Canonical just managed to squeeze it in before the end of the month, but the long-awaited latest edition of Ubuntu Linux is now online and available for free download.

Ubuntu has worked hard to gain a reputation as a friendly and easy-to-use Linux distribution which anyone can use - from the experienced computer hacker to the home hobbyist to the student, child or grandmother who just needs to send e-mail, surf the web and view photos.

Ubuntu is well known too for its clockwork release schedule, with new editions hitting the Internet every six months, in April and October. It is this schedule which gives Ubuntu its version numbering. Version 10.04 is the 2010 April (04) release. Similarly, it can be stated now with certainty the next edition of Ubuntu will be version 10.10, being the October (10) 2010 release.

Ubuntu is also famous for its alternate naming schedule with attributes assigned to animals that somehow reflect the theme of the release.

This time around Ubuntu 10.04 is codenamed Lucid Lynx, representing the developer's ideals that it be smooth, sound and agile.

This general smoothness is also reflected in the LTS designation that has been ascribed to it. LTS stands for 'Long Term Support' and means that anyone interested in running a Linux distro which is going to be maintained for years to come would do well to consider Lucid Lynx.

As always, you can download Ubuntu in a rich variety of formats and means. There are ISO images and torrents available for desktop, netbook and server releases. For those who like their Ubuntu a bit different there are Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Edubuntu and Mythbuntu variations too.

Positive features of the new face of Linux include vastly improved support for nVidia graphics cards, expanded built-in social networking tools, a faster boot time, the DRM-free Ubuntu One Music Store iPod, iPad and iPhone support and cloud integration, among many others.

Of course, all is not without controversy. During the six months leading up to today there were surprises and consternation afoot as Canonical announced The GIMP would be dropped and that the window control buttons would switch from right to left.

Check it out; today Ubuntu 10.04 is the newest and most up-to-date operating system on the planet. Whether you're an old hand at Linux or have never touched it before, Lucid Lynx is certain to please.