Auteur archieven: Joey Sneddon (omgubuntu)

Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS Released

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Well folks, it’s here; the first Ubuntu 20.04 LTS point release is now available for download.

Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS rolls together all the bug fixes, app updates, performance tweaks, and security patches that have been rolled out to the “Focal Fossa” since its release back in April.

The result is a brand new installer image primed for use, and able to cut down the number of post-install updates required.

This point release combines all the bug fixes, app updates, and security patches issued to 20.04 so far

But there’s another reason why the arrival of a point release is pretty big news.

Freshly spun ISO aside it is from today that users who run Ubuntu 18.04 LTS ‘Bionic Beaver’ will see a notification asking if they want to upgrade to Ubuntu 20.04.

Prior to now anyone on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS who wanted to upgrade to Ubuntu 20.04 LTS had to do so manually (either by opting in to non-LTS releases in the Software & Updates tool or by running a terminal command, which we covered in a tutorial).

That effort is no longer necessary; it’s possible to upgrade from 18.04 LTS to 20.04 LTS directly.

Ubuntu 20.04’s First Point Release

Ubuntu 20.04 running on a computer

Point releases rarely bring major new features with them but they do bring a barrel full of convenience. Merging together all of the thousands of updates, patches and tweaks released since April into a neat, new and easily deployable image is a major time saver.

You get:

  • Installer fixes
  • Upgrade fixes
  • Snap app update fixes
  • Performance tweaks
  • New fingerprint login flow
  • OEM kernel support
  • Wireguard support

Refer to the full changes summary for (a rather dizzying amount of) detail on these changes and more. Also take note of the Ubuntu security notices up to July 24.

Upgrade Ubuntu 18.04 to 20.04

Ubuntu 20.04 upgrade prompt

As mentioned, the arrival of this point release offers the opportunity to upgrade from Ubuntu 18.04 LTS to 20.04 LTS directly. Don’t Miss Ubuntu 20.04 Feature Guide for 18.04 Upgraders

If you intend to take advantage of this option then please remember to backup of any important files before you begin and make sure your network connection is stable — you don’t want to be left with a half-upgraded system!

Once back up you can look forward to the raft of major features and changes offered by the “Focal Fossa”, including:

  • Brand new look and feel
  • FIle favouriting in Nautilus
  • External drives in Ubuntu Dock
  • CSD in the Terminal app
  • New login and lock screen
  • Fractional scaling support
  • App folders in apps grid
  • Flicker free boot
  • Better performance
  • Updated apps

And that’s just a mere tickle on the surface of what’s changed.

In a rush? Get yourself up to speed on what’s new in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS by watching our release video, embedded at the start of this post (if you’re reading from an RSS reader or a scraper site you can click this link to watch it).

Why is there a delay?

Ubuntu LTS releases are the most widely used versions of Ubuntu. Tens of millions of users all around the world use them to enjoy a solid, stable, and reliable computing experience.

The three-month period between an LTS release (April) and the first point release (July) gives Ubuntu devs more time to iron-out wrinkles and fix any lately-discovered bugs.

All of this helps ensure upgrades are as smooth and are as stable as possible — a key concern for those who choose to use a LTS release in the first place.

Do I need to upgrade if I’m already running Ubuntu 20.04 LTS?

No, you do not need to “upgrade” to “get” this release because, technically, you already have it!Provided you install any updates as and when released you are up to date.

There are no major differences between the version you’re running and the version just released (though those who install using the new ISO may see a 20.0.4.1 version number shown in the System Settings > Details panel).

Is there a new kernel version?

Ubuntu point releases often include a new Hardware Enablement stack (HWE).

The HWE combines an updated graphics stack (handy if you’re a gamer) with a more recent Linux kernel version. This allows the OS stay to compatible with newer hardware and technologies for the duration of its five-year lifecycle.

However, the first point release (i.e. this one) does not include HWE. Ubuntu 20.04.1 ships with the same Linux kernel and xserver as the initial release back in April, meaning Linux 5.4.

Ubuntu 20.04.2 is due early next year. This will bring a new hardware enablement stack with it, derived from Ubuntu 20.10 (meaning Linux 5.8 or newer).

Download Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS

You can download the Ubuntu 20.04.1 ISO images from the Ubuntu release server page using the following link:

Download Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS (64-bit ISO)

Ubuntu 20.04

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Ubuntu 20.04 LTS is now available to download, six (rather hectic) months after development on the release first began.Complete GuideUbuntu 20.04 LTS: Everything You Need to Know

This is the final, stable release of Ubuntu 20.04, codename ‘Focal Fossa’. It comes with 5 years of guaranteed security updates, critical fixes, and select software updates from Canonical.

