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.
Matteo, guitarist (for magentamusic.eu) and C, php/sql programmer
It's no way: if you want to program in C you can't work in Windows! So I chose Linux as my developing system. When I tried Ubuntu feisty, I switched completely from windows to Ubuntu, not just for programming, but also multimedia applications (yes, I'm a guitarist too), Web browsing & site creation (I wrote www.magentamusic.eu and I mantain www.myspace.com/magentamusicit using Ubuntu), application development (mainly PHP+MySQL+XAJAX). Ubuntu had everything I needed: last month I upgraded to ubuntu hardy (8.04) and everything has become easier, even stabler and nicer.
A definitive choice!
José Luis, Student
I switched in 2004 with Dapper and Ubuntu keeps getting better. Is not perfect(yet), but its quite nice.
Alex Shearn, Student
The first time I tried ubuntu was way back in 2005 - I'd just inherited my first laptop, and it was an old Sony Vaio. It was pretty basic - 640Mhz, 256Mb RAM, 10gb HD. My dad (who's an IT teacher) suggested this thing called Linux, so I started some research. I came across Ubuntu as a new and up-and-coming distro, so I downloaded the livecd, and gave it a whirl. Unfortunately, it wouldn't run on my low-spec lappy, so I got some more ram, and finally it installed almost perfectly.
My first release was Breezy Badger, so everything was a bit more complicated than it is now - it took me about 2 weeks to get the wireless card to work! However, the sturdy little laptop served me well for the 3 years until I got my new one just last week.
The first thing I did with that new one was to fire up the new Hardy release, and I was amazed at just how well everything worked out-of-the box. After installing, instead of trying to struggle with my wireless card, I simply clicked a few menu buttons, and poof! It just worked. Thats not to say that the install goes perfectly for everyone, but the forums are so well supported - the community that ubuntu has is just fantastic.
I've sinced moved on to trying archlinux, but I still come to the ubuntu forums for support! The atmosphere (as far as an online forum can have one) is always so supportive and helpful. I seriously recommend trying it out - the live disc won't hurt your windows or mac install at all, and its a great way to get into Linux. Soon you'll be leaving windows behind!
Share Your story
Please tell us why are You using Ubuntu. Share Your story!