Last checked and updated on April 15, 2026What Is New in Ubuntu 5.10
Ubuntu 5.10, codenamed Breezy Badger, is a significant release focused on improving the desktop experience and expanding hardware support. It builds upon the foundation of Hoary Hedgehog with a host of new applications and refinements for both users and developers.
| Category | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| New Features | New Installer (ubiquity), OEM Installer Support, Launchpad Integration, Graphical Startup |
| Desktop & Applications | GNOME 2.12, OpenOffice.org 2.0 beta, New Add/Remove Applications tool, Improved laptop support |
| Hardware Support | Wider wireless driver support, Improved power management, Better hotplugging |
| Infrastructure & Development | GCC 4.0, Python 2.4, Mozilla Firefox 1.0.7, New 'components' repository structure |
How does the new installer improve the setup process?
The new Ubiquity installer is the standout feature, offering a live CD experience that lets you try Ubuntu before installing it. This was a game-changer for new users hesitant to commit. It runs directly from the live session, making the transition to a full installation seamless.
For system builders, the new OEM installer is a massive win. It allows for pre-configuring systems for resale, where the end-user completes the final setup. This opened up Ubuntu for wider hardware vendor adoption.
What desktop and application updates should I expect?
Breezy shipped with GNOME 2.12, which brought noticeable performance improvements and polish. The most practical update was the new Add/Remove Applications tool, a much simpler front-end for managing software compared to Synaptic for basic tasks.
Getting OpenOffice.org 2.0 beta was a big deal. The improved support for the OASIS OpenDocument standard and a generally more refined experience made it a solid inclusion, even as a beta. Firefox 1.0.7 was also there with all the latest security patches.
Is wireless and laptop support any better?
Absolutely. Hardware support, especially for wireless cards, saw a significant boost. The kernel included many new drivers, making it far more likely your Wi-Fi would just work out of the box. This was a major pain point in earlier releases.
Laptop users benefited from improved power management and hotplugging. Support for CPU frequency scaling was better integrated, helping to extend battery life. The system was just more aware of being on portable hardware.
What's new for developers and infrastructure?
The toolchain got a major update with GCC 4.0, which offered better optimizations and standards compliance. Python 2.4 was also included, bringing in some nice language features like decorators.
A behind-the-scenes change was the new 'components' structure in the repository, replacing 'main', 'restricted', 'universe', and 'multiverse' with a more flexible system. This was a foundational change for how packages were organized and maintained.
Launchpad integration began here. While not user-facing yet, it laid the groundwork for the collaborative development platform that would become central to Ubuntu development.
FAQ
Can I upgrade directly from Warty Warthog to Breezy Badger?
No. The supported upgrade path was only from Ubuntu 5.04 (Hoary Hedgehog). Users on 4.10 (Warty) would need to upgrade to Hoary first before moving to Breezy.
Is OpenOffice.org 2.0 stable enough for production use in this release?
It was marked as a beta version. For critical work, many users stuck with the stable 1.1.x series from the universe repository until the final 2.0 release arrived in a later Ubuntu version.
What is the purpose of the new 'components' repository structure?
It was an internal reorganization to provide more granular control over package groupings and security support, moving beyond the simpler 'main/universe' split. It affected repository management more than end-users directly.
Does the improved wireless support include Broadcom chipsets?
Support was improved for many chipsets, but some proprietary drivers, like for certain Broadcom cards, still required manual installation using the ndiswrapper tool to use the Windows drivers.
How does the OEM installer mode work?
You boot the install CD and press a function key to access the menu, then select OEM install. This sets up a pre-installed system that halts at a first-boot setup screen, allowing an OEM to configure it before handing it to the end customer.