Please note Ubuntu/Kubuntu "Dapper Drake" is not yet a final product and the available previews do not reflect the quality of the final product. This quick review is not meant to divide Ubuntu and Kubuntu into separate distros. They are almost identical to each other, except the default desktop for Ubuntu is Gnome, whereas KDE is Kubuntu's default desktop.

"I hope I am not making a mistake." Those were my thoughts as I decided to upgrade my Ubuntu system (5.10 Breezy Badger) to the still under construction 6.06 (Dapper Drake Beta)

At the time I was not sure if I should do a clean installation (download a +-650MB ISO, format etc) or edit my sources.list and do an apt-get distro-upgrade.

Since I had already used my system for a while I was not in the mood to start over. I did what some people might think is unthinkable (stupid) I went the upgrade root.

I edited my sources.list and replaced all repositories with dapper drake. Then launched Synaptic and chose "mark all upgrades." Synaptic informed me I would have to download approximately 680MB's worth of software. Certain packages could not be upgraded and had to be removed from the system.

Once all the files had been downloaded Synaptic began installing/upgrading the system. This was where all the fun began. Half way during the upgrade Synaptic just stopped and complained about package conflicts. I ignored the messages and started Synaptic again. Everything was running smoothly when Synaptic froze. There was nothing I could do except reboot the system.

I did not expect the system to start up, At that point the system was running half Breezy Badger and half Dapper Drake. When it came the loading x11 it failed. Error message after error message. Fortunately there was enough of the kernel intact to let me continue the upgrade process through command prompt. It took a combination of removing conflicting packages and editing files. After that the system rebooted I was relieved when I saw the x11 had loaded.

After Ubuntu desktop loaded, Ubuntu was extremely sluggish almost to the point of not being usable. I ran Synaptic and discovered there was a newer kernel/Linux image available (2.6.15-20-686) I was running (2.6.12-10-686). I immediately upgraded mine, rebooted the system and at that moment I was amazed. The new Linux image made a huge difference. In fact after that, the system felt stable for the first time since the upgrade.


Information on the software that was updated:

The most obvious updated piece of software was Gnome Desktop. Ubuntu (Dapper Drake) uses the latest released Gnome Desktop (2.14.1). For Kubuntu users (Dapper Drake) uses KDE 3.5.2 desktop.
Obviously a lot of the software changes are behind the scenes (configuration files e.t.c) and with a newer version of Gnome and/or KDE the programs bundled with them have also been upgraded and new features added.


Look at Dapper Drake running Gnome Desktop (Ubuntu)

 Desktop_pic_1_Ubuntu.jpg ( 44.91K ) Number of downloads: 3730
 ts_gnome.jpg ( 81.6K ) Number of downloads: 4213


The first thing that one notices in the Gnome desktop is the default "human theme" has been updated. The older theme used to be mainly brown based. The updated theme is a mixture between a light brown and a soft tone of orange. Personally I prefer the new colour tone as it comes across as young and vibrant. Whereas I found the brown to be old and dull. A new range of icons is also included in Dapper Drake

Second thing is the new log out screen. New log out gives Ubuntu a more professional look.

Gnome 2.14.1 is known as the "search-able Gnome" as it allows one to search in either Nautilus, Desktop (by using deskbar) or even in the help guide section.

Improved Search:

 new_desktop_searcg.jpg ( 68.08K ) Number of downloads: 2665
 serach_results.jpg ( 70.23K ) Number of downloads: 2507


Ubuntu now uses a Gnome Screen saver which also includes improved power management for the system.

 new_gnome_screensaver.jpg ( 96.43K ) Number of downloads: 3346
 new_power_options_easier.jpg ( 96.23K ) Number of downloads: 2071


Another important update to Ubuntu is an updated version of "Add or Remove Applications".  newgraphics_addremove.jpg ( 33.69K ) Number of downloads: 1535
 addremove_apps.jpg ( 64.79K ) Number of downloads: 2829


For those of us that like our music Dapper Drake (uses GStreamer 0.10 by default no more "can't play MP3's before installing codecs". This applies to both Ubuntu and Kubuntu . GStreamer 0.10 is faster and more stable than its predecessors.

Ubuntu 6.06 Beta and Gnome 2.14.1 are significantly faster than their predecessors .The system I tested this on booted Dapper Drake Beta (Ubuntu) +-19 seconds faster than Ubuntu 5.10 did.

There is improved support for newer hardware including SATA/SATA Raid and plug and play technology. The help documentation has been revised and updated.

Generally I found using Dapper Drake Beta under Gnome Desktop/ Ubuntu was a pleasant experience. I am impressed to see how much Ubuntu has matured since Ubuntu 4.10 was released. If Ubuntu continues to grow like this, I see great things for its future.

Look at Dapper Drake running KDE Desktop (Kubuntu):

Unlike Ubuntu where there has been noticeable theme changes, Kubuntu's theme at first glance does not look very different compared to previous versions.


The addition of adding KDE 3.5.2 results in Kubuntu being faster. KDE 3.5.2 ran very well on Dapper Drake. In fact I have never had a KDE system run as fast as it did on Kubuntu (Dapper Drake Beta). Even browsing system files and the internet is faster in this release.

 kdemenu.jpg ( 51.56K ) Number of downloads: 3016
 newsystem_menu.jpg ( 39.32K ) Number of downloads: 1416

 kde_is_3.5.2.jpg ( 82.61K ) Number of downloads: 1901
 tis_good_old_Kon.jpg ( 106.34K ) Number of downloads: 1883


I was always disappointed in Kubuntu's little or almost no integration of a system update notifier. With this release of Kubuntu that has changed drastically. Kubuntu now includes Adept Update Notifier which works extremely well. Adept package manager has been improved. Now it is more responsive.

 littleupdate_thingie.jpg ( 11.96K ) Number of downloads: 1748
 new_adept.jpg ( 25.35K ) Number of downloads: 1015

 adept_fetching_updates.jpg ( 75.77K ) Number of downloads: 1724
 adept_add_remove_programs.jpg ( 73.64K ) Number of downloads: 1912


The systems settings section has been updated. Certain settings have been moved around. To make it easier to browse and find the required setting(s).

 systemsettings.jpg ( 58.75K ) Number of downloads: 2888


Popular KDE programs like amaroK run better than ever on Dapper Drake Beta, integration between the KDE desktop and additional applications has been improved.

I must add that I always felt that Kubuntu was in certain areas behind Ubuntu. With Dapper Drake that has changed, both Ubuntu and Kubuntu distros are polished. If you prefer Gnome desktop then use Ubuntu on the other hand if you prefer KDE desktop use Kubuntu. Both distros will serve you equally well.

If you are thinking "should I upgrade my system to Dapper Drake Beta (Ubuntu/Kubuntu 6.06)?" The only way to answer that question is.
Can you see yourself spending perhaps hours getting your system backup and with a chance of having to do it WITHOUT X11 (like I had to)?. I say unless you like to experiment and don't mind complicated situations arising then go for it. Although if you think about it; would it not be better to rather wait another month for the final release to come out.

Personally I can not wait for the final product, if this beta is anything to go by then Dapper Drake; Ubuntu/Kubuntu 6.06 will be an amazing distro(s)

For more info please visit the following websites

http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/dapperbeta
http://kubuntu.org/announcements/dapper-beta.php