Ubuntu: the dreamy wildcat flexes its claws

Sam Varghese
Friday, 28 October 2011 11:27

Opinion and Analysis

What's new about Ubuntu GNU/Linux? That is always the question that arises when the six-monthly release takes place and this time, with 11.10, the answer is probably best encapsulated by the project itself.

The Ubuntu project site proclaims "Hey, good looking!" and nothing could be more true - most of the work since the last release, which saw the introduction of the Unity desktop, has gone into refining and beautifying the desktop and all its appendages. Ubuntu 11.10, aka Oneiric Ocelot (dreamy wildcat) now looks very good, has nice fonts and is easy on the eye.

This is in keeping with the philosophy of Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth who has constantly expressed his admiration for the Mac, its slick and smart appearance, and the fact that most things work on the platform.

I expect that in future releases we will see the necessary codecs for DVD  playback and to handle MP3s also in the default install; as money comes in, it will pay the licensing fees for those codecs to be present.

The focus has now changed to the business user. Along with this, the Ubuntu One service is being improved so that one has a cloud offering from the same vendor; remember, Apple has its iCloud. The business user who wants to take his/her work anywhere can always store it in the cloud and access it without the need to lug a laptop back and forth.

Even the man or woman who does not want to splurge, has some cloud storage provided free. It's an interesting tactic at a time when remote storage does not seem to be getting the best press.

Shuttleworth's move to Unity also shows his ambitions in the tablet market. Ubuntu now has the type of interface which suits a mobile phone and a tablet. With a rash of devices appearing every month, there is a market waiting to be captured; those who use Ubuntu at work or home would like nothing better than to be able to use the same system on their tablets.