With the release of Quantum 2.0.1 there are some very nice new features.
New Features: (this post does not cover all new features!)
The New Plugin Manager
Easy to see which plugins are compatible with the version you are using.
Red indicates incompatible, though the upgradable option on the left panel will warn you that some older plugins might work.
Oracle Spatial (Direct Support)
One of my favourite things about Quantum GIS 2.0.1 - directly Oracle Spatial support (no plugins required) comes standard out of the box (ok download).
Selecting Oracle Spatial data
Visual Modeller
Modeller this reminds my of cross between FME Workbench and Model Builder(ArcGIS).
Scripts and Visual dialogues can build up complex models that can be used for many different geoprocessing task, raster/vector conversions. This looks very promising for automated tasks. Test models come with QGIS 2.0.1
Styler
The Styler has improved vastly you can see that it has evolved into a quality cartographic tool to control, colour, widths, fills and colour ramps.
QGIS API:
"QGIS 2.0 has under gone some radical changes for its upcoming release. Some of these major changes relate to the API"
Please see the full details and code examples here http://nathanw.net/2013/06/13/new-qgis-20-api/
Many, many thanks:
Overall the stability is improved and this release has well worth been the wait.
Congratulations to all programmers and developers making this a 'production' quality product.
Download this Software today if your are even slightly interested in GIS, Cartographic, Geographic Analysis:
QGIS-OSGeo4W-2.0.1-Setup-x86.exe
QGIS-OSGeo4W-2.0.1-Setup-x86_64.exe (tested here on Windows 7)
http://qgis.org/downloads/
QGIS-OSGeo4W-2.0.1-Setup-x86_64.exe (tested here on Windows 7)
http://qgis.org/downloads/