From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kubuntu is an official derivative of the Ubuntu Linux distribution using the KDE graphical environment instead of GNOME. It is part of the Ubuntu project and uses the same underlying system. Kubuntu and Ubuntu can work alongside each other by installing the ubuntu-desktop and kubuntu-desktop packages. Every package in Kubuntu shares the same repositories as Ubuntu.[1] Kubuntu CDs can be ordered through the Shipit service. It is released regularly and predictably.[2]
"Kubuntu", pronounced /kùbúntú/ (koo-BOON-too), means "towards humanity" in Bemban (derived from "ubuntu" - "humanity"). The K at the beginning represents the K Desktop Environment, which Kubuntu runs. By coincidence, Kubuntu also means "friendly spirit" in Mizo, and "free" (as in 'free of charge') in Kirundi.[3]
[edit] Differences from Ubuntu
A regular installation of Ubuntu will have the GNOME desktop, GNOME applications (e.g. Evolution) and GNOME/GTK+ admin tools (e.g. Synaptic Package Manager). A regular installation of Kubuntu has the KDE desktop, KDE applications (e.g. Kontact) and KDE/Qt admin tools (e.g. Adept Manager). In addition, Kubuntu is more likely to use packages from the KDE/Qt project rather than GTK+ toolkit-based applications. However, these are simply the default packages. For example, one may install Ubuntu and then add KDE, or even install the Kubuntu 'metapackage'. Therefore, one need not be restricted to one set of applications, but can mix and match by preference. There is a slight disadvantage to doing so, namely the increased diskspace and memory requirements of running both Qt and GTK.
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Kubuntu uses a familiar boot from CD screen however.
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[edit] Releases
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.[4] Both Desktop CDs and Alternative (installation) CDs for x86 and AMD64 platforms are available.
Kubuntu is available both with KDE 3.5 and KDE 4.
| Colour |
Meaning |
| Red |
Old release; not supported |
| Yellow |
Old release; still supported |
| Green |
Current release |
| Blue |
Future release |
| Version |
Release date |
Code name |
Sub Version |
Supported until |
Notes |
| 5.04 |
2005-04-08[5] |
Hoary Hedgehog |
Array |
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[6][7] |
Breezy Badger |
Colony |
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[8][9] |
Dapper Drake |
Flight |
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[10][11] |
Edgy Eft |
Knot |
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.[12] |
| 7.04 |
2007-04-19[13] |
Feisty Fawn |
Herd |
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[14][15] |
Gutsy Gibbon |
Tribe |
2009-04 |
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.[16] New kubuntu-restricted-extras package is available for download from the repositories. |
| 8.04 |
2008-04-24[17] |
Hardy Heron |
Alpha |
2009-10 |
Will not be a Long Term Support (LTS) release.[18] It is shipped with both KDE 3.5 and KDE 4.0. This version intends to provide feature parity with GNOME-based Ubuntu.[19] 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.[20][21], and automatic grabbing and releasing of the mouse cursor when running on a VMware virtual machine. |
| 8.10 |
2008-10-30 |
Intrepid Ibex[22] |
Alpha |
2010-04 |
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[edit] References
[edit] External links
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