Ubuntu 13.10 “Saucy Salamander” e famiglia pronte per il download. ~ Re Ubuntu

Canonical oggi ha annunciato che Ubuntu 13. 10 “Saucy Salamander” è disponibile per computer da tavolo e smartphone. La prima versione mobile di Ubuntu offre un SO ottimizzato e un'interfaccia per dispositivi mobili, spianando la strada per una totale convergenza dei dispositivi e creando una piattaforma unica per l'informatica moderna.

La versione 13.10 per computer da tavolo beneficia di migliorie alla funzione di ricerca Smart Scopes e alle prestazioni dei dispositivi grazie alla convergenza cellulare/PC, preparando il terreno per la convergenza totale su tutti i dispositivi.

La versione 13.10 include la prima vera versione di Ubuntu, permettendo alle aziende OEM, agli operatori di telefonia e ai rivenditori di silicio di integrare Ubuntu nei dispositivi mobili nel 2014.
ubuntu-1310-saucy-salamander

Il download di tutte le versioni via Distrowatch:

Welcome to the Ubuntu 13.10 release day. The first in the line-up is Ubuntu itself, Canonical's flagship product and one the world's top desktop Linux distributions - now also available for the 64-bit ARM architecture: "Canonical today announces the availability of Ubuntu 13.10 for desktop and smartphone. Ubuntu's first true mobile release delivers the streamlined core OS and mobile user interface that pave the way for full device convergence and create a unique platform for modern computing. Canonical is working with partners to bring Ubuntu smartphone devices to market in 2014. The desktop version of Ubuntu 13.10 reflects much of that progress, with scopes that organise home, apps, music, video content, lower device memory and graphics requirements and substantial improvements in battery and memory efficiency." Read the press release and the more technical release notes further information. Download (SHA256): ubuntu-13.10-desktop-amd64.iso (883MB, torrent), ubuntu-13.10-server-amd64.iso (672MB, torrent).

Jonathan Riddell has announced the release of Kubuntu 13.10, an Ubuntu variant featuring the latest KDE desktop environment: "Welcome to Kubuntu 13.10, a brand-new version with the latest KDE software to enjoy. Highlights: a new versions of KDE's Software Compilation 4.11 is featured in Kubuntu 13.10, adding faster Nepomuk indexing, Kontact improvements such as a new theme editor for e-mails, and preparing the ground for future developments using Wayland and Qt 5; Muon Discover - a friendly new way to discover and install applications; User Manager - a simpler way to manage your system users; wireless setup in installer; KDE Telepathy with better text editing and improved notifications; the new Network Manager applet gives a simpler UI for connecting to a range of network types; for a summary of the OS installed use the new About System page in System Settings...." See the full release announcement for more details, screenshots, known issues and information about the new Kubuntu shop. Download: kubuntu-13.10-desktop-amd64.iso (976MB, SHA256, torrent).

Pasi Lallinaho has announced the release of Xubuntu 13.10, an official flavour of the Ubuntu operating system with Xfce - a stable, light and configurable desktop environment: "The Xubuntu team is delighted to announce the release of Xubuntu 13.10! Some of the highlights for Xubuntu 13.10 include: a new version of xfce4-settings has been uploaded, bringing amongst other things a new dialog to set up your displays; a tool for changing your theme colors easily, gtk-theme-config, has been added to the default installation; new wallpaper; new releases of our GTK+ themes (with GTK+ 3.10 support) as well as the LightDM greeter, fixing many visual bugs; updated documentation. Known problems: indicator sound no longer functions with Xfce indicator plugin; gmusicbrowser's albuminfo plugin is deactivated by default and causes the app to hang if enabled...." See the release announcement and release notes for further details. Download: xubuntu-13.10-desktop-amd64.iso (842MB, SHA256, torrent).

