Ever wonder what all the excitement about? Did you miss a day of Ubuntu Open Week or maybe a session you really wanted to participate in? Let’s review this week of EDUCATIONAL EXCITEMENT, COLLABORATIVE CURRCULA, and INCLUSIVE INSTRUCTION.

Ubuntu Open Week had 40 hours of session, with each session hovering at about 300 people per session. Imagine a week long 300+ conference somewhere. If you have ever attended a conference of this size you can appreciate the significance this many participants from across the world coming together across multiple timezones, without the expense of hotel rooms, travel, AV needs and food. Online conferences such as Ubuntu Open Week afford people the ability to learn in the comfort of their own homes or office.

The way people participated in Ubuntu Week was to the IRC Channels on Freenode via the Ubuntu Open Week wiki or through their IRC Chat client of their choice. The channels needed to participate were #ubuntu-classroom where each session was taught, and #ubuntu-classroom-chat where people could talk about the ongoing session and ask questions to the Presenter. Participants were encouraged to ask questions in the #ubuntu-classroom-chat channel using the following format: QUESTION: Then state their question. The purpose for using the “Question: question stated” format is so that the person who is either presenting or helping the presenter can find the questions easily and paste them in the #ubuntu-classroom channel.

Lets review what Ubuntu Open Week is (from the Ubuntu Open Week Wiki)

Ubuntu Open Week is a series of online workshops where you can:

• learn about the Ubuntu landscape
• talk to some of the key developers from the Ubuntu project
• find out about the Community and its relationship with Canonical
• participate in an open Q&A with Mark Shuttleworth, the founder of Ubuntu

Nathan Handler gives an awesome summary of the Day one activities in his Blog: UOW: Summary Day 1 - OutLook Day 2. For a Summary of Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, and Day 5, I followed in the style of Nathan and tried to give summaries of each day. Both Nathan and I have links to the Logs for each day.

Again if you missed any part of Ubuntu Open Week the check out the wiki. If you want a quick summary of the sessions check out the links above.If you want to know more about each session and those presenters then a look at the Ubuntu Open Week Booklet is just the thing you are looking for. Also the Wiki for this event can be found here, and the Logs for the week can be found here.

A big shout of “Thanks” goes out to ALL the presenters, and participants who made Ubuntu Open Week - Karmic amazing, exciting, and just awesome. Hope to see everyone back again in May 2010 for the next Open week and next time bring a friend or two.

[Discuss Ubuntu Open Week on the Forums]

Originally posted by Amber Graner here on Saturday, November 7, 2009

The Ubuntu team is pleased to announce the Release Candidate for Ubuntu 9.10 Desktop and Server editions, Ubuntu 9.10 Server for UEC and EC2, and the Ubuntu Netbook Remix. Codenamed “Karmic Koala”, 9.10 continues Ubuntu’s proud tradition of integrating the latest and greatest open source technologies into a high-quality, easy-to-use Linux distribution.

We consider this release candidate to be complete, stable, and suitable for testing by any user.

Ubuntu 9.10 Desktop Edition improves on the work of 9.04 to get you going faster, with improved startup times and a streamlined boot experience.

Ubuntu 9.10 Server Edition integrates Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud setup in the installer and provides improvements to system security with AppArmor, including an AppArmor profile for libvirtd to further isolate virtual machines from the host system.

Ubuntu 9.10 Server for UEC and EC2 brings the power and stability of the Ubuntu Server Edition to cloud computing, whether you’re using Amazon EC2 or your own Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud.

The Ubuntu 9.10 family of variants, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Edubuntu, Ubuntu Studio, and Mythbuntu, also reach RC status today. This release sees the first technology preview of Kubuntu Netbook.

The final release of Ubuntu 9.10 is scheduled for 29 October 2009 and will be supported for 18 months on both desktops and servers. Users requiring a longer support lifetime on the server may choose to continue using Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, with security support until 2013, rather than upgrade to 9.10.

