Ubuntu is one of most favored Linux flavor and popular among Linux users. Most interesting part about Ubuntu is fastest development cycles. Ubuntu Developers are moving quickly to bring the absolute latest and greatest software the Open Source Community has to offer.

Ubuntu 9.04 was released on 23^rd April and soon after Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalop release Ubuntu developers started working on next version of Ubuntu 9.10 code name Karmic Koala. Yesterday Ubuntu Team has released first alpha version of Ubuntu 9.10 karmic Koala.

This is Pre-releases of Karmic Kola and ISO of Ubuntu 9.10 is available for download however it should be noted that this is not stable release should not be deployed on server machine.

Since it’s just a start of Ubuntu 9.10 there are very few changes from Jaunty Jackalop to karmic Kola.

List of Changes in Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala

1. Ubuntu Karmic Alpha 1 includes the latest GNOME 2.27.1 development release.

2. Ubuntu 9.10 Alpha 1 includes the 2.6.30-5.6 kernel based on 2.6.30-rc5.

3. Some infrastructure changes for power management

4. New Intel video driver architecture available for testing

5. New Default Compiler Karmic uses GCC-4.4 as the default compiler

How to Upgrade Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalop to Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala

1. Install the update-manager-core package if it is not already installed

2. Edit /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades and set Prompt=normal;

3. Launch the upgrade tool with the command sudo do-release-upgrade; and follow the on-screen instructions.

Download Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala ISO

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/karmic/alpha-1/ (Ubuntu Alternates, Server, Netbook Remix, and MID)
http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/karmic/alpha-1/ (Kubuntu)
http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/xubuntu/releases/karmic/alpha-1/ (Xubuntu)
http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/netboot/karmic/alpha-1/ (Ubuntu ARM)