Hi,

Ubuntu GNOME Team is glad to announce the availability of the first milestone (Alpha 1) for Ubuntu GNOME Vivid Vervet (15.04).

Kindly do take the time and read the release notes:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/VividVervet/Alpha1/UbuntuGNOME

We would like to thank our great helpful and very supportive testers. They have responded to our urgent call for help in no time. Having high quality testers on the team make us more confident this cycle will be extraordinary and needless to mention, that is an endless motivation for us to do more and give more. Thank you so much again for all those who helped to test Alpha 1 images.

As always, if you need more information about testing, please see this page.

And, don’t hestiate to contact us if you have any question, feedback, notes, suggestions, etc – please see this page.

Thank you for choosing, testing and using Ubuntu GNOME!

Hi,

Here we are, yet again, with a new chapter of our endless story. Can you guess what this is all about?

Well, can you believe it is time for Alpha 1 of Vivid Vervet?

According to Ubuntu Release Schedule, Alpha 1 is approaching quickly and Ubuntu GNOME is participating – according to this confirmation.

You have showed a great deal of help, support, commitment and contributions with the previous cycles. We are asking again to be kind and nice to do the same this cycle as well. We are forever thankful for all our testers; without their great efforts, Ubuntu GNOME can’t be great nor stable. We take this chance to thank you, yet again, for each and everything you have done for Ubuntu GNOME. We seek your help, support and contribution this cycle as well.

Testing is not hard at all. Luckily, you don’t really have to be a developer nor an advanced user. All what you need is:

• Virtual Machine or Spare Machine (Real Hardware).
• Read: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuGNOME/Testing.
• Share your findings on the ISO Tracker and Ubuntu GNOME QA Team.
• Spare time you are kind enough to invest it to help Ubuntu GNOME.

That is all what you really need 🙂

Needless to say, if you are ever in doubt or have any question, request, note, etc … then please contact us and our team will be more than glad to help!

Thank you and happy testing 🙂

Hi,

As with each and every cycle, we review what we have achieved and discuss what we need to do next. Starting from this cycle (Vivid Vervet), we decided to do things differently and of course, better. We have introduced Ubuntu GNOME Cycle Assessment. Knowing your weakness is needed and sometimes better than knowing only your strength. We can’t become better without knowing our mistakes/weakness and work hard to fix/improve that.

Now, we have a Team Structure. Even better, we have introduced a very helpful way to help us in recruiting new people to our team; we called it Ubuntu GNOME Needed Roles.

And, because:

All of us are smarter than anyone of us

Ubuntu GNOME, as a community project should not be a one-man project but instead, a community, everyone within helps each other.

When Ubuntu GNOME Sub-Teams were created and introduced, it was hard at that time (due to short time limit) to recruit many people needed to fill the roles and be the drivers of these Sub-Teams. Today, a lot has changed and Ubuntu GNOME community is better, bigger and gained more experience by time.

That said, the next step was sending this email and announcing a real change within Ubuntu GNOME community.

And, here is the great news 🙂

• Ubuntu GNOME Marketing and Communications Team
• Ubuntu GNOME Translations Team

Both have NEW Team Leader/Driver 😀

New bloods, accepted the challenge. Not that they are new to Ubuntu GNOME as users, but they are new on these roles.

• Keith Myers – Marketing and Communications NEW Team Leader/Driver
• Elias Psallidas – Acting Marketing and Communications Team Leader
• Efstathios (Stathis) Iosifidis – Translations NEW Team Leader/Driver

All the above people have showed a great deal of interest into Ubuntu GNOME and they have promised to support, help and work hard side by side to make Ubuntu GNOME even better. Thus, offer taken and challenge accepted.

There are more needed roles. We are looking for more people to join in.

Meanwhile, we are very much pleased to make this official announcement and we are confident that the new drivers will do their best. Please, join me to welcome them to their new roles and wish them all the best 🙂

Thank you!

Ali/amjjawad
Ubuntu GNOME Community Manager

Hi,

On the mailing list, I have sent this email.

Who is interested to use/run Ubuntu GNOME as a Rolling Release?!

And apparently, there are many interested in this idea.

To keep it simple and short, here is how to achieve that.

