What testing is done prior to a release?

[Caps18]

http://www.kubuntu.org/themes/kubuntu10.04/images/feature-tour/office/feature-tour-apps-ooo4.png

I am running a 2010 17" MacBook Pro, yet when I installed kubuntu 13.04, it looks nothing like this picture. Now, I have been using Linux for some time, but haven't done a whole lot other than being a user. I'm kind of at a loss at how to get my bottom task bar to look like that. I used KDE in the mid-2000's and it worked a lot better right after installation.

When I run the live-DVD or installed it to my linux partition, it is pretty much a blank screen with a nice wallpaper picture and the box that said 'Install kubuntu 13.04' in the live-dvd that I can understand, but it is empty once you install it. Now, I was able to figure out that you need to change the desktop style and then I was able to figure out that you need to add widgets to the task bar on the bottom... why the basics aren't pre-loaded, I'm not sure...

I was able to apt-get VLC in the live-dvd session, but I haven't been able to do it once I installed it. I'm not sure if my internet connection is reliable enough, and I can't really tell. It was quite hard trying to figure out how to connect to different wi-fi networks. And I can't tell if it is working or not easily. Linux Mint kind of shows you if you are connected or not and if it has become disconnected.

I will say that kubuntu 13.04 has improved on ubuntu 12.10, 12.04 and linux mint 14 since it works again with my 37" HDTV external monitor.

I still think more focus needs to be done on the boring task of getting stuff to work on all of these random setups than making new designs, new features, and new programs.

[tgalati4]

Moving to Testimonials in 3, 2, 1 . . .

I agree, but you need both--advancement and stability and they certainly are at odds. Random setups is an understatement, when you consider the number of different processors supported, graphics chips and cards, and motherboards--it's amazing that any of this stuff works at all.

[mips]

The iso is loaded onto a 1000 computers that they allow a bunch of chimps in a lab to use :D

[deadflowr]

The iso is loaded onto a 1000 computers that they allow a bunch of chimps in a lab to use :D

And then the chimps write Hamlet.

[cariboo]

We have a U+1 sub-forum (http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=427) to help testers solve problems, and there is the Q/A team (http://qa.ubuntu.com/). it does quite a bit of iso testing. You are welcome to join as there is always a need for testers.

[deadflowr]

I still think more focus needs to be done on the boring task of getting stuff to work on all of these random setups than making new designs, new features, and new programs.

I think the developers feel this way too.

If you have spare space or a duplicate/extra machine, you can always install the development branch and help find any problems that are occurring on your machine.
It's an inclusive club.
The more the merrier.

[snowpine]

What testing did you do? How many bugs did you report?
Multiply that by the number of users, and you have your answer. :)

[lykwydchykyn]

I still think more focus needs to be done on the boring task of getting stuff to work on all of these random setups than making new designs, new features, and new programs.

I find it interesting that people who are not developers always assume that (a) fixing bugs and creating new features are mutually exclusive activities, and (b) that bugfixing is boring whereas coding new features is exciting. Neither is necessarily true.

Often new features are created as part of a process of retiring old, buggy, over-hacked code with a redesigned framework. Often new features are written to meet the needs of users, who perceive the lack of a feature as a "bug" (e.g., support for some piece of harware).

Also, bug fixing vs new features: I personally tend to find putting new features in my programs tedious. It involves designing the UI, documenting, getting people to test the new feature, etc. OTOH, fixing a bug can be a stimulating intellectual challenge, with a nice feel-good payoff at the end. It doesn't require documentation or UI creation, or any of that nonsense. Just being clever, submitting a patch, and feeling like a hero.

Chances are, if you encounter a bug, it's because the developers didn't. If you report it, it might get fixed. If you don't report it (and nobody else does), it almost certainly won't get fixed. In either case, it's pretty uncharitable to people who are writing software and giving it away for free to assume that the reason bugs exist is because they are lazy and careless, don't you think?

[mastablasta]

I'm kind of at a loss at how to get my bottom task bar to look like that.

that's an old version of Kubutu picture. I am not sure why they do not update those.

also don't know why you din't get taksbar on default setup. i always get it and then add stuff i want to it.