Before installing or upgrading to Ubuntu 9.10 please review the instructions and caveats in the release notes:

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/releasenotes/910

In addition, there are a small number of known bugs in the release candidate that will be fixed before the Ubuntu 9.10 release, but warrant highlighting for your attention:

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/releasenotes/910overview#Known%20issues

About The Release Candidate
—————————————-

The purpose of the Release Candidate is to solicit one last round of testing before the final release. Here are ways that you can help:

• Upgrade from Ubuntu 9.04 to the Release Candidate by following the instructions in the release notes referenced above.
• Participate in installation testing using the Release Candidate CD images, by following the testing and reporting instructions at http://wiki.ubuntu.com/Testing/ISO

Desktop features
————————

GNOME 2.28 featuring Empathy: with this latest release, Ubuntu now uses the Empathy instant messaging service by default, introducing the Telepathy framework.

Ubuntu Software Center: the first step in a replacement for Add/Remove Software has landed.

New boot experience: multiple changes to look, feel and speed of the boot experience have been included in the Ubuntu 9.10 release candidate.

Server features
———————-

Cloud computing: Ubuntu 9.10 builds on the tantalizing cloud support in Ubuntu 9.04, with support for Eucalyptus configuration at install time and publishing of standard VM images for UEC.

AppArmor: Ubuntu 9.10 continues to raise the bar for server security, with AppArmor profiles enabled by default for ntpd and libvirt providing another layer of protection from attacks on the network or via guest virtual machines.

UEC and EC2: Ubuntu 9.10 includes the first official release of Ubuntu Server images for UEC and for Amazon’s EC2, giving you everything you need for rapid deployment of Ubuntu instances in a cloud computing environment. UEC images, and information on running Ubuntu 9.10 on EC2, are available at:

http://uec-images.ubuntu.com/releases/9.10/rc

Ubuntu Netbook Remix features
——————————————-
Ubuntu Netbook Remix is optimised for Intel Atom netbooks and compatible x86 devices. It includes a new consumer-friendly interface that allows users to quickly and easily get on-line and use their favourite applications. This interface is optimised for a retail sales environment.

It includes the same faster boot times and improved boot experience as Ubuntu desktop.

Kubuntu features
————————

Kubuntu 9.10, built on KDE 4.3, brings users a complete, full-featured KDE 4 desktop with many new applications and innovations.

This is the first release for a new Kubuntu variant, Kubuntu Netbook Edition. Built on a Kubuntu base, it brings users an exciting first look at KDE’s netbook-oriented desktop environment.

New features include better integration with OpenOffice.org and various social website connections for applications. Notable problems with network management and user configuration have been fixed.

Please see https://wiki.kubuntu.org/KarmicKoala/RC/Kubuntu for all the details.

For upgrade instructions from Kubuntu 9.04 or 8.04 see
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/KarmicUpgrades/Kubuntu

Xubuntu features
————————

Xubuntu 9.10 comes with the light-weight Xfce 4.6 desktop environment to provide a desktop designed for productivity while conserving system resources.

Xubuntu 9.10 is proud to offer an improved multimedia experience with the Exaile media player, a more integrated power management solution with the Xfce4 power manager, and more convenience built right in with improved multimedia volume key support and more consistent desktop notifications.

Please see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Xubuntu/KarmicKoala/RC for the full list and details about all the great enhancements Xubuntu 9.10 has to offer.

Edubuntu features
————————-

Edubuntu 9.10 transitions from an add-on educational CD that depended on an existing Ubuntu installation to a full Ubuntu derivative delivered on as a DVD image. This allows prospective users and decision makers to try the educational offerings prior to installation and the flexibility to make Edubuntu a first class educational operating system.

Mythbuntu features
—————————

Mythbuntu 9.10 introduces MythTV 0.22. The entire stack has been ported to QT4 and now allows for very neat UI effects. Also 0.22 adds support for VDPAU hardware acceleration, and HD-PVR hardware support.

