Canonical announced that a new version of its Ubuntu Linux OS is launching for the PC, server and other platforms.
Dubbed Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, it offers Long Term Support (LTS) of up to five years, as well as support to snap packages and .deb packages. This means that consumers can expect to receive a number of critical bug fixes and security updates for half a decade.
"The leading cloud-based operations and the most advanced robotics run largely on Ubuntu, and this new release is the basis for the next wave of their innovation," said Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth. "We are proud to serve the needs of the enterprise, and research, and millions of personal and non-profit users, with one single shared free software platform."
The latest release comes with an array of new features that promise faster and straightforward software delivery and operations. It is also Ubutu's sixth LTS release and the first full version that offers support to snap package and .deb packages. With this new support feature, getting new software builds becomes easier and faster.
The snap package can be installed and nestled alongside the traditional deb packages, which should be good since it will allow Ubuntu to maintain its current process meant for updates and developments.
"Snapcraft" is a new tool that allows a more simplified way for developers to build and package applications, both from source and current deb packages when they are creating snaps.
Since snap applications are isolated from the rest of the system, there's no need to worry about getting the other apps impacted every time the user installs a snap.
Other new features brought by the release include the LXD pure-container hypervisor, support for ZFS-on-Linux and support for CephFS.
Users should be running the current 14.04 LTS version to be eligible for the upgrade. While the current version is supported until 2019, upgrading to the latest 16.04 LTS is up to the users to decide.
If the lure of the new features brought by the upcoming version is just too hard to ignore, certain steps must be taken in order to upgrade.
First, you need to make sure that your system is fully up-to-date. You can check if your system is updated simply by opening the Update Manager application through the Dash. If there are available updates, wait until all of them are installed.
Next, open the Dash again in order to open the application called "Terminal." Once it's open, start typing the following command: sudo update-manager -d. Then hit "return"/"enter" key and enter your user password after you are prompted to enter.
Note that the Update Manager app will open only after a couple of seconds. After it has checked your system, it will display a prompt on whether you want to upgrade.
To start with the upgrade process, simply click the "Upgrade" button.
Users should remember to backup their files prior to upgrading to the latest version. The new Ubuntu 16.04 LTS was released on April 21.
