The Kubuntu team is proud to announce the release of 11.04 – codename Natty Narwhal: the latest version of our popular Linux distribution, based on Ubuntu and KDE’s Plasma and Applications 4.6.
With the combination of it’s Ubuntu backbone, the amazing KDE Software Compilation, and a few unique extras, 11.04 aims to provide the best fusion of stability, beauty, and up-to-date software.
Whether working, browsing the web, playing your music, composing an email or connecting with your friends on social networks, Kubuntu brings you a powerful, innovative and attractive platform for all your desktop needs!
Read on for highlights and information on how to get Kubuntu 11.04.
Getting Kubuntu 11.04
Upgrading from Previous Versions
To upgrade your existing installation, follow the 10.10 to 11.04 Upgrade Instructions.
Download ISO Image Files
This Kubuntu release can be downloaded from our download page.
Instructions for burning the image to a CD/DVD or USB flash drive can be found on the Burning ISO Howto.
It is always best to check your CD image before you install! The MD5 checksums can be found alongside the CD images.
What’s New In 11.04
On top of the underlying changes in our Ubuntu core, there are a number of new and interesting things happening in Kubuntu.
The Ubuntu 11.04 Release Notes shows the changes in the rest of Ubuntu.
Plasma and KDE Applications 4.6.2
KDE’s 4.6 series puts you in control with new workspaces, applications and platform.
KDE SC 4.6 brings users many new features and improvements, including:
- KWin sees significant performance improvements and better detection of graphic driver capabilities
- You can now associate programs with specific Plasma activities
- The power management configuration area has been given a new, easier to use interface
- Improvements in the User Interface, including the creation and management of Activities and improved search functions in Dolphin.
New Samba Filesharing
Thanks to the hard work of RodrigoBelem, we now have a working Samba filesharing system. You can now right-click on a folder in Dolphin, select “Properties” and easily share it with other computers on your network. It will even offer to install the Samba server if you do not already have it.
New Language Selector Module
We also now sport an improved System Language Selector, now integrated into System Settings’ Locale section. Now you can easily add, remove and manage languages with extra security because it does not run as root. Many thanks to Romain Perier for working on this.
Printer Configuration Bugfixes
System-config-printer-kde has seen updates, adding SMB printer browsing and fixing a number of important bugs.
OwnCloud Packaged
OwnCloud, the remote file storage server from KDE, has been packaged and is available to install from our archive.
Phonon GStreamer Backend
Our multimedia system has changed to GStreamer. This offers consistency with the rest of Ubuntu, HTML5 video in our web browser and improved codec install facilities.
GTK Oxygen Theme
GTK applications such as Firefox or Inkscape now fit in with KDE’s Oxygen artwork.
Games on the CD
By popular demand we have squeezed a game of patience onto the CD.
Enhanced DVD installation
When installing from the Kubuntu DVD, the full package set from the DVD is automatically installed. To expand an existing system to this broader set of packages, install the ‘kubuntu-full’ package.
Known Problems
See the Ubuntu 11.04 Release Notes for a list of known issues.
Feedback
We want to hear what you think about Kubuntu 11.04. We want to know if it rocks, if it is just OK, or it is flat out wrong. No matter the feedback, as long as it is in line with the Ubuntu Code of Conduct we would like to hear it.
So what are you waiting for; head on over to the Feedback Page and let us know!
Please give Kubuntu a try, and let us know what you think!