Ubuntu MATE 14.10 Release Candidate

Ubuntu MATE 14.10 release candidate is now available for download. This is the last release prior to the final 14.10 release and fixes a few issues that were present in Beta 2 please make sure you read the release notes below because there are still unresolved issues you’ll need to be aware of.

What works?

Most things, more than in Beta 2 at least. People tell us that Ubuntu MATE is stable. You may, or may not, agree.

What changed since Beta 2?

This release candidate has been focused on fixing broken things and improving what was already present in Beta 2.

• Fixed full disk encryption, or rather entering your pass phrase into Plymouth.
  • LP #1382791
  • LP #1359689
  • LP #1362333
• Fixed Plymouth not displaying boot up splash screens.
  • LP #1376090
  • LP #1372802
  • LP #1370707
  • LP #1368414
  • LP #1356513
  • LP #1343841
• Fixed missing Sticky Notes applet.
• Merged xzoom menu entry upstream. LP #1368188
• Synced mate-screensaver 1.8.1-1 from Debian
• Synced marco 1.8.2 from Debian
• Synced mate-applets 1.8.1 from Debian
• Synced atril 1.8.1 from Debian
• Synced caja 1.8.2 from Debian
• Synced mate-panel 1.8.1 from Debian
• Added caja-dropbox 1.8.0 to the PPAs.
• Added mate-control-center to 1.8.3 to the PPAs.

Upgrading from Beta 2

If you have Beta 2 installed, here is how to upgrade to the release candidate.

Start a shell and update.

sudo apt-get update

Complete the upgrade.

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

Reboot, login, start a shell and clean up.

sudo apt-get autoremove
sudo apt-get autoclean

Known Issues

Although Ubuntu MATE includes fixes for Plymouth (full disk encryption and boot logo display) these are not official Ubuntu patches and currently specific to Ubuntu MATE. If Ubuntu update the Plymouth packages without fixing these issues then you may experience regressions in Ubuntu MATE which, if you’re using full disk encryption, could “brick” your system.

So, while we’ve “fixed” full disk encryption we still don’t recommend you use it. Enabling home directory encryption is fully supported and completely safe to use.

You’ll also want to check the Ubuntu MATE bug tracker to see what has already been reported:

• Ubuntu MATE Bug Tracker

Testing

Ubuntu MATE 14.10 will be released on October 23rd and we need people installing, using Ubuntu MATE and reporting any issues you may find on the project’s bug tracker.

• Ubuntu MATE Bug Tracker

Is there anything you can help with or want to be involved in? Maybe you just want to discuss your experiences or ask the maintainers some questions. Please come and talk to us.