The Ubuntu 8.10 desktop covers the latest Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) features of interest to users. The emphasis here is on what users will face when using Ubuntu, covering topics like installation, applications, software management, the GNOME and KDE4 desktops, shell commands, and both the Ubuntu 8.10 administration and network tools. Office, multimedia, mail, and Web applications are reviewed in detail. Desktops are examined including new features like the GNOME file manager capability to directly eject both removable media and network shared directories. The KDE4 desktop provides a completely new KDE desktop with a new panel, menu, desktop, configuration tools, and plasmoid applets. Though administrative tools are covered, the emphasis is on what a user would need to know to perform tasks. Certain new tools are covered in detail like Network Manager which now supports both wireless 3G and Ethernet connections. A new version of the Printing configuration tool adds support for online access to printer drivers as well as new interface features. Advanced components of Ubuntu 8.10 are also examined such as Dynamic Kernel Module Support (DKMS) now use for vendor graphics drivers, Private Encrypted Directories, and the creation of Ubuntu Live USB drives for both live use and installation. Numerous smaller enhancements are also discussed like the Synaptic Package Manager quick searches, the PulseAudio Device Chooser applet for accessing all Pulse Audio tools, GNOME's file manager support for tabs, and the new combined user switcher and quit applet, as well as the new quit and logout menus.
