Upgrading Ubuntu from Hardy (8.04) to Karmic Koala (9.10) via Intrepid Ibex (8.10) and Jaunty Jackalope (9.04)

Realized my Hardy (8.04) on the desktop needs upgrading finally. Even though I had decided not to upgrade it until an LTS (Long Term Support) Ubuntu is released. Upgrading from Hardy (8.04)  to Karmic Koala (9.10) is not directly supported so the logical path is to do the following upgrades.

Step 1. Hardy (8.04) to Intrepid Ibex (8.10)

Step 2. Intrepid Ibex (8.10) to Jaunty Jackalope (9.04)

Step 3. Jaunty Jackalope (9.04) to Karmic Koala (9.10)

Each step follows similar pattern.

$ sudo do-release-upgrade

The same could be done via the graphical user interface (GUI) by selecting System ->Administration -> Software Sources , select Updates Tab and from release upgrade combo select  "Normal Releases". Then select System ->Administration -> Update Manager.

This is followed by countless mega bytes of download and hope that net keeps connected all along.