3 days to Ubuntumania!

3 days to Ubuntumania!: Approximately three days from now, the final release version of the ever popular Ubuntu Linux Distribution codenamed "Gutsy Gibbon" will be unleashed to the world. I saw plenty of blogs putting the countdown image on their site in support for their most-loved desktop operating system. I have never seen an anticipation this big for a distro release. It seems like Ubuntu is always finding ways to excite the public, release after every release. They always bring something new and something good for Linux.

The following will be the highlights of Ubuntu 7.10:

Desktop highlights:

* Compiz Fusion: This innovative compositing window manager enables 3-D desktop effects that let users work with, and see, their desktops in completely new ways.
* Printer installation: In GNOME, printers are automatically configured for use as soon as they are connected.
* Free Flash support with Gnash: Ubuntu 7.10 leads the pack with a preview of this Flash browser plugin. Although still actively in development and not yet fully supported by Ubuntu, Gnash gives a glimpse into the future of free Flash, bringing partial Flash support to 64-bit desktop systems.
* Automated Firefox plugin installation: Beyond the addition of Gnash, Firefox in Ubuntu now supports automatic installation of popular plugins through the standard Ubuntu package repositories, for a richer web-browsing experience with the integrated security support of the rest of the Ubuntu system.

Server highlights:

* AppArmor: This easy-to-deploy kernel technology limits the resources an application is allowed to access and can be used to provide an added layer of protection against undiscovered security vulnerabilities in applications.
* Pre-configured installation options: Mail Server, Print Server, Database Server, and File Server options join existing LAMP and DNS options for pre-configured installations, easing the deployment of common server configurations.


With just 3 days to go before the server-clogging release, I have several lingering questions on my mind that are waiting for answers.

Will it reclaim the number 1 spot from PCLinuxOS in Distrowatch.com ranking?
Will it attract another ‘Big Computer Maker' like it had with Dell?
Will it be a worthy upgrade to Feisty Fawn?
Will it bring more Windows users to Linux?