Howard Chan has announced the release of Ubuntu Studio 13.10, an Ubuntu sub-project providing a full range of multimedia content creation applications for audio, graphics, video, photography and publishing: "The Ubuntu Studio team proudly announces the immediate release of Ubuntu Studio 13.10. This exciting release incorporates the new features listed below: a new menu structure which works on any desktop environment; a new package named ubuntustudio-installer, which allows any person to install our metapackages and can fit into any desktop environment; instead of a settings menu, we have fitted in a new Settings Manager, with all settings in one place; when you are in the GRUB menu, the boot item for Ubuntu Studio will show 'Ubuntu Studio' instead of 'Ubuntu'; the latest low-latency kernel will be always the default boot item in the GRUB boot loader; the XFCE session in the LightDM is removed to avoid any confusion with the Ubuntu Studio session...." Continue to the release announcement and release notes to learn more. Download: ubuntustudio-13.10-dvd-amd64.iso (2,464MB, SHA256, torrent).

Stéphane Graber has announced the release of Edubuntu 13.10, a flavour of Ubuntu designed for educational and non-profit environments: "The Edubuntu team is pleased to announce the release of Edubuntu 13.10 (code name 'Saucy Salamander'). This release will be supported for 9 months, it is intended for enthusiasts and users who would like to try out the latest and greatest software. If you're installing Edubuntu in an organisation such as a school, university or non-profit, we suggest you deploy Edubuntu 12.04 LTS (long-term support), which is supported until April 2017 for both servers and desktops. What's New? Edubuntu 13.10 is mostly a refresh on Edubuntu 13.04 without any significant change to the package selection. Notable updates: Unity 7.1.2, LibreOffice 4.1.2, Firefox 24.0, Thunderbird 24.0, Linux kernel 3.11, Upstart 1.10, Python 3.3.2." Here is the brief release announcement. Download: edubuntu-13.10-dvd-amd64.iso (2,832MB, SHA256, torrent).

Jack Yu has announced the release of UbuntuKylin 13.10, an official variant of Ubuntu (with Unity) designed for users in China and providing a customised Chinese user experience: "We are glad to announce the release of UbuntuKylin 13.10. In this release, the Linux kernel has been updated to 3.11. We have added more useful applications, such as Youker Assistant, KuaiPan client, fcitx-qimpanel, Unity China video scope, Unity China photo scope and UbuntuKylin wallpapers. Besides, Chinese calendar, Indicator China Weather, Unity China music scope and WPS for UbuntuKylin have been updated. New features: system customization - provides new GRUB selection, slideshow and boot animation; Youker Assistant provides a simple but powerful way for users to use and manage their systems; Unity China video scope - shows Chinese video results searched from Youku service on Dash...." See the release announcement (in Chinese) and release notes (in English, with screenshots) for more details. Download: ubuntukylin-13.10-desktop-amd64.iso (941MB, SHA256, torrent).

Mario Behling has announced the release of Lubuntu 13.10, a lightweight variant of Ubuntu that provides the minimalist LXDE desktop and a selection of light applications: "Julien Lavergne has released Lubuntu 13.10. Features: based on the lightweight LXDE desktop environment; PCManFM - a fast and lightweight file manager; Openbox -a fast and extensible default windows manager of LXDE; LightDM using a simple GTK+ greeter; Firefox as the new web browser for Lubuntu 13.10; based on Ubuntu 13.10. Improvements since Lubuntu 13.04: new version of PCManFM and libfm (1.1.0) including a built-in search utility; artwork improvements, including new wallpapers, community wallpapers and new icons; removed Catfish since PCManFM has its own search utility; fixed a very old bug causing GNOME MPlayer to crash with some CPUs; several fixes for the GPicView image viewer." Read the rest of the release announcement for system requirements and known issues. Download: lubuntu-13.10-desktop-amd64.iso (702MB, SHA256, torrent).

Ali Jawad has announced the release of Ubuntu GNOME 13.10, the project's second release as an official Ubuntu flavour featuring the GNOME 3 desktop with GNOME Shell: "The Ubuntu GNOME team is proud to announce the release of Ubuntu GNOME 13.10. Ubuntu GNOME aims to bring a mostly pure GNOME desktop experience to Ubuntu. Keeping in coordination with the Ubuntu Desktop team, we have decided to stay with GNOME 3.8 for the 13.10 release. Features: most of GNOME 3.8 is now included; many artwork improvements including new boot loader theme, Plymouth theme, wallpapers, installer slideshow and completed branding with our new logo; the new GNOME Classic session is included, to try it choose it from the Sessions option on the login screen; Ubuntu Online Accounts is no longer included by default." See the release announcement and release notes for more information. Download: ubuntu-gnome-13.10-desktop-amd64.iso (865MB, SHA256, torrent).

