Kubuntu

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**Kubuntu**

Kubuntu 6.10 running Konqueror
Website:	www.kubuntu.org
Company/ developer:	Canonical Ltd. and community contributors
OS family:	Linux
Source model:	Open source
Latest stable release:	6.10 / October 26, 2006
Kernel type:	Monolithic kernel
Default user interface:	KDE
License:	Various
Working state:	Current

Kubuntu is an official derivative of the Ubuntu operating system using the KDE environment instead of GNOME. It is part of the Ubuntu project and uses the same underlying system. Kubuntu and Ubuntu can work alongside each other by installing the ubuntu-desktop and kubuntu-desktop packages. Every package in Kubuntu shares the same repositories as Ubuntu.^[1] Starting with the 6.06 Dapper release, Kubuntu CDs can be ordered through the Shipit service.

The Kubuntu project aims to be to KDE what Ubuntu is to GNOME: a great integrated distro with all the great features of Ubuntu, but based on the KDE desktop. Kubuntu is released regularly and predictably; a new release is made with a release of a new KDE Version. - From the Kubuntu page on the Kubuntu Wiki

Kubuntu means "towards humanity" in Bemba, and "free" (as in beer) in Kirundi, and is pronounced /kùbúntú/ (koo-BOON-too).^[2]

1 Releases
2 Differences from Ubuntu
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Releases

Kubuntu follows the same naming/versioning system as Ubuntu, with each release having a code name, and a version number based on the year and month of release. Canonical provides support and security updates for most Kubuntu versions for 18 months after release.^[3]

The first Kubuntu release was version 5.04 (code named Hoary Hedgehog), on April 8, 2005. It included KDE 3.4 and a selection of the most useful KDE programs. Some of these are not in the official KDE itself, including Amarok, Kaffeine, Gwenview, and K3b.

The second release, 5.10 (code named Breezy Badger), features KDE 3.4.3 and the Guidance configuration tools. It also comes with the Adept Package Manager, the first to make use of debtags for easier searching (replacing the Kynaptic package manager used in the previous release), System Settings, a re-organised kcontrol-like centre and KDE Bluetooth. KDE 3.5.2 has been available for update through the APT repositories since March 28, 2006.^[4]

Kubuntu 6.06 LTS (code named Dapper Drake) is Kubuntu's first Long Term Support release. It is still available and will be supported for 3 years for desktop computers and 5 years for servers.^[5]

The current release is Kubuntu 6.10 (code named Edgy Eft) which comes with KDE 3.5.5. This release adds the photo management application Digikam and accessibility profiles - benefiting people with disabilities. System Settings was also redesigned, and power management, laptop button support & networking are improved.^[6] Kubuntu 6.10 was released October 26, 2006.

Both Desktop CDs and Alternative (installation) CDs for x86, PowerPC and AMD64 platforms are available.

[edit] Differences from Ubuntu

Kubuntu 6.10 DVD

Kubuntu 6.06.1 CD

A regular installation of Ubuntu will have the Gnome desktop + Gnome applications (e.g. Evolution) + Gnome/GTK admin tools (e.g. Synaptic Package Manager). A regular installation of Kubuntu has the KDE desktop + KDE applications (e.g. KMail) + KDE/Qt admin tools (e.g. Adept Package Manager). However, these are simply the default packages. For example, one may install Ubuntu and then add KDE, or even install the kubuntu 'metapackage'. Therefore, one need not be restricted to one set of applications, but can mix and match by preference. There is a slight disadvantage to doing so, namely the increased diskspace and memory requirements of running both Qt and GTK, however this is negligible on a modern computer. (Older hardware is likely to be better suited to Xubuntu.)

Ubuntu was started before Kubuntu, so some of the system administration tools are more mature; this encourages a hybrid approach.

[edit] References

Kubuntu FAQ - Shipit Page last modified 12:18 Sat 19 November 2005, Retrieved 21 December 2005
Kubuntu FAQ - Meaning Page last modified 12:18 Sat 19 November 2005, Retrieved 21 December 2005
Ubuntu 6.06.1 LTS release announcement