http://lunapark6.com/ubuntu-gutsy-gibbon-710-new-features.htmlUbuntu Gutsy Gibbon 7.10 - New Features
Written by luna6Ubuntu’s Gutsy Gibbon (7.10) slated for an October 18th release, has released their alpha “Tribe 5? version - which includes a Feature Freeze for the Gutsy development cycle. What that means in layman’s term is that while the software is still in heavy development there won’t be any new features added to Gutsy Gibbon. As for the new features added in Gutsy Gibbon there are plenty, most of which are particularly well suited for new users to Linux. Some of the more notable new features are a Graphical Configuration tool for X, improvements in plug-in handling for Mozilla Firefox, revamped printing system with PDF printing by default, fast user switching, new desktop search (Tracker) application and the new AppArmor security framework.
This article will briefly discuss the new features found within Gutsy Gibbon and hopefully give you a better idea of what to expect when the final version of Gutsy Gibbons is released in October.
![]()
========Appearance (Desktop Effects & Compiz Fusion)=========
![]()
Ubuntu will ship for the first time a 3d desktop (enabled by default) via the new Compiz-Fusion package. As soon as you login to Ubuntu and you have the proper drivers enabled you will have the fancy 3d effects from Compiz-Fusion. To control the Compiz-Fusion Ubuntu has bundled their “Desktop Effects” app within a new “Appearance” application found via clicking /System/Preferences/Appearance.
The Appearance Preferences application includes tabs to control Theme, Background, Fonts, Interface and Desktop Effects for Gnome. The choices available for Compiz-Fusion via “Desktop Effects” is three basic options : “No Effects” “Normal Effects” and “Extra Effects”.
For power users they will most likely want to install “Compizconfig-settings-manager” via synaptic or the command line to have better control over Compiz-Fusion.
======Screen & Graphics (Graphical configuration tool for X)======
![]()
For the folks that hate to mess with configuration files, Gutsy will ship with a slick “Screen & Graphics” gui app to manage their X settings. The program is found by clicking System/Preferences/Screens & Graphics.
The application is laid out in a simple but intuitive manner. Setting the screen resolution is just a click away for either dual screen or single screen users . Additionally, for dual screen users they can easily select between a mirror or separate screen system.
If your unlucky enough to have a monitor that’s not included in the drop down list (like my Samsung 244T monitor) then you can use the generic monitor setting or open up the xorg.conf file.
There’s also a second tab that opens up options for selecting specific specific proprietary or open source video card drivers.
==================Fast User Switching=================
![]()
Similar to Windows, Ubuntu users can now switch between different user desktops without having to shut down the current user session. From the top Gnome panel simply click the username you would like to fast switch with and then Ubuntu allows for fast switching. The first time you switch to another user account you will be dropped in front of the GDM login screen to type in the person’s username and password. After that first time and as long as that session is active, you can easily switch between the different active sessions by clicking the username and then typing in their password. If you would rather not type in the password every time you switch user accounts you can disable that feature by right clicking the “User Switcher” icon on the top Gnome panel and then selecting Preferences and then uncheck the box for “Lock the screen after switching users”.
While trying out this feature I did encounter several bugs that prevented me from switching back to another user account, but that was expected for alpha software. By the time Gutsy ships in October and as long as Ubuntu irons out the rough spots, “Fast User Switching” should be impressive.
================Tracker (Desktop Search)================
![]()
Gutsy will ship with a new default desktop search engine known as “Tracker”. Similar to the Beagle or Google Desktop Search programs, Tracker indexes metadata information so you can easily pull up relevant search results from file names, actual texts found within documents and the metadata found within audio/video files. The program is written in C and this might be the reason Ubuntu selected Tracker over Beagle (which is written in Mono).
Tracker can be launched via Applications/Accessories/Tracker Search Tool, or via the deskbar applet or within the search function found in Nautilus.
To customize the settings for Tracker you would type in “tracker-preferences” via the terminal. This opened up another window with option tabs for “General” “Performance” “Files” Ignored Files” and “Emails” tabs. Performance wise Tracker was blazingly fast and I didn’t notice any performance hit while the program was creating its initial index.
====================Deskbar Applet===================
![]()
The deskbar applet is now included in the default configuration for Gutsy Gibbon. The deskbar applet allows quick access to common actions like opening web bookmarks, searches, sending messages to contacts, and more.
==================New Printing Service==================
![]()
A feature I was particularly impressed with was the new updated printing system found within Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbons. Most printers can now be plugged in and Ubuntu will automatically set up the printer. Also, Ubuntu has implemented a slick new “PDF printer” which is enabled by default. The “PDF printer” allows you to easily created PDF files from all applications such as Gimp, Firefox, Rhythmbox and other non-Gnome applications.
=====================Apparmor=====================
AppArmor, similar to SELinux, is a program to restrict actions taken by installed software which is now installed by default. While its debatable which application is better, AppArmor does provide for another layer of security for Ubuntu. The program is accessed via the command line and to see a list of commands you can visit
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AppArmor.===================Restricted-Manager==================
A feature first found on Ubuntu 7.04, the restricted manager now offers the ability to handle drivers that are free but require non-free firmware. In particular bcm43xx drivers for Broadcom wireless cards work well with the restricted-manager.
======Apt-Enabled Plugin Finder & Extension Manager for Firefox======
![]()
Ubuntu has added some interesting new features to Firefox as well. Installing plugins and extensions are now easier with Ubuntu’s “Apt-Enabled Plugin Finder” and “Extennsion Manager.” To launch the Extension Manager you can select Tools/Addons/Get Ubuntu Addons from within Firefox. Familiar extensions like Stumbleupon, Adblock and Greasemonkey can be now easily installed through that program.
===================Final Thoughts====================
It’s really amazing how fast Ubuntu is developing their distro for mainstream users. In the very near future it seems the days of messing with ndiswrapper, xorg.conf, and cups will be a thing of the distant past. Ubuntu’s Gutsy Gibbons is shaping up to be one of the more user friendly desktops ever from a Linux operating system. The new features found in Gutsy Gibbon all adds its own piece to make Ubuntu one of the must user friendly operating systems out there.. The “Screen & Graphs” has been needed for a long time and works well.. Other features that looked impressive were Tracker, the new printing services and of course Compiz-Fusion. Mark your calendar for October 18th, because Gutsy Gibbon is coming out and you will want to download it.
Ik in een aantal worden omschreven: Ondernemend | Moedig | Stout | Lief | Positief | Intuïtief | Communicatief | Humor | Creatief | Spontaan | Open | Sociaal | Vrolijk | Organisator | Pro-actief | Meedenkend | Levensgenieter | Spiritueel