Bio-Linux has been released !

Bio-Linux is an ideal system for scientists handling and analysing biological data.

Bio-Linux 6.0 is a fully featured, powerful, configurable and easy to maintain bioinformatics workstation. Bio-Linux provides more than 500 bioinformatics programs on an Ubuntu Linux 10.04 base. There is a graphical menu for bioinformatics programs, as well as easy access to the Bio-Linux bioinformatics documentation system and sample data useful for testing programs. You can also install Bio-Linux packages to handle new generation sequence data types.

You can install Bio-Linux on your machine, either as the only operating system, or as part of a dual-boot setup which allows you to use your current system and Bio-Linux on the same hardware.

Bio-Linux also runs Live from the DVD or a USB stick. This runs in the memory of your machine and does not involve installing anything. This is a great, no-hassle way to try out Bio-Linux, demonstrate or teach with it, or to work with when you are on the move.

Bio-Linux is built on open source systems and software, and so is free to to install and use. See What's new on Bio-Linux 6.0. Also, check out the  2006 paper on Bio-Linux and open source systems for biologists.

Getting Bio-Linux is simple. Just download the image, burn it to a DVD or USB stick and boot the machine from that media.

Running Bio-Linux as a live system

You can run Bio-Linux by booting your computer from the memory stick. To do this, you need to set the machine to boot from a USB port.

On common computers, you can press the F12 key as the machine is starting up. This loads up a menu allowing you to choose a boot device for that session. When you want to run a Bio-Linux Live Session or install Bio-Linux from the memory stick, simply choose the option: boot from a USB device.

If you wish to set this as a permanent option, then you can press F2 instead of F12 as the machine is starting up. This will allow you to configure the BIOS of your computer to establish an order of devices to boot from. You can make the USB memory stick the first device on the list. After this, your machine will always look first into USB ports for USB devices and will boot from them if they are bootable.

Download Bio-Linux at Here.

UER: Ubuntu for Electronics Hobbyist

Ubuntu Electronics Remix (UER) is Ubuntu derivative with electronics software included. The aim of the project is to make using Ubuntu for electronics as easy as possible. UER provides a LiveDVD of open source electronics software. Simply download it, burn it to disk and put it in your PC, and start using the software.

UER is a feature rich Linux distribution with broad range of electronics software such as Circuit and PCB Design, Schematics editors, Gerber file viewer, PIC development IDE, Choice of code editors, GCC and SDCC compilers, and come with HDL Programming Software like VHDL Simulator,
Verilog Simulator, Waveform viewer and Choice of HDL Editors. For education usage, UER is feature with Circuit simulation, Resistor calculator and Example circuits and code.

Btw, The first live DVD of UER will be has been released. Check the launchpad page for more information about UER, and for getting some tutorials about UER can be reached at here.

ComFusion 2.0, distro with Mac OS X User Interface

ComFusion is a pioneer in the distribution operating CompizFusion Mode DVDLive, ie without installing anything on your computer, operating at the same memory. ComFusion is an Ubuntu-based live DVD featuring out-of-the-box support for a variety of Compiz Fusion effects and a Mac OS X-like user interface.

The latest version, 2.0, was just announced. Built from Ubuntu 8.04, ComFusion 2.0 brings a choice of two desktop environments - GNOME 2.22.1 (default) and Xfce 4.4.2, both with complete support for Compiz effects and with a Mac OS X-style Wbar for quick access to popular applications.

Other features include enhanced support for wireless network cards, a variety of Compiz Fusion utilities and scripts for downloading restricted media codecs, inclusion of several Google Applications, Skype and other non-free software, a collection of games, office and development software, support for English, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish languages.

In this new version, including a selection of programs, scripts and system settings, following the philosophy of ComFusion, trying to do more interesting and attractive, if anything, the Linux world, in the face of new users coming from other operating systems.

