Xubuntu
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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|
 Xubuntu 9.04 beta |
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| Company / developer | Canonical Ltd./Ubuntu Foundation |
|---|---|
| OS family | Unix-like |
| Working state | Current |
| Source model | free software / open source |
| Latest stable release | 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) / October 30, 2008 |
| Kernel type | Monolithic kernel |
| Default user interface | Xfce |
| License | Mainly the GNU GPL / various others |
| Website | www.xubuntu.org |
Xubuntu (IPA: [zuːˈbuːntuː]) is an official derivative of the Ubuntu operating system, using the Xfce desktop environment.[1][2]
Because the Xfce desktop environment uses fewer system resources, Xubuntu is often used on older computers, systems with limited resources, laptops, netbooks and high-efficiency workstations.[1][3]
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[edit] Nomenclature
The name Xubuntu is a combination of Xfce Desktop Environment and Ubuntu. Xfce originally was an abbreviation for XForms Common Environment, while Ubuntu means "humanity towards others" in the Zulu and Xhosa languages. Combined as Xubuntu it does not have any specific new meaning.[3]
[edit] Goals
Xubuntu's goals are to:
| “ | provide an easy to use distribution, based on Ubuntu, using Xfce as the graphical desktop, with a focus on integration, usability and performance, with a particular focus on low memory footprint. The integration in Xubuntu is at a configuration level, a toolkit level, and matching the underlying technology beneath the desktop in Ubuntu. Xubuntu will be built and developed autonomously as part of the wider Ubuntu community, based around the ideals and values of Ubuntu."[4] | ” |
[edit] History
Xubuntu was originally rumored to have been intended for release at the same time as Ubuntu 5.10 Breezy Badger, but an official release date was not determined, although the Xubuntu name was used for a metapackage (xubuntu-desktop) which would install an Xfce desktop. The first official Xubuntu release, led by Jani Monoses, appeared on June 1, 2006, alongside the Ubuntu 6.06 line (including Kubuntu and Edubuntu) code named Dapper Drake.[citation needed]
In October 2007, Monoses announced that he would be stepping down as the project lead and handing the reins over to Lionel Le Folgoc. Folgoc led the project until March 2008 at which time Cody A.W. Somerville was appointed by the Xubuntu community. Somerville developed a comprehensive strategy for the Xubuntu project named the Xubuntu Strategy Document. As of early 2009 the document is currently awaiting a second reading by the Ubuntu Community Council.[4]
[edit] Releases
Xubuntu versions are released twice a year, coinciding with Ubuntu releases. Xubuntu uses the same version numbers and code names as Ubuntu, using the year and month of the release as the version number. The first Xubuntu release, for example, was 6.06, indicating June 2006.[5]
Xubuntu releases are also given code names, using an adjective and an animal with the same first letter e.g: "Dapper Drake" and "Intrepid Ibex". These are the same as the respective Ubuntu code names. Xubuntu code names are in alphabetical order, allowing a quick determination of which release is newer, although there were no releases with the letters "A" or "C". Commonly, Xubuntu releases are referred to by developers and users by only the adjective portion of the code name, for example Intrepid Ibex is often called just Intrepid.[6]
| Key: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-release Version | Old Version | Current Version | Future Version |
| Version | Code Name | Release date | Supported Until | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.10 | Breezy Badger | 13 October 2005 | 13 April 2007 | xubuntu-desktop package only available |
| 6.06 LTS | Dapper Drake | 1 June 2006 | June 2009 | First official Xubuntu release - Long term support |
| 6.10 | Edgy Eft | 26 October 2006 | 25 April 2008 | |
| 7.04 | Feisty Fawn | 19 April 2007 | 19 October 2008 | |
| 7.10 | Gutsy Gibbon | 18 October 2007 | 18 April 2009 | |
| 8.04 LTS | Hardy Heron | 24 April 2008 | April 2011 | Long term support |
| 8.10 | Intrepid Ibex | 30 October 2008 | April 2010 | |
| 9.04 | Jaunty Jackalope | 23 April 2009 | October 2010 | |
| 9.10 | Karmic Koala | 29 October 2009 | April 2011 |
[edit] Applications
The Xubuntu CD includes application software for the average user including:[7][8]
- Abiword - word processor
- Catfish - desktop search
- Common Unix Printing System - printer utility and PDF creator
- Evince - PDF reader
- Firefox - web browser
- GIMP - graphics editor
- Gnumeric - spreadsheet editor
- Mousepad - text editor
- Orage - calendar
- Pidgin - internet messenger
- Thunderbird - e-mail client
- XChat - IRC
- Xsane - scanner utilities
Xubuntu includes the Synaptic Package Manager which allows users to download additional applications from the Xubuntu repositories.
