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Canonical's Ubuntu project released the final Ubuntu 9.10 Desktop Edition, featuring faster boot times, improved audio and 3G connectivity, an enhanced Netbook Remix, and more robust cloud support, among other features. The release follows IBM's announcement that it is launching an Ubuntu-based cloud computing distribution for

The CentOS project, which has apparently settled a dispute that threatened to lead to a fork, released CentOS 5.4. Reflecting changes made to Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4, CentOS 5.4 upgrades 266 packages, adds 27, and implements preview versions of the ext4 file-system and KVM hypervisor.

The Fedora Project released the beta version of Fedora 12 "Constantine," adding the Moblin desktop environment and speed optimizations for i686 and the Intel Atom. The latest version of the Red Hat-related Linux distribution also offers IPv6 support plus enhanced Bluetooth, virtualization, multimedia, and power management.

The Puppy Linux project has released a 4.3.1 bugfix upgrade for last month's major 4.3 release of the popular, lightweight GNU/Linux distro. Puppy Linux 4.3, which has been rebuilt with a new "Woof" build system and PPM package manager, has received a number of positive reviews.

Web video site Hulu has released a Linux version of its Hulu Desktop. Hulu Desktop for Linux is optimized for Ubuntu 9.04 and Fedora 11, offers search and playback controls, and includes publisher tools for locating and integrating content, says Hulu.

The Ubuntu 9.10 ("Karmic Koala") beta won a positive review from eWEEK, while InfoWorld reports on the server edition's capability for developing private clouds that are compatible with Amazon EC2. Meanwhile, ArsTechnica found the developer's version of Ubuntu Moblin Remix to be "promising" but "rough."

Mandriva posted the final development release of Mandriva Linux 2010, complete with the Moblin v2.0 netbook environment. Based on Linux 2.5.31, Mandriva 2010 RC2 offers a choice of KDE 4.3.2 and GNOME 2.28 desktops, plus Intel Poulsbo chipset drivers, guest accounts, and the Nepomuk collaborative desktop.

The Italy-based Sabayon community released a stable version 5.0 of its Gentoo-based Linux distribution. Sabayon Linux 5.0 is available in separate editions with either the GNOME 2.26 or KDE 4.3.1 desktops, and moves up to Linux kernel 2.6.31, XBMC 9.04.1, and the Ext4 filesystem.

The Ubuntu project has released the first beta of Ubuntu Linux 9.10 (Karmic Koala), which has already been favorably previewed, especially for its fast boot time. Based on Linux 2.6.31, Karmic Koala offers GNOME 2.28 and Ext4 as defaults, and adds "cloud" features and improved installation.

The OpenSUSE Project has released the last milestone of OpenSUSE Linux before an anticipated final release in November. OpenSUSE 11.2 Milestone 8 (M8) features numerous bug fixes, Linux kernel 2.6.31, improved partioning, social networking clients, and new versions of packages including GNOME 2.28, says the project.

Moblin.org shipped the final version of the Moblin v2.0 netbook distribution, and released early-preview versions of a Moblin app store, Moblin installer, and Moblin v2.1. Meanwhile, Moblin v2.0 is now available on Dell's Mini 10v netbook, as part of an "Ubuntu Moblin Remix Developer Edition" option.

O'Reilly Media has published the sixth edition of Linux in a Nutshell, by Ellen Siever, Stephen Figgins, Aaron Weber, Robert Love, and Arnold Robbins. The sixth edition of the reference book boosts coverage of Linux system essentials and newer technologies like virtualization and wireless, says O'Reilly.

IBM and Canonical are introducing an Ubuntu Linux-based distribution and related cloud services for netbooks and thin clients in Africa. The IBM Client for Smart Work works locally or via "VERDE" virtualization to make IBM's Lotus-based software "affordable to new, mass audiences in Africa," says IBM.

Nero AG announced a new version of its Linux CD burning software. Nero Linux 4 now offers a wizard-style UI and support for Musepack and AIFF audio formats, and a "Nero Linux 4 Essentials" application is available separately for OEM partners, says the Karlsbad, Germany-based company.

Just as Microsoft has being accused of playing dirty over sales tactics and patents, the software company has launched its first open source organization. The CodePlex Foundation aims to act as a liason between commercial enterprises and open source developers and communities while increasing open source participation, says the foundation.

The controversy continues to heat up around Microsoft's misleading anti-Linux training materials designed for Best Buy salespeople. Meanwhile, the Linux Foundation's Jim Zemlin has alleged that Microsoft tried to spread anti-Linux FUD by dumping 22 Linux-related patents in the hopes they'd be purchased by "patent trolls."

The Ubuntu project released Karmic Koala alpha 5 (Ubuntu 9.10), which adds Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud support, a new Ubuntu Cloud file-sharing service, and default switches to GCC 4.4, Ext4, and GRUB 2. Meanwhile, Canonical launched a Red Hat-esque Premium Service Engineer support program for large enterprises.

The Slackware team released version 13 of its venerable Linux distribution, now supporting 64-bit computers. Slackware 13 provides "completely reworked" X packages, upgrades to KDE 4.2.4 and Xfce 4.6.1 desktops, a new .txz package format, and support for Ext4 and the GRUB bootloader, says the project.

10Zig Technology has announced two physically identical thin clients compatible with Linux: a RBT-602 model, offering terminal emulation, and a RBT-672v system targeted solely at virtual desktop environments. Both thin clients offer a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270, gigabit Ethernet, and four USB ports, the company says.