Ubuntu so far is the darling of Linux, the poster child of open source software and the embodiment of true digital freedom. A free operating system unlike Windows or Mac OS which respects your privacy and freedom while being user friendly and productive. Now if you have no idea what Ubuntu is, it means “compassion and humanity”. Ubuntu has its roots in humanist African philosophy, where the idea of community is one of the building blocks of society according to the theguardian.com.
With the release of the latest Long-term version 18.04 announced yesterday 26 April 2018, Ubuntu continues its long tradition of delivering simplicity, elegance and freedom since its debut in October 2004 with Ubuntu 6.06. Continuing its tradition of naming its operating system version after animals, 18.04 LTS is named after the Beaver.
The Beaver is a large, primarily nocturnal, semiaquatic rodent. Beavers are known for building dams, canals, and lodges (homes). They are the second-largest rodent in the world (after the capybara). Bionic on the other hand an adjective meaning to have or use an artificial, typically electromechanical, body part.
What’s new on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS
- Calendar with Weather updates: Ubuntu enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that the Calendar app now supports weather forecasts. So you no longer have to rely on third party services for weather updates.
- LibreOffice has been updated to 6.0. Libreoffice is a Microsofice free alternative under the superintendence of The Document Foundation.
- X Display server: X is the default display server. Wayland is provided as a Technical Preview and is expected to be the default display server in 20.04 LTS.
- The To Do app has been added to the default normal install.
- The right-click method for touchpads without physical buttons has changed to a two-finger click instead of clicking in the bottom right of the touchpad.
- Computers will automatically suspend after 20 minutes of inactivity while on battery power.
- The installer offers a minimal install option for a basic desktop environment with a web browser and core system utilities. Many official 18.04 desktop flavors are using this new feature too!
Other changes that have landed on the Ubuntu universe if you have not been following are 32-bit installer images are no longer provided for Ubuntu Desktop. Then Ubuntu Desktop now uses GNOME instead of the iconic Unity desktop. This switch particularly pissed off a number of Ubuntu diehard who had got used to the Unity environment. Canonical, the commercial company behind Ubuntu has also been heavily criticized for ditching its Ubuntu convergence plans which sought to unify Ubuntu on Desktop, mobile and tablet.
Related post: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS comes with awesome features for modern computer users
Upgrading from Ubuntu 16.04 LTS or 17.10
To upgrade on a desktop system:
- Open the “Software & Updates” Setting in System Settings.
- Select the 3rd Tab called “Updates”.
- Set the “Notify me of a new Ubuntu version” dropdown menu to “For any new version”.
- Press Alt+F2 and type in “update-manager -cd” (without the quotes) into the command box.
Update Manager should open up and tell you: New distribution release ‘18.04’ is available.
If not you can also use “/usr/lib/ubuntu-release-upgrader/check-new-release-gtk”. - Click Upgrade and follow the on-screen instructions.
Download Ubuntu 18.04 LTS Bionic Beaver
Visit http://releases.ubuntu.com/18.04 to download the latest Ubuntu version. Ubuntu has Desktop and server versions, so you are probably more interested in the Desktop version which you can downlaod by clicking on this link (http://releases.ubuntu.com/18.04/ubuntu-18.04-desktop-amd64.iso).
The upgrade is available on the other official Ubuntu flavours; Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Kylin, Ubuntu Mate, Ubuntu Studio, Xubuntu.
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