubuntu.
* '''Working Upstream''' – Much of the work done by Kubuntu developers is done in upstream, such as furthering [[Get Hot New Stuff|GHNS]] integration and the KDE SC 4.4 login manager theme.<ref>[http://jontheechidna.wordpress.com/2010/05/04/a-review-gone-wrong/ "A review gone wrong"] A Kubuntu developer dissects a negative review.</ref>
* '''Working Upstream''' – Much of the work done by Kubuntu developers is done in upstream, such as furthering [[Get Hot New Stuff|GHNS]] integration and the KDE SC 4.4 login manager theme.<ref>[http://jontheechidna.wordpress.com/2010/05/04/a-review-gone-wrong/ "A review gone wrong"] A Kubuntu developer dissects a negative review.</ref>
* '''Best in class (KDE)''' – The use of Ubuntu's PPA system allows easy upgrading to the latest KDE SC. The argument is that if you want the latest KDE software, you run Kubuntu.
* '''Best in class (KDE)''' – The use of Ubuntu's PPA system allows easy upgrading to the latest KDE SC. The argument is that if the user wants the latest KDE software, he/she runs Kubuntu.


The results have been overwhelmingly positive.{{citation needed|date=December 2010}} Many pieces from the KDE community have matured and stabilized, while the team itself seems more productive. Kubuntu's package manager has a category view very similar to that of the Ubuntu software center, the default web browser is now based on webkit, and many more features showcased in Ubuntu are being matched by those in Kubuntu, such as the upcoming wireless connection page in the installer discs. Kubuntu's website also received a welcomed{{By whom|date=April 2011}} redesign.
The results have been overwhelmingly positive.{{citation needed|date=December 2010}} Many pieces from the KDE community have matured and stabilized, while the team itself seems more productive. Kubuntu's package manager has a category view very similar to that of the Ubuntu software center, the default web browser is now based on webkit, and many more features showcased in Ubuntu are being matched by those in Kubuntu, such as the upcoming wireless connection page in the installer discs. Kubuntu's website also received a welcomed{{By whom|date=April 2011}} redesign.

Revision as of 10:28, 24 May 2011

Kubuntu
Kubuntu logo
Kubuntu 10.10 "Maverick Meerkat"
DeveloperCanonical Ltd. and community contributors
OS familyUnix-like (variant of Ubuntu)
Working stateCurrent
Source modelFree and open source software
Initial release8 April 2005
Latest release11.04 (Natty Narwhal)[1] / April 28, 2011 (2011-04-28)
Available inMultilingual (more than 55)
Update methodPackageKit and/or APT
Package managerdpkg (Debian GNU/Linux Package Manager)
PlatformsIA-32, x86-64, lpia, SPARC, PowerPC, ARM, IA-64
Kernel typeMonolithic Linux kernel
UserlandGNU
Default
user interface		KDE Plasma Desktop
LicenseVarious, primarily the GNU GPL and GFDL
Official websitewww.kubuntu.org

Kubuntu is an official derivative of the Ubuntu operating system using the KDE Plasma Desktop instead of the Unity graphical environment. It is part of the Ubuntu project and uses the same underlying system. It is possible to install both the KDE Plasma Desktop (kubuntu-desktop) as well as the Unity desktop (ubuntu-desktop) on the same machine. Every package in Kubuntu shares the same repositories as Ubuntu.[2] It is released regularly on the same schedule as Ubuntu.[3]

Name

"Kubuntu", Template:Pron-en koo-BOON-too, means "towards humanity" in Bemba, and is derived from ubuntu ("humanity"). The K at the beginning represents the KDE community on whose platform Kubuntu is built. By coincidence, Kubuntu also means "free" in Kirundi.[4]

Comparison with Ubuntu

The difference between these two sister operating systems is typically only graphical applications and tools used.

Color Meaning
Green Both OSs
Yellow Ubuntu Default
Blue Kubuntu Default
Software Ubuntu Kubuntu
Kernel & Core Ubuntu Kernel & Core
Graphics X.org
Sound PulseAudio
Multimedia GStreamer Xine (moving to GStreamer) via Phonon
Desktop Unity Plasma
Primary Toolkit GTK+ / Qt Qt
Browser Firefox Rekonq
Office OpenOffice / LibreOffice
Email & PIM Evolution Kontact / Kmail

Kubuntu's Plasma desktop is fully customizable, much more so than a GNOME or Unity desktop is without extra tools or configuration file editing. Originally designed to ease transition for users from other operating systems (such as Microsoft Windows) by allowing a similar desktop layout, the KDE Plasma Desktop incorporates widget-centric modularity that allows the user to incorporate function similar to all other operating systems and also create new functionality not found in other operating system desktops. Desktop effects are integrated in the standard KDE SC 4 installation, and enabled by default if supported.

