Rewind to 1996. Windows NT gained momentum around that time because Microsoft had clear marketing messages for both NT Server 4.0 and NT Workstation 4.0. Now, Canonical is embracing a similar strategy with the launch of Ubuntu 8.10 Server Edition and 8.10 Desktop Edition.
For starters, Canonical issued separate press releases for the server and desktop editions. That’s a subtle but important move by Canonical. The world knows Ubuntu has 8 million or so desktop users. But Canonical needs to show focus and momentum on the server.
Good News, Bad News
The vast majority of Ubuntu users participating in our Works With U 1000 Survey — which tracks worldwide Ubuntu deployments — run Ubuntu Server Edition. But the mainstream media and many open source advocates continue to ignore Canonical’s growing server presence.
Also, each press releases includes a quote from Canonical Chief Operating Officer Jane Silber — a wise move to shift the spotlight away from Mark Shuttleworth. The world needs to know that Canonical and Ubuntu are driven by more than one personality.
Hopefully, as Ubuntu 8.10 gains momentum we’ll hear about more PC and server OEM relationships with Canonical. Although more and more netbooks include Ubuntu preloaded (Even Dell is advertising Ubuntu Netbooks), I haven’t heard about any new momentum for Ubuntu server preloads.
I haven’t had a chance to test Ubuntu 8.10, and would welcome reader comments about the new desktop and server editions.
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8.10; Evolutionary, not revolutionary and that is not a criticism.
I’m using it on a MSI Wind NetBook. 8.04 was nearly there but not quite. The wireless was just OK (the Realtek card supplied with the Wind was swapped out for an Linux friendly Intel mini-pcie card) and hibernate and suspend never worked.
After an in place dist-upgrade to the release candidate a week ago this all got sorted. No drama or fuss, the only manual intervention required was installing the updated Netbook Remix specific desktop theme from the universe repository.
I agree with David. This version for me so far has “just worked” The wifi improvements have been wonderful. I have had some nice power management options that I didn’t have before. I think this atleast to me has been a refinement release if such a thing exist. I am still waiting for Vista to work this well on all of this “made for/works with vista” equipment I have
if you are marketing ubuntu… you have to use clear marketing message(S) for each distro. this is how positioning works but you have to market UBUNTU as a brand as well.. it will be very effective if canonical started to market ubuntu for mobile users .. thus canonical can spread a perfect word of mouth also many users will know wat is ubuntu .. consequently you can market any distro of ubuntu easily.
ubuntu 8.10 is much better than 8.04 specially for the wireless Atheros, graphics// more about
available software and programs should be available in the users manual as u know linux software is hard to find.
keep up.
best regards,
Mina