It try to make a distro that merges the best of other distributions without losing the essence of ComFusion, which is reflected in a new motto for this version 2.0:

"ComFusion. . . The Easy way of Linux..." "ComFusion... The Easy way of Linux ..."

However, designed to fit on an 8cm DVD / 1.4 Gb, 100% portable. Btw, you can download this new version of ComFusion at Here.



Notes:
The user of the Live-DVD by default is: comfusion and the default password: comfusion
You will need to switch desktop, for example Gnome to Xfce, or vice versa.

Highlights of Kubuntu 8.04.1

Kubuntu is an official derivative of Ubuntu using the KDE environment instead of GNOME. It is part of the Ubuntu project and uses the same underlying system. It is an exciting distribution that showcases the full potential of the KDE desktop. Kubuntu shares the same repositories as Ubuntu, and relies on the same underlying architecture.


The K Desktop Environment
A powerful graphical desktop environment, combines the ease of use, contemporary functionality, and outstanding graphical design with the technological superiority of the Kubuntu operating system. KDE version 3.5.5 is the current stable release and Kubuntu 6.10 is the first distribution to include it.

Photo Management
Digikam is now included by default. This advanced digital photo management application provides you with the tools necessary to view, manage, edit, enhance, organise, tag and share photographs. Organising both photos and photo albums is a snap with Digikam as it allows you to sort chronologically, by directory layout, or by custom collections.

Power Management
Kubuntu received a new power management overhaul with the latest release. Guidance, the power management system, allows users to select various functions to control the power of their portable computing system, whether it is controlling the brightness of the display during low battery, locking the system upon closing the lid or controlling access to multiple batteries.

Easy Networking and Printer Sharing
Zeroconf and print sharing let you browse the local network for available services. Both are now simple to setup and maintain requiring nothing more than ticking a box to enable the feature.
Accessibility Profiles


Kubuntu now offers users the ability to use a preconfigured accessibility profile depending on the type of disability right from the initial point of setup. This provides users the accessibility features they need in order to not only install the Kubuntu 6.10 operating system but to use the system on a daily basis for all of their computing needs. Press F5 at the CD boot screen to choose a profile.

You can get Kubuntu now by visiting here.

Poseidon Linux: Ubuntu for Scientist

Poseidon Linux based on open source software and aimed at the Brazilian/International scientific community was designed as a friendly and complete desktop. This operating system is based on Ubuntu and inspired by Quantian Linux. It offers several specific tools in the areas of GIS, 3D Visualization, Mathematics, Statistics and several otherfields of research. It also has all the software expected in a modern desktop such as an office suite - with spell checker, web browsers, e-mail readers, instant messaging, to cite but a few.

With Poseidon Linux 3.0 we start a new era, since the new release supports Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, English and German. Poseidon Linux is here!

Poseidon Linux is a GNU/Linux distribution. It was designed for the academic and scientific community, following the need for a friendly and complete desktop based on open source software. It includes a large number of scientific applications, covering areas such as: GIS and Geostatistics, Visualization 2D/3D/4D, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, CAD / Engineering, Computer Graphics, Image Editing and Vectorial Drawing, Numeric modelling / Simulation, Scientific graphs, Scientific Authoring, Database, Programming languages

Poseidon Linux 3.0 also offers all software needed to make it a complete workstation - office suite, web browser, e-mail readers, instant messaging, among others. You can get Poseidon Linux 3.0 by downloading at Here.

Ultimate Edition 1.8 has been Released

Ultimate Edition 1.8, an Ubuntu-based distribution featuring a variety of user-friendly enhancements, has been released.

Ultimate Edition 1.8 is built based off Ubuntu Hardy Heron, unlike previous builds which were created by a tool called reconstructor the development team built this one by hand. it is by far their best work. The team releasing both a 32 bit & a 64 Bit edition. Hotrod is a fitting name for it, if you have a 64 bit processor it highly recommend the 64 bit edition.


This release was built from scratch using Ubuntu Hardy Heron LTS with all the goodies pre-added, you have came to love with previous editions & a few new ones.

