Ubuntu MATE 16.04 Alpha 1

We are preparing Ubuntu MATE Xenial Xerus (16.04) for distribution on April 21st, 2016 With this Alpha 1 pre-release, you can see what we are trying out in preparation for our next (stable) version.

What works?

People tell us that Ubuntu MATE is stable. You may, or may not, agree.

Ubuntu MATE Alpha Releases are NOT recommended for:

• Regular users who are not aware of pre-release issues
• Anyone who needs a stable system
• Anyone uncomfortable running a possibly frequently broken system
• Anyone in a production environment with data or workflows that need to be reliable

Ubuntu MATE Alpha Releases are recommended for:

• Regular users who want to help us test by finding, reporting, and/or fixing bugs
• Ubuntu MATE, MATE, and GTK+ developers

What changed since the Ubuntu MATE 15.10 release?

Here what changed in Ubuntu MATE 16.04 Alpha 1 since Ubuntu MATE 15.10.

• Updated to Ubuntu MATE Welcome 16.04.0
  • Complete overhaul of the user interface.
  • Context menu removed. Closes LP: #1480718
  • Detects if the Ubuntu repositories are available. Closes LP: #1500533
  • Fixes re-install of Minecraft. Closes LP: #1516338
  • Added Variety, Gnote, Planner, gnome-schedule, Redshift.
  • Updated Terminator, VirtualBox, Simple Screen Recorder, Minecraft.
• Updated MATE Tweak to 3.5.3.
  • Added Keyboard LED Indicator.
  • Added capability to enable/disable animations.
  • Fixed non-translatable strings.
  • Updated translations.
• Updated Ubuntu MATE Settings to 16.04.0
  • Enabled GTK styling for QT applications.
  • Enabled Marco animations.
  • Enabled Program List in launcher, accessed via Alt + F2.
  • Updated and sorted default application handlers.
  • Removed (temporarily) the System -> Preferences categorisation.
• Updated Ubuntu MATE Artwork to 16.04.0
  • Added MATE colourised icons for devices and places.
  • Added community contributed wallpaper from Aditya Singh
  • Added community contributed wallpaper from Ryan Ride
  • Added community contributed wallpaper from Noe Gonzales
  • Added community contributed wallpaper from Noe Gonzales
  • Added community contributed wallpapers from Rohith Madhavan
• Updated MATE Menu to 5.6.6.
  • Fixed local code injection.

Thanks to everyone from the Ubuntu MATE community who contributed to this release!

Where is MATE 1.12?

It is coming really soon. In fact it should be available via updates in a couple of days after this Alpha 1 release.

Known Issues

Here are the known issues.

• The cryptsetup password prompt is not shown.
  • LP: #1359689
  • LP: #1530548
• Shutdown/Restart of the live session does not work in Virtualbox, VMWave and KVM guests.
  • LP: #1447038
• The input box for editing a Wired connection static IP address doesn’t appear correctly.
  • LP: #1530323
• Running Linux on PowerPC can require some tinkering and the following are useful references.
  • PowerPC Known Issues
  • PowerPC FAQ

You’ll also want to check the Ubuntu MATE bug tracker to see what has already been reported. These issues will be addressed in due course.

• Ubuntu MATE Bug Tracker

Feedback

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.