Ubuntu 10.10

Ubuntu 10.10: Meet the "Maverick Meerkat"

Released on October 10, 2010 (10/10/10), Ubuntu 10.10—codenamed Maverick Meerkat—was a release that felt like a "perfect ten" for many Linux fans. While its predecessor, 10.04, focused on long-term stability, Maverick was about modernizing the interface and paving the way for the future of the Ubuntu desktop.

The Debut of the Unity Interface

The most significant change in 10.10 was the introduction of Unity.

• Netbook First: In this release, Unity was the default interface for the Netbook Edition, designed specifically to maximize vertical space on small screens.

• The New Dock: It introduced the now-iconic vertical launcher on the left side of the screen and the "Global Menu" at the top, a design philosophy that would soon migrate to the main desktop version.

A Beautiful New Look: The Ubuntu Font

If you noticed the text looked "sharper" in 10.10, that’s because this was the first version to ship with the official Ubuntu Font Family as the default.

• Custom Typeface: Created specifically for Canonical, the font was designed to be legible on everything from small mobile screens to large monitors.

• Global Ready: It even included the new Indian Rupee sign, making Ubuntu the first OS to support the currency symbol out of the box.

A Smarter Software Center

The Ubuntu Software Center received a massive overhaul in this version, moving closer to the "App Store" experience we use today.

• Featured Apps: It introduced "Featured" and "What's New" views to help users discover software.

• Paid Software: For the first time, users could actually purchase commercial apps directly through the interface.

• Social Sharing: You could even "microblog" your favorite apps directly to your friends.

Other Key Highlights

• Shotwell: This became the new default photo manager, replacing the older F-Spot.

• Revolutionary Installer: The installation process was completely redesigned to be faster and more parallel, asking you for your time zone and account details while the files were copying to your drive.

• Enhanced Sound Menu: The volume applet was transformed into a full media controller, allowing you to play/pause Rhythmbox directly from the top bar.

Whether you loved the classic GNOME 2 feel of the Desktop Edition or the experimental Unity look of the Netbook Edition, 10.10 remains a high-water mark for the "purple and orange" era of Ubuntu.