Hi everyone,

While this post might be obvious for some of you, I feel it is not yet clear for some others and I thought it might be a good idea to clear some confusion and make life easier.

Introduction
My job within Ubuntu GNOME Team is not easy at all. One of the things that I like to do and I have to do (because of my commitments with Ubuntu GNOME) is being in touch with all the users of Ubuntu GNOME. This is alone is a huge burden if you ask me and I can assure you (from +3 years experience of doing that), it is very stressful and hard but I do like it. I’ve seen so many posts on our Social Media and Emails on our Mailing Lists. Most of those who would love to help Ubuntu GNOME to get better and better are confused and not sure what to do?
I don’t blame them simply because I do feel them. I’ve been there once and I know how frustrating it is when you want to do something you want badly but you can’t because of lack of information (for example) or lack of experience and/or lack of communications. There are really many reasons for that.

Today, I’d like to make life a lot easier for everyone and hopefully end that confusion with this post. I will give it a try. If I couldn’t make life easier then I didn’t fail, I just found 10,000 ways that didn’t work and will never give up nor surrender and will keep trying. Ubuntu GNOME as a team has many priorities, one of the most important among these are Our Users. However, to be logical here, we can’t please everyone as this is the key to failure. Not to mention, nothing is perfect.

So, are you ready?

How Can I help Ubuntu GNOME with Testing?

• Step 1: Please read the Testing Wiki Page. It is really very easy to find it. It is almost on all our channels, not to mention you can only bookmark our OneStopPage to have access to each and every Wiki and/or Document that Ubuntu GNOME Team has.
• Step 2: If the information on the Testing Wiki Page wasn’t enough, there is a link at the very bottom of the Testing Wiki Page called See Also. Click See Also and you will get more details about Testing.
• Step 3: If and only if you did read the Testing Wiki Page and the Activities Wiki Page and got stuck somewhere or have any Question, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us . If we will be late in response to your email or post, that means real life got into our way. Otherwise, we shall get back to you ASAP.
• Step 4: Done.

Yes indeed. That is all what you need to know.
Our Wiki Pages are organized and documented in a way that could help you at any time without the need to ask anything. But, just in case, we shall be always there waiting for you if you have any question in mind.

Summary
Now, you do have the first resource of information regarding testing, that is: Ubuntu GNOME Testing Wiki Page.

Also, your second resource of information which is actually a support resource more than just informational: Ubuntu GNOME Team – Just Contact Us.

I hope this is crystal clear now 🙂

As always, thank you for choosing, helping, supporting and testing Ubuntu GNOME!

The real power behind any Linux Distribution is not the Developers but the Testers. Without Testing, we would never know whether our system is rock solid or a buggy system.

Happy Testing!

Ali/amjjawad
Lead of Ubuntu GNOME QA Team

Hi,

Ubuntu GNOME Team is happy to announce the release of Ubuntu GNOME Trusty Tahr Final Beta.

Please see the release notes.

We’re preparing Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 LTS, the Trusty Tahr, for distribution in 17th of April 2014. With this Beta 2 release, you can see what we are trying out in preparation for our next stable version. We have some interesting things happening, so read on for highlights and information.

NOTE:
This is a Beta 2 Release. Ubuntu GNOME Beta Releases are NOT recommended for:

• Regular users who are not aware of pre-release issues
• Anyone who needs a stable system
• Anyone uncomfortable running a possibly frequently broken system
• Anyone in a production environment with data or workflows that need to be reliable

Ubuntu GNOME Beta Releases are recommended for:

• Regular users who want to help us test by finding, reporting, and/or fixing bugs
• Ubuntu GNOME developers

To help with testing Ubuntu GNOME:
Please see Testing Ubuntu GNOME Wiki Page.

To contact Ubuntu GNOME:
Please see our full list of contact channels.

Thank you for choosing and testing Ubuntu GNOME!

Hi,

Many users, for the last 5 months since the Trusty Tahr Cycle has started until now, are asking Ubuntu GNOME Team the same question over and over again. We thought to give our final, direct and clear answer for everyone.

Q: Why Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 LTS will not be shipped with GNOME 3.12?

A: Simply, because Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 LTS will be released in 17th of April, 2014 and GNOME 3.12 has been just released today. Please see the announcement of GNOME 3.12 release.

Q: So what? there is still time to introduce GNOME 3.12 into Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 LTS, right?

A: No. Because in the 20th of February, 2014 Trusty Tahr Cycle has reached to Feature Freeze:

“At this point we stop introducing new features, packages, and APIs, and concentrate on fixing bugs in the development release.”

That said, there is no time to introduce any new feature and at that time, GNOME 3.12 wasn’t yet released.

Q: But I like Ubuntu GNOME and I’d like to use it with the latest GNOME version?

A: Sure, no problem. That is why we do have our PPA.

