What does ubuntu mean. What is Ubuntu Linux

You've heard of Linux, but only recently realized that this free and open source operating system is something you can actually use.

You've heard of Linux, but only recently realized that this free and open source operating system is something you can actually use. It's not hard to install, it has a lot of great applications, and it extends the life of your computers. Today, Linux provides a decent opportunity to play games. Yes, you understood correctly. You don't need to be a Linux expert, you just need someone to hold your hand when you get started.

I hear you and I'm here to help.

What is Linux?

If you are new to Linux, you can make a general assumption that it is an operating system. This is not entirely true. Linux is actually the kernel, the center of the operating system. The kernel allows software (what you see on the screen) to interact with hardware (what you touch with your hands). Without a kernel, your system cannot run.

So when you say Linux, you are most often referring to any operating system based on the Linux kernel, such as Ubuntu or Fedora. As a kernel, Linux does nothing on its own. He needs someone to link and distribute it with all the software needed to get the final result. When this happens, the resulting Linux operating system becomes known as a distribution (or "distro").

What makes Linux different from others?

How is the Linux kernel different? Like most applications that run on it, the kernel is actively maintained by the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) community.

Open source software doesn't cost money, and anyone can look at the source code and change it as they see fit. This means experienced developers from all over the world contribute their work either for free or through sponsorship from companies such as Canonical or Red Hat. However, you can also improve the software.

In contrast, the Windows source code is not available to anyone other than Microsoft employees, and it is a criminal offense to decompile or reverse engineer it. You cannot create your own Windows kernel, fix bugs, or redistribute an improved version of Windows that you have created.

Linux is different, and the GNU General Public License is part of the difference. This license provides the legal basis for your rights to the software. Originally written by Richard Stallman, it ensures that even when the work is modified or improved, Linux is still in the public domain for other people to use and enjoy. This is the most widely used license in the FOSS community.

The free and open nature of the license can be a double-edged sword. Without a clear revenue model, development can be inconsistent. Some programs receive regular investment while others have been dormant for years. Nevertheless, Linux has now spread to become the backbone of the internet and the most widely used operating system for supercomputers.

After all, while using Linux is very similar to using Windows and macOS, there are aspects that you will need to learn for the first time. We will face many of them as we move forward.

Breathe life into an old PC

One of the common reasons why people switch to Linux is the ability to continue using a computer that no longer supports the latest versions of Windows or MacOS. How good is Linux for this job and why?

Linux is efficient: Many Linux distributions are based on years of experience in server rooms. System administrators often value slick, clean code that gets the job done without wasting power. The extra five seconds to power up the system is something that many system administrators are not willing to put up with. Because of such a harsh and demanding environment, Linux distributions have become the best of their kind. Although with software coming from many different sources, it's not the case that every program will make the best use of system resources.

Linux is customizable: Linux allows users to customize every aspect of the computer's functionality. Some distributions recommend choosing different components and building your own system. Most of them fully provide the work, but allow you to change or change parts as you wish. Many distributions encourage you to make your own tweaks, while tweaking others (such as the elementary OS) may require more specialized knowledge.

Linux does not require investment: the vast majority of Linux software is free to download and install. These programs are usually quite easy to use, so you don't need to spend money on training courses or books. All you have to spend to revive an old Linux computer is time.

Linux is modular and specialized: You can customize a computer that is specifically designed to suit your needs: remote video control, a database of recipes, a control panel for an amazing laser projector that changes intensity by synchronizing with the rhythm of the music. You can build whatever you want. A testament to the quality of Linux modular design is the Red Hat Linux variant that was used to control the electromagnets inside the Large Hadron Collider. You'll be surprised how many things your old computer can still do.

Beginning of work

Whether you install Linux yourself or buy the computer that comes with it, you will need to make a few decisions before doing so. You need to know a few conditions that you have not encountered before. Let's figure it out.

Distribution selection

Recall that a distribution is a Linux operating system that comes with all the software you need to give you the full picture. The kernel is provided along with hardware drivers and applications.

Distributions come in all shapes and sizes. Some of them are aimed at beginners, while others are aimed at the most ardent supporters of the command line. Ubuntu, Fedora and openSUSE are three general purpose distributions suitable for people of all skill levels.

There are many other Linux distributions, and they are all different from each other. Some distributions are customized to serve a specific niche. Thus, you can install an operating system designed for creating multimedia, or an operating system designed for computers with old or weak hardware.

In this case, hardware compatibility is perhaps the most important thing to consider when switching to Linux. While most hardware is supported by default on most Linux distributions, less popular or unusual stuff may not work. In most cases, even if your device is not supported by default, you can follow online tutorials to help you install an unsupported driver or fix the kernel, but this is not for everyone. More on this later.

You can visit Distrowatch to see hundreds of Linux distributions. On the right side you will notice that there are Top 100 most popular distributions. Please note that it is difficult to estimate how many people are using Linux. The Distrowatch databases are ranked by the popularity of each distribution's website. This gives an idea of what people are interested in, but it's hardly an idea of what distributions are most widely used. Ubuntu, for example, is not currently ranked #1, but it is considered the most widely known version of desktop Linux.

Choosing a Desktop Environment

Depending on which distribution you choose, this decision may already be made for you. Most major Linux distributions provide a default desktop environment.

But maybe you haven't decided on a distribution yet. In this case, checking the desktop environment can help you make a decision. Each of them provides different solutions, and some work better on some distributions than others. Here are a few of the most basic ones:

GNOME is the default desktop environment in Ubuntu, Fedora and Debian. While Windows, macOS, and most Linux desktop environments display your open windows in a panel or dock, GNOME does nothing of the sort.

