Published Apr 6, 2022, 7:05 PM EDT
David is a freelance writer based in the Pacific Northwest, but originally hailing from the Bay Area. A journalist by training who has been writing professionally since 2009, he discovered the power of Unix-like operating systems and the command-line interface while learning how to edit video on macOS. It also helped that he'd originally cut his computing teeth on MS-DOS in the '90s.
He has been using Linux regularly in some form since 2006. David has been able to combine his passion for computing and writing in his career as a freelance writer. His writing has appeared in Techopedia, TMCnet, and Walyou, among others.
David holds a B.A. in communication from California State University, East Bay. A dedicated lifelong learner, he's been using Linux-based CAS tools like SymPy and Sage on Linux to make sure he remembers what he learned in his math classes and maybe even pick up a few new concepts along the way. Linux and open source have allowed him to explore advanced topics like calculus and linear algebra more easily than he could with pencil and paper.
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Pop!_OS, a custom version of Ubuntu developed by Linux preinstalled PC maker System 76, has made beta images of the upcoming 22.04 version of the Linux distribution available. However, it's only intended for users undaunted by the bugs that will inevitably be present.
What's New in 22.04 LTS?
The developers have made beta images available on the Pop!_OS GitHub page, though they warn that this release is a beta and that users should therefore expect bugs. For impatient users eager to get a taste of the upcoming release, there are two versions, one that supports AMD and Intel graphics adapters, and another with proprietary NVIDIA drivers for System 76-built PCs.
The developers made an official announcement on their Twitter feed:
The announcement comes after another Ubuntu variant, Ubuntu MATE, announced its own beta 22.04 release.
The biggest change from the last version is the presence of newer user interface elements. The new version uses a customized version of GNOME 42, itself a new release. Under the hood, it also uses version 5.16 of the Linux kernel. This is one small increment higher than the mainline Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, which uses version 5.15. Since both of these distributions are still in beta, the composition of the software might change in the final release.
System 76 has heavily modified the GNOME desktop to appeal to creative professionals and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workers. Their changes have focused on tiling windows automatically to maximize the efficiency of screen real estate.
As System 76 also manufactures its line of preinstalled Linux machines, the device drivers have also been tailored to the company's machines. The company stresses that Pop!_OS will run on any PC, not just their own.
At first glance, the user interface doesn't appear to have radically changed from previous versions despite the newer software.
The "LTS" part of the name means that with this release users will be able to get support for up to five years from its release date in contrast to standard releases that only offer six months of support. This makes the former better suited to enterprise users and those concerned with stability.
When Will Users See the Pop!_OS 22.04 Release?
As for when regular users will be able to get their hands on the latest Pop!_OS release, it will likely depend on when the mainline Ubuntu release finishes up. The release naming conventions follow the parent Ubuntu version naming of the year and the month.
The regular Ubuntu 22.04 LTS is anticipated to launch in April 2022, and System 76 will take some more time polishing its release based on what ends up in the upstream Ubuntu release.
An Alternative to Stock Ubuntu
Despite being a relative newcomer, Pop!_OS has won a following in the Linux world for its ease of use. When the final 22.04 LTS release finally appears, it looks like it should please the Linux distribution's user base as much as the previous releases.