Ubuntu is a free GNU/Linux distribution f(o)unded by Mark Shuttleworth and sponsored by Canonical Ltd. It focuses on ease-of-use, hardware support and functionality, but is still devoted to free software ideals. It is currently one of the most popular GNU/Linux flavors with very strong online community.

Pic 1. Ubuntu - random desktop

Ubuntu mission

The Ubuntu mission is as follows:

The Ubuntu community is built on the ideas enshrined in the Ubuntu Philosophy: that software should be available free of charge, that software tools should be usable by people in their local language and despite any disabilities, and that people should have the freedom to customize and alter their software in whatever way they see fit.

Ubuntu is special in a few ways. It has regular, predictable releases, every 6 months with Long Time Support (LTS) releases every 1.5 years. It is fast and easy to install thanks to the LiveCD installer. It's useful just after installation since it installs all the commonly used desktop applications altogether. Specialized software can be easily added using the predefined repositories. And finally is has a fine community and support (mailing list, IRC channel and web forums).

Ubuntu is based on Debian GNU/Linux and uses a lot of its tools and packages.

"Ubuntu" is an ancient African word meaning "humanity to others".

User experience

User interface of Ubuntu (GNOME desktop) is very coherent and aesthetic. Apart from standard GNOME applications, a few external open-source killer-applications are included by default, like OpenOffice.org, Firefox and GIMP. The system detects popular mobile devices automatically (e.g. USB stick, digital cameras and memory cards). Its great hardware detection capabilities are especially visible on laptops where technologies like WiFi, software suspend or ACPI used to cause problems on GNU/Linux systems. Not anymore.

Included software

Ubuntu divides all software into 6 categories.

• Main — includes supported free software (all software included on install CDs plus some additional packages, usually one application for a task).
• Restricted — included supported non-free software (mainly drivers and fonts).
• Universe — unsupported free-software (community-driven repository with thousands of free software apps).
• Multiverse — unsupported non-free software (community-driven repository with things like restricted audio and video codecs or free (as in beer) but proprietary applications like Adobe Reader, etc.).
• Commercial — commercial software (right now included Opera Browser and Real Player).
• Backports — repository for software included in newer versions of the OS, targeted at users who need to stick to the older version of Ubuntu but still want a few recent programs.

Main and Restricted repositories are activated by default. Other need to be turned on manually, either by editing /etc/apt/sources.list or choosing the right checkboxes in Synaptic Package Manager.

Ubuntu flavors

Ubuntu is not GNOME-only. Other desktop environments are available as well. There are specialized versions of Ubuntu featuring KDE, XFCE, Fluxbox, IceWM and e17. All of those can be installed and used in regular Ubuntu, as well.

Ubuntu is available in 4 major versions:

• Default Ubuntu — featuring GNOME and lots of GNOME applications like Evolution, Synaptic Package Manager, Beagle Search, Rhythmbox, Sound Juicer, etc. — this is the original flavor and the most polished and stable one.
• Edubuntu — a GNOME desktop for kids and children, with games and educational applications.
• Kubuntu — a flavor of Ubuntu featuring KDE as the default desktop, with KDE applications like Kontact, Adept Package Manager, Amarok, K3B, etc.
• Xubuntu — the youngest version of Ubuntu with XFCE as the default desktop — this is a lightweight version for older hardware computer users.

There are also a few more versions of Ubuntu which are not officially part of the project, to name only: Fluxbuntu (with Fluxbox as a WM), nUbuntu (focused on providing security tools), Ubuntu Christian Edition aka Christianbuntu, Ubuntu Studio for multimedia editing, and more.

External Ubuntu resources

• Official Ubuntu website
• Ubuntu security notices
• Description on Wikipedia
• Ubuntu@Distrowatch
• Ubuntu@Launchpad

News

• Ubuntu news
• www.ubuntunews.info
• Ubuntu Weekly News
• Planet Ubuntu Users
• Planet Ubuntu
• Ubuntu Fridge
• Hot Ubuntu News
• UbuntuOS
• Debian And Ubuntu GNU/Linux News, Tutorials
• Ubuntu by the Cup
• UbuntuHQ
• Ubuntu News — SWiK
• Ubuntu Heaven
• ubuntux
• Mark Shuttleworth's blog
• Ubuntu Blog
• Only Ubuntu Linux
• Linux Online — Ubuntu news

Documentation, guides and tips

• Official documentation
• Community documentation
• Documentation for developers
• Ubuntu@HowtoForge
• Ubuntu guide
• Ubuntu Geek
• Debian/Ubuntu Tips and Tricks
• Ubuntu Document Storage Facility
• Ubuntu Tutorials
• Install Beryl on Ubuntu
• How to install ANYTHING in Ubuntu!
• Ubuntu Video
• Reduce your Linux memory footprint
• Ubuntu Web Servers
• Launchpad
• Debian/Ubuntu Tips & Tricks
• The Ubuntu Search Engine
• Ubuntu Geek
• Ubuntu Story — Share Your Linux Story!