[edit] System Requirements
Xubuntu can be installed with one of 2 CDs both of which require at least 1.5GB of hard drive space. Installing with the Desktop CD requires 192 MB of RAM, while the Alternate CD, which uses a text based installer, requires 64 MB of RAM, and also allows access to additional options for the installation.[9][10]
Once installed, Xubuntu can run with 192 MB RAM, but 256 MB RAM is strongly recommended.[9]
[edit] Derivatives
As is common with open source software, Xubuntu has been developed into several specialized new versions by third-party developers:
- eeeXubuntu
- A variant of Xubuntu for the storage-constrained Asus Eee PC.[11]
- Linutop's Geode LX CPU OS
- A slightly customized version of Xubuntu is delivered with the Linutop. The main modifications are the inclusion of a kernel and an X.org driver that only supports the Linutop's Geode LX CPU and its built-in graphic chip.[citation needed]
- OzOS
- An e17-from-SVN Linux distro based on a severely stripped down version of Xubuntu. Focused on Enlightenment, e17, compiled directly from SVN source. Easy update of e17 is made from SVN updates, by a click on an icon or from CLI using morlenxus script.[12]
- PC/OS
- A derivative of Xubuntu whose interface is made to look like BeOS.[13]
- UserOS Ultra
- A minimal Xubuntu variant was produced for Australia's PC User magazine.[14]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Canonical Ltd. (2008). "What is Xubuntu?". http://www.xubuntu.org/about. Retrieved on 2009-02-10.
- ^ Canonical Ltd. (2008). "Glossary". http://www.xubuntu.org/glossary. Retrieved on 2009-02-10.
- ^ a b Canonical Ltd. (undated). "Xubuntu Documentation Chapter 1. Introduction". https://help.ubuntu.com/xubuntu/desktopguide/C/introduction-chap.html#about-xubuntu. Retrieved on 2009-02-10.
- ^ a b Somerville, Cody (2008). "Xubuntu/Specifications/Intrepid/StrategyDocument". https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Xubuntu/Specifications/Intrepid/StrategyDocument#Mission%20Statement. Retrieved on 2009-02-10.
- ^ Shuttleworth, Mark (2004-10-20). "Ubuntu 4.10 announcement". ubuntu-announce mailing list. https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-announce/2004-October/000003.html. Retrieved on 2008-08-19.
- ^ "DevelopmentCodeNames - Ubuntu Wiki". Wiki.ubuntu.com. https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DevelopmentCodeNames. Retrieved on 2008-10-19.
- ^ DistroWatch (October 2008). "Xubuntu". http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=xubuntu. Retrieved on 2009-02-10.
- ^ Canonical Ltd. (2008). "Glossary". http://www.xubuntu.org/tour. Retrieved on 2009-02-10.
- ^ a b Canonical Ltd. (2008). "Minimum system requirements". http://www.xubuntu.org/get#requirements. Retrieved on 2009-02-10.
- ^ Canonical Ltd. (October 2008). "Low-spec computers (Xubuntu)". https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/SystemRequirements#Low-spec%20computers%20(Xubuntu). Retrieved on 2009-02-10.
- ^ Eeeuser.com (December 2008). "eeeXubuntu". http://wiki.eeeuser.com/ubuntu:eeexubuntu:home. Retrieved on 2009-02-10.
- ^ CafeLinux.org Development. (2009). "OzOS the Different Reality". http://cafelinux.org/OzOs/l. Retrieved on 2009-02-10.
- ^ PC/OS (February 2009). "Welcome to PC/OS". http://www.pc-os.org/. Retrieved on 2009-02-10.
- ^ PC User (March 2008). "March 2008 : Notebook Mega Test". http://www.pcuser.com.au/pcuser/hs2.nsf/dir/LatestEdition. Retrieved on 2009-02-10.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Xubuntu |
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