quantal quetzal

Ubuntu 12.10 BETA 1 has just been released, as the first BETA stage in the Quantal development cycle, bringing, along with numerous fixes and optimizations, new exciting features, that are to define Quantal as definitely an innovative and creative Ubuntu version.

What is new in Quantal Quetzal BETA 1?

Days ago, the developers landed an initial work on the wallpaper set responsible for enriching and beautifying the Quantal desktop.

The set of default wallpapers have been selected from a community contest, basically, interested users have submitted wallpapers on a dedicated Flickr submission group, pack of backgrounds triaged, voted and selected for the default inclusion in Ubuntu 12.10.

Weeks ago, the developers published (as official launchpad branches) Previews, a new Unity addition that allows the user, by right-clicking on an item, to summon a preview directly inside the Dash, preview featuring big-sized thumbnails, titles, size, format, etc, basically an accurate filled-with-details preview.

Starting with Previews's first public "appearance", the users have manifested a solid amount of positive feedback, thus transforming the Previews into a definitely awaited feature.

Yesterday, a refreshed Unity greeter landed in Ubuntu 12.10, adding various visual improvements, such as increased size for the login box, two pieces design (with a dedicated back area), etc, changes that bring a more attractive up-to-date login experience in Quantal Quetzal.

Along with the mentioned changes, the developers have released a new version of Unity greeter, introducing a handy feature, support for the Network Indicator.

Ubuntu default wallpapers are selected after an open community contest, where users submit wallpapers, wallpapers voted and landed in Ubuntu.

The Flickr-based submission contest ended on August 28th 2012, and, after the voting and selection process, the background pack has officially landed in Ubuntu 12.10.

Green plant with natural proportions, setting sun versus a red-ish flower, interesting nature snapshots, geometric patterns, abstract quetzal, come to deliver a professional selection suitable for numerous tastes.

Unity greeter is the fancy interface that welcomes the user on login, featuring pleasant-to-the-eye elements, such as black-ish transparent login box, black-ish transparent top panel, dotted grid, etc.

Unity greeter 12.10.2 has just landed in Ubuntu, continuing its road to further polish and consistency.

The login box's width has been slightly increased and the username's size decreased, expressing a more compact solid look&feel.

Days ago, the new refreshed light themes landed in Quantal Quetzal, introducing a fancy yet "precise" built-in design, featuring rounded search areas, new checkbuttons and radio buttons, visually enhanced buttons, etc, basically, adding an overall qualitative + to Ubuntu 12.10's Ambiance and Radiance.

Installing Ubuntu, plunges the user into a modern up-to-date desktop, where numerous high-quality default applications are available for easy usage, yet, due to various preferences (a different launcher hiding behavior, a different wallpaper, "stronger" password, etc), the user is to locate and access System Settings, a global place housing relevant configuration options for Ubuntu.

Days ago, the developers launched a community contest, aimed at selecting Ubuntu 12.10's default wallpaper stack from wallpapers submitted by users, submission process ended on August 28th 2012.

The developers have published an initial wall shortlist, featuring (at the moment) 14 backgrounds, bundle of wallpapers that is to be further voted and reviewed for the official inclusion into Quantal.

Weeks ago, the developers published an interesting map to be followed and implemented in the next (at-the-moment current) Ubuntu development cycle, map created with clarity, user-friendliness and "personal" labels in mind.

After the Session Menu's refreshing, the latest updates have landed in Ubuntu 12.10, featuring the previously-sketched changes, thus implementing the above mentioned changes.