The first public beta release of the GNOME 2.0 Desktop is ready for your testing pleasure! It is available for immediate download. Please read the release notes first! Due for general consumption in March, the GNOME 2.0 Desktop is a greatly improved user environment for existing GNOME applications. Enhancements include anti-aliased text and first class internationalisation support, new accessibility features for disabled users, and many improvements throughout GNOME's highly regarded user interface." LinuxToday or gnome-announce have the announcement. I don't see release notes anywhere - post a link in the comments if you find them. GNOME is having a bug day today.
News source: Slashdot
View: LinuxToday | gnome-announce | Gnome Bug Day
Download: Gnome 2.0 Beta Download (FTP Link)