The Linux world has various distributions designed to meet the different needs of different types of users. The fact of being, in general, a open source software allows developers to choose their code and continue building from scratch. Additionally, customers are also free to examine such code for improvement and subsequently release their own software or report back to the original developer.
Well, according to the statistics on market shares, Ubuntu is the most popular open source operating system. For that reason, we are going to review some of the main reasons to use it.
It is much safer
Comparing it with Windows, the truth is that Ubuntu is much more secure. The associated malware risks are minimal, so no need to use an antivirus, which will also allow us to save the cost of it. Ubuntu ensures the protection of the user through its restriction of permissions, which in most cases means that malicious software cannot be executed. On the other hand, when a security breach is detected, it is usually corrected much earlier, sometimes within hours. This is, in part, thanks to the community of users and developers.
It's free, free to be more specific
This is one of the great reasons to use Ubuntu Linux. Neither its download, nor its installation nor its use have any cost. You just have to download it from the page Ubuntu website, owned by Canonical, or via torrent, available on your FTP server, create a LiveCD / LiveUSB, start from the installation unit and follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
And it is not a system designed only for a user at home, in a company such as a collective society or a limited labor partnership, but is being implemented in many educational and government organizations, in order to reduce costs. Most of the software is free too.
Its use is very simple
Ubuntu installation is very simple, and anyone can configure their system although their knowledge is very basic. Over time, Canonical has refined the overall desktop experience and user interface. There are many who believe that Ubuntu is easier to use than Windows. It is only necessary to dare to change the operating system and soon we will begin to enjoy an improved experience.
Your support community
As with other Linux-based projects, too Ubuntu has strong community support, this being one of the most important advantages of Ubuntu when compared to other distributions. It also offers the ability to connect, visit forums, and get answers to all kinds of Linux-related queries.
Higher level of customization
Another of the great advantages of a Linux-based operating system is the freedom to customize our system. If it is the case that we do not like a specific desk, we can replace it with a new one. We can do this by installing a new graphical environment or by installing a different distribution. Ubuntu currently has 8 official flavors, which are, in addition to the main version, Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Studio, Ubuntu Budgie and Ubuntu Kylin. And all, even the least customizable, allow us to make more modifications than Windows.
The minimum system requirements
Lubuntu and Xubuntu are developed in order to meet the needs of low-end systems, but the major version of Ubuntu, currently with a GNOME graphical environment, does not need the requirements of a high-end system. Although it may work with somewhat less, the following hardware requirements are recommended:
- 2 GHz dual core processor.
- 4GB RAM.
- 25GB hard drive.
Wide variety of free software in the Software Center
On Ubuntu Linux it is much easier to find a software of our interest. Just open the Ubuntu Software Center to find all the useful software. Once you have found what you are looking for, installation is as simple as clicking the green button to install the package. Besides, we can also add repositories (PPA) to install other software and add support for Flatpak packages. Since 2016, in the Software Center we also find Snap packages.
The big problem with Ubuntu is the desktop concept, more designed for tablets or touch screens than desktop computers. It has always been easier for me to convince someone to migrate to Linux from Windows using Linux Mint, or even Deepin than with Ubuntu. I think canonical made a serious mistake with Unity and the solution was not Gnome3 or shell ... That Windows is bad, true, and a lot. But its desktop concept is very practical. Mint and Deepin, in even kde have adopted this type of concept. It is impossible for me to work with gnome shell. Canonical should develop its own environment without pretending to invent anything. Just as mint or the wonderful Deepin has done.
Gnome shell seems to be intended for tablets or touchscreens, but also for the keyboard. If you get used to using the «Super» key, the cursors and a couple of keyboard shortcuts it becomes a very fast and intuitive desktop. In a week you have adapted.
For example, I do not need to create shortcuts to applications, not in favotiros or anything. Directly Super key and I write the first letters of the program and Enter to launch it. Without catching the mouse. You do not need to minimize and maximize, just Super key and select with the cursors the window you want to open, or Alt + Tab to alternate between the last 2 windows used ...
Once you internalize that concept, the other Windows-type desktops begin to see them even outdated. But hey, in the variety is the taste. Always wear what makes you feel most comfortable.
Ubuntu is much more than "Ubuntu-Gnome", Ubuntu is the sum of all its "flavors". We could actually say that Ubuntu is a "software base" where the vast majority of Linux desktops can run. Obviously, as in any classification, there must be a "first and last" desktop (as in all distributions, multi-desktop, Debian, Fedora, Linux Mint).
In the case of Ubuntu, the default desktop is Gnome, but if you don't like it (and for your taste the colors) you can use any other. KDE with Kubutu, XFCE with Xubuntu….
In my case both the concept of both Unity and Gnome (which is not so different) I love it. And when I have used another desktop like KDE, over time I transform it into a hybrid between Unity and Gnome, hence I always return to Gnome.
Another story is Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, which, like any company (and to be honest, like any community behind a Linux distribution) wants to earn money (for programmers ... ..) and reduce expenses (how to reduce the workload of the maintainers). And there will always be controversy because "it never rains to everyone's taste" and among the Linuxeros "two cups".
I started Linux with Ubuntu 10.04 and I liked it, but since they switched to Unity the distribution has become heavy and it is difficult to work using a low-end equipment, even if it is new. Fortunately, his "children" Lubuntu and Xubuntu appeared, which for computers with more than 5 years old are perhaps the only practical option within this family; but the one that has convinced me the most is the "grandson" Linux Mint, and it is the one that I currently have installed together with q4OS and Windows.
I clarify that I am not married nor am I an enemy of any operating system. If I have a license, I don't see why not use the windows one, although not as the main environment.
Ubuntu has been my OS for a long time, and it is precisely because of what is described here. However, the issue of snap packages and their way of wanting to impose us is not liking it at all, so after giving a lot of thought to the matter I decided to move to Debian and I hope that I can adapt and continue with the GNU Linux adventure
I started using Ubuntu with version 8.04. Since then it has been my system. I migrated from Windows little by little, as I got to know applications that allowed me to stop doing things with Windows. Since then I use it, and delighted. I have tried Linux Mint and KDE Neon and although both have been installed on my computer for quite some time (the simplicity of Mint and the customizability of Plasma, impressive), in the end for one reason or another (for specific things, really), I have always come back to Ubuntu.
Now, waiting for Ubuntu 20.04 to come out, because I liked version 19.10 a lot, although I prefer to keep LTS versions installed.
Free It's not free! Examples abound, Facebook, Google and Instagram!
Also, although the distribution does not charge for the download, for the use or the installation, it is possible for a Technician to charge it and it would not be bad.
I think it is essential to be clear about that, even behind any development of free software, there are programmers, people who charge for their time, somehow they must subsist!
I agree with all of you, Gnome Shell is very beautiful and very configurable, but that mode of windows and large icons is very difficult to get used to, and what to say if your team has few resources
I haven't had Ubuntu installed for a long time, for the same reason, I use Debian with two graphical environments: Cinnamon and KDE Plasma, both very customizable and that make it look more like Windows ...