Kubuntu 8.10 Refreshes the Desktop

Today sees the release of Kubuntu 8.10 featuring the KDE 4 desktop. The Kubuntu developers have been hard at work, bringing you the latest and greatest software the open source community has to offer. KDE 4 reworks your system with a major new revision of the desktop.

This Intrepid release lives up to its name by including many changes, but there are some features that are not yet available in KDE 4. If you would rather stay with what you know then remember that Kubuntu 8.04 is still fully supported, see KDE3-KDE4Migration and Is KDE 4.1 for you? for more information on deciding. You can try it first with the Kubuntu Intrepid Live CD to see for yourself whether or not it really is "for you".

Ubuntu Server Edition

The Ubuntu Server Edition - built on the solid foundation of Debian which is known for its robust server installations — has a strong heritage for reliable performance and predictable evolution.

The Ubuntu Server Edition is changing the server market for businesses by delivering the best of free software on a stable, fully supported and secure platform. In the two years since initial launch Ubuntu can now be found in hundreds of organisations across the world delivering key services reliably, predictably and economically. Ubuntu Server Edition is an energy efficient, low memory and disk footprint operating system that helps build server functions that respect our environment with no compromise on agility and versatility.

The Ubuntu Server Edition can become the backbone of many of the services that a typical business needs to run to be successful. With no license fees, an expanding ecosystem, minimal maintenance, a growing community of peers and references, Ubuntu Server Edition is making many organisations reconsider how they use Linux for their information technology needs.

Through the use of Ubuntu, we believe that our users will enjoy the unprecedented performance and security that Linux can provide. Because we care about your business we have ensured that the Ubuntu Server Edition:

• easily integrates in your existing networks.

• provides a low total cost of ownership.

• offers multiple life cycle scenarios for you to choose from.

• delivers free life maintenance.

• and is backed by Canonical's world class support.

Mortgages in the U.S. increased 48% in a week

The n? Number of people who last week initiated the tr? Mites to ask for a mortgage in the United States was 48% higher than a week before, according to the Association? Banks of the mortgage? Rivers (MBA in English? S ), which relates the increase? reduced? the interest rates applied to such company? stimos. The MBA reported today that on? Requested number of mortgages rose 124% in comparison? With the same week a year earlier. The increase was that more applications for the company? Stimos previous to refinance mortgages, which move? Aram weekly 62.6%, while the request to purchase a new increased 28%.

These strong increases coincide with strong falls in interest rates applied to the company? Stimos mortgage? Rivers, reflecting reduced? The rate b? Sica interest promoted by the U.S. government.

On 16 December, the Federal Reserve (Fed, U.S. central bank) sets the rate b? Sica of interest between 0% and 0.25%, which after a s? Series of cuts began in September 2007, when this percentage was 5.5%. According to the MBA, the fixed interest rate that is? being applied? s mortgages to 30 years in the United States were last week in a m? day of 5.04%, 5.18% of the front seven days before, which is the lowest since 4.99% of June 2003

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is a community developed operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. Whether you use it at home, at school or at work Ubuntu contains all the applications you'll ever need, from word processing and email applications, to web server software and programming tools.

Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing.

We issue a new desktop and server release every six months. That means you'll always have the latest and greatest applications that the open source world has to offer.

Ubuntu is designed with security in mind. You get free security updates for at least 18 months on the desktop and server. With the Long Term Support (LTS) version you get three years support on the desktop, and five years on the server. There is no extra fee for the LTS version, we make our very best work available to everyone on the same free terms. Upgrades to new versions of Ubuntu are and always will be free of charge.

Everything you need comes on one CD, providing a complete working environment. Additional software is available online.

The graphical installer enables you to get up and running quickly and easily. A standard installation should take less than 25 minutes.

Once installed your system is immediately ready-to-use. On the desktop you have a full set of productivity, internet, drawing and graphics applications, and games.

Stampede for sales as shops fear the worst

Fears that a wave of high street retailers will go bust drove a frenzy of price cutting yesterday as shops made a desperate attempt to entice customers to spend.

Prices were slashed by up to 90 per cent in department stores, fashion outlets and supermarkets across the country for the Boxing Day sales, evidence of the growing sense of crisis in the retail sector.

Retailers called for an urgent government bailout to match financial assistance given to the banking sector and the auto-motive industry to protect three million jobs.

Fears that a wave of high street retailers will go bust drove a frenzy of price cutting yesterday as shops made a desperate attempt to entice customers to spend.