Jaunty Jackalope

Ubuntu, a community developed, Linux-based operating system has released its new platform for laptops, desktops and servers. It features all the applications that one may need in day to day computing needs. It comes with a web browser, presentation, word processor and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more.

Ubuntu is a Debian based linux distribution and is released every six months after a considerable amount of tweaking. So Hardy Heron of April 2008 gave to October release - Intrepid Ibex and finally in April 2009 Ubuntu has come up with Jaunty Jackalope (Ubuntu 9.04).

When OS like Windows asks for more money with every release to upgrade the systems (which also slows down your computer instead), Ubuntu not only believes in distributing the OS for free, it also provides the user with a lot of applications.

E-Mail:

The OS comes with a default E-mail client called Evolution. It supports a lot of types of email programs both for personal use and for business. Popular webmail applications like Gmail or Yahoo mail can be easily synced. Evolution comes with a fully-featured email calendar, task and contact sharing program that even integrates with your on-desktop clock to make sure you don't miss any must attend meetings.

Instant Messaging:



It comes with Pidgin IM, an open source messaging tool. Pidgin IM has all the basic functions along with a growing list of plug-ins to make it the most efficient IMer around. This has become increasingly important business tool. Pidgin also allows the user to integrate with private IM channels so that the user can keep in contact with the people who really matter.


Web Browsing:



The default web browser for Ubuntu is Morzila's latest browser Firefox 3. Firefox is not only universally accepted but it is safe and fast. The best part about Firefox 3 is its gallery full of add-ons available freely over the net which extends as well as customize the users browsing experience. Users often have specific requirements depending on how they use their browser. The autocomplete list also appears when letters are entered in the location bar and it is no longer restricted to web addresses but also looks into bookmark and history page titles and tags which make it more comprehensive.

Mozilla has also added adaptive learning to this function so that the more it is used the better it will become at learning what the user is looking for and displays the relevant information quickly.



Photos:



Ubuntu comes with F-Spot Manager, a photo manager, to manage all the photos. Phone or camera can be directly connected to the desktop and the user can real easily tag, manage, display, organise, edit and share photos with friends. The photos can also be directly uploaded to a gallery as wel.