You can download Ubuntu 20.04 direct from the Ubuntu image server using the link below. This will download a 64-bit .iso image of the release that is around 2.7GB in size.

Once the download completes you will need to write the Ubuntu 20.04 .iso image to a blank DVD or flash it to a USB stick using a tool like Etcher. Then just pop the DVD in or plug in the USB and reboot, selecting the appropriate boot option.

Download Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (64-bit .iso)

Download Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (.torrent)

I always recommending using the ‘Try Ubuntu without installing’ option first. This drops you into a full desktop session that you can explore safely and check that all of your hardware works okay. If you like what you see you can then run the installer app from the live image to install the OS on to your system.

If you’re a regular reader of this site you’ll be pretty clued up on the changes the Focal offers by now — I feel like I hadn’t stopped talking about it for months — But on the off chances you’re not…

Ubuntu 20.04 rides atop the Linux 5.4 kernel, boasts faster boot speeds thanks to new kernel compression algorithms, and carries a clutch of new graphics drivers, software, and utilities:

  • Linux 5.4
  • Improved ZFS install support
  • OEM logo displayed during boot
  • GNOME Shell 3.36
  • Performance improvements
  • New Lock screen
  • Do not disturb mode
  • Refined app folder creation
  • Updated Settings panels
  • Visible ‘Suspend’ option in Status Menu
  • Optional ‘dark’ theme
  • Fractional scaling support
  • Snap-based Ubuntu Software store
  • Feral Game Mode added to the archives

Don’t forget that you can also upgrade to 20.04 from 19.10 or 18.04 directly, which may be easier than starting afresh, especially if you have a lot of files to back up.

Ubuntu 18.04.4 LTS Released with Linux Kernel 5.3

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The latest Ubuntu 18.04 LTS point release is now available to download.

Ubuntu 18.04.4 LTS, which arrives a week later than planned due to a few last minute issue, serves as the penultimate point release in the Ubuntu 18.04 LTS release cycle.

As ever there’s not much that’s “new” per se. An Ubuntu point release is simply a freshly spun install .iso that features all of the OS fixes and improvements released to the OS since last install image was issued.

Or, to word it another way, point releases are a shortcut; a hop on point for new users. They still install the same OS that was released back in April 2018, but without the hassle of having to download the 100MBs of updates released to it since.

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Here’s What’s New in KDE Plasma 5.18 LTS

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KDE Plasma 5.18 LTS is due for release next month and will bring a raft of new features and general improvements with it.

Plasma 5.18 features a raft of new features and improvements that make the desktop ‘easier and more fun’

With a beta build now available for testing I figured it was time to recap the key changes included in KDE Plasma 5.18 LTS so that those of you who ride the plasma wave have some idea of what to expect when it arrives.

And do expect a varied set of changes when it does, as there’s lots planned, including notifications that are easier to understand, streamlined organisation of system settings, better integration of GTK applications, and plenty more.

Let’s take a closer look.

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Linux Kernel 5.4 Released, This is What’s New

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The new Linux 5.4 kernel brings a raft of notable changes and improvements to the fore, just like every kernel release does.

Linux 5.5 is now open for development, but Linus cautions that Thanksgiving (and his 3 kids) may slow him down

Linux Founder Linus Torvalds announced the Linux 5.4 release on the Linux Kernel Mailing List (lkml) saying: “Not a lot happened this last week, which is just how I like it.”

With 5.4 out the merge window for Linux 5.5 is now open. But Linus cautions that the American tradition of Thanksgiving may get in the way.

But what are the changes in this latest kernel update? Read on for a summary of key Linux 5.4 features and changes.

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Ubuntu 19.04 Disco Dingo

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Een nieuwe Ubuntu-versie is als een soort moesson: elk half jaar is er weer een, met om de twee jaar een long term support-versie. De actieve volgers van de halfjaarlijkse Ubuntu-cyclus kunnen zonder al te veel ingewikkeldheid genieten van recente ontwikkelingen in de Linux-(kernel)wereld, waar misschien wel een optimalisatie is doorgevoerd voor een nieuw type videokaart of een ander stuk recente hardware. Voor serverparken en andere omgevingen waar stabiliteit de eis is, is zo’n halfjaarlijkse ’tussenversie’ niet praktisch, al is de stabiliteit over het algemeen zo groot dat er bij normaal desktopgebruik weinig verrassingen te verwachten zijn, behalve voor gebruikers van 32bit-chipsets: er komt geen 32bit-variant van het besturingssysteem.

Ubuntu 19.04 wallpaper
Wallpaper uit Ubuntu 19.04
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