Btw, you can download the ISO of Ultimate Edition 1.8 at here or if you prefer to download torrent by visiting here.

Elyssa (Linux Mint 5) RC2 has been Released

This is the second release candidate for Linux Mint 5, codename Elyssa, based on Daryna and compatible with Ubuntu Hardy and its repositories.

Some changes was changed in this new release are: mintMenu improvements, mintUpdate improvements, mintInstall improvements, Desktop improvements, Performance improvements, Better Look and feel, Better Localization and documentation, Upstream improvements with PulseAudio and more.


Now, more software available on Linux Mint 5 Elyssa with supported by CNR, which features commercial services and applications which are not available via the traditional channels.

A new Mint tool called mintBackup was developed and added to Elyssa. This tool provides an easy way to save the content of your home folder into a single .backup file. You can then restore this content later on or somewhere else by double clicking on it.

Complete list changes can be seen at Elyssa's announcement, and more details on this new release can be found at here. Btw, you can download the ISO of Linux Mint 5 Elyssa at here.

Kiwi Linux 8.04 Has Been Released

Kiwi 8.04 is a 386 Desktop CD derivative based on Ubuntu 8.04 LTS. As you know, Kiwi Linux is a modified Ubuntu live CD for the i386 architecture. It includes Romanian and Hungarian localisations, multimedia codecs, encrypted DVD support, Flash and Java plugins for Firefox, PPPoE GUI for accessing local Internet services (Clicknet and RDS) and write support for NTFS partitions.

This new release installs packages necessary for playing restricted audio, video and Flash formats by default and supports the Speedtouch 330 USB ADSL modem.

The list of available languages is English, French, German, Hungarian and Romanian. The default package selection is altered somewhat to be more familiar to Windows users: Thunderbird is the default mail client and Audacious the music player.

Other additions to the CD are Compiz extra settings GUI, unrar and mstt corefonts, and a graphical tool for restoring GRUB boot menus lost after installing other Operating Systems (OS).
The Medibuntu repositories are enabled by default to allow installing w32codecs, Skype and Google Earth among others.

The kiwilinux.org archive where its few changes are kept and which is a GPG-signed mirror of our archive in Launchpad is enabled by default.

Feel free to visit Kiwi Linux FAQ for more information. Btw, you can download this new release of Kiwi at Here or Here if you prefer to use torrent.

Ubuntu 8.04 Desktop and Server Editions

Canonical has announced that Ubuntu 8.04 Desktop and Server Editions are now available! Its integrate the latest and greatest open source technologies into a high-quality, easy-to-use Linux distribution.

“Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Desktop Edition is a very significant release as it will take Ubuntu squarely into the business environment," said Jane Silber, COO of Canonical Ltd. "Our business and home users have told us that they want a longer support cycle to make Ubuntu a better deployment option. We have responded to that and added a commitment to much broader software and hardware support that we and our partners are excited to deliver. With enhanced commercial support through Landscape, combined with our always excellent community support, expect to see 8.04 LTS drive Ubuntu into new arenas."

"Ubuntu's polished, user focused version of the Linux desktop has built itself a wide enough following to compel significant ISV interest and support,” said Stephen O'Grady, principal analyst at Redmonk. "By coupling a very capable desktop offering with long term support options, Ubuntu is becoming an increasingly viable option for enterprises as well as consumers."

"Lotus Notes and Lotus Domino bring highly scalable messaging and industry-leading collaboration to the Ubuntu desktop,” said Kevin Cavanaugh, vice president of IBM Lotus Software. "We believe the extended multi-year support for Ubuntu 8.04 LTS makes it an excellent desktop solution for corporate users who wish to deploy Lotus Notes on an open platform."

The latest Ubuntu release brings the best of open source together on a platform that is here to stay with 3 years of free updates. With hundreds of improvements and the addition of the latest version of Firefox amongst other outstanding applications, more and more users are assessing why Ubuntu wins more and more converts with every release.

