Ubuntu is a Linux distribution for your desktop or server, with a fast and easy install, regular releases, a tight selection of excellent packages installed by default, every other package you can imagine available from the network and professional technical support from Canonical Ltd and hundreds of other companies around the world.

• 12 June 2008 - Alpha 1 release
• 3 July 2008- Alpha 2 release
• 24 July 2008 - Alpha 3 release
• 14 August 2008 - Alpha 4 release
• 4 September 2008 - Alpha 5 release
• 18 September 2008- Alpha 6 release
• 2 October 2008- Beta release
• 23 October 2008 - Release Candidate
• 30 October 2008- Final release of Ubuntu 8.10

Source : https://wiki.ubuntu.com/IntrepidReleaseSchedule
Gnome Road map : TwoPointTwentythree - GNOME Live! | RoadMap - GNOME Live!