Ubuntu Karmic (9.10) beta-testing

CCIS Systems is happy to announce that we now have a few Ubuntu machines available running Ubuntu 9.10 (code-named Karmic Koala), the most recent released version of Ubuntu. Those are the four machines in the little alcove in the corner of 310 WVH (to your right as you walk in the door), named choplifter, spaceinvaders, blueprint, and bumpnjump.

Ubuntu 9.10 has some significant infrastructure differences with the version we have deployed in production, so you should consider these machines in beta-testing. (We definitely want to hear about problems you encounter, though, because that will help us fix them! Send bug reports about these machines to systems@ccs.neu.edu.)

The biggest likely source of confusion is that on the initial login screen, you must click “Log In” to get a Username: prompt before you start typing your login name. If you just start typing your login name, things will show up in a pop-up search box, but nothing will actually happen when you hit return. Moreover, if you continue and start typing your password, it will be displayed on the screen, visible to people looking over your shoulder! (But you still won’t be able to log in.)

There may also be a number of little cosmetic problems (such as missing icons) if you have customized your GNOME environment.

The main advantage of Ubuntu 9.10 is newer versions of various software packages, such as GNOME and Firefox.