June 1, 2006 was the date when Ubuntu Linux, one of the most popular Linux versions available today, released the much anticipated Dapper Drake version: the Ubuntu Linux 6.06.

I was actually one of those excited to see the improvements included with Dapper Drake by downloading beta versions. I updated Breezy Badger to Dapper Drake Flight 6 standard--two versions before the actual release version. The update was an experience in itself taking more than an hour to download and install all the components necessary to keep up with the latest and greatest version.  However, with the installation CDs available now it should not take that long to install.

After downloading the ISO for the Intel x86 Desktop LiveCD, I immediately fired up the Parallels Workstation Beta 2 on my Apple MacBook  Pro and tried installing it. The procedure actually runs the Linux CD as a LiveCD; it is now a live Linux system with no installation needed.  This is the best way to have a feel of the system prior to installing it permanently in your hard drive.

Since I already am familiar with Ubuntu Linux, I clicked on the icon to start the installation process. Installation was sweet and painless. The speed of installation depends on your CD drive speed, your hard drive speed and your processor's power. On my 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo MacBook Pro, the bottle-neck was the 4X Superdrive and the slow 5400rpm hard drive, but installation time did not take longer than the time would have taken if I installed it on a desktop PC.

The GUI is sleek, the menu has been streamlined and response-time has greatly been improved.  Configuration is a snap!  Since I do not use DHCP at home, configuring the network was easy.  I have heard of problems with DHCP so I suggest that you check the  Ubuntu forums for possible solutions.  Similar to Mac OS X's Software Update, Ubuntu also alerts you when installed software needs to be updated.

A quick survey of the available applications installed by default will yield the latest version of the Firefox web browser, Evolution mail client, OpenOffice.org office productivity suite, Gimp graphics editor, Rythmbox and Totem media players and more. Whatever software you need that is not included, simply fire up Synaptic and select whichever software you want to install.  Just do not expect pirated software to be included there--you only get those from your friendly neighborhood pirate.

Don't forget to search Synaptic for the Sun Java Development Kit. If you can remember, I mentioned that Sun officially provided Ubuntu with their Java tools at JavaOne 06.

You may ask why I installed Ubuntu on Mac OS X, well because I can. :) I have no use for Linux on my MacBook Pro except as a testbed for applications (the look and feel of Java on Mac OS X and Linux are not 100% the same). Other than that, I'd use the Ubuntu Linux on my server if given the chance.

Speaking of servers, Ubuntu Linux 6.06 now supports servers running on the three major computer architectures: Intel x86, PowerPC and AMD64. It won't be long before Ubuntu releases the version for the new Sun Niagara servers.

If you want to get a copy of Ubuntu Linux Drapper Drake, you can download it from Ubuntu.com or its mirrors. However, I recommend that you use BitTorrent instead—it’s faster and more server friendly. :) Get Azureus (http://azureus.sourceforge.net) for your BitTorrent client; or send me e-mail.  I might be able to arrange a meeting so I can burn you a copy of the Intel x86 Desktop or Server.