First of all, those who are testing Ubuntu GNOME Development Releases (Vivid Vervet for this cycle), are actually using Ubuntu GNOME as a Rolling Release and perhaps they don’t even know that 🙂

1. Go to Ubuntu GNOME Testing Wiki Page.
2. Download the latest daily build.
3. Install it on your machine/virtual machine.
4. Done – you are now using a Rolling Release.

Once Vivid Vervet (15.04) will be released, then your system will be stable once you update it on the release day.

Then, how can you keep using Ubuntu GNOME as a Rolling Release?

That is very easy:

1. There is a release called “devel“.
2. If you put that in /etc/apt/sources.list instead of utopic/vivid etc, you will be kicked over the new devel version a few days after it opens.
3. No need to ever upgrade to the next version/release; just a dist-upgrade is enough.

These days, the devel series are a bit stable, there are lots of automated testing, that makes sure everything is installable and passes tests before it propagates to the main archive. There is the odd issue that slips through the tests, but they get fixed quickly and while we wouldn’t recommend it for a full production system, the people that want the latest and greatest GNOME and tinker a bit, would be fine on it.

This is how to edit /etc/apt/sources.list?

For this cycle, whenever you see “vivid“, replace that with “devel“. Once WW Cycle will start, you don’t need to do anything except waiting until the new development cycle officially starts.

I hope that was fun, helpful and useful. If you have any Question/Feedback, please contact us.

Thank you!

Ali/amjjawad
Ubuntu GNOME Community Manager

Update: https://www.gnome.org/news/2014/11/groupon-has-agreed-to-change-its-product-name/

Hello Ubuntu GNOME Community,

Sad but true. Everyone I suppose is shocked. I have seen this today on Facebook – Help the GNOME Foundation defend the GNOME trademark against Groupon! – and I still can’t believe my eyes but this is not a joke, sadly .. this is true and official:

“GNOME” has been a familiar name in software for the past 17 years, and a registered trademark since 2006. The GNOME project has been a staple desktop for GNU/Linux and BSD desktops. It was the default desktop for Sun Microsystems workstation class machines, continues to be the default desktop for the Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server distributions, and it is the default desktop of Fedora and Debian. SUSE Linux Enterprise Point of Service solution for the retail industry is based on GNOME. GNOME technology can be found in TVs, tablets, phones, consumer devices, and in common software everywhere.

Recently Groupon announced a product with the same product name as GNOME. Groupon’s product is a tablet based point of sale “operating system for merchants to run their entire operation.” The GNOME community was shocked that Groupon would use our mark for a product so closely related to the GNOME desktop and technology.

Please read this email from Tobias Mueller.

I have contacted GNOME Foundation by sending this email to the mailing list. And after spreading the word, I sent this email too. I have also contacted Ubuntu GNOME Community and informed everyone via the mailing list and this one as well. This has been done to make sure everyone is informed and updated.

Now, with this post on Ubuntu GNOME Website, even more people within Ubuntu GNOME should be informed. I shall also share this on Ubuntu GNOME Social Media channels.

As mentioned on the emails, if you can’t donate money, kindly donate some of your time to help GNOME Foundation defend the GNOME Trademark against Groupon.

I have created the above banner which could be used on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or any other site/channel. Please, feel free to use it.

Do not forget to use these hashtags: #DefendGNOME #GNOME

Everyone is invited to help and spread the word.

Thank you for reading and we expect some serious action from your side!

Ali/amjjawad
Ubuntu GNOME Community Leader

Hi everyone,

With each and every cycle, the same question is being asked over and over again:

Should I upgrade to the latest release? or should I keep my system as it is?

Well, luckily with Ubuntu GNOME, you don’t need to worry much or be confused at all. We shall make life super easy for you so relax and read this post 🙂

As of this very moment, Ubuntu GNOME has ONLY two main releases:

1. Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 (Trusty Tahr) LTS.
2. Ubuntu GNOME 14.10 (Utopic Unicorn).

Ubuntu 14.04 LTS has been released in April, 2014 while Ubuntu 14.10 has been released yesterday.

The answer to the endless question is very easy, more than what you may think:

• If you would like to run and use the latest packages/software we are offering with our latest version of Ubuntu GNOME – that is 14.10 Utopic Unicorn – AND you do not mind a short term support release (9 months only) THEN go ahead and upgrade – please read this.
• If you would like to run and use a rock solid system with long term support (3 years) AND you care less about using the latest packages/software THEN do not upgrade and stick to Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 LTS.

