Ubuntu Operating Systems

Ubuntu is a Debian-derived computer operating system based on GNU/Linux. Ubuntu's goals include providing an up-to-date, stable operating system for the average user, with a strong focus on usability and ease-of-installation. Ubuntu has by readers of desktoplinux.com been selected as the most popular Linux based operating system for the desktop, claiming approximately 30% of their desktop installations in 2007.

Ubuntu is composed of multiple software packages distributed under free software /open source licenses, especially the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL) so that users are free to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. Ubuntu is sponsored by the company Canonical Ltd., owned by South African entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth. Instead of selling Ubuntu for profit, Canonical creates revenue by selling technical support. By keeping Ubuntu free software and open source, Canonical is able to take advantage of the talents of outside developers in Ubuntu's constituent components without developing the entire operating system itself (which is based primarily on current Linux kernels).

Canonical endorses and provides support for four additional Ubuntu-like operating systems: Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Edubuntu (a subproject and add-on for Ubuntu, designed for school environments and home users), and Ubuntu JeOS (pronounced "Juice", a stripped-down version of Ubuntu optimized for virtual appliances).

Canonical releases new versions of Ubuntu every six months and supports Ubuntu for eighteen months by providing security fixes, patches to critical bugs and minor updates to programs. LTS (Long Term Support) versions, which are released every two years, are supported for three years on the desktop and five years for servers. The current version of Ubuntu, Jaunty Jackalope, was released on April 23, 2009, and the upcoming version, Karmic Koala, is expected to be released on 29 October 2009.

Ubuntu is a Linux distribution for your desktop or server, with a fast and easy install, regular releases, a tight selection of excellent applications installed by default, every other package you can imagine available with a few clicks, and professional technical support from Canonical Limited and hundreds of other companies around the world. The Ubuntu developers are moving very quickly to bring you the absolute latest and greatest software the Open Source Community has to offer.

• Pros: Fixed release cycle and support period; novice-friendly; wealth of documentation, both official and user-contributed
• Cons: Some of Ubuntu's own software (e.g. Launchpad, Rosetta) are proprietary; lacks compatibility with Debian
• Software package management: Advanced Package Tool (APT) using DEB packages
• Available editions: Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu Studio and Mythbuntu for 32-bit (i386) and 64-bit (x86_64) processors; Ubuntu Server edition also for SPARC processors
• Suggested Ubuntu-based alternatives: Linux Mint (desktop), gOS (desktop with Google applications), OpenGEU (desktop with Enlightenemnt), Ultimate Edition (desktop), CrunchBang Linux (desktop with Openbox), gNewSense (free software)

More info about Ubuntu here