The first preview release of Kubuntu is now avaiable:

The Kubuntu team is pleased to announce the preview of their first release. Kubuntu is a new distribution using the solid base of Ubuntu and the stunning KDE 3.4 desktop. This release follows the preview release last week of Ubuntu 5.04. The final release of Kubuntu 5.04 will be on April 6th. The preview release includes both install CDs and bootable Live CDs for three architectures.

There are CD images of the preview release in both Install and Live CD format for Intel/x86, PowerPC and AMD64 here:

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/hoary/preview/

Kubuntu is a KGX distribution for the desktop or the server that includes all of Ubuntu and comes with the latest KDE. We are part of the Ubuntu community and use their infrastructure and support. Our mission is to be the best KDE distribution available. As with Ubuntu our releases will be supported for at least 18 months after release.

This preview release includes the latest KDE 3.4, released only yesterday. KDE 3.4 brings many improvements including the excellent KPDF reader, advanced groupware support in Kontact Personal Information Management Suite and Kopete instant messenger plus HAL support for removable media. We also include the feature packed amaroK 1.2 music and Kaffeine 1.5 video players.

Kubuntu would not be possible without the support of some major Free Software contributors:

* KDE for the best desktop environment there is.
* Debian's KDE Packagers for sorting KDE the Debian way.
* Ubuntu for their infrastructure and support.
* Basse and Konqi for taking the time out of their busy schedules for an exclusive Kubuntu photo shoot.

You can find out more about Kubuntu and about this preview release on our website, IRC channel (#kubuntu on freenode) and wiki. Our website is currently at:

http://www.kubuntu.org.uk/

Our user's mailing list can be subscribed from:

http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/kubuntu-users

To sign up for future Kubuntu announcements, you may subscribe to Ubuntu's very low volume announcement list at:

http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-announce

We welcome feedback on this release which you can leave on this wiki page:

https://www.ubuntulinux.org/wiki/KubuntuPreviewComments

Make sure to check our known problems page if you encounter any issues:
https://www.ubuntulinux.org/wiki/KubuntuPreviewKnownProblems