Tip: a side from upgrading, of course you can always do a fresh new install but please do NOT forget to backup your files – either way. Better safe than sorry.

So, mystery is solved. You need to ask yourself before asking anyone:

What do I need?

Run the latest release? or run the Long Term Supported release? you are the only one who knows the answer to that question and we have tried to make life easier for you. Now, you know what to do with each and every cycle 😉

If truth to be told, Ubuntu/Canonical Team has made life easier. It is either you keep and use the LTS version that is supported for 3 or 5 years (depends on which flavour you are using) OR you use the latest release and keep upgrading (or do fresh new installation) each 6 months.

You need to understand there is NOTHING wrong to keep the old version and there is NOTHING wrong to upgrade to the latest one. This is entirely up to the user to decide based on his/her needs.

By the way, this applies to Ubuntu and all its official flavours. Starting from 14.04 (Trusty Tahr), all Ubuntu and its official flavours have LTS releases.

Hope this will help many who are confused and keep asking 🙂

Thank you for choosing and using Ubuntu GNOME!

Ali/amjjawad
Non-Technical Leader of Ubuntu GNOME

The Ubuntu GNOME Team is proud and happy to announce the release of Ubuntu GNOME 14.10 (Utopic Unicorn).

Ubuntu GNOME is an official flavour of Ubuntu, featuring the GNOME desktop environment. Ubuntu GNOME is a mostly pure GNOME desktop experience built from the Ubuntu repositories. Two years ago, Ubuntu GNOME has started as unofficial flavour to Ubuntu – see the release notes of 12.10 – and 6 months after that, Ubuntu GNOME has become an official flavour. So, 13.04, 13.10, 14.04 LTS and today, this is our 5th version and the 4th official one. Let’s find out more about Ubuntu GNOME 14.10 🙂

Release Notes

Please read the Release Notes before Downloading Ubuntu GNOME 14.10:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UtopicUnicorn/ReleaseNotes/UbuntuGNOME

Get Ubuntu GNOME 14.10

There are important steps you need to be aware of before installing Ubuntu GNOME 14.10 so please read carefully: Download Ubuntu GNOME 14.10

Support

Ubuntu GNOME 14.10 (Utopic Unicorn) is supported for 9 months only. This is our Non-LTS Release. If you seek stability and long support, please consider Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 (Trusty Tahr) LTS Release. If you seek the latest software/packages that we can offer, then go ahead and use Ubuntu GNOME 14.10 (Utopic Unicorn).

Contact Us

Please, see the full list of our communications channels

Thank you everyone

To each and everyone who participated, helped, supported and contributed to Ubuntu GNOME this cycle; big thanks to all of you. Special thanks to our testers who did a unique great job to make Ubuntu GNOME better.

Thank you for choosing and using Ubuntu GNOME.

Ali/amjjawad
Non-Technical Leader of Ubuntu GNOME

Hi,

Ubuntu GNOME Team is pleased to announce the release of Ubuntu GNOME Utopic Unicorn Beta 2 (Final Beta).

Please do read the release notes.

NOTE:

This is 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

For those who wish to use the latest releases, please remember to do an upgrade test from Trusty Tahr (Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 LTS) to Utopic Unicorn Beta 2. Needless to say, Ubuntu GNOME 14.04 is an LTS release that is supported for 3 years, so this test is for those who seek the latest system/packages and don’t mind the LTS (Long Term Support) Releases.

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!

See Also:
Ubuntu 14.10 (Utopic Unicorn) Final Beta Released – Official Announcement

Hi,

This is our second official Wallpaper Contest for Ubuntu GNOME and this time, it is for Utopic Unicorn.

We ask our community to help us to vote for your desired wallpaper.

To vote, kindly click at this link.

Contest Rules

• Contest ends on 05-09-2014
• You have to vote on at least 1 photo
• You can vote on max 3 photos

As per this email form Ubuntu GNOME Artwork Team, there will be 10 wallpapers to be chosen and these will be included with Ubuntu GNOME 14.10 by default.

We appreciate your time to vote and your help.

Thank you!

On behalf of Ubuntu GNOME Artwork Team

Hi,

Ubuntu GNOME Team is pleased to announce the release of Ubuntu GNOME Utopic Unicorn Beta 1.

Please do read the release notes.

NOTE:

This is Beta 1 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!