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Kubuntu, ArkLinux Announce KDE 3.4-Based Releases

arexx writes "Kubuntu, the new Linux flavour based on the fast-climbing Ubuntu but with a KDE desktop as standard has reached its first preview release, with the first full release due next month. ISOs and torrents are available for all major architectures from cdimage.ubuntu.com. Kubuntu is the first distribution to ship with the new KDE 3.4, released just two days ago. Existing Ubuntu users can grab KDE 3.4 with a quick and customarily painless 'sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop' in the nearest terminal window." Kubuntu isn't alone, though: as reader fixertechno puts it, "After 3 years of development, testing, and me waiting patiently, the first stable release of Ark Linux has been released; Bero's announcement is here. Ark Linux is a KDE based desktop version of Linux with similar goals of 'it just works' to Ubuntu Linux. If you've been waiting to try Ark Linux -- or any Linux distribution for that matter, now's the time!"

39 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. Kubuntu is a word! by sethadam1 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Before anybody starts up with the name, let me quickly quote the Kubuntu FAQ:

    What does kubuntu mean?
    It means "towards humanity" in Bemba.

    1. Re:Kubuntu is a word! by zecg · · Score: 3, Informative

      It's nice that both Ubuntu and Kubuntu have meaning and that they both imply humanity.

      Ubuntu = humanity towards others Kubuntu = towards humanity

      --
      .i lu doi ringos.star. xu do puku'aroroi dunli dopecaku leni virnu li'u
    2. Re:Kubuntu is a word! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Great, now what the fuck is Bemba?

      When did I miss the boat from Slashdot land to African linguisticville (I'm guessing to what Bemba is; I'll look it up later)? You gave the definition to keep people from thinking it's a fake word then expect us to know what Bemba is.

    3. Re:Kubuntu is a word! by Trailwalker · · Score: 4, Informative
      Great, now what the fuck is Bemba?
      Here Windows is available in Bemba.
    4. Re:Kubuntu is a word! by Murf+In+Wyoming · · Score: 2, Informative
      See def for the full quote:

      "Bemba is a language spoken by 5 to 6 million people in Zambia, and in bordering areas of Tanzania and Congo (DRC). Bemba is one of the eight official languages of Zambia. It is the language of the Bemba people (population est. 1.7 million) and a major lingua franca across Zambia. Bemba is part of the Bantu language family (Guthrie's M.42), which consists of over 500 different languages throughout Central, Eastern, Western, and Southern Africa. Other Bantu languages include Swahili, Zulu, Luganda, Shona, Sesotho, and Kongo...."

      So, you were pretty close.

      --
      Dogs look up to men; cats look down on men; But Pigs! Pigs can look men square in the eye. -Churchill
    5. Re:Kubuntu is a word! by Espectr0 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Great, now what the fuck is Bemba?

      Funny that in spanish, bemba means "big mouth" i.e a person that has very big lips, mostly african americans

  2. Finally by nekoes · · Score: 2, Funny

    Another linux distribution! ::cool::

    --
    Hey, it's my OPINION that dogs have eight legs and make a sound like a car horn every time they take a piss.
  3. One less thing for users to whine about... by RichKyanka · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Even though Ubuntu provides the best Gnome desktop available people have always whined about lack of proper KDE support in Ubuntu. Now, people will be able to come to Ubuntu for their KDE desktop needs. From my testing on my laptop, it is top notch.

    1. Re:One less thing for users to whine about... by tackat · · Score: 2, Informative

      Kubuntu looks to me very much like an "official"
      ubuntu project:
      * There are Canonical employees who have been hired to work on Kubuntu,
      * KDE is not in universe but in main (which means it's officially supported)
      * and as far as I know Mark Shuttleworth encouraged work on Kubuntu and seems to be quite happy with the current result (especially with Kubuntu's attractive konqi models).

  4. to avoid misunderstood by netdur · · Score: 5, Informative

    kubuntu is not based on ubuntu, kubuntu is ubuntu with KDE instead of gnome, it's from the same ubuntu team, anyway kubuntu mean "to humanity", it's real word

    --
    "Steve Jobs invented the world" -- Bill W. GATES
    1. Re:to avoid misunderstood by tquinlan · · Score: 3, Funny

      Does that mean there's a Gubuntu? ;)

      --
      DBA? Software Engineer? My company is hiring! Click
    2. Re:to avoid misunderstood by LifesizeKenDoll · · Score: 2, Informative

      Does that mean there's a Gubuntu? ;)

      Gubuntu is not a real word, unlike Ubuntu and Kubuntu. Ubuntu normal is based on Gnome, whereas Ubuntu-KDE or Kubuntu is based on KDE.

