Help Shape Fedora 9: Alpha Release Now Available

As Fedora contributors, one of the most exciting parts of the development process of new Fedora distributions is determining which cool, new features are included in the next release. Fedora 9 (Sulphur) is due out at the end of April 2008, and we started making plans for it as soon as we released Fedora 8 back in November. We’ve been implementing the changes we want included in this release, and with the Fedora 9 Alpha release today, it’s time for the whole community’s input. Obtain your Alpha live spin here.

During each Fedora cycle, there is an Alpha release, a Beta release and a series of weekly snapshot releases. The Alpha release gives everyone the opportunity to provide feedback on the work that has been done so far as the first step in the testing cycle. It’s the first time that the larger Fedora community can get really involved in testing out the new features and is encouraged to provide input on what’s working, and what’s not. It’s easy to gain access to the Alpha release because you don’t have to install any software - everything you need is provided through live CDs. Then, to give us feedback, you can file bug reports and enhancement requests and make other recommendations.

If you want to help us test and shape the next release of Fedora, you can find details about the new features we’re exploring, about how to get involved in the Alpha release and about how to provide feedback and get involved in Fedora by visiting our Fedora 9 Alpha release notes.