Operating systems

Bluestar Linux Review

Updated on:

An Arch-based KDE distro that’s chock full of apps. Shashank Sharma tests what appears to be a winning formula with Deskpro Edition Rolling release distros are adored and feared in equal measure. A large section of the Linux user community, particularly newbies, believe that these distros are only intended for expert hands. The distros themselves … Read more

Build a Linux PC

Updated on:

Assembling a PC is straightforward, but choosing the components is less so. Neil Bothwick looks at the options There is a document that has been floating around the internet for at least fifteen years, called ‘What if operating systems were airlines’. The entry for Linux Airlines states: “When you board the plane, you are given … Read more

Raspberry Pi 2 Distros

Updated on:

Since you can now use the Raspberry Pi 2 as an everyday desktop, Mayank Sharma needs a distro that fits the fill. The original Raspberry Pi struck a chord with anyone who wanted a tiny little device that had enough juice for a specialized task. Thanks to desktop distributions optimized for the Pi, in particular … Read more

Ubuntu 15.10 Review (aka Wiley Werewolf) Desktop and Server

Updated on:

The project hosts test builds that let you preview Unity 8 atop Ubuntu 15.10.

Mayank Sharma runs through everything you need to know to get productive with the latest Ubuntu release.

Ben Everard’s purple werewolf costume left some people confused at Halloween.

Fire up Ubuntu 15.10 desktop and you could be forgiven for thinking you’re running 15.04, or 14.10. Not much has changed in quite some time. There’s a purple-ish geometric background, a set of blocky icons on the left-hand side and the same Unity experience that you’ll either love or hate. As you’d expect, Werewolf comes with the latest upstream software, but otherwise, there’s no reason to upgrade.

[wpsm_toplist]

Let’s now move swiftly on to the Server edition of Ubuntu 15.10, where there are some pretty big changes afoot. The biggest of which is the new OpenStack installer (Autopilot). It’s a little bit of a shame that in 2015 an easy installer for software can be considered a feature. However, OpenStack isn’t an easy system to set up, and having a simple path to running a private cloud will make Ubuntu a much more attractive option for people taking their first foray into this system.

LXD, Canonical’s container management tool, is now shipped by default. This isn’t a huge change, since LXD has already been available for some time, but by pushing it into every installation, Canonical is trying to get people into its own tool rather than alternatives such as Docker.

Users with heavy network loads may be interested to see the inclusion of the Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK) in the latest version of Ubuntu. This set of drivers and libraries enables users to handle network packets far more quickly than with traditional kernel drivers.

Like all regular versions of Ubuntu, 15.10 will only be supported for nine months, which isn’t long enough for many organisations. However, these new technologies are a show of strength from Canonical six months before the release of the next LTS version (which will be supported for five years). If the new technologies prove to be stable, it will pave the way for the next release (16.04) to further cement Ubuntu’s position as the leading OS for modern data centres.

Ubuntu still includes online results in local searches, but it's easy to disable if you want to increase your privacy.
Ubuntu still includes online results in local searches, but it’s easy to disable if you want to increase your privacy.

Not much new on the desktop, but a strong sign of things to come in Ubuntu server.

Web www.ubuntu.com

Developer Canonical

Licence Various free software licences

Read more

59 best linux distros 2015

Updated on:

The Top New Review team selects the cream of the Linux crop for 2015 – there’s something here for everybody. We don’t need much of an excuse to start playing with lots of different Linux distributions. It’s one of the best ways of spending a wet afternoon, especially if you’ve been using the same clutch of … Read more

Inside the…UBUNTU PHONE

Updated on:

The Ubuntu phone is here at last! Explore its development, its features and what it means for Canonical and the Ubuntu desktop. ubuntu-g-theme Almost as soon as the first version launched in 2004, Ubuntu permanently changed the Linux distribution landscape. 2004 was a time when the desktop was still important, and Ubuntu presented the Linux … Read more

Linux Mint email clients

Updated on:

[wpsm_toplist] Setting up Email with Thunderbird Reading and composing email is a Fundamental element of a modern operating system. Thankfully Mint has this covered with Mozilla’s Thunderbird email client; a powerful but simple to use app that can connect to different email providers. THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO! Thunderbird can be easy and quite tricky to set … Read more

Backing Up Linux Mint

Updated on:

[wpsm_toplist] While Linux Mint is a remarkably stable and secure operating system, it’s not 100% Pool proof, but not many systems are. Therefore we need a good, working backup to help us out in case things go wrong. ALWAYS BACKUP Backing up is the single most important computing task most users tend to never do! … Read more

History of Linux Mint

Updated on:

Although quite young in the world of Linux, Linux Mint has an impressive history. By reviewing it, you can see how the distro has evolved over time and how it’s continually improving itself thanks to the contributions from the community. Read our linux mint history post. Table of ContentsA TOUCH OF MINTDifferent Versions of MintLinux Mint … Read more

Download and install Linux Mint

Updated on:

Table of ContentsDownloading the Linux Mint ISOInstalling Linux MintTransfer Mint to DVD or USBTesting Linux Mint s Live EnvironmentInstalling Linux Minton a PC Downloading the Linux Mint ISO Now that you’ve had a little look at the different versions of Linux Mint available, it’s time to actually get hold of the ISO for the particular flavour … Read more

Creating Users in Linux Mint

Updated on:

When you first install Linux Mint it’s configured for use with a single user. Whilst sharing a user account with the entire family is fine, there may come a time when you need to create separate users with their own unique Home folders. NEW USERS Having different users means each user will have access to … Read more

Using the Mint Firewall

Updated on:

From a technical standpoint, a firewall is a barrier against which any unauthorised service will come up against when attempting to gain access to your system. Mint comes preinstalled with a firewall, so let’s look at it in more depth. UNCOMPLICATED FIREWALL The Linux Mint Firewall is simply a graphical interface to the Linux Uncomplicated … Read more