The main purpose of an Operating system is to make sure that a computer system performs well by managing its computational activities and providing an environment for the development and execution of programs. There are various Operating systems available to users all over the world. They come with everything needed to run an organization, school, home, or enterprise. All essential applications, like an office suite, browsers, email, and media apps come pre-installed along with games and other software that are available in the OS marketplace. Each Operating system has its own unique features that differentiate it from others.
The Ubuntu Operating system is one such open-source software used by millions today.
What is Ubuntu Operating System?
The Ubuntu operating system is based on Linux. Computers, cellphones, and network servers are all supported. Canonical Ltd, based in the United Kingdom, created the system. All of the principles utilized to create the Ubuntu software are based on Open Source software development principles.
Ubuntu Desktop is a Linux distribution created by Canonical, and it is one of the most popular due to its simplicity. It's also one of the most popular Linux distributions for newcomers. It's an operating system based on Linus Torvalds' Linux kernel, a UNIX-like system released in 1991. Linux distributions are often free and open-source, and many of them are excellent alternatives to mainstream operating systems such as Windows and macOS.
Mark Shuttleworth, a South African-British developer and entrepreneur, founded the Ubuntu Foundation in 2004. He sought to make a more user-friendly Linux distribution than Debian, which was at the time the most popular among Linux users. However, it was infamously difficult to install, and the Ubuntu Foundation set out to change that.
Release Cycle of Ubuntu
Ubuntu follows release cycles with both long-term support and regular releases. Following is a brief of the Ubuntu release cycle:
Long-Term Support(LTS) Releases: A new LTS version of Ubuntu is released every two years. These releases mainly focus on stability and long-term support, making them ideal for enterprise and production environments. Its versions are denoted by the year they were released. For example, Ubuntu 20.04 was released in 2020.
Regular Releases: Regular releases of Ubuntu occur every six months, in April and October. They provide the latest features, updates, and improvements but are supported for a shorter duration, i.e., 9 months. These versions are represented by the year and month of their release, such as Ubuntu 20.04 (released in April 2020) or Ubuntu 21.10 (released in October 2021).
Features of the Ubuntu Operating System
The following are some of Ubuntu's most notable features :
Ubuntu's desktop edition works with all of the standard Windows programs, such as Firefox, Chrome, and VLC.
It works with the LibreOffice office suite.
Thunderbird, an email client included in Ubuntu, allows users to access email services such as Exchange, Gmail, and Hotmail.
Users may browse and edit images using a variety of free programs.
There are other video management applications that allow users to exchange videos.
With Ubuntu's clever searching feature, finding content is simple.
The finest aspect is that it is a free operating system with a large open-source community behind it.
Following are certain aspects that make the Ubuntu operating system different from the others.
1. User Friendly
Ubuntu performs an excellent job of introducing newcomers to Linux as an operating system. While it differs greatly from Windows and macOS in appearance, it has a relatively simple learning curve. GNOME is one of the most popular desktop environments (DEs) in the Linux world, and Ubuntu utilizes it. Consider the Desktop Environment as a painting on top of the Linux kernel. GNOME is a user interface for your computer that is both intuitive and visually beautiful.
2. Customization and Consistent OS experience
The Ubuntu operating system allows the freedom to customize your system. One can change to any particular desktop environment. These characteristics are naturally inherited by Ubuntu Linux, thus making it a great choice for daily use.
Developers can switch between various platforms easily in a particular project without conflicts. They can easily test applications locally before deployment, thus being able to move from development to production flexibly. The Ubuntu Desktop Server versions provide a desktop similar to the server environment. Such a consistent OS experience helps in faster integration.
3. Privacy and Security
You may have heard that Linux is more secure than other operating systems and that this is due to its open-source nature and the lack of Linux-targeted viruses. When we state that an OS or software is open source, we mean that anyone can add code or make changes to the source code. Thousands of people and developers collaborate to address problems and security flaws. Ubuntu can also collect data about your hardware (RAM, CPU, GPU), location, and use. It does not support malicious e-mails and contents. They are put through multiple security checks before any e-mail is opened by the user. Users can also see the code at any time and can fix problems if there are any.