Please see http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Release_Notes_-_0.22 for more details about changes introduced in 0.22.

See http://mythbuntu.org/9.10/rc for information about the Mythbuntu release candidate.

A more complete tour of the features new in 9.10 can be found at http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/releasenotes/910overview

About Ubuntu
——————

Ubuntu is a full-featured Linux distribution for desktops, laptops, netbooks and servers, with a fast and easy installation and regular releases. A tightly-integrated selection of excellent applications is included, and an incredible variety of add-on software is just a few clicks away.

Professional services including support are available from Canonical and hundreds of other companies around the world. For more information about support, visit http://www.ubuntu.com/support

To Get the Ubuntu 9.10 Release Candidate
————————————————————

To upgrade to Ubuntu 9.10 Release Candidate from Ubuntu 9.04, follow these instructions:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/KarmicUpgrades

Or, to perform a new installation or try out 9.10 “live” from CD, download the Ubuntu 9.10 Release Candidate here (choose the mirror closest to you):

Asia:

* http://mirror.unej.ac.id/ubuntu-cd/9.10 (Indonesia)
* http://ubuntu.qualitynet.net/releases/9.10 (Kuwait)
* http://ftp.linux.org.tr/ubuntu-releases/9.10 (Turkey)

Europe:

* http://ubuntu.ipacct.com/releases/9.10 (Bulgaria)
* http://ucho.ignum.cz/ubuntu-releases/9.1 (Czechia)
* http://ubuntu.univ-nantes.fr/ubuntu-cd/9.10 (France)
* http://ftp.uni-kl.de/pub/linux/ubuntu.iso/9.10 (Germany)
* http://ie.releases.ubuntu.com/9.10 (Ireland)
* http://releases.ubuntu.fastbull.org/ubuntu-releases/9.10 (Italy)
* http://no.releases.ubuntu.com/9.10 (Norway)
* http://se.releases.ubuntu.com/9.10 (Sweden)

North America:

* http://mirror.anl.gov/pub/ubuntu-iso/CDs/9.10 (United States)
* http://mirror.csclub.uwaterloo.ca/ubuntu-releases/9.10 (Canada)
* http://mirrors.cat.pdx.edu/ubuntu-releases/9.10 (United States)
* http://ubuntu.media.mit.edu/ubuntu-releases/9.10 (United States)

Oceania/Australia:

* http://ftp.citylink.co.nz/ubuntu-releases/9.10 (New Zealand)

South America:

* http://mirrors.ucr.ac.cr/ubuntu-cd/9.10 (Costa Rica)

Rest of the world:

http://releases.ubuntu.com/9.10 (Great Britain)

Please download using Bittorrent if possible. See https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BitTorrent for more information about
using BitTorrent.

Feedback and Participation
—————————————

If you would like to help shape Ubuntu, take a look at the list of ways you can participate at

http://www.ubuntu.com/community/participate/

Your comments, bug reports, patches and suggestions will help turn this Release Candidate into the best release of Ubuntu ever. Please note that, where possible, we prefer that bugs be reported using the tools provided, rather than by visiting Launchpad directly. Instructions can be found at

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs

If you have a question, or if you think you may have found a bug but are not sure, first try asking on the #ubuntu IRC channel on FreeNode, on the Ubuntu Users mailing list, or on the Ubuntu forums:

http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-users
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/

More Information
————————

You can find out more about Ubuntu and about this preview release on our website, IRC channel and wiki. If you are new to Ubuntu, please visit:

http://www.ubuntu.com/

To sign up for future Ubuntu announcements, please subscribe to Ubuntu’s very low volume announcement list at:

http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-announce

[Discuss the Release Candidate for Ubuntu 9.10]

Originally sent to the ubuntu-announce mailing list by Steve Langasek on Thu Oct 22 19:30:41 BST 2009

Koalas love eucalyptus, they spend three hours a day munching away on the sturdy plant. Likewise, Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala loves Eucalyptus, the Open Source system for implementing on-premise private and hybrid clouds using the hardware and software infrastructure that is in place, without modification. This allows you to run your own private cloud on your own hardware and infrastructure. Sound interesting? It really is, and this a rocking new feature in the new Ubuntu Server edition.

