Short Bytes: The second Alpha release of Ubuntu 17.10 is here. Different opt-in flavors have taken part in this release, including Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Bungie, Kubuntu, Lubuntu, and Ubuntu Kylin. Out of these, Ubuntu MATE 17.10 Alpha 2 comes with most noticeable improvements which include the Munity layout for Unity lovers.

Ubuntu 17.10 Alpha 2 For Opt-in Flavors

In late June, the first Alpha release of Ubuntu 17.10 was pushed by the participating flavors, i.e., Lubuntu, Kubuntu, and Ubuntu Kylin. For Ubuntu 17.10 Alpha 2 has been released and more flavors have participated in this release, including Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Budgie. You can find all the download links towards the end of this article.

For those who don’t know, Ubuntu’s default flavor participates in the final beta release. Powered by Linux kernel 4.11, major highlights in this Ubuntu 17.10 Alpha 2 release could be seen in Ubuntu MATE. So, let’s tell you about it:

Why Is Ubuntu MATE 17.10 Alpha 2 So Special?

MATE Panel Layouts give tons of options

The Ubuntu MATE developers have called the 17.10 Alpha 2 as their most “Super” alpha ever. The biggest change in this release comes in the form of tons of improvements in panel layouts. With the help of feedback from different sources, the developers have brought a distinctive look and different workflow to each panel.

To use these different layouts, you need to open your MATE Tweak tools and find different layouts in Panel option. You can also do a little customization and save your own panel. If you’re still sad over the loss of Unity desktop, Ubuntu MATE’s Mutiny layout is surely worth your time.

I installed Ubuntu MATE 17.10 Alpha on a secondary PC and tried it out to take a look at these layouts. So, let me show you their glimpse one by one:

Mutiny looks like Unity 7

Traditional layout is default

Cupertino layout is for macOS lovers

Redmond layout for Windows lovers

Contemporary is mixture of old and new

Netbook layout for simplicity

Pantheon is for Linux lovers who love modern look

Tons of other improvements

In Ubuntu MATE 17.10, the Global Menu support, which is available in Mutiny, Cupertino, and Contemporary layouts, will be much improved. It can be activated via MATE Tweak tool. Just Like regular Unity, it supports GTK and Qt applications.

The Mutiny, Cupertino, and Contemporary users can also use Heads-up Display (HUD) feature, which had been a highlight for the Unity 7 users. Using this, you can search and run menu-bar commands quickly.

The default indicators that you get in Ubuntu MATE are Optimus, Bluetooth, Power, Messages, Network, Sound, and Session.

Please note that Ubuntu MATE 17.10 Alpha 2 is a development release. So, I won’t recommend you to install it on your primary home or work computer. There are some bugs in the OS and it’s definitely not recommended for someone who wishes to use a stable system.

Ubuntu 17.10 Release Schedule

Alpha 1 for opt-in flavors — June 29th

Alpha 2 for opt-in flavors — July 27th

Feature Freeze, Debian Import Freeze — August 24th

Beta 1 for opt-in flavors — August 31st

Final Beta — September 28th

Kernel Freeze — October 5th

Final Freeze, Release Candidate — October 12th

Final Release Ubuntu 17.10 — October 19th

Ubuntu 17.10 Alpha 2 Download

You can download Ubuntu 17.10 MATE Alpha 2 and other flavors by visiting the link given below:

Did you find Ubuntu 17.10 Alpha 2 exciting? Don’t forget to share your views with us.