Introduction

The Ubuntu developers are moving quickly to bring you the absolute latest and greatest software the Open Source Community has to offer. The Jaunty Jackalope Alpha 4 is the fourth alpha release of Ubuntu 9.04, bringing with a number of new features on the way to the next version of Ubuntu.

This is still an alpha release. Do not install it on production machines. The final stable version will be released on April 23rd, 2009.

Upgrading from Ubuntu 8.10

To upgrade from Ubuntu 8.10, press Alt+F2 and type in "update-manager -d" (without the quotes) into the command box. Update Manager should open up and tell you: New distribution release '9.04' is available. Click Upgrade and follow the on-screen instructions.

New Features in Jaunty

These features are showcased for your attention. Please test them and report any bugs you find on Launchpad:

• http://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu

Updated Packages

As with every new release, packages--applications and software of all kinds--are being updated at a rapid pace. For a list of all packages being accepted for 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope, please subscribe to Jaunty-changes:

• https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/jaunty-changes

X.Org server 1.6

The latest X.Org server, version 1.6, is available in Jaunty. In the short term, this will again cause increased instability for some users while the proprietary video drivers catch up.

Font Size Optimization

Font dot-per-inch settings are now optimized based on your monitor's capabilities, rather than defaulting to 96 dpi. You can further customize your dpi settings via System > Preferences > Appearance > Fonts > Details...

New style for notifications and notification preferences

Included in Jaunty is a simple menu which can be used to set preferences for notification icons, such as where they pop up on the taskbar. There is a possibility that Ubuntu 9.04 will get a whole new notification system, as shown in the flash movie here:

http://www.markshuttleworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/jaunty904_notifications_example1_web_092.swf

Detailed explanation available here: http://www.markshuttleworth.com/ (You might have to skip a large white area if you are using internet explorer to see the text beyond the first few lines)

Linux kernel 2.6.28

Alpha 4 includes the 2.6.28-6.17 kernel based on 2.6.28.2.

ext4 installation support

Alpha 4 supports the option of installing on the new ext4 file system. ext3 will remain the default for Jaunty, and we will consider it as the default for Jaunty+1 based on user feedback.

Download Alpha 4

Get it while it's hot. ISOs and torrents are available at:

• http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/jaunty/alpha-4/ (Ubuntu)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/edubuntu/releases/jaunty/alpha-4/ (Ubuntu Education Edition)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/jaunty/alpha-4/ (Kubuntu) Kubuntu release notes
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/xubuntu/releases/jaunty/alpha-4/ (Xubuntu)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntustudio/releases/jaunty/alpha-4/ (UbuntuStudio)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/mythbuntu/releases/jaunty/alpha-4/ (Mythbuntu)

Known Issues

As is to be expected at this stage of the release process, there are several known bugs that users are likely to run into with Jaunty Alpha 4. We have documented them here for your convenience along with any known workarounds, so that you don't need to spend time reporting these bugs again:

• The X.Org synaptics driver is absent from the liveCD, which may prevent touchpad devices from working on laptops. As a workaround, use Ctrl+Alt+F1 to switch to console, log in, run sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-input-all to download the drivers from the network, and then return to your session with Alt+F7.

• A bug in the udev package prevents the LVM encryption option from working correctly after reboot into the installed system. As a workaround, users wishing to test with this option can install with Alpha 3 or wait for Alpha 5. 325690

• A new XServer, version 1.6, is included in Alpha 4. The binary proprietary fglrx driver is not yet supported for this server and will exhibit various serious issues if run against it. Users of this driver are encouraged to wait or to switch to the open source -ati driver in the meantime. 308410

• Users of Intel i845 or i865 video chipsets are unable to load X, getting an error message of "Fatal server error: Couldn't bind memory for BO front buffer". Users on these systems are advised to wait for a resolution to this bug before upgrading. 304871

• The migration assistant in the installer cannot be used in conjunction with the "encrypted" home option. Investigation of this issue is ongoing. 325257

• The OEM mode on Kubuntu images fails after reboot in Jaunty Alpha 4. Investigation of this issue is ongoing. 309482

• The LTSP installation option fails on the alternate CD due to an error setting up the LTSP chroot. Investigation of this issue is ongoing. 325678

• Ctrl-Alt-Backspace is now disabled, to reduce issues experienced by users who accidentally trigger the key combo. Users who do want this function can enable it in their xorg.conf, or via the command dontzap --disable.

• Migrating documents and settings during installation will not work when the home directory encryption option is enabled. 325257

• Font sizes may be abnormally small or large on monitors which mis-report their capabilities. If you suspect this may be the case, please see X/Troubleshooting/HugeFonts for steps to troubleshoot this issue.

• Encrypted Home Directory support has been integrated in Alpha4, on both desktop and server installs. While home directory encryption includes encrypting filenames on the Desktop Installation, filename encryption is broken on the server installation. Server systems which need encrypted home directories with filename encryption will need to be installed with Alpha 5 or later. 326184

Reporting Bugs

It should come as no surprise that this alpha release of Jaunty Jackalope contains other bugs. Your comments, bug reports, patches and suggestions will help fix bugs and improve future releases. Please report bugs through the Ubuntu bugtracker

If you want to help out with bugs, the Bug Squad is always looking for help.

Participate in Ubuntu

If you would like to help shape Ubuntu, take a look at the list of ways you can participate at

• http://www.ubuntu.com/community/participate/

More Information

You can find out more about Ubuntu on the Ubuntu website and Ubuntu wiki.

To sign up for future Ubuntu development announcements, please subscribe to Ubuntu's development announcement list at:

• http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-devel-announce

Credits

The Alpha 4 technical overview is brought to you by:

• Steve Langasek