    3. Re:to avoid misunderstood by rayde · · Score: 3, Funny

      don't you mean GNU/Ubuntu? ;-)

    4. Re:to avoid misunderstood by leereyno · · Score: 2, Funny

      GNU/yes GNU/we GNU/do.

      --
      Muslim community leaders warn of backlash from tomorrow morning's terrorist attack.
  5. Kubuntu by LifesizeKenDoll · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I've tried Kubuntu out, it's very nice, although not perfect, but such things should be fixed by release (1 month).

    I use Ubuntu normally, and I feel Kubuntu is very important, because it allows those who prefer KDE to use Ubuntu as well.

    I'm just hoping there'll be a Xubuntu or something like it with XFCE

    1. Re:Kubuntu by bman08 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I'm annoyed that kubuntu has to be themed in blue. Everyone bitches about Ubuntu being brown, but it's distinctive. I wish these guys could get on the same branding bandwagon as the rest of the Ubuntu team.

    2. Re:Kubuntu by Jellybob · · Score: 2, Funny

      apt-get install xfce not good enough for you?

    3. Re:Kubuntu by outZider · · Score: 2, Informative

      heh. apt-get install xfce4 did wonders for me. ;) For extra good times, add the repositories off the xfce site for the most up to date xfce. :)

      --
      - oZ
      // i am here.
  6. That's great for (k)Ubuntu by kusanagi374 · · Score: 2, Informative

    Since Ubuntu is Debian's newer brother, it's great to see that they are coming up with different project to cover different needs, just like Debian. Debian covers the portability front (with loads of different ports working just the same way on different architectures), and Ubuntu the usability front with both KDE, Gnome and soon other ambients as well (XFCE and others).

    Before people go like "Why doesn't Canonical make one cd with both KDE and Gnome?", let me put it this way: the same reason why they don't make one big DVD like Fedora. Read their FAQ ;)

  7. Ark has a long way to go by Timesprout · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I just had a look at the screenshot for the 'easy to use' network config dialog. It lists nice clueless user friendly things like

    eth0 running Ethernet adapter
    lo running Loopback adapter

    All of which is perfectly clear to the average end user so presumably this is why there is no help button. And they seem to have a problem spelling associated, there was no z in it last time I looked.

    So after a very very brief look I dont see anything particularly user friendly but I do see sloppiness.

    --
    Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
    What truth?
    There is no dupe
    1. Re:Ark has a long way to go by ctid · · Score: 3, Insightful
      I just had a look at the screenshot for the 'easy to use' network config dialog. It lists nice clueless user friendly things like

      eth0 running Ethernet adapter
      lo running Loopback adapter

      All of which is perfectly clear to the average end user so presumably this is why there is no help button.

      I think you're being pretty harsh here. It's years since I looked at a network setup screen on my linux boxes; nowadays all that just seems to work immediately after installation. I suspect that the only people who use such tools are experts. As for the spelling thing, who cares? It's not as if anyone would fail to see what is meant by the word. The guy has created a whole distribution. I am personally prepared to overlook the odd spelling mistake from someone who offers me so much of his time for nothing.

      --
      Reality is defined by the maddest person in the room
    2. Re:Ark has a long way to go by nutshell42 · · Score: 5, Informative
      I've downloaded the kubuntu preview today and it had neither a graphical network configuration client (you could install one from a different repository but a lack of answers in the channel leads me to the conclusion that there's no gui way to change repositories) nor a way to change the (apparently hardcoded) settings for your monitor (I had to switch to a different virtual terminal, stop kdm, adjust xorg.conf and restart kdm to get 1280x1024 at a reasonable refresh) while the ark screenshots at least make me hopeful that it offers just that.

      Oh and they should really disable kde's ipv6 support by default, it makes some web pages incredibly slow because afaik it spams your nameserver with ipv6 lookups and it can be disabled with a simple environment var (reuters.com took 40s (!!!) to load with standard kubuntu and 6-7 with the variable set). I've already written that in the channel and I'm also aware that I've tested a preview version and I am hopeful that they'll do a lot of polishing in the weeks ahead. Just wanted to mention it.