It is worth noting that because Ubuntu and Kubuntu use the same sources/origins for their software, any application intended for one is installable, and will work, on the other. This makes it very common to see Firefox on Kubuntu or K3B on Ubuntu.

  • Kubuntu 8.04
    Kubuntu 8.04
  • Kubuntu 8.10
    Kubuntu 8.10
  • Kubuntu 9.04
    Kubuntu 9.04
  • Kubuntu 9.04 showing some of its Desktop Effects
    Kubuntu 9.04 showing some of its Desktop Effects
  • Kubuntu 10.04 Netbook Edition
    Kubuntu 10.04 Netbook Edition
  • Kubuntu 10.10 Desktop
    Kubuntu 10.10 Desktop

History

Ubuntu, which uses the Unity desktop. Mark Shuttleworth, in an interview shortly after Ubuntu was started, stated:

I believe that the KDE community does phenomenal work, and having a community-driven distribution to showcase that work will help attract users and developers to the project. Our overall goal in the Ubuntu project is to further the adoption of free software on the desktop and the server, and we recognise that KDE is an essential part of the mix of desktop environments that allows people to find the best environment for their needs.

— [2]

The Kubuntu team released the first edition, Hoary Hedgehog, on April 8, 2005.

Releases

Colour Meaning
Red Release no longer supported
Yellow Release still supported
Green Current release
Blue Future release

Kubuntu follows the same naming/versioning system as Ubuntu, with each release having a code name and a version number (based on the year and month of release). Canonical provides support and security updates for most Kubuntu versions for 18 months after release.[5] Both a Desktop version and an Alternative (installation) version (for both x86 and AMD64 platforms) are available. Kubuntu CDs were also available through the Shipit service(discontinued as of April 2011). Recent Kubuntu releases use KDE SC 4. An older KDE 3.5 edition, (as used in the Long Term Support version Hardy Heron) is also available (although currently unsupported).

