So Long Maverick Meerkat! (Ubuntu 10.10)

Released in October of 2010, Ubuntu 10.10 was a notable release. What was so notable? Well it was the first version of Ubuntu to ship with Unity as the default desktop. It also introduced Shotwell as Ubuntu’s default photo manager, and brought a refined installer with new check screens and 3rd party software options to the user.


Announcing the news on the Ubuntu Developer mailing list, Canonical’s Kate Stewart writes:

This note is just to confirm that the support period for Ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick Meerkat) formally ends on April 10, 2012 and Ubuntu Security Notices no longer includes information or updated packages for Ubuntu 10.10.

The supported upgrade path from Ubuntu 10.10 is via Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal).  Instructions and caveats for the upgrade may be found at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/NattyUpgrades.  Note that upgrades to version 11.04 and beyond are only supported in multiple steps, via an upgrade first to 11.04, then to 11.10. Both Ubuntu 11.04 and Ubuntu 11.10 continue to be actively supported with security updates and select high-impact bug fixes.

So if you are on that version, it is recommended that you upgrade to 11.10 right about now. If you want to wait a couple of more days, you can also go to 12.04 LTS. Check the Ubuntu countdown widget to the right if you haven't already payed attention to it.