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This Thursday Canonical will be rolling out the newest version of Ubuntu, 9.10, which is designed to go head to head with Windows 7 on desktops, notebooks, servers…and most especially netbooks. It seems that Canonical’s founder and CEO Mark Shuttleworth is well aware of how badly Linux in general but especially Ubuntu has blown the golden opportunity presented by netbooks up until now and is eager to change that fact.

When netbooks first burst on the scene, most of the early models ran open source Linux distros such as Ubuntu and the devices were expected to finally introduce Linux to mainstream consumers. However, something went wrong along the way. Turned off by the often arcane and unfamiliar Linux, users began demanding Windows versions even though they cost more and vendors obliged. Despite creating quite polished and critically acclaimed netbook versions, Ubuntu was left on the hobbyist sidelines again.

However, the release of Windows 7, and Microsoft’s decision to offer a “Starter Version” of the OS for netbooks has given Ubuntu’s new version a chance to try to stack up against Windows again, with several interesting new features.

Shuttleworth is eager for the challange…

“I’d like to have another shot at the U.S. market. I’m looking forward to that.”

The Ubuntu founder says that the new Ubuntu 9.1 Netbook Remix will support 25 different netbooks out of the box and offers a simpler, more user friendly interface, quicker boot and log-in times, a better audio framework, improved 3G connectivity and the new Empathy instant messaging (IM) program integrated into the OS.

Another new feature in 9.10 is called Ubuntu One and is designed to take advantage of advances in Cloud computing. It is a suite of online services for back-up, synchronization, and file-sharing which is now a standard component of the Ubuntu desktop. Users of will get 2 GB of cloud-based storage for free or 50 GB for $10 a month.

Regarding the three major stumbling blocks that Linux faced in the battle for netbooks, one of them, periphial support has been targeted by Canonical, and Shuttleworth calls Ubuntu 9.1 perpherial support “pretty good” though he admits they still have trouble with smartphones.

As for the two other areas that many customers cited as problems in their attempts at embracing Linux, an unfamiliar look and feel and a lack of programs they knew (and needing to jump through code hoops to install the ones they didn’t with very little guidance), we won’t know if these are improved until the release on Thursday.

I am sure that Ubuntu 9.1 Netbook Remix will thrill Linux fans and be a very powerful, elegant OS…however I still don’t expect it to make much of a ripple in the consumer market. That’s just the way it is.

(Source: PC World)