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Ubuntu is an open-source, freely distributed operating system based on Linux developed by Canonical Ltd. Ubuntu's first release was on October 20th, 2004 as a fork of the Debian GNU/Linux project. Ubuntu differs from its Linux roots because of 1) its emphasis on usability, 2) regular releases every 6 months, and 3) ease of installation. These three factors make the Ubuntu operating system far more appealing to mainstream users over other Linux distributions. Ubuntu can be installed on desktop PCs, laptops, servers, 64-bit systems, and Mac computers. The most recent release is, version 8.04, is nicknamed "Hardy Heron," and was released April 24th, 2008.

Pros & Cons

Pros:
17 people have already voted. Do you agree?

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Regular releases every 6 months
+14agreedisagree

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Its FREE !
+4agreedisagree

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Significant online community offering news, advice, software & support
+2agreedisagree

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'One-Click' Software install and Removal
+2agreedisagree

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Largely immune to Spyware / Malware / Viruses
+2agreedisagree

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Infinitely customisable
+1agreedisagree

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Ubuntu OS incorporates an effective firewall - No need for 3rd party security applications.
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?

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Often ignored by hardware vendors when writing drivers.
+1agreedisagree

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More information

The Ubuntu Promise

  • Ubuntu will always be free of charge, including enterprise releases and security updates.
  • Ubuntu comes with full commercial support from Canonical and hundreds of companies around the world.
  • Ubuntu includes the very best translations and accessibility infrastructure that the free software community has to offer.
  • Ubuntu CDs contain only free software applications; we encourage you to use free and open source software, improve it and pass it on.

Ubuntu Variants

Ubuntu has two main variants: the Desktop or Server edition. The Desktop edition is used general computing, and comes preloaded with software to surf the web, read email, create and edit documents and spreadsheets, and to play music. The server edition is used to run services such as, but not limited to, the Apache webserver, OpenSSH, Samba/NFS for a file fileserver, or CUPS for a print server.

Canonical Ltd, the complany that develops Ubuntu, is currently working a version of Ubuntu for MID's. It aims to support flash, media playback, Web 2.0 services, and productivity software. It will be customizable and integrate well with Internet services such as Facebook, Google, and Youtube.

Additionally, there are versions off Ubuntu specifically designed for different groups of applications:

  • Edubuntu, a distribution designed for classrooms using GNOME
  • Gobuntu, a free software distribution
  • Kubuntu, a desktop distribution using KDE rather than GNOME
  • Xubuntu, a "lightweight" distribution based on the Xfce desktop environment instead of GNOME
  • Ubuntu JeOS, "an efficient variant [...] configured specifically for virtual appliances"
  • Ubuntu Studio, a desktop distribution explicitly geared towards multimedia creation.

* source Wikipedia

Availability

Ubuntu is free, and will remain free. The desktop and server version can be downloaded from the Ubuntu website. All of the Ubuntu variants are free and can be downloaded as well from their respective websites. Ubuntu gives you the option to have a Ubuntu installation CD for either Ubuntu Desktop/Server, Kubuntu, or Edubuntu mailed to you, but delivery may take as long as 10 weeks, so downloading is strongly encouraged. The installation of the desktop operating system will take approximately 25 minutes. The current release is version 8.04 as of April 24th, 2008.

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1 comment about Ubuntu

1.  avatar Manzabar  Jul 10, 2008 4:20pm

In a somewhat odd turn of events, you can now also buy a copy of Ubuntu from Best Buy or Amazon.com. Given that one can download it for free or even have a physical copy shipped to you at no cost, I'm not sure why anybody would buy a copy from but now you can.
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Ubuntu 3

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    Manzabar

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    Key Features:

    Manufacturer Canonical Ltd.
    MSRP $0.00
    Product Line Open-Source, Linux
    Release Date Oct. 20, 2008
    Software Type Operating System, Linux distribution

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    271 views and 53 edits (see all)
    Created: 06/26/2008 - 8:55
    Modified: 08/01/2008 - 16:34