Now, Ubuntu supports all of your favourite web-based mail programs like Yahoo(TM) or Gmail (TM). But for the office, Evolution provides all the calendering, contacts and full function office email you need. Pidgin IM also puts you in instant touch with colleagues and integrates with your personal IM services simply and easily.

The minimum memory requirement for Ubuntu 8.04 is 384MB of memory for desktop CDs, and 256MB for other installation methods. (Note that some of your system's memory may be unavailable due to being used for the graphics card.)

With only the minimum amount of memory available, the installation process will take longer than normal, but will complete successfully, and the system will perform adequately once installed. Low-memory systems may be able to use the desktop CD to install by selecting "Install Ubuntu" from the boot menu to run just the installer, rather than the whole desktop started by selecting "Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer".

You can download this new version of Ubuntu at here. Users of Ubuntu 7.10 or Ubuntu 6.06 LTS can upgrade to Ubuntu 8.04 by a convenient automated process. Users of other Ubuntu releases should upgrade step by step (e.g. 6.10 -> 7.04 -> 7.10 -> 8.04 LTS). Complete instructions may be found at upgrading.

SymphonyOne 2008.1, the other taste of Ubuntu

The release of SymphonyOne 2008.1, an Ubuntu-based distribution with Mezzo, an alternative desktop environment, is available now. Symphony OS is a distribution of GNU/Linux based on the Debian GNU/Linux and KNOPPIX operating systems. Symphony will do things a bit differently than other Linux operating systems; making it easier to use and more intuitive than most existing distributions.

SymphonyOne is an almost 100% rewrite of all the Mezzo desktop code taking advantage of more features of fvwm to provide a smaller footprint and more stable environment. Based on Ubuntu 7.10, SymphonyOne provides a complete desktop environment and full Ubuntu compatibility on systems with as little as a 200mhz processor. SymphonyOne also introduces our new WebApps system which allows you to make any website into a program in your programs menu which runs as it’s own process in it’s own window.

Main Features:

• Based on ubuntu 7.10 with all the latest updates.
• Compatible with all Ubuntu packages
• Ubiquity installer (same as ubuntu)
• Completely rewritten Mezzo Desktop (Mezzo v.2) implemented using more features of FVWM giving it a lighter footprint
• System management by Gnome-System-Tools (network, display, users, etc.)
• Web App System (similar to Mozilla Prizm but implemented in Orchestra and fully integrated into the system). Inside firefox there is a button (bookmarklet) that when clicked takes you to a wizard that allows you to make the current page a web app. Web apps are displayed in the programs menu like any other program, using the favicon.ico from the site in question as it’s icon. When launched, the web app is run in it’s own window seperately from firefox.
• With the changes in the Mezzo desktop we have thrown away our old desklet system which was never really adopted by developers and have moved to adesklets in this release.

You can download SymphonyOne at Here.

Ubuntu 8.04 Beta Has Been Released

Ubuntu development team has released the Beta of Ubuntu 8.04 LTS
(Long-Term Support) on desktop and server. Codenamed "Hardy Heron", 8.04. LTS continues Ubuntu's proud tradition of integrating the latest and greatest open source technologies into a high-quality, easy-to-use Linux distribution.



Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Desktop Edition features incremental improvements to
familiar applications, with an emphasis on stability for this second Ubuntu long-term support release, and is easier than ever to try out with the new Wubi installer.

Ubuntu 8.04 LTS server follows in the footsteps of Ubuntu 7.10 with even more virtualization support and security enhancements - enabling AppArmor for more applications by default, improving protection of kernel memory against attacks, and supporting KVM and iSCSI technologies out of the box.

The Ubuntu 8.04 family of variants, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, UbuntuStudio, and Mythbuntu, also reach beta status today.

More info about this new release and download links can be reached by visiting Here.

