Ubuntu 10.10 is now available: What brings them back? Is it compatible with my computer?

As we all probably know, and for which there also, today -10/10/10- at 10:10 hours has released the latest stable version of Ubuntu: 10.10 Maverik Meerkat. Thus, the popular distribution based on GNU/Linux and focused on desktop users and mobile devices, closed its development cycle of 6 months to see the light, and with it, this post.

Much has been said about Ubuntu lately. That if necessary install the latest version, whether it is feasible to release a new version every 6 months, etc. But let a little aside all this, and let's see what improvements we bring this distribution has both joined the global free software community.

It is noteworthy that the release of Ubuntu 10.10 Maverik Meerkat also coincided with the parallel and official editions: Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Edubuntu, Mythbuntu and Ubuntu Studio.

Which brings us back to Ubuntu 10.10?

There are many improvements that brings Ubuntu 10.10 Maverik Meerkat, in addition to the visual aspects that are already undergoing changes from version 10.04. So let's list the top 10 highlights of Ubuntu 10.10:

1. The installation easier than ever: The Ubuntu installation process was simple and its earlier versions, but has now been further simplified. Now we are asked only what is necessary. In addition we will be clearly informed what is going to do the installer and what are the requirements for each operation.
2. Center Ubuntu Software: The Center Ubuntu Software began as a simple addition of Synaptic and APT system. But from this new version, it will handle much of the installation/upgrade packages also offer a very attractive visual interface with complete descriptions of the applications.
3. Ubuntu One with audio streaming: this service in the cloud storage and file synchronization has expanded its services with the inclusion of Ubuntu One Music Store to buy and distribute music:
4. The typography: a significant change visually is use of a free font and property of the distribution: Ubuntu typography.
5. Unity: Another major change is related to Ubuntu users netbooks and notebooks, which can access the Unity interface, specially designed for screens with limited resolution in which the maximization of the resolution is key.
6. Notifications: notifications have been improved with a renewed form of appearance with a new iconography, and above all more clear and complete menus.
7. Shotwell: F-Spot has been abandoned in this distribution giving rise to Shotwell, a very ambitious program that aims to become the perfect photo manager for our GNU/Linux.
8. LibreOffice: the fork of OpenOffice.org called LibreOffice, will be the default suite of Ubuntu 10.10. In this way, Canonical demonstrates its support for the office suite.
9. Btrfs: a file system that is currently not used natively and by default, although it does MeeGo. In Ubuntu 10.10 we can create partitions with the file system Btrfs to take advantage of a development that could happen to ext4.
10. Gnome 2.32 :the Gnome 2.32 desktop environment will surely be the last version of 2.x family will see before the release of Gnome 3.0.

Is Ubuntu compatible with my computer?

Fear of our hardware incompatibilities with the various Linux distributions, is one of the major barriers when migrating to Free Software world. It is also true that Ubuntu works on most computers without requiring major adjustments to the hardware after installing the system.

But to further improve this area, Canonical has launched an initiative called "Ubuntu-certified hardware", which allows the user to know in advance what equipment manufacturer which works perfectly in Ubuntu.

This we can save a big headache if you're thinking of buying a new computer to work with Ubuntu.

Ubuntu-certified hardware is divided into 3 parts:

1. Ubuntu Certified: They have this certification for computers that have been tested first hand by Canonical, performing positively all relevant compatibility tests.
2. Ubuntu Enabled: This certification is present only on computers that are compatible with Ubuntu by Canonical introduces some modifications, ie equipment that initially are not 100 percent compatible, but that Canonical and makes.
3. Ubuntu Ready: This is a certification given to those computers without going through the hands of Canonical, has been certified 100 percent compliant by the manufacturer.

So before making a new purchase, take a tour of Ubuntu-certified hardware. a enjoy Ubuntu 10.10 Maverik Meerkat!

[Updated]
It is clear that the list published by Canonical Ubuntu-certified hardware is not an exhaustive list by any means. It's just a list of certified hardware company behind the Ubuntu Linux distribution. Moreover, any hardware device market is capable of running either Linux distributions available today. And if we are not very expert in the subject, with the help of the community we run our computers with GNU/Linux to 100 percent.