Q: Hm, so with your PPA, can I run GNOME 3.12 with Ubuntu GNOME Trusty Tahr right now?

A: Please note that Ubuntu GNOME Trusty Tahr is ‘still’ under heavy development and testing and the main focus now is to work hard on our very first LTS release. That said, once our PPA is ready for GNOME 3.12 which has been just released today, we shall update everyone with new post on our website and all our other channels (Social Media + Mailing List). Stay tuned 🙂

Hope our answers will clear any confusion.

If you’re still in doubt, please Contact Us.

Thank you for choosing and using Ubuntu GNOME!

Hi,

Can you believe it? few more days, and Ubuntu GNOME Trusty Tahr Final Beta/Beta 2 will be released.

As always, it is time for some heavy testing and help Ubuntu GNOME Team to decide which image (daily build) could be the final beta (beta 2) for Trusty Tahr.

With the very latest great news – Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 will be an LTS release supported for 3 years – and with the great commitment of Ubuntu GNOME Team and the high quality that everyone showed for the last 5 months, we do need to carry on and keep up the great work. We have achieved a lot and less than a month to go to the final release and the very first LTS version of Ubuntu GNOME. The hard work has just started. Beta 2 or the final beta means this is what Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 LTS final release will look like, at least 90% or even more.

If you take a look at the Release Schedule Wiki Page, you will notice that there will be no more new features or any kind of changes to be done. At this stage/phase, it is mainly heavy testing and bugs fixing.

From today until 17th of April, 2014 (the date of the final release), we do need to make sure that Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 LTS will be solid and stable as a rock. Thus, we do need your help and support.

Final Beta or Beta 2 is not yet released. It will be released in 27th of March, 2014 but we must start testing from now and be ready.

What exactly do I need to test?
Ubuntu GNOME Trusty Tahr Daily Build

Okay, I’m new to this so how can I get started?
HOWTO Test Ubuntu GNOME

How can I get in touch with the Testing Team?
HOWTO Contact Ubuntu GNOME QA/Testing Team

Where else I could ask for some help?
Beside the mailing list of Ubuntu GNOME QA Team and Ubuntu GNOME IRC Channel, you can always post on Ubuntu Forums. There is a dedicated section for testing. However, please pay attention to:

This forum is for the discussion of the development of the next version of Ubuntu. Please Note: Ubuntu Developers do not usually read the forums, If you run into what you think is a bug, please use Launchpad to report it.

For anything else, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you for testing Ubuntu GNOME and helping us. We highly appreciate and respect that.

Ali/amjjawad
Ubuntu GNOME QA Lead

Hi everyone,

Ubuntu GNOME Team is pleased to officially announce that Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 (Trusty Tahr) is going to be our first Long Term Support (LTS) Release. YES! You did read that correctly 😀

[AGREED] Ubuntu GNOME is a 3 year LTS

Please see the log from the Technical Board Meeting on 17th of March, 2014.

What happened is, we have applied and sent this proposal. Ubuntu Technical Board asked Ubuntu GNOME Team to show more commitment and extend the support period for a very valid reason:

Steve Langasek said:

“I am very concerned about this proposed support timeline. 2 years and 3
months means that the support period would end the same month that 16.04.1 is likely to be released. Given that our policy has been to not recommend (or advertise in the UI) LTS upgrades until the first point release, this effectively gives users zero margin between the dropping of security support for Ubuntu-GNOME 14.04, and the first upgrades to Ubuntu-GNOME 16.04.

I would not be comfortable endorsing an LTS status for a release that is not going to provide a reasonable overlap between the LTS support periods. I think we should regard 3 years of support as the minimum for LTS status.”

So, Ubuntu GNOME team has responded to the request and Tim (Ubuntu GNOME head of developers) has agreed to extend the support to 3 years instead of 2 years and 3 months.

Without a doubt and without a question, this is by far, the biggest and the best achievement for Ubuntu GNOME Community. We’re not only an official flavour of Ubuntu but also got the LTS Status.

Ubuntu GNOME and Lubuntu are going to have their very first LTS Release at the same time. This is a great achievement for both Communities 🙂

This is the result of very hard and great work that has been putting into Ubuntu GNOME for the last few months. We’re getting better in everything. Yes, we are not perfect (no such thing as perfect system) and we do have mistakes but we’re learning from our mistakes and we’re interested not to do the same mistakes, yet again. We’re growing fast in quality and quantity. This is the result of not giving up and for going the extra miles.

Congratulation for Ubuntu GNOME Community (Team Members and Users) for this huge achievement and huge thank to Ubuntu Technical Board for their trust and endless support. Of course, we’d like to thank each and every volunteer who has helped Ubuntu GNOME and still helping. All of you are the best people. Those who dedicate their time and effort to help other people just to draw a smile on their faces are indeed unique, special and great people who deserve our full respect. Everyone involved with Ubuntu GNOME is great and so kind because he/she helped and supported us.

