History of Ubuntu releases

Ubuntu, an operating system based on Linux, makes two releases every year, using the year and month of the release as a version number. The first Ubuntu release, for example, was Ubuntu 4.10 and was released on October 20, 2004.cite mailing list |url=https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-announce/2004-October/000003.html |title=Ubuntu 4.10 announcement |date=2004-10-20 |accessdate=2008-08-19 |mailinglist=ubuntu-announce |last=Shuttleworth |first=Mark |authorlink=Mark Shuttleworth ] Consequently, version numbers for future versions are provisional; if the release is delayed until a different month to that planned, the version number changes accordingly.

Ubuntu releases are also given code names, using an adjective and an animal with the same first letter (e.g. "Dapper Drake"). With the exception of the first two releases, code names are in alphabetical order, allowing a quick determination of which release is newer. Commonly, Ubuntu releases are referred to using only the adjective portion of the code name (e.g. "Dapper").

Releases are timed to be approximately one month after GNOME releases, which are in turn about one month after releases of X.org. Consequently, every Ubuntu release comes with a newer version of both GNOME and X. Releases 6.06 and 8.04 have been labelled as a Long Term Support (LTS) to indicate support with updates for three years on the desktop and five years on the server, with paid technical support available from Canonical Ltd.cite web | url=https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-announce/2006-April/000065.html | title=Announcing Beta release of Ubuntu 6.06 LTS | accessdate=2008-08-19]

Ubuntu 4.10 (Warty Warthog)

Ubuntu 4.10 ("Warty Warthog"), released on 2004-10-20, was Canonical's first release of Ubuntu Linux, building upon Debian GNU/Linux with plans for a new release every six months and eighteen months of support thereafter. [cite mailing list |url=https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-announce/2004-October/000003.html|accessdate=2008-08-19|date=2004-10-20|first=Mark|last=Shuttleworth|title=Announcing Ubuntu 4.10 "The Warty Warthog Release"] Ubuntu 4.10's support ended on 2006-04-30.cite mailing list |url=https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-announce/2006-March/000061.html |title=Ubuntu 4.10 reaches end of life on 30 April 2006 |date=2006-03-28 |accessdate=2008-08-19 |mailinglist=ubuntu-announce |last=Zimmerman |first=Matt |authorlink= ] Ubuntu 4.10 was the first version of Ubuntu to offer ShipIt services, allowing users to order free install CDs. [cite web | url=https://wiki.ubuntu.com/WartyWarthogFinalReleaseAnnouncement| title=WartyWarthogFinalReleaseAnnouncement|date=2005-07-23 |accessdate=2008-03-05] The desktop version included, among other desktop programs, Gaim 1.0, GIMP 2.0, GNOME 2.8, Mozilla Firefox 0.9, and OpenOffice.org 1.1. The server version shipped with MySQL 4.0, PHP 4.3, and Python 2.3. Ubuntu 4.10 used Linux 2.6.8 kernel with XFree86 4.3.

Ubuntu 5.04 (Hoary Hedgehog)

Ubuntu 5.04 ("Hoary Hedgehog"), released on 2005-04-08,cite web |url=http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/releasenotes/504 |title=5.04 Release Notes |date=2005-04-08|accessdate=2008-08-19] was Canonical's second release of Ubuntu Linux. Ubuntu 5.04's support ended on 2006-10-31.cite mailing list |url=https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-security-announce/2006-October/000418.html |title=Ubuntu 5.04 reaches end-of-life on 31 October 2006 |date=2006-10-23 |accessdate=2008-08-19 |mailinglist=ubuntu-security-announce |last=Armstrong |first=Christina |authorlink= ] Ubuntu 5.04 added many new features including an update manager, [cite web|url=http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/upgrading|title=Upgrading your existing Ubuntu installation |accessdate=2008-06-02] upgrade notifier, readahead and grepmap, suspend, hibernate and standby support, dynamic frequency scaling for processors, ubuntu hardware database, Kickstart installation, and APT authentication. [cite web | url=https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DraftHoaryReleaseAnnouncement | title=DraftHoaryReleaseAnnouncement | date=2005-07-31 |accessdate=2008-03-05] Ubuntu 5.04 allowed installation from USB devices. Ubuntu 5.04 used UTF-8 by default.

