Release Notes for Scubuntu 8.10
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Overview
These are the release notes for Scubuntu 8.10, released in November 2008.
Scubuntu 8.10 is the first release of the Scubuntu project, and should be considered a proof of concept release. Although every effort has been made to ensure that it is of the highest quality possible, it is not guaranteed to be 100% suitable for your computing needs. Its main purpose is to serve as a demonstrator of what the future of Scubuntu could hold, and to act as an initial base on top of which future Scubuntu releases will be built.
Scubuntu 8.10 includes 3 main components, described in the following sections.
Scubuntu Base
Scubuntu Base is a set of packages that address the generic computing needs of many researchers. These packages provide tools for:
- Reference and citation management
- A complete LaTeX environment for the authoring of scientific articles and reports
Statistical analysis (with rudimentary integration into OpenOffice.org's spreadsheet application)
- Numerical processing
- Computer-based algebra
- Matrix-based computation
- Plotting and visualisation of research data
- Libraries for the development of custom scientific software
In addition, Scubuntu Base installs the Scubuntu "look" (artwork, icons, logos, wallpapers and themes), and applies a set of customisations to generic desktop that make it more suitable for scientific computing (e.g. make the calculator start in "scientific mode" by default).
You can find out more about Scubuntu Base here
Scubuntu GIS
Scubuntu GIS is a collection of packages for researchers and practitioners working in the field of GeoSciences. Currently, it provides ...
TODO(mixo): add more
You can find out more about Scubuntu GIS here
Scubuntu BioSciences
Scubuntu BioSciences is a collection of packages for BioChemists and BioPhysicists. The following software is included in this release:
- BKChem
- Chemtool
- Easychem
CernLib
- Octave-Bioinfo
RasMol
- Staden
PyMol
- OpenDX
- T-Coffee
- ClustalX
For more information read about Scubuntu BioScience
System requirements
Scubuntu 8.10 requires at least 256 MB of memory, although 512MiB or more is recommended. (Note that some of your system's memory may be unavailable due to being used by the graphics card.)
With only the minimum amount of memory available, the installation process will take longer than normal, but will complete successfully, and the system will perform adequately once installed. Low-memory systems may be able to use the desktop CD to install by selecting "Install Ubuntu" from the boot menu to run just the installer, rather than the whole desktop started by selecting "Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer".
Depending on the software you select, Scubuntu will require 6-10GB of hard disk space.