December 07, 2007 -- The first alpha release of OpenSuSE 11.0 is now available for download. OpenSuSE 11.0 integrates a number of new packages, including GCC 4.3.0, the latest Linux 2.6.24 development kernel, X.Org 7.3, ALSA 1.0.15, GIMP 2.4, and Yast2 2.16. OpenSuSE 11.0 Alpha 0 is available as a DVD or via KDE and GNOME CD spins.

November 29, 2007 -- The first alpha release of Ubuntu 8.04 was scheduled to be released today, but the official release has been pushed back until tomorrow. However, a preliminary CD image of this first alpha release for Ubuntu 8.04 LTS has surfaced today on the Internet. While there is still seven more Ubuntu 8.04 test releases planned before the final release of Hardy Heron in April, we have already started exploring this first Hardy Heron LiveCD.

November 18, 2007 -- Last month, following the availability of Ubuntu 7.10 "Gutsy Gibbon" was the release of Mythbuntu 7.10. Mythbuntu is an Ubuntu derivative and has been around for less than a year, but they have been making great progress with this MythTV-optimized distribution. We have been testing out Mythbuntu 7.10 in several different configurations over the past few weeks and today we have our thoughts to share on it as well as a rough overview for those that may have not yet tried this Linux distribution.

November 12, 2007 -- With its lime green theme, the appearance of Foresight 2.0 Alpha 1 is certainly distinct from most other desktop Linux distributions. However, it's color theme is not all that's unique about this new development release. Foresight Linux 2.0 Alpha 1 contains an updated package set with GNOME 2.20.1 along with a Tar based installer for reduced install time, Compiz Fusion integration, new tool chain using GCC 4.1.1, and a smaller default install size.

November 12, 2007 -- Back in March we had compared the performance of Ubuntu and Fedora as we tested Ubuntu 6.10 and Fedora 6 along with development versions of Ubuntu 7.04 and Fedora 7. During those benchmarks, Ubuntu 7.04 Alpha 5 had a slight lead over Fedora but the race was extremely close. In August we compared Ubuntu and Fedora again along with Xubuntu, Mandriva, and SimplyMEPIS, but using older PC hardware. In these benchmarks, the results were also close but Mandriva was the leader. Now with the release of Fedora 8 last week, we have run a new set of benchmarks comparing it to the month-old Ubuntu 7.10.

November 08, 2007 -- Fedora 8 (codenamed Werewolf) is finally being released this morning. We've talked about the Fedora 8 features in many past articles, but to recap, Werewolf adopts the PulseAudio sound daemon, Codec Buddy, a new look and feel, open-source Java integration through the IcedTea project, improved laptop support, remote virtualization management, and a plethora of other improvements. While we've delivered screenshots of Fedora 8 previously, here are our final screenshots from the Fedora 8 LiveCD.

November 03, 2007 -- Earlier this week Everex launched the gPC TC2502, which is a sub-$200 PC sold at a major US retailer, but what makes this unique is that it runs the gOS. The gOS (GreenOS) is designed to be a conceptual Google Operating System that is based upon Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon. Though this is not the conventional GNOME desktop environment but an Enlightenment E17 desktop is used that is heavily modified and reflects a green Google theme. The gOS provides easy access to Google services such as YouTube, Google Product Search, Google Calendar, and Google Maps. Also a click away are other web services such as Wikipedia and Facebook. This isn't a pure Internet desktop but Xine, Skype, OpenOffice.org, and other applications are available for this Linux LiveCD. We've been trying the gOS out for a while and it's a rather nice slim desktop Linux distribution that would be perfect for Internet cafes and other public places.

October 29, 2007 -- The release of Fedora 8 (codenamed Werewolf) is due out for release in less than two weeks and comes with a host of new features. Fedora 8 will offer a Codec Buddy for installing audio/video codecs, an open-source Java stack now based upon IcedTea, improved laptop support, the Pulse Audio sound server, remote virtualization support, and much more. As a sneak peak at the final release of Fedora 8, taken from the Fedora 2007-10-24 Rawhide spin we have screenshots of the improvements to the Fedora Firstboot, the Fedora 8 GNOME desktop, and also the KDE version of Fedora 8. Enjoy!

October 27, 2007 -- This past weekend my uncle had computer problems again, yes the one that was ripped off by the geek squad before. He knew I was in town just for a party and going back. He did not want to tell me that his computer was messed up again but I knew it after looking at his face. I said I would stop by and fix it. I only had a couple of hours to spare and was expecting the usual virus or spy-ware to be slowing it down but when I got there it was a lot worse than that. His wife, who is the primary user of the computer, loves to download (caunta porqueria se encuentra). I had to say it in Spanish because it has more meaning, but it loosely translates to every little dirty thing that she can find on the net. From every disc cleaner to the almighty registry sweeper, she had downloaded things I had never even seen before.

October 17, 2007 -- Out of all of the official Ubuntu derivatives, the version that's received the least amount of attention during the 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon) development cycle looks to have been Ubuntu Studio. If you missed out on our Ubuntu Studio 7.04 coverage, where this multimedia distribution had debuted, this is a Linux distribution targeted for the multimedia folks. Whether you're into audio, video, or graphics editing, Ubuntu Studio ships with a large set of multimedia tools backed by an Ubuntu-quality GNOME desktop.