Ubuntu is in heavy testing for its next release, code named Karmic Koala, or version 9.10.  It is currently in Alpha 5, and it looks very promising already.  There is a huge focus on reducing the boot times of Ubuntu for Karmic.  Jono Bacon, Ubuntu’s Community Manager has recently posted some interesting tidbits about other things coming to Ubuntu in this 9.10 release…

In this release they are starting to incorporate some of the drivers that I have been waiting for.  Specifically, I have wanted good support for my previously reviewed Blue Icicle XLR Microphone adapter.  Under 9.04 (Jaunty), I was able to get it to work, but the driver had issues recording the audio at half speed.  No editing I could do would make it better.

I have a old machine that I’ve installed the 9.10 Alpha 5 on, and I am happy to report that the adapter now works as it should.  The audio I recorded came out pretty good!  As soon as this goes beta, I will be loading either the full desktop version or the netbook release version on my Asus 1000HE, and then I will have a very portable podcasting setup.

Look for Ubuntu 9.10, otherwise known as the Karmic Koala, sometime in October. Alpha 6 is due sometime next week, and the the Beta should be in early October.  If you are adventurous, you can download Alpha 5 now and begin testing yourself. But I must warn that as it is an unstable alpha, things can break and things may drastically change on a daily basis;  I would not load this on a  machine you depend on.

Head over to the Alpha 5 page for more information.