Other Big Changes in Ubuntu Ibex

The stuff we've talked about previously isn't exclusive to Ubuntu. Any Linux distro that uses the same versions of GNOME, X.Org, or the kernel will see the same benefits. However, Ubuntu developers also add a fair amount of their own secret sauce to each Ubuntu release, and Ibex is no different. Here are the big improvements Ibex upgraders can look forward to.

Network Manager

Getting networking in Linux working has long been a challenge, especially for wireless connections. The new Network Manager is a great improvement over the previous release. It allows your Ubuntu machine to connect to the network before a user logs in, supports 3G connections, multiple simultaneous connections, and PPPoE. 

While it was never particularly hard to get EVDO or 3G cards working with Hardy Heron, it did require mucking around with config files. The new Network Manager puts wired, wireless, and cellular data connections in one handy place.

Guest Account

One of our favorite PC security tips for Windows is to create a limited user account for other people to use. Ibex adds a default Guest account with limited write support and no access to user files stored in the home directory.

Better Support for Web Video and Audio

Ubuntu now supports the high-quality setting in YouTube! We shall celebrate by watching videos of other people's animals at a better quality level. Additionally, now Ubuntu users can view the programming the BBC puts online in Totem. That's right, you can enjoy fine shows like Scotland Outdoors and The Archers from your Linux PC.

With support for BBC content and higher-quality YouTube videos + existing support for Hulu.com, there's a lot of TV-type content that works great on Ibex.

Secret Hidden Folders

Type ecryptfs-setup-private in the Terminal, and you can hide and encrypt a folder in your Home directory. The process is seamless, and ties into your user login, so when you're logged in, you see the contents, but any other users won't even see that the file is there. This folder gives a secure location that you can use to store sensitive files, without paying the performance penalty that full-disk encryption incurs.

Config-less X.Org

OK, so this is kind of an X.Org feature, but it's incredibly handy for normal users. Anyone who's delved into the xorg.conf file in the past, which stores all the settings for your Linux install's graphical configuration, including specifics about your videocard, mouse, monitors, and other peripherals, knows what a hassle it is to get everything working.  With the new release, most users will be able to operate with an empty xorg.conf, letting the OS detect and choose the proper driver, and detect monitor resolutions and input devices automatically, without requiring user input. 

Want to Take Intrepid Ibex for a Test Spin?

There are the high-points of the next release of Ubuntu, which is scheduled to be launched by October 31. If you want to take a sneak peek at Intrepid Ibex, it's easy. You can download the ISO file, then follow our instructions here. Alternately, if you're already running Ubuntu, press Alt+F2, and run "update-manager -d" without the quotes. Click the Upgrade prompt, and your existing Ubuntu install will upgrade to Intrepid Ibex.