      --
      Don't think of it as a flame---it's more like an argument that does 3d6 fire damage
    3. Re:Ark has a long way to go by darthpenguin · · Score: 5, Insightful

      While I won't argue with you about general sloppiness (I've never tried out that distro), I think it's necessary to understand that only a certain level of "clueless user friendly things" can be allowed.

      The dialog you mentioned (link) labels the eth0 interface as "ethernet adapter". How much more abstraction can you expect? Should it be labeled "thingy that lets your magic number-adding box 'talk' to other magic number-adding boxes through a metal wire which fits into a rectangular-like hole in the back of both boxes"?

      At some point, you have to expect the user to know what they're doing, or expect them to learn something. There is no way around that, short of having someone knowledgable literally hand-hold them through every step.

    4. Re:Ark has a long way to go by Bero · · Score: 4, Informative

      Thanks for the bug report! We've fixed the typo in the network config in current CVS, so feel free to update (and given the fact the tool was written by a German guy and a Swiss guy, enjoy the fact that the English translation works, apart from a typo ;) ).

      As for "Ethernet adapter" etc. being too hard to understand, this is quite possibly right, but how do you want to manually configure a network without knowing what it is?

      We'd be glad to hear of possible fixes for the next release.

    5. Re:Ark has a long way to go by knipknap · · Score: 2, Informative

      I've downloaded the kubuntu preview today and it had neither a graphical network configuration client (you could install one from a different repository but a lack of answers in the channel leads me to the conclusion that there's no gui way to change repositories)

      In Ubuntu Hoary you can use the (GNOME-based) Ubuntu Update Manager to add new repositories, it is installed by default. (System -> Administration -> Ubuntu Update Manager, in the new dialog click 'Preferences')

      You can also run 'gnome-software-properties' on the command line directly. (or 'update-manager')

    6. Re:Ark has a long way to go by knipknap · · Score: 2, Interesting

      This is how GNOME does it.

      So "eth0" is still visible, though it looks a bit easier since it's only a subtitle.

  8. kubuntu-default-settings by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    To get the full Kubuntu feeling (like themed kdm, Kubuntu wallpaper etc.) and not pure KDE 3.4 alone you have to "sudo apt-get install kubuntu-default-settings" additionally/instead.

  9. Oops by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The whole purpose of Ubuntu having only Gnome is although choice is fine, a new user should be offered just Gnome, and is not to be bothered with any other desktop. Now the user is bothered with different ubuntu's before he/she even starts downloading or ordering a CD!

    Even worse, when Kubunto _also_ gains popularity, people will be able to help each other less. Much like the MacOS and Windows debates, groups of people will form around these and they don't usually sit next to each other, helping others with the different desktop.

    This is a big strength in the monopoly of Microsoft with their Windows. People are so used to seeing others who use Windows too, that they assume someone uses it when they see someone. I've lost count how many times people told me to click 'start' while I don't even have a menu button at all on my desktop.

    But those people help each other a lot, and they're happy that way. When you say you don't have that, then first they think that you can't do what they do (whatever it is) and second, they think what you run sucks/is harder/ because, well actually, they're just computer illeterate most of the times.

    However, I do not oppose the KDE project. But please, don't call this KDE-Ubuntu Kubuntu. Call it something else, because it's _NOT_ ubuntu. That way, it'll just mix into the usual browser war of mandrake/suse/redhat/etc. Thats something that we wont get rid of anytime soon, but one more or less probably doesnt hurt that much.

    SuSE Linux Professional and SuSE Linux Personal is ok, people can understand that, and they _both_ use KDE, only personal has no development stuff and other, more advanced stuff.
    This is different.

  10. Kubuntu Preview Screenshots by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative
  11. Just for clarification: by stanthegoomba · · Score: 5, Informative

    Kubuntu is not just a derivative of Ubuntu like many Debian based distros. Kubuntu and Ubuntu are not meant to be separate, competing distros. In fact they are basically the same thing- you can apt-get install KDE in Ubuntu and Gnome in Kubuntu. The main difference is that Ubuntu COMES with Gnome and Kubuntu COMES with kde, instead of the Ubuntu team providing multiple CD's like most distros. Kubuntu FAQ

  12. Hippie Linux? by PocketPick · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Don't get me wrong, i'm not trying to bash Ubuntu Linux (I'm sure it's a fine distribution), but don't others find the whole "Ubuntu Linux brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the software world" seem kinda hokey. I mean, I'm all for a user-accessible Linux accessible distribution but the whole idea of "Peace, Love, and Linux" just reeks of marketing gone wrong.

