Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron Beta, LTS with 3D Features and Virtualization

After releasing six alpha versions, the Ubuntu development team presented on March 18th the first beta version of their distribution for download. Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron will be the second LTS (Long-Term Support) distribution in Ubuntu history and marks a special moment for being the first extended support version to offer integrated 3D desktop features.

The beta version didn’t come alone, along with it are available the variants Kubuntu (with KDE environment), Xubuntu (lightweight version with Xfce), Ubuntu Studio (aimed at multimedia production) and Edubuntu (focused on educational environment). This diversity of options demonstrates how the Ubuntu project matured to serve different user needs.

Hardy Heron brings important updates to its main components. The GNOME 2.22 desktop environment offers the most modern experience available, while Kubuntu presents both stable KDE 3.5.9 and the new KDE 4.0 version, giving users flexibility to choose between proven stability and latest innovations.

Under the hood, the system ships kernel 2.6.24 with active KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine), transforming the Linux kernel itself into an efficient hypervisor. This virtualization implementation represents a significant qualitative leap, especially for users who have processors with virtualization capabilities like Intel VT or AMD-V. Integrated virtualization offers superior performance with lower overhead compared to traditional solutions.

The graphics system also received special attention with Xorg 7.3, which works together with the new 3D desktop features. This is the first time an Ubuntu LTS version includes native three-dimensional visual effects, providing a more modern and attractive interface that significantly improves user experience.

As an LTS version, Hardy Heron offers extended support for a much longer period than regular versions, including enhanced stability for enterprise environments, prolonged security updates and a solid foundation for long-term deployments. This combination of LTS stability with innovations like 3D features and advanced virtualization positions Ubuntu 8.04 as a strategic choice for both home and corporate users.

The final version is scheduled for April 2008, representing an important milestone in Ubuntu distribution evolution by combining maturity, stability and technological innovation in a single package.

Source: LinuxMagazine.com.br