Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Beta 1 Released

Mike Turcotte-McCusker
Mar 14, 2018
Linux
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Many of the popular flavours of the famous Ubuntu Linux system such as Kubuntu, Ubuntu Kylin, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu MATE and Xubuntu, have released beta downloads for the upcoming Long-Term Support release of Ubuntu 18.04.

Typically, the Ubuntu team releases an LTS edition of the OS, every two years, which will carry major security updates and patches, as well as full support, for five years.

Most users typically prefer to stay on the LTS releases, and upgrade when necessary; but some prefer to opt for newer packages and will instead upgrade to the shorter 9 month support standard releases.

Ubuntu 18.04 Beta releases

According to an article on the Ubuntu mailing list:

Pre-releases of the Bionic Beaver are *not* encouraged for anyone needing a stable system or anyone who is not comfortable running into occasional, even frequent breakage.

They are, however, recommended for Ubuntu flavour developers and those who want to help in testing, reporting, and fixing bugs as we work towards getting this release ready.

Beta 1 includes some software updates that are ready for broader testing.
However, it is quite an early set of images, so you should expect some bugs.

However, this is great news, as with an expected final release of April 26, 2018 on the horizon, it means that with the beta being released, hopefully the majority of major bugs can be ironed out in a quick and painless fashion.

Kubuntu 18.04

Features Plasma 5.12, KDE Applications 17.12.2, VLC replacing Dragonplayer as the default player, Muon Package Manager and other updated applications.

  • Kubuntu 18.04 Beta 1 can be downloaded here: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/18.04/beta-1/
  • Information about Kubuntu 18.04 Beta 1 can be found here: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BionicBeaver/Beta1/Kubuntu

Ubuntu Budgie 18.04

Plays mp3 out of the box, improved keyboard shortcuts, better font handling for Chinese and Korean users, new applets, support for dynamic workspaces, minimal installation option, and support for openvnc connections via the network-manager applet, and more.

  • Ubuntu Budgie 18.04 Beta 1 can be downloaded here: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-budgie/releases/18.04/beta-1/
  • Information about Ubuntu Budgie 18.04 Beta 1 can be found here: https://ubuntubudgie.org/blog/2018/03/08/18-04-release-notes

Ubuntu Kylin 18.04

  • Ubuntu Kylin 18.04 Beta 1 can be downloaded here: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntukylin/releases/18.04/beta-1/
  • Information about Ubuntu Kylin 18.04 Beta 1 can be found here: http://www.ubuntukylin.com/index.php

Ubuntu MATE 18.04

MATE desktop 1.20 with HiDPI display support with dynamic detection and scaling, global menu integration improvement, Mutiny layout with MATE window applets, and minimal installation option.

  • Ubuntu MATE 18.04 Beta 1 can be downloaded here: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-mate/releases/18.04/beta-1/
  • Information about Ubuntu MATE 18.04 Beta 1 can be found here: https://ubuntu-mate.org/blog/ubuntu-mate-bionic-beta1/

Xubuntu 18.04

  • Xubuntu 18.04 Beta 1 can be downloaded here: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/xubuntu/releases/18.04/beta-1/
  • Information about Xubuntu 18.04 Beta 1 can be found here: https://wiki.xubuntu.org/releases/18.04/release-notes

Final thoughts

With the next major release of Ubuntu around the corner, it will be interesting to see if Canonical has any surprises up their sleeve, or any other major changes to announce.

We already know that Ubuntu GNOME has been shift into mainline Ubuntu, as discussed here so it will be good to see how this beta test progresses.

Its also worth checking out this article, about some other changes coming up with regards to Ubuntu.

Now you: Do you plan to switch to Ubuntu 18.04 when it’s released? Tell us why / why not in the comments below!

Summary
Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Beta 1 Released
Article Name
Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Beta 1 Released
Description
Many of the popular flavours of the famous Ubuntu Linux system such as Kubuntu, Ubuntu Kylin, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu MATE and Xubuntu, have released beta downloads for the upcoming Long-Term Support release of Ubuntu 18.04.
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Ghacks Technology News
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Comments

  1. Supergirl said on March 16, 2018 at 9:38 am
    Reply

    Well, for me it actually is….

    Seems like you think so too …or my comment wouldnt bother you.

    I doubt you can even admit it too yourself.

    Im old euff & smart enuff to know that if Info is collected on us it WILL Be used against us.

    Somehow somewhere sometime…..there arent even any measures to make sure its accurate.

    Doubt me… look at how the internet just brings out the worst in people….

    The greatest invention in the history of mankind…..used to abuse one another…..

    Ask V Putin…Comrade

  2. Anonymous said on March 16, 2018 at 1:00 am
    Reply

    I love self-righteous computer users. My OS is better than yours…

  3. Supergirl said on March 16, 2018 at 12:49 am
    Reply

    I see an option for minimal Installation…! Is that new?

    I like that.

    Distros ALWAYS include stuff I dont want/use…

    or software that is not of my preference.

    If I want bloat Id stick with WIN-bag OS.

    I also will definitely wait for the final release as
    Im too new to Linux to be messing with problems that I cant understand.

    Bionic Beaver…I even like the name.

    1. mikef90000 said on March 19, 2018 at 10:21 pm
      Reply

      AFAIK the Ubuntu 18.04 release full ISO will include a ‘minimal’ option for the first time. They have always had the ‘mini’ iso which lets you install a minimal, command line system and then add what you want including a Desktop Environment.
      The Debian ‘network installer’ is the same idea and is even better IMO.

    2. John Fenderson said on March 16, 2018 at 4:08 pm
      Reply

      @Supergirl: “Distros ALWAYS include stuff I dont want/use…”

      I don’t know about Ubuntu, but most distros provide some sort of “advanced” or “custom” installation path where you can specifically choose what you want to have installed, rather than taking their pre-selected group of applications.

      1. Supergirl said on March 17, 2018 at 4:36 am
        Reply

        Thank you…. I was unaware ..
        I’ll have to look more closely..

  4. dark said on March 15, 2018 at 12:27 am
    Reply

    Looking forward to final release. :)

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