PUD Linux 0.4.8.5 Has Been Released

PUD GNU/Linux is a mini LiveCD based on Ubuntu Linux, which takes up small size, with (both Simplified/Traditional) Chinese enhancements.

This release is a development version of PUD but contains lots of experiments and new features so that we would like to make it a beta release, including installer, new package selection, enhanced livecd build kit, kernel patches, optimizations to speed up boot time, and better laptop/mobile device support.

PUD Linux has minimalist desktop that pre-configured and selected applications. With "Plate" User Interface, an elegant way to use your desktop. There is more than one way to boot on PUD Linux as it has feature LiveUSB, Boot to Ramdisk. With "Opt-Get" Plugin System, its easy to do one-click install system to add more applications

More features:

• Patched Kernel and Optimized: squashfs+lzma, aufs, and more..
• Various Backup Methods: backup/restore your data just like permanent installation
• "Build-LiveCD" ToolKit: customize your own live cd easily and automatically

More info can be reached at PUD Linux's site. Btw, you can download this new release of PUD Linux at Here for LiveCD and Here for LiveUSB and Here for Build Kit.

First Beta Ulteo Application System Has Released

For who don't know, Ulteo is an Debian/Ubuntu-based Linux distribution created by Gaël Duval, the original founder of Mandrake Linux (now Mandriva Linux) and co-founder of MandrakeSoft (now Mandriva). Currently in early stages of development. Ulteo promises to bring new concepts designed to help individuals with limited knowledge to accomplish many common computing tasks.

Ulteo is a new innovative project aimed at simplifying the use of computers for both individual and corporate users by bypassing installation of applications, and bringing mobility features.

It's an hybrid, network-oriented, computing system. It's using network services intensively.

As said the development team of Ulteo: "After the recent success we had at providing OpenOffice.org in a web browser, we're proud to deliver the first beta of nearly two years of work: Ulteo Application System 'Sirius' is now ready for download on several mirrors. It was the needed 'client' brick to the Ulteo framework that is made of several online services, and provides, among others, automatic personal data (and forthcoming user environment) synchronising. In this release, you will also be able to test the first version of the 'My Digital Life' panel which is a new way to organise your documents and applications, and manage your system installations."

Currently, Ulteo consists of:

• Ulteo Online Desktop (version 1): it lets users store their documents online, and open them with a choice of applications that run within their web-browser (Firefox, IE and others).
• Ulteo Application System (Ulteo AS): is an installable version of Ulteo, for the local PC, that ships with hundreds applications and innovative features.

The basic version of the Ulteo AS provides a choice of applications for the daily userlife such as Firefox, Thunderbird, OpenOffice.org..., but can be easily extended with an extended set of applications, from the Ulteo panel. It also provide by default document and panel content synchronization capabilities betwen the local installation of Ulteo and Ulteo Online Desktop.

Btw, you can download Ulteo at Here.

Ubuntu Mobile, a New Mobile Internet Devices

Ubuntu Mobile is an Ubuntu edition that targets an exciting new class of computers called Mobile Internet Devices. Ubuntu Mobile, based on the world's most popular Linux distribution, and MID hardware from OEMs and ODMs, are redefining what can be done in mobile computing.

Ubuntu Mobile, a fully open source project, gives full Internet, with no compromise. Custom options may include licensed codecs and popular third-party applications.

Highlights:

• Full Web 2.0/AJAX fidelity, with custom options of Adobe Flash®, Java, and more
• Outstanding media playback so you can enjoy videos, music and photos with superior quality and easy navigation
• A suite of applications that work seamlessly to meet every need of a digital parent, student or anyone who is on-the-go
• Facebook®, MySpace®, YouTube®, Dailymotion®, 3D games, GPS, maps, in short, the full Web 2.0 experience delivered into your hands as a compact and powerful device that's easy and fun to use

The product of Canonical collaboration with Intel® and the open source community, Ubuntu Mobile is the software that makes it all possible.

