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Ubuntu users are still fighting over installing proprietary ATI and Nvidia drivers, and we're already thinking about future Ubuntu versions.  It seems that there are many interesting changes coming. Want to know more? Don't miss this sneak-peak of all the new features that will be included in the next Ubuntu version: Oneiric Ocelot. |
LightDM is a display manager that will replace the old GDM. This change was decided unanimously at the last Ubuntu Developers Meeting (UDS). This is a decision that, if it goes well, I think many of the other popular Linux distributions will emulate.
It happens that LightDM is much lighter than GDM and it is also very easy to develop themes for it, since it is based on HTML, CSS and Javascript. Don't forget those good old days when it was possible to download a lot of themes for GDM that suddenly vanished ... well, soon it will be possible to re-apply themes to your display manager.
Greater application integration with the Unity launcher
The new launcher is one of the strengths of the Unity interface. But its capabilities have not yet been fully utilized. Quicklists were the first step in integrating applications with Unity; But that is not all. The Unity launcher also has the ability to display progress bars, counters, etc. You can expect many of these new features in the next version of Ubuntu 11.10.
Bye classic GNOME interface, Unity 2D is going to change Metacity to Compiz
You can start saying goodbye to the classic GNOME interface because it won't find a place in the next version of Ubuntu; Unity 2D will be the rescue desk. This has been known for a long time, but the great news is that Unity 2D will be running on Compiz rather than Metacity.
Software Center enhancements
Gone are the days when the Software Center was one of the many applications that came in Ubuntu and that almost no one used. The CSU obtained maximum attention in the last versions of Ubuntu in which it wanted to transform it into a kind of market for open source applications. But it seems that Canonical has not finished making changes yet. Here are some of the ones that will apparently be seen in the next Ubuntu release:
- Improvements in the loading speed of the Software Center.
- Larger app icons, for easier use on touch devices.
- Greater integration with Unity.
- Make the interface even simpler: Completely remove the navigation panel on the left, etc.
- Improvements when using it without an Internet connection. Currently, it does not allow installing / removing applications without an internet connection. It would be better to add these actions to a "queue" so that they can be executed when the Internet connection is re-established.
PiTiVi & Computer Janitor out, Leave Dup in
Computer Janitor and the PiTiVi video editor will not be installed by default in Ubuntu 11.10. This makes perfect sense since if they had released GIMP for being an "too advanced" image editor, Ubuntu didn't need to come with a video editor either. On the other hand, many other distros are coming by default with programs to make a system backup. Deja Dup is the tool of choice for the folks at Canonical to accomplish that job.
Mozilla Thunderbird may also enter
Although Thunderbird, the mail client developed by Mozilla, is a GREAT application, which even comes by default in many distros, such as Linux Mint, there is a space problem that makes its inclusion in doubt: it is very difficult to fit all in the 700MB of a CD. Also, I think, there is the difficulty about what to do with Evolution. Leaving it would be mischievous but, at the same time, it must be recognized that there is no other email client with as much integration with GNOME as Evolution.
Source: Techdrivein