A new era for Ubuntu GNOME and a new glory is on the way. We must be prepared and ready. It is not the end, this is just the beginning.

Now, this calls for more recruitment and more commitment. Ubuntu Board put their trust in us. We must be trust worthy. We must prove ourselves as the best when it comes to commitment and support.

If you like Ubuntu GNOME, if Ubuntu GNOME managed to change your life or the way you’re using the Computer with and/or if you want to do something for Ubuntu GNOME to show your appreciation … it is very very simple – just get involved and write your name with the great people who have done all what they could and even more to reach to this point.

We’re looking forward for more volunteers.

You can always contact us if you need anything.

And last but not least, it is time to spread the word and let the whole world know that Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 is going to be supported for 3 years as an LTS release.
Please, spread/share this with everyone 🙂

Thank you for choosing, using and supporting Ubuntu GNOME!

On behalf of Ubuntu GNOME Community
Ali/amjjawad
Ubuntu GNOME Leader

Hi,

The Community Wallpaper Contest for Trusty Tahr Cycle has come to an end.

Special thanks to everyone who took the time to vote and helped Ubuntu GNOME team with the very first Community Wallpaper Contest.

We have 10 winners:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fgr1986/9389885763/in/pool-2484760@N20

http://www.flickr.com/photos/115069876@N05/12069384574/in/pool-2484760@N20

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10048540@N04/12467215715/in/pool-2484760@N20

http://www.flickr.com/photos/75161320@N08/6756060589/in/pool-2484760@N20

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fgr1986/9778135463/in/pool-2484760@N20

http://www.flickr.com/photos/118171021@N02/12648752313/in/pool-2484760@N20

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fgr1986/9562642114/in/pool-2484760@N20

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markcarline/7754554052/in/pool-2484760@N20

http://www.flickr.com/photos/115244022@N02/12100113295/in/pool-2484760@N20

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fgr1986/9679489224/in/pool-2484760@N20

Another Blueprint for Trusty Tahr has been implemented successfully.

Thank you for Ubuntu GNOME Artwork Team. They have done a great job.

Thank you everyone for your endless help and continuous support!

Ali/amjjawad
On behalf of Ubuntu GNOME Artwork Team

Hi,

Today, Ubuntu GNOME Team has submitted a proposal for being an LTS release to Ubuntu Technical Board Team and that is for Trusty Tahr Cycle.

It means, if the Ubuntu Technical Board approves our proposal, Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 will be LTS – fingers crossed.

What does LTS mean?
Please see this Wiki Page.

Whether Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 will be an LTS release or not, we shall definitely need ‘more active contributors and manpower’. The community is growing fast, both in quality and quantity which is very promising and this has absolutely increased our confidence that we could do more and go the extra miles. Our need to ‘more contributions’ will never stop since we have decided to go that path.

There are lots of areas where you can help and support Ubuntu GNOME with. Please have a read at:
Getting Involved with Ubuntu GNOME.

If you have any question, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us.

“I am because we are.”

“All of us are smarter than any one of us.”

Thank you for choosing and supporting Ubuntu GNOME!

Hi,

Ubuntu GNOME Team is pleased to announce the pre-final step for our very first Community Wallpaper Contest for Trusty Tahr Cycle.

As communicated before, since we have ended the submission for the wallpapers, it is time to ask the whole community to vote and select their favourite wallpapers which will make it to the final release of Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 (Trusty Tahr).

Important Note:
Please note that you’re required to select (Ten – 10) wallpapers and vote for your selections and the top (Ten – 10) wallpapers will be included in Ubuntu GNOME 14.04.

Dead Line:
The poll will continue until: 9-March-2014

To view the poll, please click here:
[Poll] Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 Community Wallpaper Contest

What will happen next?
Once we finish the poll, we shall announce the winner wallpapers that will make it to Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 and that would be the final step of the Community Wallpaper Contest.

Thank you for your time and your vote!

On Behalf of Ubuntu GNOME Artwork Team

February 2014 Report

Every month, Ubuntu GNOME Marketing & Communications Team creates a monthly report and share it with the community. We decided, starting from 2014 to publish our reports on our website as well.

To view the report of January 2014, please click here.

Our Social Media Channels are still growing and we’re having more subscribers, as always.

We’re looking forward to provide the best information on our Social Media Channels, as always. Team Updates, System Updates, etc. We’re doing our best to keep everyone in the loop.

If you have any feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

If you feel you can help with our Social Media Channels, kindly have a read at our basic requirements to become a moderator.

Thank you for choosing and using Ubuntu GNOME and thanks for joining our Social Media Channels. We ask to spread the word of Ubuntu GNOME. We highly appreciate if you invite your friends, cycles and/or followers to our channels.

Enjoy Ubuntu GNOME!