The Ubuntu open-source project has released a version of its Linux distribution that it said is ready for business use. The new code will be supported for three years on desktop systems and five years on servers. This is much longer than previous releases, but it will remain free to download, according to Ubuntu.

Ubuntu 6.06 LTS (Long Term Support) was previously known by its development codename Dapper Drake. The latest release is easier to install, adds a new look and feel and an updated multimedia framework, and now ships with Java packaged as part of the distribution.

The Java move follows the announcement of Sun’s Distributor License for Java, which lets operating system vendors ship the Java Development Kit and Java Runtime Environment as installable packages.

The Ubuntu Server Edition also includes a mechanism to set up a standard web server configuration using Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP (Lamp) with a single command. Previous releases have been supported with security updates and fixes for 18 months. The longer three-year period of stability could attract more organisations, especially those considering Linux as an alternative to Windows.

However, Laurant Lachal of analyst firm Ovum said that enterprise Linux users remain focused on Red Hat and Novell, and there is little space for a third worldwide player.

“If Ubuntu can find a niche and build on it, then they could become a strong local player,” Lachal said. “But as a generic Linux, I just don’t see it.”

Although Ubuntu is mainly community funded, commercial support is available from firms such as UK-based Canonical, owned by Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth.
Ubuntu bundles the OpenOffice.org productivity suite and the latest release of the Mozilla Firefox browser, version 1.5.0.3. It also includes the latest version of the Gnome desktop environment, version 2.14. This adds a desktop search tool and enterprise-friendly features, such as a capability for administrators to lock down the desktop.