What happens with the version number in 2100?
Our grandchildren should be able to figure that one out. At the moment we're just focused on the next release
Is there a relationship between Ubuntu and UserLinux?
UserLinux and Ubuntu are different projects.
Both Ubuntu and UserLinux are aimed at building a community distribution that is up-to-date and easy to use. We both send our changes and improvements "upstream" and since we share a couple important upstreams (Debian and GNOME to start with) there may well be scope for collaboration between the projects. At this stage we haven't had any extensive discussions on how the projects might work together.
Do you support KDE?
Why does Ubuntu install Gnome by default? Do you support KDE and KDE applications?
The default desktop environment for Ubuntu is Gnome. You will find all the KDE packages you could want in the universe component of Ubuntu. We don't at this stage have the resources to put the same level of post-freeze work into the KDE packages as we put into the Gnome packages.
We are working with the KDE team to collaborate on that, so that Ubuntu will be an excellent platform for KDE users too... more on that in due course.
What international user resources are available?
There are a number of international user resources available for Ubuntu, and various surprises are to come.
Please check the Local languages page page which the central poing that is continuously updated with what is available.
What does "Ubuntu" mean?
Ubuntu is an African word, which has been described as "too beautiful to translate into English". The essence of ubuntu is that "a person is a person through other people". It describes humanity as "being-with-others" and prescribes what "being-with-others" should be all about. Ubuntu emphasises sharing, consensus, and togetherness. It's a perfect concept for Free Software and open source. Here's a great article that describes Ubuntu, which may help define it. Wikipedia also has a good definition.
Why does your first release have a version of 4.10?
Why does your first release have a version of 4.10? And what does the version of an Ubuntu release mean?
Our version numbering scheme is based on the date we release a version of the distribution. Our first release is in October 2004 so the version is 4.10. Our next release, sometime early 2005, will be roughly 5.04. So the version number comes from the year and month of the release rather than being an indicator of a specific piece of software in the release.
Each Ubuntu release has a unique combination of component versions - kernel, X, Gnome, GCC, libc... so an aggregate version number does not make much sense. We prefer to give you an idea of when that release was pushed to the wires.
Do you include XFree86 or X.org?
Warty Warthog includes XFree86 4.3.99 packages with much improved hardware support. The next Ubuntu release, codenamed Hoary Hedgehog will use the X.org server instead.
Where are the Ubuntu forums?
There are ubuntu forums! You can find information about them at the Web forums page.
Once I have installed Ubuntu, will I be able to upgrade to the next release?
Once I have installed Ubuntu, will I be able to upgrade to the next release?
Yes.
We fully support upgrades from one release to the next. For example, if you installed WartyWarthog, you will be able to upgrade to HoaryHedgehog when it is released, and from HoaryHedgehog to GrumpyGroundhog, and so forth in perpetuity.
Note that this does not necessarily extend to certain situations involving unsupported software, such as packages in the universe repository, or software which you obtained from a third-party source.
Which packages are available in Ubuntu?
Ubuntu contains essentially all of the packages available in the Debian repositories, as well as many packages from third-party sources. Many packages are customised to integrate smoothly with the Ubuntu system, to fix bugs, and to provide newer versions of software.
The software in Ubuntu is divided into various components. Information about the process of selecting software can be found on the SeedManagement page.
In the future, a website will be provided which lists all of the available software.
Editing the wiki and website
Can I edit the Ubuntu wiki and the website?
Sure you can. Create an account by registering on the site, then log in. The wiki and the web site share the same account information.
Wiki
On the wiki, there are some areas, such as the seed lists, that should not be changed without confirmation from Matt Zimmerman or Jeff Waugh on the sounder mailing list. We'll put a note on special pages such as these.
The preferred format on the ZWiki is moin moin, but restructured text is also used.
Website
You are able to add and edit most pages on the website, bar the locked pages, so please don't hesitate to contribute and fix any errors you may find along the way.
The preferred format for the website is structured text, but there are pages already in html.
Many thanks!
How do you pronounce Ubuntu?
Ubuntu, an African word from Zulu and Xhosa, is pronounced "oo-BOON-too". See the other FAQ on its meaning, it's a worthwhile read. And no, you're not the first person to wonder
I'm not a programmer: how can I help?
If you don't code, there's still plenty of ways to get involved with Ubuntu.
You can:
* Use Ubuntu.
It's always surprising what you can find during a normal usage of a pre-release distro that, while nowhere being major bugs, are still worth reporting in the bugzilla for this or future releases. That's the whole point of beta and pre-releases: so that things are tested in thousands of different ways by many different users. What at first appear to be a simple bug can turn into a major vulnerability/problem worth patching as soon as possible.
* Answer questions on mailing lists, forums and IRC
* Have a look at the participate page to find out more ways of turning your free time into more Ubuntu
* Spread the word. Order cds from Shipit - the Ubuntu CD Distribution System and give them away to friends, family, complete strangers.
http://www.ubuntulinux.org/support/docu ... ion=Ubuntu
