The Ubuntu 23.10 codename has been revealed — and it’s a marvellous moniker.
As per Launchpad, home of Ubuntu development, Ubuntu 23.10 is codenamed “Mantic Minotaur”.
This Machiavellian mandate may manifest as a milestone worthy of …Nope, I’m running out of words beginning with M — but what does it mean?
Well, ‘Mantic‘ is an adjective relating to divination or prophecy. A ‘Minotaur‘ is, as I’m sure most of you know, a mythical creature from Greek legend shaped half like a man and half like a bull.
Together they mean… Well, nothing.
Ubuntu codenames no longer carry the kind of cryptic conveyance they did in the past. Today, codenames are chosen ‘cos they’re delightfully batty (“Disco Dingo”), unquestionable cute (“Kinetic Kudu”), or borderline hair-sterical (“Hirsute Hippo”).
You may think that ‘Mantic Minotaur’ breaks the mammal-based mascot mould but we have had mythic creatures before, like as the Wily Werewolf and Jaunty Jackalope so this selection is not totally out of kilter.
Ubuntu 23.10 is due for release on October 12, 2023. More detail about the makeup of the release will be revealed in the coming months as development ramps up, packages trickle in, and changes arrive.
Still, there are a few assumptions we can make. A new Linux kernel? That’s a given, as are updated graphics drivers. GNOME 45 is certain to feature, and we’ll see further finesse to the new Flutter-based installer to ensure it’s fit as a fiddle for next year’s LTS.
What codename would you have picked if you were in charge? Share it down in the comments, along with your hopes, wishes, and wants for the release upcoming!