What is Ubuntu, and how does it differ from Linux?

Introduction to the Ubuntu Operating system

Ubuntu (UU-BUUN-too) is a Linux distribution based on Debian, composed of free and open-source software. Ubuntu is a free, open-source operating system which can be downloaded from the official Ubuntu website. Ubuntu is a popular Linux-based, free, open-source operating system you can use on your computers or a Virtual Private Server. Ubuntu is built around Debian OS architecture and infrastructure, comprising versions of the Linux Server, Desktop, and discontinued Phone and Tablet Operating Systems.

Ubuntu Distributions

Ubuntu Desktop is a Linux distribution developed by Canonical, one of the more popular distributions due to its user-friendliness. Ubuntu Desktop uses GNOME, one of the most popular Desktop Environments (DEs) in the Linux world. Ubuntu Desktop is an operating system developed on top of the Linux kernel, the Unix-like system created by Linus Torvalds in 1991.

Ubuntu MATE is perfect for people who want to get the best from their computers and who like a traditional desktop metaphor. Ubuntu MATE is a stable, easy-to-use OS with a customizable desktop environment. Ubuntu Budgie is a community-developed OS distribution that integrates Budgie’s desktop environment with Ubuntu as its foundation. The new release of 22.04 LTS is here to stay on your desktop for years to come, bringing stability from the core Ubuntu experience and power from Budgie’s desktop environment into a single package.

Kubuntu combines Kubuntu with KDE and the excellent Plasma desktop, giving you the complete application suite. As an OS built for getting beginners onto the Linux train, Ubuntu Desktop does a fantastic job at accomplishing that goal.

Linux Mint You might also want to try Linux Mint, which many in the Linux community prefer to Ubuntu. Generally, a vanilla Ubuntu running GNOME will suffice for the newcomer. If you have an old machine lying around gathering dust, which cannot cope with recent versions of Windows, you can install Ubuntu MATE and give it a new lease on life.

Come gives beginners plenty of flexibility to try out and experiment with various DEs, and settle with one that appeals the most, making Ubuntu an even more nimble OS. This tutorial is helpful for people looking to understand basic concepts about Ubuntu OS Desktop and Server Editions. Ask Ubuntu is a Q&A website for Ubuntu users and developers.

Difference between Linux and Ubuntu

The primary difference between Linux and Ubuntu is that Linux is a family of operating systems built on top of Unix, whereas Ubuntu is a distribution of Linux. Short for distributions, the different distributions use methods built upon the top of the Linux kernel, with Ubuntu being one of the most popular among them.

Cross-distribution snap packages and flatpacks are also available in Ubuntu, enabling installation of software, such as specific Microsoft software, in most of the mainline Linux operating systems (such as in any currently supported Ubuntu release, as well as in Fedora). More Software Options: Ubuntu has many applications you can install, many of which are exclusively available for Ubuntu. Most of the popular macOS and Windows apps, like Slack, Spotify, and Firefox, are known to Linux users too and can be installed through the Ubuntu software centre.

With the beta release of Ubuntu Pro, you could rest assured your desktop would remain stable and secure for a decade, and you would focus on running your business rather than upgrading the desktop. If you choose to migrate your big company over to their highly rated Ubuntu desktop, you can pair Ubuntu Pro with the company’s 24×7 coverage for Enterprise-grade support. Backporting allows Ubuntu Pro users to run an Ubuntu version of their choosing, ensuring security in the long run without forcing upgrades.

Ubuntu Pro Beta also includes tools to manage compliance through Ubuntu Security Guide (USG) and the Ubuntu Landscape Management tool, Ubuntu Landscape. In addition, a range of Ubuntu security practices is supported, such as automatic installation of security updates, using sudo rather than a Linux root user, implementing complex passwords, setting up a VPN server, configuring a firewall using UFW, and including iptables. Starting from Ubuntu 16.04 and including later LTS releases, Canonical will provide extended security coverage of Critical, High, and Medium Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CF) across Ubuntu’s entire open-source applications and toolchains over the course of a decade.

A British company, Canonical, also provides hosting servers to the Ubuntu community, allowing people worldwide to contribute by testing software bugs, answering questions, and providing technical support at no cost. Ubuntu and Debian alone (which Ubuntu is built upon, has the same package manager, and is therefore administered in the same manner) account for 65 per cent of all Linux distributions used for Web hosting; Ubuntus usage overtook Debians in May 2016 (for this kind of server usage). While Linux already runs on IBM mainframe systems (Linux on IBM Z), IBM, in conjunction with Canonical (and SUSE; Linux Foundation to form a new Open Mainframe Project), announced for the first time that Ubuntu would support their z/architecture (IBM claimed their system, the IBM zEnterprise System, version z13, was the most powerful computer in the world in 2015; their system was then the most significant computer by transistor count; they claimed again for the fastest in 2017 with IBM z14 ), at the time of their most considerable code drop ( LinuxOne) in Linux history.

While Linux already works on IBMs mainframe system (Linux on IBM Z ), IBM, in collaboration with Canonical (and SUSE; Linux Foundation will form a new Open Mainframe Project ), announced Ubuntu support for their z/Architecture for the first time (IBM claimed their system, IBM zEnterprise System, version z13, the most powerful computer in the world in 2015 ; their system was then the most significant computer by transistor count; again claimed fastest in 2017 with IBM z14 ), at the time of their most considerable code drop ( LinuxOne ) in Linux history. Shuttleworth took Debian) and used it as a basis for the Ubuntu desktop, naming it Ubuntu. Although Amazon’s pre-installed stores were removed with later versions of Ubuntu, some people still use older versions of Ubuntu, which still have Amazon’s apps and search tools installed. Ubuntu has driven many improvements in Gnome since adopting it, including triple-buffering, modern extensions most people use/need, and accent colours (which are not yet a thing on vanilla Gnome).

References: