Kubuntu 8.04 stepped over the barriers of gutsiness and took on a whole new feat by providing this latest release with double vision. Improved desktops, updated applications, increased usability features, and a new future are just a few of the surprises with this latest release. Improved desktops? Double vision? Yes! Kubuntu 8.04 now provides you the ability to use either one of two desktop environments, or both if you shall choose. If stability is the feather in the cap you are looking for, then look no further than Kubuntu 8.04 featuring the KDE 3 desktop environment. If you are looking for a bit of an edge, Kubuntu has you covered with the new Kubuntu 8.04 KDE 4 Remix. This time around the development team jumped over hurdles, bent backwards, and did all kinds of flips for a non-Olympic event in order to bring you this latest release. So it is with our pleasure that we introduce you to the new Kubuntu 8.04 and we hope you enjoy your ride aboard the Hardy Heron.

Kubuntu 8.04 now features two versions of the K Desktop Environment, a powerful graphical desktop environment which combines the ease of use, contemporary functionality, and outstanding graphical design with the technological superiority of the Kubuntu operating system. The stable release of KDE in Kubuntu 8.04 is version 3.5.9. The edgier release of KDE in Kubuntu 8.04 is version 4.0.3.

Kubuntu 8.04 Highlights

Multimedia

Kubuntu 8.04 provides various multimedia resources. For listening to and managing your music there is Amarok, an award winning music player featuring album covers, lyrics, Wikipedia integration, multiple multimedia devices support, and more. For watching videos there is Kaffeine for KDE 3 and the new Dragon Player for KDE 4. New in Kubuntu 8.04 for the Kaffeine player is the new codec installation which will automatically install codecs when opening a file for the first time. When you insert a DVD movie, Kaffeine will automatically install the necessary DVD codecs for your viewing enjoyment.

File System Support

Kubuntu 8.04 provides many new advancements and support for file systems. Two new features have been added to Kubuntu 8.04 in this arena. The first is the ability to install and encrypted file system during installation. This option is currently available only on the Alternate Installation CD. You can encrypt every partition except for the /boot partition, providing you a more secure version of Kubuntu. The second new feature provides you the ability to easily read and write any NTFS partitions you may have on your desktop.

Printer Auto Configuration

Kubuntu 8.04 now provides an applet that automatically configures a printer when it is attached to your system. This new applet also provides you with feedback on the status of the printer installation and configuration.

Wubi

Kubuntu 8.04 Desktop, or Live, CDs provide a new installer for those running Windows. Wubi allows the installation of Kubuntu just like it were any other application you would install in Windows. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC or the need to use a different boot loader.

Office Suite

Kubuntu 8.04 includes OpenOffice.org 2.4, which is an open-source office suite similar in functionality to that of other office suites. The included applications are: Writer, a fully functional word processor, Calc, an advanced spread sheet program and Impress, a tool for creating effective multimedia presentations. OpenOffice.org is compatible with all major office suites.

For those of you wanting something lighter, KOffice is a simple install away. It includes world leading applications such as Kexi the database manager and Krita the image editor.

Personal Information Management

Kontact, the Personal Information Manager in Kubuntu 8.04, unites an entire suite of PIM applications in one central environment which are tailored to work well with each other. Kontact delivers innovations to help you manage your communications easily, organize your work faster and work together more closely, resulting in more productivity and efficiency in digital collaboration. Components include mail, calendar, contacts, notes, and more.

Localisation

https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/hardy/+translations

• Integration of language install with KDE's language configuration.
• Automatic setup of non-Latin input methods
• Menu item translations included in language packs for faster integration of new and updated translations, provided through Rosetta.
• Due to the late opening of documentation translations, translations for the Kubuntu documentation will be in the first set of updates.

Server

The Ubuntu server edition builds on the functionality from the previous release simplifying common Linux server deployments. Included is a major virtualisation support initiative. On x86 systems with the Intel VT or AMD-V extensions, Kernel-based Virtual Machine support (KVM) allows users to run multiple virtual machines running unmodified Linux. Each virtual machine has private virtualised hardware: a network card, disk, graphics adapter and so on. Also included is VMI support which provides optimised performance under VMWare. Server packages are available for installation from the Kubuntu DVD as well as the Ubuntu Server CD.

Under the Hood

• Linux 2.6.24
• GCC 4.2.3
• X.org 7.3
• Python 2.5.2
• Qt 3.3.8 or Qt 4.3.4

Will Blow Your Mind !