Ubuntu is an operating system for desktops, laptops and servers. It is a Linux distribution that is based on Debian GNU/Linux. Ubuntu aims to provide an up-to-date yet stable operati... More
Ubuntu is an operating system for desktops, laptops and servers. It is a Linux distribution that is based on Debian GNU/Linux. Ubuntu aims to provide an up-to-date yet stable operating system for the average user, and features a strong focus on usability, regular releases, and ease of installation. Ubuntu is sponsored by Canonical Ltd, owned by South African entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth. The name of the distribution comes from the southern African concept of ubuntu which may be rendered roughly as humanity toward others, we are people because of other people, or I am who I am because of who we all are, though other meanings have been suggested. This Linux distribution named Ubuntu as it is expected to bring the spirit of Ubuntu to the software world. Ubuntu is free software and users can share it among each other.Kubuntu and Xubuntu are official subprojects of the Ubuntu project, aiming to bring the KDE and Xfce desktop environments, respectively, to the Ubuntu core (Ubuntu uses GNOME for its desktop environment). Edubuntu is an official subproject designed for school environments, and should be equally suitable for children to use at home. Gobuntu is an official subproject that is aimed at adhering strictly to the Free Software Foundation's Four Freedoms. The newest official subproject is JeOS. Ubuntu JeOS (pronounced Juice) is an efficient variant of the popular desktop and server operating system, configured specifically for virtual appliances.Ubuntu releases new versions every six months, and supports those releases for 18 months with daily security fixes and patches to critical bugs. Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron), was released on 24 April 2008. The next major version will be 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex), scheduled for release in October 2008. The previous version, Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon), was released on 18 October 2007. There are also Long Term Support (LTS) releases, which have three years support for the desktop version and five years for the server version. The most recent major LTS version, Ubuntu 6.06 (Dapper Drake), was released on June 1, 2006. The first update, Ubuntu 6.06.1, was released on August 10, 2006, while the second, 6.06.2, was released on January 21, 2008. [edit]Less
AUDIENCE : Desktop server : LICENSE : gnu general public license (gpl) Gnu Free Documentation License (gfdl) : OPERATING SYSTEM : Linux2 unix : PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE : Python C : etc.. : USER INTERFACE : gnome kde : LATEST VERSION : 9.10 Karmic Koala :
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Ubuntu has its Open Week, Fedora has Classroom. Why don't more open source projects have similar efforts?
A couple of weeks ago, I had the chance to work with Fedora to conduct a session on working with journalists. It's pretty simple stuff to conduct an IRC class: Get your main lesson down ahead of time, paste into IRC, point users to slides or collateral online (if any) and answer questions.
Having watched people advocate the Linux desktop for more than 10 years, it's always surprising to see the same people arguing against the things that will help bring Linux (and software freedom) to a larger audience. But like the fanboys who pine for the days before indie bands went to major labels, there's a loud minority in the Linux community protesting the commercial offerings that come along with success.
Take for example Bruce Byfield, who complains in his review of Fedora 13 about the "troubling" addition of free software from corporate interests. Specifically the Zarafa collaboration suite and GNOME's Déjà Dup, which can back up user files to Amazon S3.
Recently, Tech Republic's Jason Hiner noted that Microsoft, Apple and all CTOs could take a lesson from Canonical, particularly when it comes to rapid upgrade cycles. "What Canonical does really well is to methodically produce incremental upgrades to its OS," he said. "It is transparent about its goals and plans, and it releases its software on schedule." Indeed, the speed and transparency of upgrade cycles are becoming more important in the software arena, and open source players may command significant advantages.
Having watched people advocate the Linux desktop for more than 10 years, it's always surprising to see the same people arguing against the things that will help bring Linux (and software freedom) to a larger audience. But like the fanboys who pine for the days before indie bands went to major labels, there's a loud minority in the Linux community protesting the commercial offerings that come along with success.
Recently, Tech Republic's Jason Hiner noted that Microsoft, Apple and all CTOs could take a lesson from Canonical, particularly when it comes to rapid upgrade cycles. "What Canonical does really well is to methodically produce incremental upgrades to its OS," he said. "It is transparent about its goals and plans, and it releases its software on schedule." Indeed, the speed and transparency of upgrade cycles are becoming more important in the software arena, and open source players may command significant advantages.