• Ubuntu Mobile is highly flexible and customizable. It is an ideal platform for the kind of product differentiation that reaches target users and penetrates key markets.
• User interface in HTML, Flash, Clutter, Python with GTK, C/C++ with GTK and Java
• Different application sets for different products or configurations
• Integration with popular Web 2.0 sites
• Internationalization and translation support to meet market requirements
• Custom sets of licensed media codecs and third-party proprietary software for commercial partners
• Custom engineering

OEMs, ODMs, operators and developers can customize Ubuntu Mobile to their desired look and feel and offer just the right capabilities to meet their specific requirements. Canonical can assist through its Custom Engineering program.

MIDs typically have the following features and attributes:

• Small size/form factor
• 4 to 7 inch touch screen
• Physical and/or virtual keyboard
• Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, GPS, WiMAX
• 2GB to 8GB Flash or disk storage, 256MB+ memory/512MB+ recommended
• OpenGL 3D
• USB, camera, head phone jack, speakers, microphone

More info about this can be reached at Here.

Pioneer Linux 3.1 has been released

Technalign, Inc. has announced the release of the Pioneer Basic 3.1 workstation, Stagecoach 3.1 the combined server and workstation, and it's enterprise server MigrationSERVER 3.1. These workstations utilize the KDE desktop and run off a Live CD for users to test before installation. Pioneer Linux is a desktop-oriented, Kubuntu-based distribution targeted at new as well as experienced Linux users.

The new releases maintain the 7 year lifecycle and those running previous versions of Pioneer Basic will be able to run the update manager to bring them up to the current version. All known and reported critical bugs have been repaired in this final release.

Changes to the version include Technalign's Electricity, powered by Wine-doors, software which allows the end user to run many of their Windows? applications. Along with Electricity; the Cowboy, Cowgirl, and Wrangler Repositories, which where created in partnership with Automatix, are included and are available to other communities.

The Cowboy repository contains Electricity powered by Wine-Doors and Icedtea (open source Java), Cowgirl contains items that require licensing, but free, including Real Player, Skype, Opera, and Adobe products, and finally Wrangler will contain only commercial products such as HIATLANTIS, the Technalign CRM/Supply Chain Management application.

More info and download links can be found at here.

Hardy Heron, Ubuntu 8.04 Alpha 4 Has Been Released

Hardy Heron Development Team has announced the availability of a new development build of Ubuntu 8.04, the Alpha 4. "Hardy Heron" is code name that used for this project, which will in time become Ubuntu 8.04.

Some new issues on this release are: X.Org 7.3, with an emphasis on better autoconfiguration with a minimal configuration file; Linux kernel 2.6.24 brings in significant enhancements and fixes that have been merged in the last few months into the mainline kernel; PulseAudio enabled by default; PolicyKit integration is visible in the administrative user interfaces; Firefox 3 beta 2 bringing much better system integration including icon and colour theming; the GTK+ version of the popular Transmission BitTorrent client; the new Vinagre VNC client; the Brasero CD/DVD burning application, etc.

For more detail info, see the complete release notes on Ubuntu site. Or you can download this development release at here or here if you prefer to use torrent.

Shift Linux 0.6 Has Been Released

Shift Linux has moved away from it's Morphix base and is now based on Ubuntu. This version incorporates Firefox 3 (GranParadiso), OpenOffice, new themes, and a tested installer. Its also updated to KDE4. This is a transition version as we move away from Morphix and port over its previous versions to Ubuntu.

Neowin Community has released Shift Linux 0.6. There are three versions released at this time: Shift Linux 0.6 Gnome, Shift Linux 0.6 KDE4, and Shift Linux 0.6 Lite (for older computers). Shift Linux Lite will contain two less resource hogging desk managers (XFCE-4 and Fluxbox), but will have a full compliment of packages and utilities. Both versions of Shift Linux 0.6 will be fully installable (tested and verified).

You can download this release at Here.

