Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron is marching closer to its scheduled April launch. Canonical has released the 5th Alpha of the next generation of the popular Linux distribution. Among other things, Alpha 5 comes with a new installation option: Users can either run and install Ubuntu 8.04 Alpha 5 using a LiveCD, or they can use Wubi to install Ubuntu to a partition from within Windows. No reboot necessary.

Here are a few more updates in the latest Alpha release:

• Firefox 3 beta 3 is the default web browser
• Xorg 7.3 is included
• Uses Linux kernel 2.6.24
• PulseAudio is used by default
• Transmission BitTorrent client replaces Gnome BitTorrent
• Vinagre VNC client replaces xvnc4viewer
• Brasero CD/DVD burning application, replaces the Serpentine CD burning utility
• The World Clock applet can now display the time and weather in multiple locations

Ubuntu 8.04 Alpha 5 is available for download now. But since this is still pre-release software, we wouldn't recommend installing it on your primary machine. You know, unless you like using undercooked software on your primary machine and potentially losing data.