Next Ubuntu alpha reveals video change

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By Gavin Clarke in San Francisco • Get more from this author

Posted in Operating Systems, 14th May 2009 22:09 GMT

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The next Ubuntu should see improved video performance, along with updates to the underlying Linux and open-source infrastructure.

A change in the video architecture has been revealed as the Ubuntu development team released alpha code for the next, planned edition: Ubuntu 9.10, codenamed Karmic Koala.

Ubuntu 9.10 will feature a new Intel video driver architecture to solve problems in Ubuntu 9.04, released just last month. Ubuntu 9.10 will switch from the current EXA acceleration method to UXA. A kernel-mode setting, meanwhile, will reduce video mode switching flicker during start up and - the team said - "dramatically" speed up the suspend and resume time.

Elsewhere, the Linux kernel 2.6.30 has been added along with the latest version of Gnome: version 2.27.1

There was no mention of what we can expect in terms of other desktop improvements or promised changes in the server designed to make Ubuntu 9.10 more suited to use as the operating system powering public or private Amazon-style clouds. Instead, the Alpha code is simply designed to give people a first look at some of what's going into Ubuntu 9.10.

The code, meanwhile, is not recommended for regular users who like their desktops minus the nasty surprises. Ubuntu 9.10 for regular users is scheduled for release on October 29, 2009.

If you’re still not deterred, you can download the alpha code from here ®

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