Linux Ubuntu - what it is, overview and features

Ubuntu is a Linux distribution that is ideal for both servers and desktops. It has long established itself among system administrators and experienced PC users. Its ease of installation and use make it accessible even to beginners. One of the key reasons why Ubuntu is so popular is that it is free. It is an open source system supported by a huge community of developers. Canonical, the developer of Ubuntu, guarantees regular updates every six months and ongoing support.

What Ubuntu is for

Although Ubuntu versions have technical differences, all of them are designed to perform everyday tasks. The main purpose is to efficiently and conveniently solve everyday and office tasks, enjoyable Internet surfing and working with content. By installing specialized programs Ubuntu becomes useful for designers and developers.

Ubuntu is ideal for older PCs that don't have enough operating memory for modern OSes. Installation requires a 2-core, 2 GHz processor; 4 GB operating memory; up to 25 GB free space (including hard disk, memory card or external storage); screen resolution: 1024×768.

The Ubuntu Server version is specifically designed for servers and is suitable for server administration.

Pros of Ubuntu

Like any Linux distribution, Ubuntu is built on an architecture that minimizes the possibility of virus infection. This is especially important for system administrators who manage a large number of servers and workstations. Unlike Windows, where virus attacks are quite common, Ubuntu is virtually immune to such threats.

Safety

Open source code allows you to identify vulnerabilities and fix them quickly. With a large community of developers, bugs and errors are found and fixed faster than with proprietary systems. Canonical ensures that the latest security standards are maintained.

Thanks to its architecture, the system is resistant to viruses and spyware. Users don't have to worry about constant virus scans or blocking malware.

Open source and free to use

For system administrators, this is especially important, as supporting servers and workstations does not require the purchase of expensive licenses. For organizations, this is also a huge plus, as they can reduce software and digital infrastructure maintenance costs. Modifying the code for specific tasks opens up limitless possibilities for optimizing work.

Minimum system requirements

This is one of the reasons why it is chosen by users who want a stable and fast system on outdated or weak hardware. Unlike Windows, which requires powerful hardware with every new update, Ubuntu requires only 512 MB of operating memory and 5 GB of disk space. For even weaker machines, you can choose lightweight versions of Lubuntu or Xubuntu.

Community support

Users all over the world work daily to improve the system, solve problems and share their experiences. System administrators can easily find help in forums or seek advice from other experts. Everyone can contribute to the improvement of the system. This allows us to react quickly to any problems and fix them quickly.

Economy of time

Many Windows users face problems with freezes, brakes, blue screens and lose precious minutes. In the case of Ubuntu, such problems are much less common.

Flexible customization

Depending on the user's tasks, the system can be customized for different needs. For example, you can install only basic programs and additionally configure work with network storage. Or create a full-fledged workplace for working with graphics, sound or video. Unlike Windows, where every step in customization leads to registry clogging and performance degradation, in Ubuntu it is easy to control and adjust.

User-friendly desktop environments

• Kubuntu: uses KDE Plasma, giving users extensive customization options and a feature-rich interface.
• Xubuntu: runs on Xfce, providing a lightweight desktop that is great for legacy hardware and those who prefer a classic style.
• Lubuntu: uses LXQt, offering an extremely lightweight desktop environment for low-cost PCs and minimalists.
• Ubuntu MATE: runs MATE, based on GNOME 2, which combines modern features with a classic interface.
• Ubuntu Cinnamon: is based on Cinnamon and offers a traditional Windows-style desktop with modern features.
• Ubuntu Unity: uses Unity, the official Ubuntu development environment until version 17.10; then GNOME became the default.
• Ubuntu Budgie: runs on a fast and easy-to-use environment that is fully customizable and requires relatively few resources.

LTS support

Having LTS versions ensures that the system will run stably and updates arrive without the need for constant reboots.

Quick installation and customization

Creating a workspace on Ubuntu takes minimal time. Just 15 minutes and the system is ready to use. With access to an extensive software repository, you can add all the applications you need in a matter of minutes and get started. It is almost impossible to install and configure Windows in such a short period of time, and it can take even longer to add all the necessary programs.

Failure of one program does not paralyze operations

Another important advantage of Ubuntu is its resistance to failures of individual applications. In Windows it often happens that a hung program blocks the work of the whole system, and a reboot is required. In Ubuntu, however, the failure of one application does not affect the work of other processes.

Easy backup

Even during backups, you can continue to use the system for other tasks, unlike Windows, where parallel use of the computer during backups often leads to “slowdowns”. In Ubuntu, all processes remain smooth and stable.

Multimedia on old hardware

Even on older hardware Ubuntu can become a full-fledged multimedia center. You can watch movies, listen to music, and work with multimedia files without “brakes”. For example, Ubuntu does a great job with streaming audio and video playback even on an old system unit with a 600 MHz processor and 192 MB of operating memory.

If you plan to use Ubuntu mainly for working with multimedia, it is worth paying attention to Ubuntu Studio. This specialized version reproduces an optimized platform for sound creation, video editing and graphic design. To simplify your work, the distribution already includes a set of the most popular and powerful free and open source (FOSS) tools:

• Ardor for multitrack recording;
• Blender for 3D modeling and animation;
• GIMP for image editing;
• Kdenlive for video editing;
• OBS Studio for screen recording and streaming;
• Inkscape for working with vector graphics;
• Krita for digital painting.

Disadvantages of Ubuntu

One of the significant challenges Ubuntu users face is software compatibility. Not all applications available on Windows or macOS will run safely on this platform. Some programs may not function properly or at all on Ubuntu.
On the hardware front, Ubuntu also faces restrictions. For example, not every driver for video cards, sound cards, or printers will be found quickly, so some computer features may not be available when using this operating system.
Game addicts and those who regularly work with commercial programs may also feel uncomfortable using Ubuntu. Support for a minimum number of such applications is much less here than on Windows or macOS.

Ubuntu has yet to gain as widespread popularity as Windows or macOS, which is sometimes a problem. This applies to finding support, advice and solutions to problems that arise. Because there are fewer users, answers to questions may not be found as quickly.

Despite the above disadvantages, many people continue to use Ubuntu because of its high reliability, security, and flexibility.

History of Ubuntu

The idea for Ubuntu came from Mark Shuttleworth, a computer college graduate in South Africa. After completing his studies, he and his partners founded Canonical, which initially focused on network security and certification. The project found a niche market within a few years.

Work on a Linux-based distribution started in 2005. A specially formed team introduced a new, innovative product to the world - Ubuntu. The word “Ubuntu” from the South African language translates to “humanity”, and this name reflects the company's philosophy. Throughout its existence, Canonical has released many versions of this user-friendly operating system, as well as developing various applications and building an extensive ecosystem. Currently, the Python programming language is actively used to develop Ubuntu components.

Conclusion

Ubuntu is not just a free operating system. It is a powerful tool that is suitable for both system administrators and general users. Its easy installation, flexible customization and high stability make it a great choice for any task. Whether you are running servers or an old home PC, Ubuntu provides reliable and secure operation, saving you time and money.