UK-based Canonical Ltd. will introduce all-new versions of its popular Debian-based Linuxes -- Ubuntu, Kubuntu, and Edubuntu -- along with its first enterprise server edition on June 1, a company spokesman told DesktopLinux.com May 25.

The full release of Ubuntu 6.06 -- code-named Dapper Drake and featuring the latest GNOME desktop -- includes both installable live desktop CDs and text-mode install CDs for three architectures. Canonical will mail free CDs upon request beginning June 1, the spokesman said.

Kubuntu is based on the same Debian-powered core as Ubuntu, but utilizes the KDE desktop environment and application packages instead of GNOME. Edubuntu, meanwhile, has a customized interface and applications for the educational sector.

Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Edubuntu features a fast and painless install, regular (semi-annual) new releases, a tight selection of application and utility packages installed by default, and many other packages available from the network, the team said.

Enhancements in the new release that are common to all the new versions, according to the project team, include:

* A new live CD installer that takes on some of the functions previously performed only by the Install CD
* Faster system startup and login
* Simplified menu organization
* Graphical shutdown process
* Easy access to power management settings with GNOME Power Manager
* Improved support for video playback
* Optional NetworkManager for convenient roaming between different wireless and wired networks
* OpenOffice.org 2.0.2
* X.org 7.0

Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Edubuntu users will also have available to them a new commercial application repository, which allows those who wish to use commercial software easy access to downloads and installation of those applications. More details on this function will be forthcoming, the company said.

Dapper Drake also boasts professional technical support from Canonical and hundreds of other companies around the world, the team said. Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Edubuntu 6.0 are the first such releases with a long-term support cycle -- three years on the desktop, and five years on the server, according to Canonical. "This means that free security updates will be provided throughout the three-year period, and that paid technical support will be available from Canonical for that period," the spokesman said.

New Server Edition

The Server Edition of the June 1 Ubuntu release will include a mechanism to set up a standardized, certified, and supported LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) server with a single command, Canonical said. The feature reduces the setup time for companies providing hosted LAMP services as well as making it easier for organizations to set up and maintain their own standardized LAMP servers, Canonical said.

DesktopLinux.com will have download details when the new versions are released on June 1.

well what do you mean by free technical support??
Isn't linux supposed to be freeware?
Sorry i don't use linux so don't know much of it..
But thinking to shift since my windows xp crashes after every damn weak..