Version Release date Code name Supported until Notes
5.04 2005-04-08[6] Hoary Hedgehog 2006-10-31 Initial release including KDE 3.4 and a selection of the most useful KDE programs. Some of these are not in the official KDE itself, including Amarok, Kaffeine, Gwenview, and K3b. Inclusion of update-manager/upgrade-notifier; Kickstart compatibility.
5.10 2005-10-13[7][8] Breezy Badger 2007-04-13 KDE 3.4.3 and the Guidance configuration tools. It also comes with the Adept Package Manager, the first to make use of debtags for easier searching (replacing the Kynaptic package manager used in the previous release); System Settings, a re-organised kcontrol-like centre and KDE Bluetooth; Graphical boot process with progress bar (USplash); OEM Installer Support; Launchpad tracking; GCC 4.0.
6.06 LTS 2006-06-01[9][10] Dapper Drake 2009-06 Long Term Support (LTS) release; Live CD and Installer on one disc; Ubiquity installer; Adept Notifier and Simplified Installer; X Display Configuration from Guidance; Better Asian language support; Avahi networking software.
6.10 2006-10-26[11][12] Edgy Eft 2008-04 KDE 3.5.5. This release adds the photo management application Digikam and accessibility profiles - benefiting people with disabilities. System Settings is also redesigned, and power management, laptop button support & networking are improved. Also features automated problem reports and Upstart.[13]
7.04 2007-04-19[14] Feisty Fawn 2008-10 KDE 3.5.6; Migration assistant; KVM; Easy codec/restricted drivers installation; System Settings restructured into General and Advanced categories; Improved Hewlett-Packard printer management; KNetworkManager included; WPA support; Topic-based help system; OEM installer update; PowerPC support officially dropped.
7.10 2007-10-18[15][16] Gutsy Gibbon 2009-04-18 New background art. Ships with Strigi and Dolphin by default. Qt port of GDebi graphical installer for package files. Includes Restricted Drivers Manager for the first time.[17] New kubuntu-restricted-extras package is available for download from the repositories.
8.04  2008-04-24[18] Hardy Heron 2009-10[19] It has two versions: KDE 3.5 and KDE 4.0 (With community support only). This version intends to provide feature parity with GNOME-based Ubuntu.[20] This includes a port of system-config-printer to Qt to enable printer auto-detection, easy video codec installation in Kaffeine, a simple Compiz setup tool and inclusion of Bulletproof X in KDM,[21][22] and automatic grabbing and releasing of the mouse cursor when running on a VMware virtual machine.
8.10 2008-10-30 Intrepid Ibex[23] 2010-04-30[24] KDE 4.1.2 desktop environment by default, Linux 2.6.27, Xserver 1.5, Adept Manager 3, KNetworkManager 0.7, KWin desktop effects by default, various Kubuntu tool integration.
9.04 2009-04-23 Jaunty Jackalope 2010-10 KDE 4.2.2 desktop environment by default, Kernel 2.6.28, Xserver 1.6, Adept superseded by KPackageKit,[25] implementation of the ext4 filesystem, faster boot time.,[26] Community Supported PowerPC images added [27]
9.10 2009-10-29 Karmic Koala 2011-04-28 KDE 4.3.2 desktop environment by default, GRUB 2, init system moved to Upstart, Kernel 2.6.31
10.04 LTS 2010-04-29 Lucid Lynx 2013-04 Long Term Support (LTS) release. Security updates will be available for three years for desktops and five years for servers. KDE 4.4.2 desktop environment by default, Kernel 2.6.32, KPackageKit 0.5.4, Firefox KDE integration, touchpad configuration module by default.
10.10 2010-10-10 Maverick Meerkat 2012-04 KDE Software Compilation 4.5. Faster login. Default browser changed to Rekonq. New bluetooth stack. Pulseaudio inclusion. Updated Kpackagekit with categories. Global menu for netbook. Updated Installer. Combining of the Desktop and Netbook Editions (autodetection).
11.04 2011-04-28 Natty Narwhal 2012-10 KDE SC 4.6, Kernel 2.6.38, GStreamer Multimedia Backend, GTK Oxygen theme, Games in the default install, UDisks and UPower replace HAL.
11.10 2011-10-28 Oneiric Ocelot 2013-04 KDE SC 4.7, replacing kpackagekit with muon software centre[28]

System requirements

The desktop version of Kubuntu currently supports the Intel x86 and the AMD64 architectures. Some releases additionally support the SPARC architecture.,[29] the PowerPC,[30][31] IA-64 (Itanium), and PlayStation 3 architectures (though, due to an official firmware update from Sony released in April 2010, users of the PS3 cannot run other operating systems on their machine - a feature previously supported by OtherOS). Because Kubuntu is Ubuntu with a KDE desktop, any version available in Ubuntu is also available for Kubuntu.

The minimum system requirements for a desktop installation are a 300 MHz x86 processor, 512 MB of RAM, 5 GB of hard drive space,[32] and a video card which supports VGA at 640x480 resolution. The recommended system requirements for the desktop installation are a 1 GHz or better x86 processor, 1 GB of RAM, 15 GB of hard drive space,[33] and a video card which supports VGA at 1024×768 resolution, and optionally supporting visual effects.

Desktop & laptop[32]
Required Recommended
Processor 1 GHz (x86) Better than 1 GHz (x86)
Memory 384 MB 1 GB
Hard drive capacity 4 GB[33] 10 GB[33]
Video card VGA @ 640x480 VGA @ 1024x768

*Note: If "Desktop effects" are desired, a supported GPU is required.

Quality

Before Kubuntu 10.10, there was some aggravation by members of the community and general reputation online was a commonly negative one. The Kubuntu team sought to remedy this negative impression.

Causes:

  • Lack of branding - since the transition to KDE SC4
  • Delay of Ubuntu improvements into Kubuntu - sometimes requiring a release or two
  • Stability of software

Responses:

  • Project Timelord[34] – An initiative, name inspired by Doctor Who, to improve the developer workflow and quality of Kubuntu.
  • Working Upstream – Much of the work done by Kubuntu developers is done in upstream, such as furthering GHNS integration and the KDE SC 4.4 login manager theme.[35]
  • Best in class (KDE) – The use of Ubuntu's PPA system allows easy upgrading to the latest KDE SC. The argument is that if the user wants the latest KDE software, he/she runs Kubuntu.