As we build to release, we could really use your help to make sure that Karmic Koala’s Eucalyptus support is rock solid. This post outlines how you can test this functionality, and provide some valuable feedback.

What You Will Need

You need two machines, one of which has to be capable of handling [KVM](https://help.ubuntu.com/community/KVM). The following command will check to see if your CPU has the correct VT extensions for running KVM (though you might have to additionally enable VT in your BIOS):

egrep '(vmx|svm)' /proc/cpuinfo

Each machine will also need 1GB of RAM and 80GB of free space. Documentation for all this is provided here.

You will also need to download the latest daily Ubuntu Server ISO image and burn it to CD.

Performing The Tests

Testing the *Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud* support with Eucalyptus involves three steps: setting up the cluster, the nodes and activating the cloud. Let’s look at it in three easy steps:

The Cluster Machine

This machine will control the nodes, it does NOT need KVM support. You can install it via the Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud task in the installer and select Cluster as the type.

Step-by-step instructions are here.

The Nodes

After you have installed a controller you are ready to add *nodes*. This is the machine that needs the KVM support. Install it via the *Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud* task in the installer and select *Node* as the type.

Step-by-step instructions are here.

Activating Your Cloud

After you have got the cluster and the node all installed and ready to go you’re ready for the final steps which are available here.

Testing and Filing Bugs

Each of these steps should be relatively pain free, after that you’re ready to start testing Eucalyptus.

The Eucalyptus Getting Started Guide contains commands you may want to try. Please Note: the Getting Started Guide is for version 1.5.2. Karmic Koala includes version 1.6, so there are some differences involved. You can however take a look to the on going work of the version 1.6 documentation.

Bugs should be filed in Launchpad in the Ubuntu eucalyptus package. You can see this list of bugs at https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/eucalyptus. Bugs should be reported using the ubuntu-bug tool. This tool is shipped with Ubuntu Server. To file a bug, simply type in:

ubuntu-bug eucalyptus

This tool will send relevant debugging content to Launchpad to help identify and resolve the bug. More details on ubuntu-bug can be found here.

Discussion and Getting Help

Discussion about Eucalyptus can be posted directly to the ubuntu-devel mailing list and you are welcome to join the server development team in the #ubuntu-server IRC channel on irc.freenode.net.

Our sysadmins have asked me to advise people about some upcoming changes to rsync and FTP access to releases.ubuntu.com. In order to distribute CD images more effectively, releases.ubuntu.com will shortly be reorganised such that it can only support access over HTTP.

If you need rsync or FTP access, please use the new hostnames rsync.releases.ubuntu.com or ftp.releases.ubuntu.com respectively.

Access methods such as BitTorrent and jigdo are unaffected by this change.

[Discuss the Changes to releases.ubuntu.com rsync/FTP access on the Forums]

Originally sent to the ubuntu-devel-announce mailing list by Colin Watson on Fri Oct 2 18:44:19 BST 2009

Like everyone else with their heart invested in Ubuntu, I am tickled pink to see that Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala Beta has been released. Our global community of contributors and developers has worked tirelessly to get this Beta out, and there are lots of great features in there including Upstart switched on by default, improved boot experience, the new Ubuntu Software Center, new messaging indicator changes, and lots of EC2 and Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud awesomeness. You can download the furry little blighter here.

But wait…before you go and download it…I want to talk about the point of a beta…it is, in a word…

Unfortunately, nestled inside all of the lovelyness I described are some inevitable bugs. While we have an incredible bunch of people at Canonical and in the community that fix bugs, we are really looking to you good people to hunt these bugs down and report them so we (a) know about them and can (b) fix them and make Ubuntu the best Operating System it can be.

