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Fedora 16 now being served, with large side order of cloud

Sharif Sakr
Updated ·4 min read

What happens when 24,000 geeks contribute to a single open source project? Fedora 16, that's what. The watery 'Verne' update is based on Linux kernel 3.1.0 and comes with a bunch of enterprise-friendly improvements, including better support for cloud-based processing and storage systems, more flexible desktop virtualization using SPICE USB, and version 3.2 of the Gnome desktop, which -- aside from being pretty -- offers greater scope for storing and managing user accounts online. There's some fun stuff too, including Firefox 7.0.1, a Rhythmbox app for music, and Shotwell for photo management. If any of this might make your life easier or more fulfilling, then explore the PR after the break and then head to the source link to download.

[Thanks, Jarrett]


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Fedora 16 Combines Sophisticated Cloud and Virtualization Features with Usability

Creative Community Collaboration Further Propagates Free Open Source Distribution

RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Fedora Project, a Red Hat, Inc. (NYSE: RHT) sponsored and community-supported open source collaboration, today announced the availability of Fedora 16, the latest version of its free open source operating system distribution. The Fedora operating system is free of cost to download and includes only free and open source software for users to enjoy and share. Developed by a worldwide community, the Fedora Project collaborates closely with upstream free software project teams to provide a compelling experience for users and to access and integrate improvements and innovation rapidly.

"The open source community sets a new bar for technical excellence in the creation of this release," said Jared Smith, Leader, The Fedora Project. "Fedora 16 combines the newest advancements in open source virtualized and cloud computing environments with significant under-the hood-improvements – all while continuing to improve the operating system's usability.

The Fedora Project's commitment to advancing free and open source software is absolutely reflected in what the community delivered in Fedora 16."

Notable feature enhancements in Fedora 16 include:

• Cloud computing: Aeolus Conductor creates and manages cloud instances across a wide variety of cloud types; OpenStackTM tools configure and run cloud compute and storage infrastructures; HekaFS is based on GlusterFS and enables cloud-ready distributed parallel filesystems; and Pacemaker-cloud application service provides high availability.

• Virtualization: SPICE USB offers sharing and audio volume messaging for virtualized desktops; Virtual Machines Lock Manager protects users from starting the same virtual machine twice or adding the same disk to two different virtual machines; and Virt-manager Guest Inspection allows read-only browsing of guest filesystems and the WindowsTM Registry.

• GNOME: GNOME 3.2 supports the management of online services accounts with integrated contacts and documents, improved chat capabilities, and desktop enhancements; and GNOME Input Integration facilitates switching between keyboard layouts and input methods.
A complete list of Fedora 16 features is available on The Fedora Project community release announcement page here.

The Fedora Project aims to release a new version of its free operating system approximately every six months. This rapid development cycle encourages collaboration and the inclusion of the latest, most cutting-edge open source features available. Fedora is built by community members from across the globe, and the Fedora Project's transparent and open collaboration process has attracted more than 24,000 registered contributors. The total of unique IPs across Fedora releases since tracking was initiated at Fedora 7 is now approaching 35 million connections.

Information about Fedora's statistics and collection methodology is open and transparent to the public on the following wiki: https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Statistics.

The Fedora Project has also held multiple Fedora User and Developer Conferences (FUDCon) around the world over the past year including events in Panama, Republic of Panama; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Milan, Italy; and Pune, India. The next FUDCon is planned for January 13 – 15, 2012 in Blacksburg, VA, USA and those interested in attending can learn more about the event and register to attend here: https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/FUDCon:Blacksburg_2012.

For more information on Fedora 16 and to download the distribution or to join this community effort, please visit www.fedoraproject.org. To hear more about Fedora 16 from Jared Smith and others from The Fedora Project, watch the new release video at www.redhat.com/fedora.
For more information about Red Hat, visit www.redhat.com. For more news, more often, visit www.press.redhat.com.