Ubuntu 8.04 final is almost ready for its scheduled April launch. Canonical, the commercial sponsor of Ubuntu, has released the Alpha 5 of the popular Linux distribution. A great addition that Alpha 5 offers is a new installation option: Users can either run and install Ubuntu 8.04 Alpha 5 using a LiveCD, or they can use Wubi to install Ubuntu to a partition from within Windows.

Updates in the latest Alpha release:

Firefox 3 beta 3 is the default web browser
Xorg 7.3 now included
PulseAudio is used by default
Now uses Linux kernel 2.6.24
Brasero CD/DVD burning application, replaces the Serpentine CD burning utility
Transmission BitTorrent client replaces Gnome BitTorrent
Vinagre VNC client replaces xvnc4viewer

Ubuntu 8.04 Alpha 5 is available for download. Go get it. We recommend you back-up your files before upgrading.

Via Ubuntu

Can’t wait until March for Windows Vista SP1? Microsoft isn’t expected to officially release the update to users until March. But on their OEM partner site there is a full copy of SP1 ready for you to download, its a bit slow at the moment, due to everyone downloading copies. The 1.2GB disc image requires you run it as a clean installation, so you may want to wait until an easy update via Windows Update.

Download Image

Microsoft has included annoying anti-piracy measures in its software for some time now. We were happy to hear that Microsoft is toning down the Windows Genuine Advantage protection on Windows Vista SP1. With Vista SP1, ReadyBoost will not be disabled if you haven’t activated Windows or if you fail a WGA test.

This does not mean that WGA is dead. ZDNet reports that the new WGA will not take away certain features, but it may be just as annoying. Instead of logging you off or disabling services, Windows Vista SP1 will pop up an annoying screen every time you logon.

We wish that Microsoft would abandon WGA altogether, but this is a good start.

We told you about the registry hack that made it possible to download SP1 and now it is now publicly available. Here it is only 11 months over due. On Microsoft’s website you can download a document listing “notable changes”, which includes improvements in application compatibility, hardware ecosystem support, reliability, performance / power consumption, security, desktop administration, support for new technologies / standards and interoperability. The best feature is it has better driver support.

Last month we wrote an article telling you how to download Vista SP1 using a registry hack. Now a new registry hack for Windows XP is available. This hack will let Windows XP users download Service Pack 3.

The SP3 is not scheduled for release until next year so it is not recommended that you download it. It is always nice to be up to date with the newest security and reliability updates but it may also cause problems.

The registry hack is pretty easy to do, just download the patch and install. Download the hack WindowsXPSP3Hack.cmd.

Ubuntu comes in all kinds. There is a Ubuntu that is made for slower systems, Edubuntu for kids and teachers, and Kubuntu with those who prefer Windows-like interface.

At its core, Mythbuntu is Ubuntu without many add-ons like OpenOffice.org, Evolution, or desktop effects. Mythbuntu is all about media. The application ships with the XFCE4 lightweight desktop, because you’ll never see the desktop.

Mythbuntu includes everything you need to set up a MythTV frontend or backend. That means you can watch and record live TV, with a TV tuner, watch videos, listen to music, or browse pictures, all by using a 10-foot user interface. You could just add the MythTV packages to your current Ubuntu system, but Mythbuntu works right out of the box.

Because Mythbuntu comes works as a LiveCD, you can test out hardware compatibility before installing any software. The LiveCD works as a MythTV frontend, letting you mount shared network drives to play audio or video.