Of course, the whole system needs testing, but there are some key topics which some of us in the Ubuntu land would like you to give a solid test to. It is these features which are new to Ubuntu and need the most love and attention. So, let’s cover them…

Empathy Audio and Video Calls

Karmic ships with a new instant messaging client called Empathy, based on the tremendous Telepathy framework. Empathy is the right direction for IM in the GNOME and Ubuntu projects, and recent additions to it include screen sharing and audio and video calling. The audio/video side of Empathy has had some mixed results for different users, so this really needs your love.

This is how you test:

First, run Empathy from Applications->Internet->Empathy IM Client. Next add a Google Talk or Jabber account. If you see a contact with a microphone or video camera next to their name, right click them and click Audio Call or Video Call. It should call them, they will then accept the call and you can have an audio or video chat.

If this doesn’t work as expected, open up a terminal Applications->Accessories->Terminal and type in

ubuntu-bug empathy

Follow the instructions to file your bug. You can check to see if your bug has already been filed by looking at the Empathy Bugs List.

Another really useful thing you can do if you face problems is to first quit Empathy and then in the terminal type:

EMPATHY_LOGFILE=/tmp/empathy.log GST_DEBUG=\*fsrtp\*:5 EMPATHY_DEBUG=all empathy

This generates a log file and you should then attach the empathy.log file in the /tmp directory to the bug report.

Boot Experience

Karmic introduces a faster and more beautiful boot experience, but we are still trying to weed out some bugs here and there.

Testing this is simple: boot your system and after you see a message about GRUB loading, you shouldn’t see any other messages before you see the Ubuntu logo on a gray background. If you do see messages, you have found a bug.

We need you to let us know what the text says so we can eliminate the message from the boot process. There are a few ways you can do this:

• When you are logged into the desktop, use Ctrl-Alt-1 to flick to VT1 and see if the messages are there. If so, note them down or take a photo of the screen in which you can see the text clearly.
• Another approach is to remember a word or two from the boot message and then click System->Administration->Log File Viewer and click on either the dmesg or syslog entries and use Ctrl-F to search for the text you remembered. If you then see it, add that to a bug report.

If you think the bug is a kernel bug (typically when the message refers to a device or driver on your system), open up a terminal Applications->Accessories->Terminal and type in

ubuntu-bug linux

If you find that the gray graphic with the Ubuntu logo that shows while Ubuntu is loading doesn’t behave as you expect, run this command to report the bug:

ubuntu-bug xsplash

Finally, if you are having problems with the graphical login prompt, run this:

ubuntu-bug gdm

When you have filed your bug, view the bug report in your web browser, and under Bug Description there is a Tags line. Click the small yellow circle with a ‘!’ inside it and add the tag ubuntu-boot-experience. This will help our developers to find it and do their best to fix it.

EC2

All new Ubuntu releases (including Alphas and Betas) are now available as Amazon EC2 images. Thanks to the stunning work of Ara Pulido and Scott Moser, we have a great set of tests you can run to test out these images. First go and read this starters guide to EC2 and Ubuntu and then try the tests out here. You can leave your feedback on this wiki page and file bugs here.

Getting Help

If you have any questions or queries about testing and filing bugs, here are some resources:

• Reporting Bugs – this page provides more detail about how to file a bug with ubuntu-bug and other tools.
• General Testing Team Documentation – there is lots of help here on these pages about how to help with testing Ubuntu.

A great place to get is IRC too, in these channels (all on the Freenode IRC network):

• #ubuntu-bugs
• #ubuntu-quality
• #ubuntu-release
• #ubuntu-testing

Thanks again for taking part in testing Ubuntu and in helping to make it as great as possible!

Originally posted by Jono Bacon here on Friday, October 2nd, 2009 at 12:59 am

[Discuss Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala Beta Released: Testers Needed! on forums]