The first alpha release of Ubuntu 8.10, codenamed Intrepid Ibex, was made available on Saturday. This preliminary Intrepid prerelease includes updated packages, a new version of the Linux kernel, and an experimental new visual style.

Ubuntu adheres to a time-based release cycle and puts out a new major release every six months. Development of a new version begins soon after each major release. The first stage of the Ubuntu development cycle, which is now complete for Intrepid, is planning the roadmap and merging in updated packages from upstream Debain.