Ubuntu / Linux news and application reviews.

Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu and Ubuntu GNOME reached version 13.10. Let's take a quick look at what's new!


For 13.04, I've made separate posts for some flavours with videos, etc., but there aren't so many changes in the latest 13.10 (Saucy Salamander) release, so I've made a quick summary instead.


Kubuntu 13.10


Kubuntu 13.10

Kubuntu 13.10 Muon Discover
Muon Discover

Muon Discover
Muon Discover

Kubuntu 13.10
New User Manager

KDE Connect Kubuntu 13.10
KDE Connect (available in the repositories; screenshot via jfdesignnet.com)

Kubuntu 13.10 changes:
  • Kubuntu 13.10 ships with KDE SC 4.11 which includes changes such as:
    • the taskbar has been ported to QtQuick and while it looks the same as before, it should be more consistent and fluid in behavior;
    • the battery widget now supports keyboard brightness and can deal with multiple batteries and peripheral devices like wireless mice and keyboards;
    • Nepomuk received massive performance improvements;
  • Muon Discover (the application was introduced with Kubutnu 13.04, but it wasn't installed by default), a Muon Suite front-end that makes it easier to find and install new software, is installed by default in Kubuntu 13.10, replacing Muon Software Center;
  • A new, simpler way to manage system users has been added: User Manager
  • Kubuntu Installer: You can install updates and extra packages from the installer via WiFi;
  • KDE Telepathy received better text editing and improved notifications
  • Simpler UI for the Network Manager applet;
  • The Kubuntu documentation is once again available, either through the Help application or by visiting docs.kubuntu.org
  • KDE-Connect is available in the repositories (not installed by default) - this is an exiting new tool that can connect to your Android device and perform various actions like Clipboard Sync, remote multimedia control, notifications sync, telephony notifier or report the battery status (the notifications plugin needs Android 4.3 to work).



Lubuntu 13.10


lubunu 13.10

lubuntu 13.10 pcmanfm
Pcmanfm with built-in search utility

Lubuntu 13.10 icons
Box icons

Lubuntu 13.10 changes:
  • Chromium browser has been replaced by Firefox;
  • New version of pcmanfm / libfm (1.1.0) which includes a built-in search utility;
  • Catfish has been removed from the default installation;
  • XScreensaver has been removed (LightDM is now used for screen locking but there's a pretty serious bug here unless I'm missing something: if you switch to TTY7 after locking the screen - using Ctrl + Alt + 7 -, you can access the desktop without having to unlock the screen so without having to enter any password!);
  • ZRam has been added enabling the desktop installer to work on lower RAM machines;
  • artwork updates, including many new icons for the default icon theme "Box".



Xubuntu 13.10


Xubuntu 13.10

New Display dialog with proper multi-monitor support

Xubuntu 13.10
gtk-theme-cofig

Xubuntu 13.10
New folder icons

Xubuntu 13.10
Xubuntu 13.10 LightDM greeter

Xubuntu 13.10
Numix, one of the themes preinstalled in Xubuntu 13.10


Xubuntu 13.10 changes:
  • xfce4-settings was updated, bringing a new dialog to set up multiple displays, among others;
  • apt-offline is now installed by default along with instructions on using it in the Xubuntu documentation. This tool allows for easier access to package archives in bandwidth-constrained conditions as well as when a computer lacks an always-on connection to the Internet;
  • gtk-theme-config, a tool that allows changing the theme colors, was added by default;
  • artwork updates: new folder icons (inherited from elementary icon theme), updated LightDM greeer, new wallpaper and updated GTK themes which should work with both GTK 3.8 and 3.10.



Ubuntu GNOME 13.10


Ubuntu GNOME 13.10
GNOME Shell 3.8 under Ubuntu GNOME 13.10

Ubuntu GNOME 13.10
GNOME Classic session is installed by default

Ubuntu GNOME 13.10
GDM 3.8 in Ubuntu GNOME 13.10


Ubuntu GNOME 13.10 changes:
  • Ubuntu GNOME 13.10 ships with most of GNOME 3.8 by default;
  • GNOME 3.6 packages included with Ubuntu GNOME 13.10: Epiphany, GNOME Terminal and GNOME System Settings;
  • The new GNOME Classic session is included by default - to use it, select "GNOME Classic" from the login screen;
  • Ubuntu Online Accounts is no longer included by default;
  • New logo for the Plymouth bootloader and login screen;
  • Not exactly related to this release, but Ubuntu GNOME has for about a month a new "OneStop" wiki page where you'll find links with everything you need to know about Ubuntu GNOME. 


Note: you can upgrade to GNOME 3.10 in Ubuntu GNOME 13.10 by following THESE instructions.