4. Software
The Ubuntu operating system comes with a wide range of preinstalled applications such as LibreOffice, Firefox, VLC, etc. Most popular Windows and macOS software, such as Chrome, Slack, VSCode, Spotify, and others, are also available on Ubuntu. The operating system comes with an app store called "Ubuntu Software," which lets you search for and install apps with only a few clicks. Even if your favourite apps aren't available, you can come across alternatives that you prefer.
5. Help and Support
Canonical and the Ubuntu community work together to produce new updates to add new features to keep Ubuntu live and fix bugs to make it more efficient. Long-Term Support documentation for Ubuntu versions is released every five years. Developers can find security updates, and hardware support, and help to perform critical bug fixes. Various forums dealing with a variety of issues and discussions on technology and software development are available. The Ubuntu community is growing and will continue to do so in the future. It is a great source to obtain information and is welcome to all.
Ubuntu vs Linux What's the Difference?
Let us note down the points of difference between Ubuntu and Linux in the below table:
UBUNTU
LINUX
Ubuntu is a specific Linux distribution.
In general, Linux is a category of operating systems.
It uses Advanced Package Management(APT) for package installation and updates.
It uses package managers like YUM, APT and more depending upon the distribution being used.
It comes with a desktop environment and supports others too.
The desktop environment varies based on the distribution.
It targets general-use desktops, cloud, and servers.
It has a diverse range of target audiences.
It is customizable but with a default configuration.
It is highly customizable based on users' preferences.
It comes with a selection of pre-installed software applications.
Pre-installed software department here varies from distribution to distribution.
Advantages of Ubuntu Operating System
Let's discuss some of the significant advantages of the Ubuntu operating system.
Ubuntu is free and has an open-source nature. Users can easily use and modify Ubuntu according to their needs for free.
It provides a very user-friendly interface, making it easy to use for every user out there.
It has a large and active community. Users and programmers regularly make contributions and provide suggestions. The resources make it easier for users to troubleshoot issues and provide answers to their questions.
It has broad hardware compatibility. It supports various devices, like PCs, laptops, servers, etc.
It is more stable and has better security. Regular updates improve its performance and keep it up to date.
Disadvantages of Ubuntu Operating System
Now Let's see some of the disadvantages of the Ubuntu operating system.
Ubuntu is based on Linux, so it might not be compatible with some software created for other operating systems.
It is not compatible with many games compared to Windows. It has improved a lot but still faces issues.
While Ubuntu has an active and helpful community, the availability of professional technical support is limited compared to more mainstream operating systems.
It generally supports much hardware, but there may be instances where specific hardware components, such as Wi-Fi adapters or graphics cards, may require additional configuration or may have limited driver support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of Ubuntu?
The usage of Ubuntu depends on individual preferences and requirements. However, Ubuntu is widely famous for its open-source nature, stability, security, and user-friendly interface. It also provides strong community support and is compatible with various hardware and software.
Why Ubuntu is better than Windows?
Ubuntu is often liked over Windows because it is free and open-source. It has enhanced security, stability, easy updates, an extensive software repository, and community support. All these properties make it a popular choice for developers and Linux enthusiasts.
What is the Ubuntu operating system?
Ubuntu is a computer operating system. It is a Linux distribution based on the Debian architecture designed to run on desktops, laptops, and other computing devices. It is free open source so anyone can modify it according to their requirements.
Is Ubuntu an operating system or software?
Ubuntu is an operating system. It is free open source so anyone can modify it according to their requirements. It is actually a user-friendly Linux distribution that includes Linux Kernel and a collection of software packages, applications, libraries and tools.
Conclusion
Ubuntu is a widely used and user-friendly Linux distribution, known for its stability, security, and extensive community support. Its open-source nature, regular updates, and compatibility with various software make it a popular choice for both beginners and experienced users.
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