Ubuntu

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Distribution
Ubuntu
Image: Ubuntu.png


Derivative of: Debian
Managed by: Canonical Ltd./Ubuntu Foundation

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Current Stable Release: 8.04

Ubuntu (official IPA pronunciation /ùbúntú/ (oo-BOON-too)) is a predominantly desktop-oriented Linux distribution, based on Debian GNU/Linux but with a stronger 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 African concept of ubuntu which may be rendered roughly as "humanity toward others", though other meanings have been suggested.

The most recent version, Ubuntu 8.04 "Hardy Heron", was released on April 24, 2008. Ubuntu 8.04 is the first release since Ubuntu 6.06 to offer LTS (Long Term Support). LTS releases will be offered three years of updates and support on the Desktop edition and five for the Server edition. Ubuntu aims to use only free software to provide an up-to-date yet stable operating system for the average user. The next version has been named as "Intrepid Ibex" (8.10).

The default Ubuntu Desktop for Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron.
The default Ubuntu Desktop for Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron.
The default Ubuntu Desktop for Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn.
The default Ubuntu Desktop for Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn.
A modified Ubuntu Desktop, showing avant-window-navigator using OS X icons.
A modified Ubuntu Desktop, showing avant-window-navigator using OS X icons.
A modified Kubuntu Desktop, showing kicker and SuperKaramba.
A modified Kubuntu Desktop, showing kicker and SuperKaramba.
A simple desktop of version 7.10, Gutsy Gibbon, showing a swanky new background.
A simple desktop of version 7.10, Gutsy Gibbon, showing a swanky new background.

Ubuntu uses the GNOME desktop environment. Kubuntu and Xubuntu are official subprojects of the Ubuntu project, aiming to bring the KDE and Xfce desktop environments to the Ubuntu core, respectively. Edubuntu is an official subproject "designed for school environments, and should be equally suitable for kids to use at home." Another derivative of Ubuntu is Fluxbuntu, which uses Fluxbox as the default window manager, giving one of the most lightweight desktop environments to the Ubuntu OS.

Contents

[edit] History

Ubuntu made its debut on October 20th, 2004. This original version was named "Warty Warthog", version 4.10. Following the 6 month release schedule, the next version, 5.04, named "Hoary Hedgehog" was released in April 2005. Promptly 6 months after, version 5.10, "Breezy Badger", was released. Release numbers indicate the year and month of release, so 8.04 indicates 2008 in the 4th month, April.

In June of 2006, (2 months after its target release), version 6.06 was released, named "Dapper Drake". One of the main reasons that this release was postponed was that it was the first LTS (long term support) release.

Despite the 2 month delay of version 6.06, the Ubuntu team managed to get back on schedule and release version 6.10, "Edgy Eft," in October 2006. Ubuntu 7.04, "Feisty Fawn," and version 7.10, "Gutsy Gibbon," were also successfully released. The 6 month release schedule continues to today with the current release, "Hardy Heron," version 8.04.

Release Date Release Version Release Codename
October 2004 4.10 Warty Warthog
April 2005 5.04 Hoary Hedgehog
October 2005 5.10 Breezy Badger
June 2006 6.06 Dapper Drake
October 2006 6.10 Edgy Eft
April 2007 7.04 Feisty Fawn
October 2007 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon
April 2008 8.04 Hardy Heron
October 2008 8.10 Intrepid Ibex*

Current release is bold.

(* Planned release)

[edit] Philosophy

Ubuntu focuses on user friendliness and security. The sudo tool is used for administrative tasks, as by default the root account is disabled. GUI interfaces for configuration are becoming more common, such as Bulletproof X in 7.10. For users migrating from Windows, a migration tool has been included since 7.04, importing wallpapers, bookmarks and applicable settings into the home directory.

[edit] Editions

Ubuntu is available in Server Edition and Desktop Edition. The Server Edition installs an Ubuntu system without a GUI, leaving just a terminal. It also includes the option at install time to install a LAMP server (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP). The Desktop Edition includes the GUI and is the most common distribution in use.

[edit] System Requirements

[edit] Minimum

  • 300MHz Processor
  • 2GB of hard drive space (including swap space)
  • VGA Monitor capable of 640x480
  • 128MB RAM (for Alternate Installation disk)

[edit] Recommended

  • 500MHz Processor
  • 8GB of hard drive space
  • VGA Monitor capable of 1024x768
  • Sound Card
  • Network or Internet connection
  • Swap space (ideally twice your amount of RAM)
  • 192 RAM for the LiveCD

[edit] HOW-TOs

[edit] Derivatives

  • Ubuntu

[edit] See Also

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://thelinuxvault.net/wiki/Ubuntu"
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