Road to Kubuntu 8.04 with KDE 4.0
KDE 4.0 is now out and there is allready first Kubuntu based LiveCD (http://kubuntu.org/announcements/kde-4.0.php). New KDE 4.0 with Kubuntu is amaising, but lets look now back to history with some screenshots. I search all kind of news from DistroWatch , Google and Internet Archive.
First Kubuntu 5.04 was released 8 April 2005.
Here is the original announcement, what is right now availible at Internet Archive. This was first Kubuntu.
Features of Kubuntu 5.04:
- KDE 3.4
- HAL support for removable devices
- Ubuntu-powered out of the box hardware configuration
- OpenOffice.org office suite
- Gwenview image viewer
- amaroK music player
- K3b CD and DVD burner
- Konversation IRC chat
- Kaffeine video player
- Also available as a live CD
Its hard to find now some screenshost of Kubuntu 5.04, but I found some from golem.de website. Here is the main desktop of Kubuntu 5.05 LiveCD:
The next Kubuntu 5.10 was released 10 October 2005, codenamed ‘Breezy Badger’. This release comes with the very latest KDE 3.4.3 and includes the new Guidance configuration tools. From original announcement:
Adept and Adept-Updater
Adept is a new package manager for KDE. With advanced search facilities using debtags, hunting for packages is now easier than ever.
To help keep your system current, adept-updater checks to see which packages have changed and makes it easy to download and install the latest fixes.
KDE System Settings
Kawabunga! The traditional KDE Control Center has been replaced with KDE System Settings. This change is not part of KDE, but is unique to Kubuntu. The new interface is cleaner, faster, simpler and comes with improved usability features such as quick search.
Guidance Configuration Tools
Guidance is a set of configuration tools new to Kubuntu. Currently included are modules for user accounts, mount configuration and system services selection. You can find the Guidance modules in System Settings.
KDE Language Packs
Kubuntu now includes KDE translations on the CD for the most popular languages, over 50 languages are supported in total.
KDE Bluetooth Framework
The KDE Bluetooth tools aim to provide easy access to Bluetooth profiles and facilitate the communication between Bluetooth enabled devices such as cell phones and PDAs.
Katapult
Katapult is used to start applications and bookmarks. Just press Alt+Space then type the name of the program you are interested in, it will quickly become the most useful tool on your desktop.
OpenOffice.org 2
OpenOffice.org 2 is installed by default and now comes with KDE integration.
GStreamer for AmaroK and Kaffeine
Our Kaffeine video player and AmaroK music player now use the GStreamer media framework, a large range of GStreamer plugins are available to support a wide range of different media file formats.
Krita
A new advanced image editor program from KOffice.
KLaptopDaemon
To help out our laptop users, KLaptopDaemon now works for hibernation and uses acpi.
Locate File Search
Having problems finding that file? In Konqueror just type locate:/ followed by what you are looking for. Konqueror will search for it.
Searching for something on the web? Use Konqueror’s search bar and Google suggest to help find exactly what you are looking for.
KOffice 1.4 and Kexi
KOffice 1.4 is now included in the main repository. This lightweight but powerful office suite includes Kexi, a powerful database frontend.
X.org 6.8.2
For better hardware support Kubuntu 5.10 has updated X.org to version 6.8.2 and comes in new modular packages.
KDE WinFOSS
Free Software for Windows machines is on the Live CDs. This includes some of the leading KDE applications: KOrganizer, KAddressbook and Kexi.
Off the Desktop
* PHP5
* LVM Volumes
* Support for thin client devices
* Support for 4 GB of RAM
* Linux 2.6.12.6
* 64-bit PowerPC Linux build
Here are some Screenshots also, what I found from HowtoForge website.
After 5.10 release come Kubuntu 6.06 LTS.
That was the first Long Term Support Kubuntu release. First time LiveCD and Installer are on one disc, with Ubiquity installer. From original announcement:
Kubuntu 6.06 LTS has been released. It is available for download now or for the first time you can order free Kubuntu CDs through Shipit. This release comes with KDE 3.5.2 and includes a new installer which you can use direct from the live desktop CD. We have focused on stability and bugfixes, as our first Long Term Support release 6.06 will be supported for 3 years on the desktop and 5 years on the server.
Kubuntu 6.06 is supported until June 2009. Some screenshots can you find at Debian Admin website.
Then 26 October 2006 come out Kubuntu 6.10 Edgy Eft, with KDE 3.5.5.
Kubuntu 6.10 brings a bit of edginess to this release, including a new and improved desktop, artwork, applications and much more. The goal for Kubuntu 6.10, codenamed Edgy Eft, is to create a secure and stable environment featuring some of today’s leading applications and technology in order to be the foundation for future releases of Kubuntu. The development team has succeeded and is very happy to bring you this new release. We hope you enjoy your Kubuntu 6.10 system.
Also some new interesting features KDE 3.5.5 desktop, Digikam photo management tool, Guidance - a new power management system, a hardware database client; support for many special laptop buttons, accessibility profiles, an improved System Settings dialog, automatic setup of non-Latin writing systems. (DistroWatch)
More screenshots you can find from TCS.
Kubuntu 7.04 released 19 April 2007.
Kubuntu 7.04 stepped over the edge, becoming the feistiest release to date. Improved desktop, updated applications and increased usability features are just a few of the surprises with this latest release. The goal for Kubuntu 7.04, codenamed Feisty Fawn, was to continue on the creation of a secure and stable environment, working towards the perfect KDE based operating system. Starting with the excellent base of Ubuntu and an implementation of KDE, Kubuntu 7.04 set out to smooth the rough edges and polish the future of Kubuntu. The development team has succeeded and is very happy to bring you this new release. We hope you enjoy your Kubuntu 7.04 system.
Kubuntu 7.04 uses KDE 3.5.6. Also are new migration assistant, KVM, Easy codec/restricted drivers installation, Desktop effects and WPA support included.
Screenshots you can find from TCS website.
And at 18 October 2007 was released right now latest stable Kubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon.
Kubuntu 7.10 removed the feistiness, becoming the gutsiest release to date. Improved desktop, updated applications and increased usability features are just a few of the surprises with this latest release. The goal for Kubuntu 7.10, codenamed Gutsy Gibbon, was to remove the edge and the feistiness from previous releases and to continue on the creation of a secure and stable desktop environment, on a road to becoming the perfect KDE based operating system. The development team has once again succeeded in reaching their goals, and we are very happy to bring you this new release. We hope you enjoy your Kubuntu 7.10 experience.
Kubuntu 7.10 includes KDE 3.5.8, Dolphin file manager, Restricted Drivers Manager, OpenOffice.org 2.3, Strigi desktop search and also - first time officialy - KDE 4.0 beta.
Some screenshots can you find from TSC website.
New Kubuntu 8.04 comes already with KDE 4.0 final support. It will ship with both KDE 3.5 and KDE 4.0, but its not any more LTS version like Ubuntu 8.04. But there are still possibility to upgrade from Kubuntu 6.06 to Kubuntu 8.04.