The results have been overwhelmingly positive.[citation needed] Many pieces from the KDE community have matured and stabilized, while the team itself seems more productive. Kubuntu's package manager has a category view very similar to that of the Ubuntu software center, the default web browser is now based on webkit, and many more features showcased in Ubuntu are being matched by those in Kubuntu, such as the upcoming wireless connection page in the installer discs. Kubuntu's website also received a welcomed[by whom?] redesign.

Reception

The French Parliament announced in 2006 that they would switch over 1,000 workstations over to Kubuntu by June 2007.[36][37]

Kubuntu is now used in all of the 1100 state-run schools in the Canary Islands.[38][39]

The Weta Digital rendering cluster of 35,000 machines are computers running Kubuntu as their desktop.[40]

Notes

  1. ^ http://www.kubuntu.org/news/11.04-release
  2. ^ "Is Kubuntu a fork?". Archived from the original on 2008-03-07.
  3. ^ Kubuntu Wiki
  4. ^ "Meaning of Kubuntu". Archived from the original on 2008-03-07.
  5. ^ "Ubuntu Releases FAQ". Retrieved 2006-12-21. [dead link]
  6. ^ "5.04 Release Notes". 2005-04-08. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
  7. ^ "Ubuntu 5.10 announcement". Retrieved 2006-10-11.
  8. ^ "Ubuntu 5.10 release notes". Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  9. ^ "Ubuntu 6.06 LTS announcement". Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  10. ^ "Ubuntu 6.06 LTS release notes". Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  11. ^ "Ubuntu 6.10 announcement". Retrieved 2006-10-26.
  12. ^ "Ubuntu 6.10 release notes". Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  13. ^ "Kubuntu 6.10 release announcement". Retrieved 2007-03-30.
  14. ^ "Ubuntu 7.04 announcement". Retrieved 2007-02-06.
  15. ^ "GutsyReleaseSchedule - Ubuntu Wiki". Retrieved 2007-04-12.
  16. ^ "Introducing the Gutsy Gibbon". 2007-04-12. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
  17. ^ "Kubuntu 7.10 Release Notes". Retrieved 2007-11-01.
  18. ^ "HardyReleaseSchedule". Retrieved 2007-12-01.
  19. ^ Because of the switch from KDE 3 to KDE 4 Kubuntu Hardy is not a long term support (LTS) release, unlike Ubuntu Hardy: [1].
  20. ^ Kubuntu Hardy Catchup - Ubuntu Wiki
  21. ^ Back from Release Event, Printer Magic, Compiz Settings
  22. ^ UDS
  23. ^ "Next Ubuntu release to be called Intrepid Ibex, due in October". Retrieved 2008-02-20.
  24. ^ "Ubuntu 8.10 reaches end-of-life on April 30, 2010"
  25. ^ http://web.mornfall.net/blog/farewell__44___adept.html
  26. ^ "JauntyJackalope/Alpha5/Kubuntu Introduction". Retrieved 2009-03-11.
  27. ^ Kubuntu 9.04 Release Announcement - http://www.kubuntu.org/news/9.04-release
  28. ^ http://apachelog.wordpress.com/2011/05/17/kubuntu-11-10-sneak-peak/
  29. ^ "Kubuntu 8.04 Releases". Retrieved 2009-03-11.
  30. ^ "Technical Board Decision - February 2007". Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  31. ^ "Kubuntu 8.04 Releases". Retrieved 2009-03-11.
  32. ^ a b "Ubuntu System Requirements". Retrieved 2010-09-30. Cite error: The named reference "SystemRequirements" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  33. ^ a b c "Ubuntu Desktop Edition". Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  34. ^ "Project Timelord Announcement"
  35. ^ "A review gone wrong" A Kubuntu developer dissects a negative review.
  36. ^ "The French Parliament switches to Kubuntu"
  37. ^ "French parliament dumping Windows for Linux"
  38. ^ "Kubuntu in the Canary Islands"
  39. ^ "Kubuntu Takes Over the Canary Islands"
  40. ^ "Cool Kubuntu Users"

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kubuntu.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kubuntu&oldid=430657218"