What is Ubuntu linux?
Ubuntu Linux is an operating system, like Microsoft Windows or Mac OSX, but with the huge difference of being totally free and Open Source. It can be installed on basically any PC, Mac, or notebook. It is owned by no company, as it is being developed by community of people all around the world.
Whether you use it at home, at school or at work Ubuntu contains all the applications you'll ever need, from word processing and email applications, to web server software and programming tools.
Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing.
The latest Ubuntu release brings the best of open source together on a platform that is here to stay with 3 years of free updates. With hundreds of improvements and the addition of the latest version of Firefox amongst other outstanding applications, more and more users are assessing why Ubuntu wins more and more converts with every release.
Productivity tools: Ubuntu supports all of your favourite web-based mail programs like Yahoo(TM) or Gmail (TM). But for the office, Evolution provides all the calendering, contacts and full function office email you need. Pidgin IM also puts you in instant touch with colleagues and integrates with your personal IM services simply and easily.
Browsing: Including Mozilla Firefox (Beta 5) - tested and stabilised for a platform. Faster, safer and themed for Ubuntu.
Photos: Upload from your camera or phone to F-Spot and manage, tag, share and sort your photos and upload easily to you favourite social networking sites.
Music and video: Plug in your PSP, iPod, MP3 player; share playlists with your friends; buy in the creative commons online music stores, stream more live radio and plug in more devices with UPnP.
Office applications:
Word processing, spreadsheets and presentations can all be delivered through Open Office. And, they completely integrate with the proprietary office applications out there. The big difference is that they are free.
Accessibility: At the core of the Ubuntu philosophy is the belief that computing is for everyone and access should be free and complete whatever your economic or physical circumstances. Ubuntu is one of the most accessible desktop operating systems around.
Who is using Ubuntu?
Check out who and why is using Ubuntu Linux. Read the stories below.
Michael Wright, High School Student
I was first introduced to ubuntu at 6.06 drapper drake. My computer teacher told us about this video he was watching about this new OS and said it was open sorce so I started to download it and it is now my prefered OS.
I crashed my first and second attempts with ubuntu and now 4 years later I am ready to download 8.04 and install it on my new laptop with vista (not me who bought it) and I Am spreading the Ubuntu way all over my small town of 10,000+. I am a Ubuntu man.
orgthingy, Student
My brother installed ubuntu 6.06 on my laptop because he wondered if it would be easy for me, a complete newbie in PCs! Well, I have to admit that first few days were hard, but the rest was easy! Now, i can customize my PC the way i want without worrying about viruses anymore!!
><)))*>, Student
OK, long story short. I have been using GNU/Linux for about 7 years now.
First there was Red Hat and Mandrake, that was for a start in times when I used dual boot with Windows - I used to play a lot of games back then. I also had Debian and S.U.S.E. for a while, and quickly switched to Slackware which stayed with me for a couple of years. I remember that back then this distro was *the best* for me and I have said that I would never change it to any other distro...
... until Gentoo came :) Then there was the same situation as with Slackware - "One and only, till the end of times". In those past 7 years I also had some UNIX systems, reviewed again the distros I had before, used Knoppix, Backtrack and I guess at least a few others which I currently can't remember.
I am old now ;-) I have seen almost everything and I think I am quite fluent in *nix systems, and I have to tell You after years of research: Ubuntu is definitely the best choice whether You are a beginner looking for an easy Windows replacement, or a lazy pr0 ;-) I love the idea of having the best applications out of the box for every possible day to day tasks, and the thing that everything works great. I love the big community, lots of software in repositories, strong & stable distro position through Canonical management.
Oh, one more thing. I am using OSS because it is better in general, not because it is cheaper/free.
Share Your story
Please tell us why are You using Ubuntu. Share Your story!