Ecco le caratteristiche principali della nuova versione via Ubuntulandia:

1.- Unity versione 7.1 con XMir.
Con Ubuntu 13.10 arriva Unity 7.1, che, nonostante le numerose novità introdotte, ha fatto registrare un notevole grado di efficienza, fornendo ottime prestazione nel rendering grafico che si aggiungono alle nuove funzionalità introdotte. Tra quelle meno visibili all’utente, un nuovo server grafico, Mir, che sostituirà il ben noto X. Questo passaggio, però, è ancora troppo prematuro, e per questo motivo Unity 7.1 gira su XMir, un layer di compatibilità che consente il funzionamento di Mir sopra X.

2.- Aggiornamento software alle versioni più recenti.
Immancabili, quindi, sono Thunderbird e Firefox 24 come client email e web browser predefiniti, LibreOffice 4.1 la office suite di default, e Rhythmbox il principale riproduttore multimediale.

3.- Ubuntu One si integra sempre più nel sistema operativo. Già in fase di installazione, infatti, ci viene richiesto di inserire le credenziali di accesso a tale servizio, o eventualmente di registrarsi ad esso, al fine di garantire un’integrazione quanto più trasparente con Ubuntu One.

4.- Desktop Environment Alternativi.
Come al solito oltre ad Ubuntu 13.10, Canonical ha rilasciato anche diverse distribuzioni derivate, quali Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu GNOME ed altre. Tutte le nuove versioni godono di diverse novità.
Ubuntu GNOME si avvale di GNOME 3.8 per la gestione del desktop (e non il 3.10, in quanto uscito troppe poche settimane fa e non sufficientemente testato). Con questo desktop environment sarà possibile anche utilizzare la GNOME Classic Session, che fornisce un desktop più semplice, molto simile a quello già visto con GNOME 2. E’ stato anche migliorato l’installer Ubiquity, che adesso include il pannello di Gnome Shell.

Kubuntu invece si presenta con KDE 4.11, che talvolta predilige l’estetica a spese dell’efficienza, ma che gode anche di alcuni perfezionamenti delle applicazioni a corredo, che ne migliorano le performance.

Xubuntu 13.10 (basato su Xfce) e Lubuntu 13.10 (che utilizza LXDE) presentano solo qualche miglioria grafica, e dell’introduzione di Firefox al posto di Chromium in Lubuntu.

5.- Ubuntu Touch.
Con Ubuntu 13.10 è stata anche rilasciata la prima versione ufficiale e completa di Ubuntu Touch, a coronare l’immenso lavoro che è stato messo in atto in casa Canonical. Con questo rilascio, sarà già possibile utilizzare Ubuntu su alcuni dispositivi dichiaratamente in grado di supportarlo, come i Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 e Nexus 10.

6.- Kernel. Ubuntu 13.10 è basato sul kernel Linux 3.11, sebbene sia già disponibile la versione 3.12. Evidentemente, gli sviluppatori di Canonical non sono stati in grado di testare a sufficienza quest’ultima opzione, preferendo qualcosa di più rodato e sicuro. Ad ogni modo, Ubuntu 13.10 potrà godere di alcuni nuovi meccanismi di basso livello (come lo zswap) che migliorano le prestazioni del sistema operativo.

7.- Supporto.
Un’importante novità riguarda invece la durata del supporto ad Ubuntu 13.10. Fino a questo momento, infatti, tutte le versioni non-LTS venivano supportate per la durata di 18 mesi. D’ora in poi, questo periodo verrà ridotto a soli 9 mesi. Evidentemente si vuole privilegiare lo sviluppo dei nuovi prodotti piuttosto che il supporto di tecnologie obsolete, nonchè incentivare gli utenti a mantenere il più possibile aggiornata la propria versione di Ubuntu.