The desktop installation of Ubuntu 5.04 included, among other programs, Gaim 1.1, GIMP 2.2, GNOME 2.10, Mozilla Firefox 1.0, and OpenOffice.org 1.1. The server installation included MySQL 4.0, PHP 4.3, and Python 2.4. Ubuntu 5.04 used Linux 2.6.10 and X.Org 6.8.

Ubuntu 5.10 (Breezy Badger)

Ubuntu 5.10 ("Breezy Badger"), released on 2005-10-13,cite web | url=https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-announce/2005-October/000038.html | title=Ubuntu 5.10 announcement|accessdate=2008-08-19] cite web |url=http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/releasenotes/510|title=Ubuntu 5.10 release notes |accessdate=2006-12-21] was Canonical's third release of Ubuntu Linux. Ubuntu 5.10's support ended on 2007-04-13.cite mailing list |url=https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-security-announce/2007-March/000504.html |title=Ubuntu 5.10 reaches end-of-life on April 13 2007 |date=2007-03-14 |accessdate=2008-08-19 |mailinglist=ubuntu-security-announce |last=Fog Heen |first=Tollef |authorlink= ] Ubuntu 5.10 added several new features including a graphical bootloader (Usplash), an Add/Remove Applications tool,cite web|url= https://help.ubuntu.com/7.04/add-applications/C/gnome-app-install.html|title= Add/Remove Applications|accessdate= 2008-06-06|format= Wiki|work= Ubuntu Documentation|publisher= Canonical Ltd.] a menu editor (alacarte), an easy language selector, logical volume management support, full Hewlett-Packard printer support, OEM installer support, and Launchpad integration for bug reporting and software development. [cite web | url=https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BreezyReleaseNotes | title=BreezyReleaseNotes | date=2005-07-31 |accessdate=2008-03-05]

The desktop installation of Ubuntu 5.10 included, among other programs, Gaim 1.5, GIMP 2.2, GNOME 2.12, Mozilla Firefox 1.0, and OpenOffice.org 1.9 (pre-2.0 release). The server installation included MySQL 4.1, PHP 5.0, and Python 2.4. Ubuntu 5.10 used Linux 2.6.12 and X.Org 6.8.

Ubuntu 6.06 (Dapper Drake)

Ubuntu 6.06 ("Dapper Drake"), released on 2006-06-01,cite web |url=http://www.ubuntu.com/news/606released | title=Ubuntu 6.06 LTS announcement |accessdate=2008-08-19] cite web |url=http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/releasenotes/606|title=Ubuntu 6.06 LTS release notes |accessdate=2008-08-19] was Canonical's fourth release, and the first Long Term Support (LTS) release. Ubuntu 6.06's support will end in June 2009 for desktops and June 2011 for servers. Ubuntu 6.06 included several new features, including having the Live CD and Install CD merged onto one disc, [cite web|url=https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD|title=LiveCD - Community Ubuntu Documentation ] a graphical installer on Live CD (Ubiquity), Usplash on shutdown as well as startup, a network manager for easy switching of multiple wired and wireless connections, Humanlooks theme implemented using Tango guidelines, based on Clearlooks and featuring orange colors instead of brown, and GDebi graphical installer for package files. [cite web|url=http://packages.ubuntu.com/search?suite=default&section=all&arch=any&searchon=names&keywords=gdebi|title=Package gdebi|accessdate=2008-06-02] [cite web | url=https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DapperDrake | title=DapperDrake | date=2007-01-26 |accessdate=2008-03-05] Ubuntu 6.06 did not include a means to install from a USB device, but did for the first time allow installation directly onto removable USB devices.

The desktop installation of Ubuntu 6.06 included, among other programs, Gaim 1.5, GIMP 2.2, GNOME 2.14, Mozilla Firefox 1.5, and OpenOffice.org 2.0. The server installation included MySQL 5.0, PHP 5.1, and Python 2.4, as well as an option to install LAMP. Ubuntu 6.06 used Linux 2.6.15 and X.Org 7.0.

