Dubbed Raring Ringtail, the Ubuntu 13.04 operating system is the 18th release of the Ubuntu OS, which will be supported for 9 months, until January 2014, on both desktops and servers.
Being powered by Linux kernel 3.8.8, the Ubuntu 13.04 release brings support new hardware, as well as improves support for current and old hardware components. Check our comprehensive Ubuntu review for more details.
Raring Ringtail comes in the following official editions: Ubuntu Desktop, Ubuntu Server, Ubuntu Cloud Server, Ubuntu Netboot, Ubuntu Core, Ubuntu Studio, Edubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, as well as two new flavors, Ubuntu-GNOME and UbuntuKylin.
Under the hood of Ubuntu 13.04 (Raring Ringtail):
• Unity 3D interface 7;
• Upstart 1.8;
• Linux kernel 3.8.8;
• X.Org 7.7;
• Xorg Server 1.13.3;
• Mesa 9.1.1;
• GCC 4.7.3 toolchain;
• Python 3.3;
• Compiz Fusion 0.9.9.
The Ubuntu 13.04 feature tour:
• GNOME flavor – this is the first time when the Ubuntu Desktop edition comes with an exclusive release powered entirely by the GNOME desktop environment (for more details see the separate Ubuntu GNOME announcement);
• Chinese exclusive flavor – this is also the first time when the Ubuntu Desktop edition comes with an exclusive flavor for Chinese users (for more details see the separate Ubuntu Kylin announcement);
• Enhanced desktop experience powered by Unity 7 – now with reduced memory consumption, refined Unity Previews, new Lens icons, Ayatana Overlay Scrollbars support, redesigned Unity button, illuminated states for storage devices and Trash, the ability to scroll through applications with the mouse wheel, as well as a faster Dash, numerous optimization and refinements;
• Simplified Software Updater – made by Canonical, for human beings;
• Revamped File Manager – still powered by Nautilus, but updated to version 3.6.3;
• Up-to-date office suite – LibreOffice has been updated to version 4.0;
• Social networking at its best – Gwibber has been retired and Friends took its place, integrating Twitter, Facebook, ownCloud, Windows Live (SkyDrive), Google, Yahoo!, Flickr, and other popular social networking services. A Social Networking Lens is also included;
• Up-to-date web browser and email client – powered by Mozilla Firefox 20 and Mozilla Thunderbird 17.0.5;
• 13 new beautiful wallpapers – from various photographers and artists around the world;
• Brand-new restart/shutdown dialog – finally, a modern UI for the suspend/shutdow/restart dialog;
• Upstart User Sessions Technology Preview – which allows Upstart to supervise a user’s desktop session. By default it’s disabled, by it can be manually enabled for testing;
• …and many more other small features for you to discover!
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