  13. Ubuntu + KDE by puiahappy · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I am a big fan of the KDE Descktop and i am very happy to hear that ubuntu is having a release whit a kde desktop, Ubuntu Linux speed combined whit the beauty of KDE can bring this lilte distro to get listed in the major distro`s category. I am hoping the best for Ubuntu, i realy enjoy it.

    --
    Think like a hacker, act like a hacker, but never become a hacker !
  14. Just got it last night... by dcuny · · Score: 3, Informative
    To use a cliche - Move along, nothing to see here...

    I really like the Ubuntu distro, and I'm seriously thinking of going that route with my next upgrade. Ubuntu really shows off the nice things about Gnome. (Except for the Human theme - give me Gorilla, please).

    In contrast, the Kubuntu doesn't really show off much of the latest KDE release. I booted it up, had a look, and [i]Zzzzzzz[/i]. Heck, it hasn't even got any games! I rebooted, and wiped the .iso from my disk.

    I'm hoping that someone else puts out a nice Live CD distro to show KDE off, but Kubuntu isn't it.

  15. Re:Transparency by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    a) Give the user a password (using sudo password ubuntu)
    b) Edit xorg.conf to load Composite extension (using sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf)
    c) Activate it in KDE ([x] Use transluency/shadows)
    d) Logout
    e) Login

  16. News just out .... by Kneewobbler-One · · Score: 2, Funny

    About a special windows license: Wubuntu (ancient african word meaning: blue screens for everyone). Wubuntu will use the upcoming Qt toolkit for Windows. Further down the road: Macuntu, OS2untu (pronounced: ozuntu). I can't wait. Gotta go now, strange beeps from my Nokia 7610. Guess Symbiuntu 0.01a is giving up.

  17. Of course there are others with up-to-date KDE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    E.g. take a look at the T2 SDE. It allows you to rebuild your CD or Live-CD any time with up-to-date packages including KDE and GNOME. Currently 3.4. and 2.10 are included since the day they have been released (GNOME even days before).

    And of course it supports nearly all architectures Linux does support - current: alpha, arm, mips, hppa. ia64. powerpc, powerpc64, sparc, sparc64, superh, x86 and x86-64.

  18. Re:Ok I might regret this but,....... by Slack3r78 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Basic rundown:

    Gnome is a GTK based desktop environment with a focus on usability and simplicity, at times to a near detrimental level. Philosophically, it's a solid approach, but developers and users do butt heads from time to time. It's generally considered more 'Mac-like.' (More MacOS = OS 9 than X).

    KDE is a QT based destkop environment which focuses primarily on flexibility and a high degree of customization. KDE focuses more on giving those that consider themselves power a larger degree of control. This degree of control does, however, lead to an increased level of complexity. Interface wise, it's the more Windows-like of the two.

    And it's this point that has me slightly confused with the Kubuntu project. If you spend any time around the forums, you'll pick up that Ubuntu is built around an almost severely strict regimine of usibility. For example, in one thread I was watching, the idea of using red/green to indicate OK/Fail during boot up was shot down on the grounds that it could cause problems for people with color blindness.

    While I appreciate that some people honestly prefer KDE as an environment, I don't quite see where it fits into Ubuntu's philosophy. Ubuntu is almost painfully easy to use - I have a friend who is a geek and a bit of a Macintosh zealot who's previously expressed a rather strong dislike for Linux, and even he's fallen in love with this distribution. I just don't see how it can maintain its character on KDE without pruning away many of the things the KDE advocates really like.

  19. What's the big deal? by utopicillusion · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I have seen Ubuntu. Yeah, it's good that it's based on Debian. Most of the drivers are built in, so you don't have to compile your own. It's a bit freaky when you have to compile drivers right off the bat when all you want is to get your sound/wireless/hardware working. But what's the big deal with Kubuntu anyways. I really don't get it!! all you need to do is 'apt-get install kde-base kdm' on ubuntu. I think it's a big wate of time, and all the guy need to have done is to post on ubuntu wiki on how to get kde on a ubuntu machine.

    1. Re:What's the big deal? by Klivian · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Convenience? Ease of use? Saving bandwith? Saving time? All of the previous?
      You don't see the big difference with downloading one ISO, versus downloading one ISO and then download an additional desktop to replace the one you got from the ISO? I'd guess you are trolling, honestly you can't be that dense?