Ubuntu 6.10 (Edgy Eft)

Ubuntu 6.10 ("Edgy Eft"), released on 2006-10-26,cite web | url=http://www.ubuntu.com/news/610released | title=Ubuntu 6.10 announcement|accessdate=2008-08-19] cite web |url=http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/releasenotes/610|title=Ubuntu 6.10 release notes |accessdate=2006-12-21] was Canonical's fifth release of Ubuntu Linux. Ubuntu 6.10's support ended on 2008-04-25.cite web | url=http://www.ubuntu.com/news/ubuntu610end-of-life | title=End of Life announcement for Ubuntu 6.10|accessdate=2008-04-01] Ubuntu 6.10 added several new features including a heavily modified Human theme, Upstart init daemon, automated crash reports (Apport), Tomboy note taking application, and F-spot photo manager. EasyUbuntu, a third party program designed to make Ubuntu easier to use, was included in Ubuntu 6.10 as a meta-package. [cite web | url=https://wiki.ubuntu.com/EdgyReleaseNotes | title=EdgyReleaseNotes | date=2007-10-16 |accessdate=2008-03-05]

The desktop installation of Ubuntu 6.10 included, among other programs, Gaim 2.0, GIMP 2.2, GNOME 2.16, Mozilla Firefox 2.0, and OpenOffice.org 2.0. The server installation included MySQL 5.0, PHP 5.1, and Python 2.4. Ubuntu 6.10 used Linux 2.6.17 and X.Org 7.1.

Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn)

Ubuntu 7.04 ("Feisty Fawn"), released on 2007-04-19,cite web | url=https://wiki.ubuntu.com/FeistyFawn | title=Ubuntu 7.04 announcement|title=Ubuntu 7.04 announcement|accessdate=2008-08-19] was Canonical's sixth release of Ubuntu Linux. Ubuntu 7.04's support will end in October 19, 2008. Ubuntu 7.04 included several new features, among them a migration assistant to help former Microsoft Windows users transition to Ubuntu, support for Kernel-based Virtual Machine, assisted codec and restricted drivers installation, Compiz desktop effects, support for Wi-Fi Protected Access, the addition of Sudoku and chess, a disk usage analyzer (baobab), GNOME Control Center, and Zeroconf support for many devices. [cite web | url=http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/feistybeta | title=feistybeta | date=2007-03-23 |accessdate=2008-03-05] Ubuntu 7.04 dropped support for PowerPC architecture.

The desktop installation of Ubuntu 7.04 included, among other programs, Gaim 2.0, GIMP 2.2, GNOME 2.18, Mozilla Firefox 2.0, and OpenOffice.org 2.2. The server installation included MySQL 5.0, PHP 5.2, and Python 2.5. Ubuntu 7.04 used Linux 2.6.20 and X.Org 7.2.

Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon)

Ubuntu 7.10 ("Gutsy Gibbon"), released on 2007-10-18,cite web | url=https://wiki.ubuntu.com/GutsyReleaseSchedule | title=GutsyReleaseSchedule - Ubuntu Wiki|accessdate=2008-08-19] cite web |url=https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel-announce/2007-April/000276.html|title=Introducing the Gutsy Gibbon|date=2007-04-12|accessdate=2008-08-19] was Canonical's seventh release of Ubuntu Linux. Ubuntu 7.10's support will end in April 2009. Ubuntu 7.10 included several new features, among them AppArmor security framework,cite web|url=http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/tribe3|title=Gutsy Gibbon - Tribe 3 test release |accessdate=2008-06-02] fast desktop search,cite web|url=http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/tribe4|title=Gutsy Gibbon - Tribe 4 test release |accessdate=2008-06-02] a firefox plug-in manager (Ubufox),cite web|url=http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/tribe5|title=Gutsy Gibbon - Tribe 5 test release |accessdate=2008-06-02] a graphical configuration tool for X.org full NTFS support (read/write) via NTFS-3G, and a revamped printing system with PDF printing by default. Compiz Fusion was enabled as default in Ubuntu 7.10cite web|url=http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/tribe2|title=Gutsy Gibbon - Tribe 2 test release |accessdate=2008-06-02] and Fast user switching was added.

The desktop installation of Ubuntu 7.10 included, among other programs, GIMP 2.4, GNOME 2.20, Mozilla Firefox 2.0, OpenOffice.org 2.3, and Pidgin 2.2. The server installation included MySQL 5.0, PHP 5.2 and Python 2.5. Ubuntu 7.10 used Linux 2.6.22 and X.Org 7.2.

Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron)

Ubuntu 8.04 ("Hardy Heron"), released on 2008-04-24,cite web |url=http://www.jonobacon.org/?p=1017 | title=Introducing the Hardy Heron |accessdate=2008-08-19cite web |url=https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+milestone/ubuntu-8.04 | title=Milestone ubuntu-8.04 for Ubuntu due 2008-04-24 |accessdate=2008-08-19] is Canonical's eighth and latest release of Ubuntu Linux. It is the second Long Term Support (LTS) release. [cite web|url=https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuWeeklyNewsletter/Issue36#head-1999d566299f6428162eb2f60acf5d12ad93f5d9|title=Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter: Issue 36|accessdate=2008-06-02] [cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-7344_3-6175365.html?hhTest=1&part=rss&tag=2547-1_3-0-5&subj=news|title=Ubuntu's new Linux sports debugging tool|accessdate=2008-08-19] Ubuntu 8.04's support will end in April 2011 for desktops and April 2013 for servers. Ubuntu 8.04 included several new features, among them Tracker desktop search integration, [web cite|url=http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071101-ubuntu-developer-summit-lays-out-vision-for-strong-hardy-heron-release.html |title=Ubuntu developer summit Boston|accessdate=2008-06-02] Brasero disk burner, Transmission BitTorrent client, Vinagre VNC client,cite web|url=https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/hardy-changes/2008-January/004677.html|title=Accepted: ubuntu-meta 1.87 (source)|accessdate=2008-01-21] system sound through PulseAudio [cite web|url=https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/cleanup-audio-jumble|title=Blueprint: "Fix the Linux audio mess once and for all"|publisher=Launchpad|accessdate=2008-08-19] , and Active Directory authentication and login using Likewise Open. [cite web|url=http://www.ubuntu.com/news/ubuntu-8.04-lts-server|title=Latest Server Release Expands Ubuntu Enterprise Profile|accessdate=2008-07-05] In addition Ubuntu 8.04 included updates for better Tango compliance, [web cite |url=https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Hardy |title=Hardy Heron Artwork |accessdate=2008-08-19 |publisher=Ubuntu Wiki] various Compiz usability improvements, automatic grabbing and releasing of the mouse cursor when running on a VMware virtual machine, and an easier method to remove Ubuntu. Ubuntu 8.04 is the first version of Ubuntu to include the Wubi installer on the Live CD that allows Ubuntu to be installed as a single file on a Windows hard drive without the need to repartition the disk.

The desktop installation of Ubuntu 8.04 included, among other programs, GIMP 2.4, GNOME 2.22, Mozilla Firefox 3.0, OpenOffice.org 2.4, and Pidgin 2.4. The server installation included MySQL 5.0, PHP 5.2 and Python 2.5. Ubuntu 8.04 uses Linux 2.6.24 and X.Org 7.3.

Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex)

Ubuntu 8.10 ("Intrepid Ibex"), to be released on 2008-10-30,cite web |url=https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+milestone/ubuntu-8.10|title=Milestone ubuntu-8.10 for Ubuntu due 2008-10-30|accessdate=2008-04-28] will be Canonical's ninth release of Ubuntu. It will be supported until April 2010. Ubuntu 8.10 has several planned new features including a new default theme [cite web |url=https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-art/2008-January/004855.html | title=Ubuntu theme update postponed | accessdate=2008-03-26] (which has since been postponed again)Fact|date=October 2008, improvements to mobile computing and desktop scalability, increased flexibility for Internet connectivity, a GUI driven Live USB creator (possibly Ubuntu Live USB creator), a guest account, [] an encrypted directory labelled "Private" in each user's home directory [] and the inclusion of Dynamic Kernel Module Support, a tool that allows kernel drivers to be automatically rebuilt when new kernels are released. [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/IntrepidIbex/TechnicalOverview]

The desktop installation of Ubuntu 8.10 will include, among other programs, GIMP 2.6 [https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gimp] , GNOME 2.24, Mozilla Firefox 3.0, OpenOffice.org 2.4, and Pidgin 2.5. The server installation will include MySQL 5.0, PHP 5.2 and Python 2.5. Ubuntu 8.10 will use Linux 2.6.27 and X.Org 7.4.

Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope)

Ubuntu 9.04 ("Jaunty Jackalope"), to be released sometime in April 2009 will be Canonical's tenth release of the distribution. It will be supported until October 2010. Intended features for procurement include faster boot time and integration of web services and applications into the desktop interface. It will also mark the first time that all of Ubuntu's core development will be moved to the Bazaar distributed revision control system.cite web|url= https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel-announce/2008-September/000481.html|title= Introducing the Jaunty Jackalope|accessdate= 2008-09-09|format= Archive|work= Mailing list archive|publisher= Canonical Ltd]

The desktop installation of Ubuntu 9.04 is expected to include, among other programs, GIMP 2.6, GNOME 2.26, Mozilla Firefox 3.1, OpenOffice.org 3.0, and Pidgin 2.6. The server installation may include MySQL 5.1, PHP 5.2 and Python 2.6. Ubuntu 9.04 may use Linux 2.6.30 and X.Org 7.5.

Release history

{| class="wikitable"! rowspan=2 | #! rowspan=2 | Version! rowspan=2 | Code name! rowspan=2 | Testing name! rowspan=2 | Release date! colspan=2 | Supported until
-! Desktops! Servers
- ---
1
4.10
Warty Warthog
Sounder [cite web | url=https://wiki.ubuntu.com/WartyWarthogReleaseSchedule | title=WartyWarthogReleaseSchedule | date=2005-07-20 |accessdate=2008-03-05]
2004-10-20
colspan=2 align=center style="background-color:#fa8072;"|2006-04-30
- ---
2
5.04
Hoary Hedgehog
Array [cite web | url=https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HoaryReleaseSchedule | title=HoaryReleaseSchedule | date=2005-07-20 |accessdate=2008-03-05]
2005-04-08
colspan=2 align=center style="background-color:#fa8072;"|2006-10-31
- ---
3
5.10
Breezy Badger
Colony
2005-10-13
colspan=2 align=center style="background-color:#fa8072;"|2007-04-13
- ---
4
6.06 LTS
Dapper Drake
Flight
2006-06-01
align=center style="background-color:#f0e68c;"|June 2009
align=center style="background-color:#f0e68c;"|June 2011
- ---
5
6.10
Edgy Eft
Knot
2006-10-26
colspan=2 align=center style="background-color:#fa8072;"|2008-04-25
- ---
6
7.04
Feisty Fawn
Herd
2007-04-19
colspan=2 align=center style="background-color:#f0e68c;"|2008-10-19
- ---
7
7.10
Gutsy Gibbon
Tribe
2007-10-18
colspan=2 align=center style="background-color:#f0e68c;"|April 2009
- ---
8
8.04 LTS
Hardy Heron [cite web |url=https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardyReleaseSchedule | title=HardyReleaseSchedule | accessdate=2008-08-19]
Alpha
2008-04-24
align=center style="background-color:#A0E75A;"|April 2011
align=center style="background-color:#A0E75A;"|April 2013
- ---
9
8.10
Intrepid Ibexcite web|url=https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel/2008-February/025136.html|title=Planning for Ubuntu 8.10ish - The Intrepid Ibex|first=Mark|last=Shuttleworth|accessdate=2008-06-02] [cite web|url= https://wiki.ubuntu.com/IntrepidReleaseSchedule|title= Intrepid Release Schedule|accessdate= 2008-06-14|format= Wiki|work= Ubuntu Wiki|publisher= Canonical Ltd]
Alpha
2008-10-30
colspan=2 align=center style="background-color:#87ceeb;"|April 2010
- ---
10
9.04
Jaunty Jackalope
Alpha
2009-04
colspan=2 align=center style="background-color:#87ceeb;"|October 2010

Version End of life

After a certain version of Ubuntu has reached its end-of-life time, its repositories will be removed from the main Ubuntu servers, as well as their mirrors. However, older versions of Ubuntu repositories can be found at [http://old-releases.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/ old-releases.ubuntu.com] .cite web
url=http://releases.ubuntu.com/
title=Ubuntu Releases
publisher=ubuntu.com
accessdate=2008-08-11]

See also

* Ubuntu

Citations

External links