Ubuntu Linux |
Ubuntu is a desktop Linux distribution, based on Debian GNU/Linux. It uses Advanced Packaging Tool to manage installed packages. Ubuntu is sponsored by Canonical Ltd (owned by Mark Shuttleworth), and the name of the distribution comes from the South African concept of Ubuntu (ideology) — roughly, humanity towards others . It differs from Debian in that there is a release every 6 months and support is provided for at least 18 months after release. The Ubuntu Foundation has announced that Ubuntu version 6.04 codenamed Dapper Drake will be supported for three years on the desktop and five years on the server, instead of the usual 18 months. Ubuntu aims to use only free software to provide an up-to-date yet reasonably stable operating system for the average user.
= Distinctive features =
= The Ubuntu Foundation =
On July 8, 2005, Mark Shuttleworth and Canonical Ltd announced the creation of the Ubuntu Foundation and provided an initial funding of $10 million. The purpose of the foundation is to ensure support and development for all future versions of Ubuntu that follow the Ubuntu 5.10 Breezy Badger release.
= Components =
Ubuntu divides all software into four sections, called components , to reflect differences in licensing and level of support available. By default, a selection of packages from main will be installed that cover the basic needs of most computer users, along with any packages from restricted absolutely required for the system to be usable.
The main component contains only those packages that meet the Ubuntu license requirements, and for which support is available from the Ubuntu team. This is intended to include everything needed for most general-use Linux systems. Packages in this component are guaranteed technical support and timely security fixes.
The restricted component contains software that is supported by the Ubuntu developers because of its importance, but is not available under a suitably free license to include in main . This includes packages such as binary-only graphics card device driver. The level of support is more limited than for main , since the developers may not have access to the source code.
The universe component contains a wide range of software, which may or may not have an unrestricted license, but which is unsupported by the Ubuntu team. This allows users to install all sorts of programs within the Ubuntu package management system, but keeps it separate from the supported packages in main and restricted .
Finally, there is the multiverse component, which contains unsupported packages that do not conform to the Free Software requirements.
Beyond the official repositories is [http://backports.ubuntuforums.org/ Ubuntu Backports], which is an officially recognized project to backport newer versions of certain software that are available only in unstable versions of Ubuntu. The repository is not comprehensive; it mostly consists of user-requested packages.
Ubuntu Linux packages are generally based on packages from Debian s Debian#Development versions.
=Releases=
A new version of Ubuntu is released every six months, and each release has both a code name and a version number. The version number is based on the year and month of release. For example, Ubuntu 4.10 was released in October of 2004. Below is a list of previous and planned releases.
In the future, there will be a branch codenamed Grumpy Groundhog. It will be a permanently unstable development and testing branch, pulling the source directly out of the revision control of the various programs and applications that are shipped as part of Ubuntu.
=Reviews=
Although relatively new, Ubuntu has become a topic of much discussion in the Free/Open Source community. Greg Taylor on [http://reviewlinux.com ReviewLinux.com] gave it a rating of 10/10, writing:
: Despite a few rough edges, I think Ubuntu is probably the closest of any Desktop-oriented distro to achieving the long sought after level of usability that will bring Linux to the mainstream. Things work well with little hassle, if they don t you can find a lot of help within the community, and the Ubuntu desktop is attractive and fast. [http://www.reviewlinux.com/index.php/m=show&id=39]
Tom Adelstein in Linux Journal concluded:
: I anticipate that Ubuntu will become the mainstream Linux distribution globally. As the saying goes, though, only time will tell. However, if you do your due diligence on the company, the sponsor, the spirit of innovation and success of the Ubuntu people, you probably will come to the same conclusion. All the elements have gone into play for rapid success. As they say in my part of the country, this dog can hunt. In addition, it can point and win a show or two if need be. [http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8253]
As of October 2005, Distrowatch [http://distrowatch.com/dwres.phpresource=major ranks Ubuntu] as the most popular Linux distribution.
Ubuntu was awarded the Reader Award for best Linux distribution at the [http://linuxworldexpo.co.uk/index.php= 2005 LinuxWorld Conference & Expo] in London.
=See also=
=External links=
==Official resources==
==Unofficial resources==
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