Although the Ubuntu development team is scheduled to announce the release Ubuntu 9.04 – codenamed Jaunty Jackalope – later today, many of the major download sites already have copies available. <\/p>\n
This latest release of Ubuntu includes a number of new features including improved graphics, a better notification system and new cloud computing capabilities.<\/p>\n
The new login screen in Jaunty is a little more contemporary looking than previous versions and the notification system is significantly more elegant than previously. The notifications – such as incoming IM messages, system messages – will better integrate into the desktop than previously and have been designed to be as unobtrusive as possible. Users are also able to choose where the notifications appear. <\/p>\n
The Ubuntu team has also tweaked the desktop display settings for this release: instead of the default 96dpi setting for all fonts, the system will detect the monitor and resolution being used and alter fonts accordingly. <\/p>\n
The default Ubuntu desktop also includes Gnome 2.26, the latest release of the window manager which was made available a couple of months ago. Gnome 2.26 includes a few additional changes over its predecessor including better support for file sharing and multimedia. Gnome Media Player can now also browse and play UPnP & DLNA protocols there is a new plugin that lets users share files over WebDAV, HTTP and Bluetooth. <\/p>\n
One of the more noticeable changes to Gnome 2.26 is the inclusion of Brasero as the default CD\/DVD burning tool, which replaces Gnome CD-Burner. Brasero is already included as the default Ubuntu CD burner. Although there have been users who have wondered why Brasero was included as the Ubuntu default the application is very capable and can be used to create audio, data and video projects and burn software images. <\/p>\n
The other big change in Gnome 2.26 is with Evolution, the default mail client, which can now import Microsoft Outlook Personal Folders and has support for Microsoft Exchange’s MAPI protocol. <\/p>\n
Many of the major servers that host Ubuntu downloads have already been updated ahead of the release announcement later today and users can download a copy from servers such as http:\/\/za.releases.ubuntu.com\/jaunty\/ <\/a><\/p>\n