Software

• Backports
• Medibuntu
• GetDeb Click And Run
• Tested software for Ubuntu

Help, forums, community

• Official Ubuntu forum
• Ubuntu subforums: Linux Forums, LinuxQuestions, TuxForums
• Mailing lists
• IRC channels

Derivative works and LiveCD

• The full list of Ubuntu based distributions

Reviews

• 9.10 Desktop CD (Karmic Koala): richs-lxh.linux-hardcore.com, linuxcritic.com, lunduke.com, me.isnick.net, librenix.com
• 9.04 Desktop CD (Jaunty Jackalope): techcombo.com, dedoimedo.com, hubpages.com, news.cnet.com, lifehacker.com, fsdaily.com, superphysics.awardspace.com
• 8.10 Desktop CD (Intrepid Ibex): techradar.com, www.cm.com, superphysics.awardspace.com
• 8.04 (Hardy Heron): adventuresinopensource.blogspot.com, www.linux.com, arstechnica.com, fosswire.com, www.techiemoe.com, www.linuxformat.co.uk, reviews.zdnet.co.uk, www.eweek.com, www.insidesocal.com, www.itwire.com, blogs.zdnet.com, osnews.com, arstechnica.com, www.techthrob.com
• 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon): www.mandrake.tips.4.free.fr, www.devx.com, junauza.blogspot.com, www.wolfmanzbytes.com, architectfantasy.com, architectfantasy.com, arstechnica.com, www.seopher.com, www.pcworld.com, distrowatch.com, www.blog.mikehmayer.com, architectfantasy.com, www.linux.com, technical-itch.co.uk, kevincarmony.blogspot.com, blogcritics.org, simplyjat.blogspot.com, www.wired.com, lunapark6.com, arstechnica.com, www.seopher.com, www.pcworld.com, tech.tolero.org, osnews.com, osnews.com, itmanagement.earthweb.com, distrogue.blogspot.com, www.seopher.com
• 7.04 (Feisty Fawn): scitech.teambio.org, reviews.cnet.com, the-tech-center.blogspot.com, shiftbackspace.com, linux-noob.com, friendlylinux.org, www.softwareinreview.com, www.eweek.com, www.extremetech.com, itmanagement.earthweb.com, justanothertechblog.blogspot.com, www.linux.com, www.seopher.com, www.masuran.org, technical-itch.co.uk, lunapark6.com, cpbotha.net, Only Ubuntu Linux, Motho ke motho ka botho, OSNews, Seopher.com, Masuran.org, blogbeebe, blogbeebe
• 6.10 (Edgy Eft): eskar.dk, ArsGeek, LinuxPlanet, Open Addict, Software in Review, SynergyMX, PerformancePC, Linux.com, Linux Forums, Lunapark6, WhatPC, Linux for the Average User, [H]Consumer
• 6.06 (Dapper Drake): Dharwadkar, PC World, Lunapark6, KnoLinux, GoTux!, Nepotismia, Mad Penguin, My Mind and I, IT Week, awray.wordpress.com, WhatPC, Extremetech, IT Reviews, The Jem Report, free-bees.co.uk, ASE Labs, Indigo Jo Blogs, LinuxGuy, Tectonic, Linux.com, Nuxified, FRLinux.com

• Ubuntu vs Vista, Ubuntu vs PCLinuxOS, SUSE vs Ubuntu — first impressions, openSUSE vs Ubuntu, From Arch to Ubuntu, Ubuntu vs Vista (www.informationweek.com), Ubuntu vs Vista (www.ubuntunews.info)

Interviews

• Mark Shuttleworth: Ubuntu News, derstandard.at, questionsplease.org, Slashdot
• Behind Ubuntu

Download

• 9.10 Desktop CD (Karmic Koala): x86, amd64
• 9.04 Desktop CD (Jaunty Jackalope): x86, amd64
• 8.10 Desktop CD (Intrepid Ibex): x86, amd64
• 8.04 Desktop CD (Hardy Heron): x86, amd64
• 8.04 Alternate CD (Hardy Heron): x86, amd64
• [MD5 control sums]
• 8.04 LTS ISO images (Hardy Heron)
• Download
• Requesting free CDs from ShipIt

Screenshots

• 9.10 Desktop CD (Karmic Koala): softpedia.com, www.thecodingstudio.com
• 9.04 Desktop CD (Jaunty Jackalope): softpedia.com, lifehackercom.
• 8.10 Desktop CD (Intrepid Ibex): cybernetnews.com, proliferationoflinux.org, softpedia.com
• 8.04 (Hardy Heron): www.thecodingstudio.com, www.thecodingstudio.com, www.thecodingstudio.com
• LinuxQuestions
• 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon): www.thecodingstudio.com, www.thecodingstudio.com, www.phoronix.com, shots.linuxquestions.org
• 7.04 (Feisty Fawn): shots.linuxquestions.org, zdnet.com
• 6.10 (Edgy Eft): OSDir.com