Ubuntu 9.04, “Jaunty Jackalope,” hits RC status

Robert Hallock (Thrax)

April 17, 2009 12:50 PM ET in News, , , , , ,

ubuntuThe Ubuntu team has moved Ubuntu 9.04, dubbed “Jaunty Jackalope,” into release candidacy. The curious and brave Linux users alike are encouraged to grab an ISO and give the newest version of Ubuntu a spin.

New features and fixes for Jaunty include:

  • Drastically improved CD burning.
  • Better multi-monitor support.
  • Big improvements in performance for modern Radeons.
  • Wacom tablet hotplugging.
  • Improved boot times.
  • And Ext4 file system support.

The release candidate arrives with GNOME 2.26, X.Org server 1.6 and kernel version 2.6.28.

If anyone is interested in giving the newest version of Linux’s finest a whirl, every civilized continent is carrying scads of mirrors right here.

17 Comments:

  1. GnomeWizardd
    17 Apr '09, 4:54 pm

    Using it now on my lappy, Works great and is sexy

  2. Snarkasm
    17 Apr '09, 4:55 pm

    GWiz, how's the power management on the laptop now? I get significantly better battery life with 7 than I did with 8.10, which is what's kept me from running it when possible on the laptop.

  3. MiracleManS
    17 Apr '09, 4:56 pm

    If that's the case, I wish I had more hard drive space on my netbook. *sad panda*

  4. GnomeWizardd
    17 Apr '09, 5:19 pm

    I don't know yet, I haven't unplugged it! I will tonight when I am on the couch chilling

  5. Cliff_Forster
    18 Apr '09, 2:09 am

    For the record, "Jaunty Jackalope" is the best code name for a piece of software, ever.

  6. Tim
    18 Apr '09, 3:47 pm

    The next version will undoubtedly be "Krazy Kangaroo".

    Version 8 wasn't out very long before 9 came out. Less than a year.

  7. Snarkasm
    18 Apr '09, 4:49 pm

    They're SCHEDULED 6-MONTH RELEASES. Every April and every October they release an updated version. Twice a year. Every year.

  8. mertesn
    18 Apr '09, 5:35 pm

    Also, the version refers to the year during which it is released: 9.04 = April 2009.

  9. mas0n
    20 Apr '09, 3:20 am
    Big improvements in performance for modern Radeons.

    The issues I had with 4000 series cards were enough for me to abandon Ubuntu altogether on my main rig; I look forward to testing out 9.04.

  10. Tal
    20 Apr '09, 11:03 am

    @Tim, the october 09 release is called "Karmic Koala", I can't wait =)

    Installed the RC last night - woke up to gratefully find all my drivers still installed, very happy =)

  11. AlexDeGruven
    20 Apr '09, 4:06 pm

    Just finished doing a fresh install using ext4 on my laptop. Moderately spec'd by today's standards (T7600, 4GB DDR2, 160GB 5400rpm drive).

    I can say without a doubt that ext4 makes a big difference on this drive. From GRUB countdown at 0 to login bongos was only 19.5 sec.

    nVidia driver install went off w/o a hitch and everything seems to work nice and smooth.

  12. Dinesh
    20 Apr '09, 4:06 pm

    It will still not be able to beat Windows 7.

  13. Gargoyle
    20 Apr '09, 4:27 pm
    Quoting Dinesh

    It will still not be able to beat Windows 7.

    It'll sure cost a lot less

  14. mas0n
    20 Apr '09, 6:53 pm
    Quoting Dinesh

    It will still not be able to beat Windows 7.

    At what, thumb-wrestling, poker, scrabble? You may want to be a little more precise when making absolute statements.

  15. drasnor
    21 Apr '09, 1:20 pm
    Quoting Dinesh

    It will still not be able to beat Windows 7.

    It doesn't need to. At any rate, I'm looking forward to EXT4. I'll update my machines once the version goes gold.

    -drasnor

  16. AlexDeGruven
    21 Apr '09, 1:38 pm

    I've been hearing some reports that there are some issues with the journaling on ext4 and people are experiencing data loss here and there when they have a crash, so beware.

    But then, in my case, I can't remember the last time I had an actual crash, so it's probably a pretty rare occurrence for most users.

    Still can't get over how fast this is, even with a 5400rpm drive. Cold boot in 25 sec (from power button) is just unreal.

    Quoting drasnor

    It doesn't need to. At any rate, I'm looking forward to EXT4. I'll update my machines once the version goes gold.

    -drasnor

  17. drasnor
    21 Apr '09, 1:45 pm
    Quoting AlexDeGruven

    I've been hearing some reports that there are some issues with the journaling on ext4 and people are experiencing data loss here and there when they have a crash, so beware.

    But then, in my case, I can't remember the last time I had an actual crash, so it's probably a pretty rare occurrence for most users.

    Still can't get over how fast this is, even with a 5400rpm drive. Cold boot in 25 sec (from power button) is just unreal.

    I heard that too but with regards to the development versions of EXT4. I figured EXT4 is out of beta now though if Ubuntu is going to include it.

    I heard it was really fast too .

    -drasnor

Troll-free since 2003 ®