Canonical, through Gerry Carr, announced last evening (April 5th) that it will no longer distribute free CDs with the Ubuntu operating system, via the ShipIt Programme.
The ShipIt service was created back in 2005 to distribute free CDs with the Ubuntu OS, to millions of people around the world. With regret we inform you that the ShipIt Programme has been closed! Users will not be able to order free CDs of Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) or any future version.
"Technology moves on and as we look at ways to spread Ubuntu further, a CD distribution programme, especially one of that size and delivered in that way, makes less sense."
"We have been slowly easing back the programme over the last two years to limit the number of CDs per person and the number of times a person could apply for a CD. But for Ubuntu 11.04 you will no longer be able to go to our website and apply for a free CD." - said Gerry Carr in the announcement.
For those of you who don't know yet, Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) will ship with the latest stable version of the GNOME desktop environment (hopefully GNOME 3.0), which brings many improvements in various areas, such as Nautilus, Empathy, Evolution, Tomboy, Totem, Brasero, and much more.
Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) will be powered by Linux kernel 2.6.38, and it will include applications such as LibreOffice 3.3.2, Mozilla Firefox 4.0, Banshee 1.9.5, Transmission 2.13, Shotwell 0.9.1, Gwibber 3.0.0, Evolution 3.0.0, and much more.
Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) will be the 14th release of the Ubuntu operating system. Don't forget to visit our website on April 14h, for an in-depth article about the Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) Beta 2 release, when we will unveil more features, and the download links!
