What is Ubuntu? Why and how do people use 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’s also translated as “I am what I am because of who we all are”. Developers thought this name perfectly describes the spirit of all the collaborative work that has enriched this open-source.

It works on computers or virtual machines. The official editions are core, server, and desktop, so it’s present on personal devices, supercomputers, Internet servers, cloud computing, robots, etc.

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. This company supplies support and security updates for every release of Ubuntu. Its profits come just from Ubuntu’s premium services.

Ubuntu’s history

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. Nowadays, it is still a respected OS that has been enhanced through 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, Mark Shuttleworth, who successfully sold an Internet security company to VeriSign, took Debian to improve it through his recently funded company, Canonical. 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.

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

Let’s take a look at what exactly makes this OS attractive.

It’s open-source

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.

Customization is unlimited. You can make Ubuntu really tailored for your purposes.

It’s a free OS

Talking about tech, 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.

It’s 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.

Ubuntu 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.

It guarantees support

Let’s remember that Canonical and a vast and active community ready to help support Ubuntu. Both work constantly on new updates, new features, more efficiency, fixing bugs, etc.

Every six months, a Ubuntu update is launched by Canonical with a 9-month 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 you can get support paying (legal assurance, security fixes, training, and much more). Plans and pricing are available on Canonical’s site.

It satisfies regular to advanced users’ needs

Ubuntu already includes out-of-the-box solutions for regular users. By default, it supplies the necessary software for them to work (Firefox, Transmission, LibreOffice, VLC, Thunderbird…).

For advanced users, there are thousands of programs available on repositories.

It’s fully customizable

From the different aspects of the interface to the software, you can change pretty much everything.

It works on different platforms and devices
You can set up Ubuntu 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.

People from different fields, with specific needs, are experimenting all the time with the OS, on a wide variety of platforms and devices.

It’s a good training tool

If you are a programmer, site developer or you have a business involved in these kinds of matter, Ubuntu as open-source, can be an ideal tool for training and developing.

Ubuntu’s disadvantages

Now it’s time to go to the other side of the coin, disadvantages users could face trying out Ubuntu OS.

It’s a heavy resource taker

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’s limited for gaming

You can’t play all AAA titles but Ubuntu is quickly catching up. You can use Stream or PlayOnLinux to get most of them.

Ubuntu is used for

Ubuntu OS can be found on various devices and has many purposes:
• webserver
• email server
• file server
• IoT devices
• NAS – network-attached storage
• DNS server
• 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

The Ubuntu framework has been used in the development of a wide variety of new distros. Let’s take a look at five of the most popular OSes based on Ubuntu.

Linux Mint

• It has an intuitive and low memory usage desktop environment (Cinnamon).
• Customization is simple. You can set up widgets and themes directly from the settings.
• It has a one-click update, backup, restore, and other fixing choices.
• The included Timeshift makes it really easy to restore and maintain the system.
• An automatic update is available (easy to enable from preferences).
• It features low-latency kernel support. And kernel updates are done through meta-packages, instead of a manual installation of kernel packages.
• Guides for installing and troubleshooting are available.

LXDE OS

• This is the key to bringing old computers or devices to life.
• Friendly, simple, and optimized LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) user interface.
• It runs lightly on resources, providing all the important functions an OS has to offer.
• Easy to set up.
• OS available versions: 32 and 64 bit.
• Robust set of pre-installed software.
• Theme consistency, a wide menu of wallpapers, and more additions (mods and tweaks).
• The included power purchase agreements (PPAs) extends software availability.

Zorin OS

• Fast, powerful, secure, and privacy-respecting OS.
• It allows the managing process of all your business, organization, or home computers to be executed from one computer. Simplifying their maintenance, work, and security.
• You can access it remotely to securely install software on all your devices.
• Creation of groups. Computers included in a determined group will automatically configure the apps they need.
• Computers-server communication is always encrypted.

Elementary OS

• This is a distro that really suits beginners.
• Attractive design and simplicity describe its user interface.
• It really looks like macOS, due to its custom desktop environment, “Pantheon”.
• The pre-installed apps are enough for a regular use, maintaining privacy.
• It releases updates regularly and they don’t require extra permissions to be setup.
• Security can be improved by limiting access to certain websites, apps, and the amount of time the system can be used.
• There are many available packages on repositories and third-party apps are also vast.

Pop!_OS

• OS for advanced users: creative professionals and STEM.
• Secure and reliable open-source.
• By default, it encrypts your installation and enables pre-installed full-disk encryption out-of-the-box.
• A private encryption key is created during the installation after you receive your computer.
• It doesn’t collect data from user setups.
• Auto-tiling is included to assists you in resizing, moving, and arranging windows.
• Simple workspace organization and fast navigation.
• The Pop!_Shop combines the wide variety of Ubuntu and Flatpak software libraries for users to find everything they need, in the same place.

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.

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