What is Ubuntu?
What is Ubuntu?
Ubuntu is a very popular Linux distro (free open-source OS), deriving its name from a Nguni Bantu wo-rd that means “humanity”. It also translates to “I am what I am for all of us.””. Developers thought this name perfectly describes the spirit of all the collaborative work that has enriched this open-source.
Ubuntu works on computers or virtual devices. The official versions are kernels, servers, and desktops. So they exist on personal devices, supercomputers, Internet servers, robots, and so on.
also It works with Linux kernel and supports IA-32, x86-64, ARM64, ARMhf, ppc64le, s390x architectures. It’s available in over 55 different languages.
Canonical – a UK-based computer software enterprise with employees in over 30 countries and a vast community around the world – is in charge of Ubuntu’s development. So This company supplies support and security updates for every release of Ubuntu. Beside Its profits come just from Ubuntu’s excellent services
The History of Ubuntu
Ubuntu was first released in 2004. It’s created on the base of Debian, a previous Linux OS.
Debian Linux Distro was first released in 1993. Today, it is still a respectable operating system that has improved over the years. However, in the early years of its creation, users complained about the lack of frequent updates. Some pointed out installing and maintenance were not friendly enough.
In 2004, a South African entrepreneur, MarkShuttle worth, who successfully sold an Internet security company to Veri Sign, took Debian to improve it through his recently funded company, Canonical. So This way Ubuntu got born.
Ubuntu 4.10 (Warty Warthog) went public in October 2004, with the plan to offer an updated version every six months with an eighteen-month support. It was distributed as a free download, on a CD format or mailed for free.
However One year later, in 2005, Shuttleworth created Ubuntu Foundation in order to support Ubuntu’s future development.
In 2009, Ubuntu developers started also working on supporting third-party cloud management platforms like Amazon Elastic compute clouds.
Ubuntu’s advantages
So Let’s have a look at what exactly makes this OS attractive.
- Its open Source
- Its a free OS
- it is Secure
- having guarantees Support
- It satisfies regular to advanced users’ need
- It’s fully customizable
- Be a good Training tool
Ubuntu is open-source
In other words Ubuntu’s source code is open and available internationally for people to use, check, and enhance it. Obviously, everything depends on the kind of needs the users have, but with an open-source software, you really can go as far as your imagination goes.
Ubuntu is a free OS
Talking about technology, we barely find stuff for free. So undoubtedly, the fact this open-source OS can be downloaded easily and for free, is a big advantage both for regular users but even more for all-size enterprises. Think about the percentage of your budget that covers licensing, computer updating, and maintenance. And these are unavoidable expenses if you want to keep your personal and business data secure.
Ubuntu is Secure
Its security is linked with the fact that it is open-source. Since the code can be checked, in case of errors or threats, it’s possible to fix them from the root without waiting for too long. Apps work on low privileges and Ubuntu’s built-in firewall helps to reduce risks.
It develops better security on every new delivery through different additions.
The regular official updates, the constant maintenance and development of the OS make troubleshooting errors quite fast.
Ubuntu guarantees support
Every six months, Canonical starts updating Ubuntu with 9 months of support. These updates commonly offer new capabilities coming from developers of the community and Canonical.
Canonical also offers long-term support (LTS) releases every two years. LTS versions are rather enterprise level. And they include a 5-year support, either for desktop or server.
And Also you can get support paying (legal assurance, security fixes, training, and much more). Plans and pricing are available on Canonical’s site.
Ubuntu satisfies regular to advanced users’ needs
Of course Its already include out-of-the-box solutions for regular users. By default, it supplies the necessary software for them to work (Firefox, Transmission, LibreOffice, VLC, Thunderbird…).
So For advanced users, there are thousands of programs available on repositories.
Ubuntu is fully customizable
From the different aspects of the interface to the software, you can change pretty much everything.
Ubuntu works on different platforms and devices
Indeed You can set up It in Virtualized or emulated environments, through containers or a virtual machine. It works on IoT devices, network servers, cloud servers (OpenStack is supported by Ubuntu), robots, and plenty of devices, Mac and Windows computers included.
In other words Individuals from different fields, with specific needs, are experimenting all the time with the OS, on a wide variety of platforms and devices.
and Ubuntu a good training tool
It means For example If you are a programmer, site developer or you have a business involved in these kinds of issue, Ubuntu as open-source, can be an ideal tool for training and developing.
Now it’s time to go to the other side of the coin
Ubuntu’s disadvantages
- It’s a heavy resource taker
It’s limited for gaming
Ubuntu is a heavy resource taker
while It manages system resources quite efficiently. Yet, in comparison with other OS distros, and even other Ubuntu derivatives like Lubuntu and Xubuntu, it takes more resources from the system to work properly.
It has Limitation for gaming
You can’t play all aaa titles but Ubuntu is quickly catching up. so You can use Stream or PlayOnLinux to get most of them.
And It is used for
additionally Ubuntu operating systems are on various devices and have many purposes:
such as webserver, email server, Server of file, IoT devices ,NAS – network-attached storage , DNS , virtualization , firewall and router ,for programming (various languages) , home and office use TV OS Mobile OS
And more… There are plenty of uses of Ubuntu and there could be many more use cases.
Popular Ubuntu distros
So Let’s have a look at five of the most famous OSes based on Ubuntu.
- Linux Mint
LXDE OS
Zorin OS
Elementary OS
Pop!_OS
Conclusion
Ubuntu inherited the best of Linux and added its own to make users’ experience more reliable and easy. Nowadays, it’s one of the most popular Linux OSes, due to its constant upgrades.