Linux Mint 4.0 Daryna KDE Beta 044

Linux Mint Daryna KDE Community Edition Beta 044 has been released and ready for download now.

Daryna KDE is nearly as minty as the main edition now. The packages are (safely) upto date and the kernel is the Gutsy Gibbon kernel 2.6.22-14.

Mint applications: mintInstall, mintwifi (new), mintUpdate (new), mintAssistant (new), mintUpload.

minted versions of: firefox and Sunbird.


Download This Second Release Candidate at Here or Here by Torrents.

Second Maintenance of Ubuntu 6.06 LTS

Canonical, the main sponsors of the Ubuntu project announced today the second maintenance release of Ubuntu 6.06 LTS, which continues to be supported with maintenance updates and security fixes until June 2009 on desktops and June 2011 on servers.

These include security updates and corrections, with a focus on maintaining stability and compatibility with Ubuntu 6.06 LTS.

"This maintenance release is a clear demonstration of our long-term commitment to users and businesses who want to use Ubuntu as a core platform," said Jane Silber, Chief Operating Officer of Canonical UK. "Coming as it does shortly before the next long-term release, Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, it is a clear signal to ISVs, manufacturers, businesses and users that Ubuntu is the Linux platform on which to build a strategy." said the Canonical.

You can download this maintenance update release at here.

Inside of K Desktop Environment (KDE) 4

After long wait of release time, the most expected project of 2007, KDE 4, has finally seen the light today! KDE 4 is the next generation of the popular K Desktop Environment, which seeks to fulfill the need for a powerful yet easy-to-use desktop, for both personal and enterprise computing. KDE project's goal for the 4.0 release is to put the foundations in place for future innovations on the FREE desktop.

Today, we will take a closer look at the main features incorporated in the final release of KDE 4. First of all, I should let you know that for these tests, I've used the Kubuntu 7.10 KDE 4.0 Remaster that can be downloaded from Softpedia. Let's see the highlights of KDE 4.0!

Plasma, the brand new desktop shell and panel, is an amazing piece of technology that makes your KDE experience better than ever. Its role is to offer, to the end-users, an efficient and ergonomic access to their desktop. A few Plasma applets or widgets (also known as Plasmoids) were created by various developers and can be found here, if you would like to make your KDE desktop more funky and modern!

The window manager of KDE 4, KWin, comes now with Solid (a sophisticated hardware API) and Phonon (a multimedia framework) and with some amazing desktop effects. In the System Settings window, at Display, you can activate these desktop effects, which are independent from Compiz Fusion. These are brand-new effects that can be found only in KDE 4! However, running them kinda slows down your entire desktop if you have 512 RAM. I've also tested it on a machine with 1 GB of RAM and works better. So, I guess the KDE developers still need to patch this in the 4.1 release.

Some of the old applications, that can still be found in KDE 3.5.x, are gone now and some brand new applications have taken their place. All known KDE applications, such as Konqueror, which is the default file manager and web browser, KGet, KColorPaint, Konsole, Kopete, SuperKaramba, are now greatly improved and I'll bet you will not even recognize some of them! Last but not least, KDE 4 uses a new and very beautiful icon theme, called Oxygen.

As an alternative file manager, Dolphin is included for those of you who have already been using it. Sadly, but Amarok is not included and it can't be installed. Don't know why!? Moreover, I really miss an important (for me) function in Konqueror that cannot be found in any other browser. The "Search & Replace Text" function, that could be activated with the CTRL+R key combination, is now replaced by the "Reload" function! I guess this happens because Konqueror is now powered by WebKit?!

In conclusion, it's not yet perfect, but from our test (until now) KDE 4 runs pretty good and looks amazing. I strongly suggest you download one (Kubuntu is preferred) of the CDs below and install (or just run directly from the Live CD) this final and groundbreaking version of KDE.

Btw, you can get Kubuntu 7.10 with KDE 4 at here, and source for KDE 4 at here.

Source: Kubuntu and KDE sites.