While Windows 7 makes its mark on the worlds market, IBM and Canonical announced their collaboration in order to target windows 7 customers from all over the world. Their cloud- and Linux-based collaboration package turns out to be cheaper than Microsoft-based alternatives.

The IBM Client, based on IBM productivity and collaboration software, helps organizations save up to 50 percent per seat on software costs,as compared to the expensive nature of Microsoft-based desktop. This is not it, it also provides its clients with facilities for avoiding requisite hardware upgrades. The package allows companies to use their existing PCs, lower-cost netbooks and thin clients. It includes Lotus Notes and other Lotus applications such as Symphony and LotusLive.com, an online collaboration suite which lets distributed groups manage activities and tasks, share documents, network, and hold Web meetings with up to 1,000 participants. The companies say that since the package is based on Eclipse, Linux and Web standards, it can integrate with “any” third-party software.

The press release claims that Microsoft shops considering a Windows 7 migration face costs of up to $2,000 for many users, owing in part to added hardware requirements for Microsoft’s new operating system. But IBM and Canonical sates that their package can be easily utilized on PC’s which are currently being utilized by organizations. This package will also run on low-cost client machines and even netbooks. IBM is also offering professional services from IBM Global Technology Services and IBM Business Partners in order to aid with installation and other integration tasks to their clients.

Ubuntu is Linux debian based distribution funded by Canonical. Ubuntu comes with pre-install daily use softwares like open office , PDF Reader,Archived solution, Messenger Pidgin (now Empathy),Email client (Evolution), Web Browser (Firefox), Audio and Video player, Photo and Design Editor (GIMP Image editor like adobe photo shop)etc. Ubuntu has become increasingly popular as home desktop operating system due to usability and friendliness. It provides an up-to-date, stable operating system to the average user, with a strong focus on usability and ease of installation.

Ubuntu releases are scheduled. Canonical released 9.10 RC  Karmic Koala will release finally on 29 Oct 2009. Canonical releases new versions of Ubuntu every six months. Its next release, Ubuntu 10.04 LTS, which aims for ten-second boot time will ship in April 2010.

Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala (Desktop) Preview
There are many new things Canonical brings for us in current RC 9.10 Edition. This new version has emerged in front of us with better boot time, enhanced graphics, new empathy messenger (good pidgin), some Gnome(Desktop) interface changes, Ubuntu Software Center which replaces the Add/Remove Software and a special Ubuntu One (sync you file and folders online).

Ubuntu One

Ubuntu One is a very exciting free service which provides us storage application and service on web which is operated by Canonical Ltd. The service enables users to store and sync files online and between computers. Ubuntu One has a client application which is installed in it by default under the Applications>Internet menu. A free Ubuntu One account offers 2 GB of storage. Users may upgrade to 50 GB by paying a monthly fee of $10.

Ubuntu Software Centre
It is a new interface for installing softwares provided by Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic. User can avail free softwares  which are already installed. In the older version (Add/Remove) we started we had to either remove or install them. But now it has removed this limitation. Ubuntu Software Centre is more user friendly, self explanatory and easiest way to search and install softwares.

Gnome Interface Changes
Is an Old menu navigation of System>Shut Down/Log Out menu restored. This feature was removed in Jaunty, making the user-switcher menu the only easy way to end a Gnome session. An entry for the Gnome Control Centre has also finally been added to the System>Preferences menu in Karmic. This application, which is similar to the Control Panel in Windows allows users to configure various aspects of Gnome. It has always been a significant part of Ubuntu.

Messages Empathy Added, Pidgin Drop
Karmic has replaced Pidgin with Empathy, which is an instant-messaging client built by Gnome developers. The decision to drop Pidgin might have been due to its lack of support for video chat. But pidgin lovers, have no fear, as you can install pidgin through Ubuntu Software Centre.

Better boot time
Ubuntu boot time has improved dramatically. The average boot time lasts from 15 to 20 seconds only. The next boot time in the upcoming release will be reduced to 10 seconds.

Ubuntu 9.10 Server Edition
Ubuntu 9.10 includes images for common use on the Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud as well as Amazon’s EC2. These images allow you to dynamically build Ubuntu based virtual machines on remote servers and use them for whichever purpose you need. If you or your company does any work with cloud computing, then it is necessary to check out Ubuntu’s Enterprise images with UEC or EC2.

Demo Ubutnu Desktop

Download Ubuntu

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

About the Author:

Haroon Idrees is currently working as a Software Team Lead. He maintains his blog at www.haroonidrees.com