Instead, you switch between open windows by opening an overview screen, a dashboard that also displays an application launcher, virtual desktops, and a search bar that can access files, open software, and execute commands. Although, if you want a traditional panel, there are extensions available for that.

The KDE Plasma desktop is the default environment in KDE Neon, Kubuntu and Chakra. It is also popular among openSUSE users.

KDE Plasma is perhaps the most customizable interface that can be used on a desktop computer. For this reason, it is an excellent choice for advanced users and professionals. You can make KDE look like most other desktop interfaces without having to edit obscure files or tweak any lines of code.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon provides a simple option that seems familiar to many Windows users switching to Linux. The application menu is in the bottom left corner, system indicators are in the bottom right corner, and open windows are shown in between.

If you don't want to re-learn how to use a computer, switching from Cinnamon can save you a headache. This is the default desktop environment in Linux Mint.

While Linux is a great way to revive an old computer, not every desktop environment will run on aging hardware. You may need to use one specially designed to use fewer system resources.

Xfce is one of the more popular options for this task. This is the default desktop environment in Xubuntu.

Data backup

Before we get to the nicest things, we need to do some preliminary work. Although you probably don't use your old computer anymore, you should open it and find documents, videos, photos, music that you haven't backed up yet. Be careful and double check because you can erase everything from your hard drive later.

Copying is not difficult, but it can be tedious if you have a lot of scattered data. The easiest way to save files is to connect an external hard drive to the USB port.

For Windows users:

Double-clicking on the "My Computer" icon on the desktop or in the Start menu opens a window containing a list of files on the external hard drive.
Find and copy the necessary files by selecting them and pressing Ctrl + C, activating the external hard drive file list. Click inside the window we opened earlier and press Ctrl + V. Alternatively, you can select files and drag them to the external hard drive window.

You can also back up all data in the Cloud. This method makes your data available on other devices with an internet connection, but it will likely cost more over time. It also has a large number of security and privacy risks. Ultimately, you give your data to another person and trust him to do the necessary things.

Checking hardware specifications

A little knowledge about your computer's hardware will be important later if there are compatibility issues. It's important that you write them down now, because if something breaks during the installation process or the first boot, you'll need to search the internet for a driver, patched kernel, or package.

We don't need to write down all the hardware specifications because the drivers for things like ethernet cards are mostly compatible. Bluetooth chips, card readers and printers are more difficult, but most of them are also supported by default.

Let's say you have a very rare Ethernet card. You can use the System Profiler tool to discover specifications after the operating system installation is complete.

If you are using Windows, msinfo32 is a small program included with Windows 2000, Me, XP and later. This program gives you a complete picture of all the technology present in your system. You can find it by opening the start menu and typing msinfo32 into the search box. On older versions of Windows, you may have to click the "run" button in the start menu and type msinfo32 there.

Installing Linux

Great, you have chosen a Linux distribution, backed up your files, and you know what hardware your computer is made of. It's time to get your hands dirty.

There are three main ways to install most Linux distributions on a computer:

Replace existing OS with Linux
Install Linux alongside an existing OS
Running Linux from a USB Drive

Below are detailed instructions for installing Ubuntu on an existing Windows or macOS model. By choosing from the three options above, the replacement operating system will run smoothly and quickly on your computer.

Installing Linux without removing the existing operating system is called dual booting. Whenever you start your computer, you will be able to select the operating system you want to use. This stops you from getting rid of your old OS, but there is always the option to remove it.

Storing a copy of Linux on a USB flash drive allows you to download a copy of Linux to a friend's computer, lab, or library. This method requires the least commitment from you and your computer, since you do not touch your copies of Windows or macOS.

Using the Linux Desktop

As you know, at the moment, there is no one specific Linux desktop. But if you are, like many, if not most, new Linux users, you are probably starting with Ubuntu. In this case, when you first log into the new operating system, you will see a screen that looks like this.

This is the Ubuntu desktop. While Canonical has added a few interesting elements of its own, the interface you see is not exclusive to Ubuntu. This is GNOME.

For a complete understanding of how to navigate this interface and other software, check out the Ubuntu Beginner's Guide.

Search for additional software

There comes a time when you need more apps. Where do you get them? You can get used to going to a big store and buying a program that you either install from a disc or download from the internet. You can probably get all your apps by going to individual websites and downloading the installers. You can even get all your software from app stores that sell content to you, just like on a phone or tablet.

Programs for Windows only on Windows. The same applies to software for macOS. You will need to find applications designed for Linux.

Most Linux software is now available through app stores filled with free software. Using them is similar to using the App store on any other platform. Just find the app you want and click the install button.

These app stores are an alternative to package managers, the traditional and more complicated way to get software on Linux. Nowadays, you may never need to use a more advanced tool like Synaptic or Apper, but they give you more control over what you install.

While downloading installers directly from websites is not the preferred way to get Linux software, there are times when this is the only option. For example, how do you install Google Chrome. It is also a common way to install commercial games from online stores such as Humble Bundle and GOG. Just know that you won't be looking for an EXE. It's more likely that you'll find packaged files instead, such as DEB, RPM, SH, or one of the many other formats for Linux.

Now that you know how to install apps, which one will you choose? Alternatively, check out our list of the best Linux software.

Installing the update

Updates are a free part of Linux. They keep your system running the latest software version. You can also get user interface improvements and fixes to programs that run in the background.
You can usually install updates through your distribution's app store, the same place you go to download new software. Often it will have its own partition, as is the case with Ubuntu.

Download multimedia codec

Perhaps you have never had to think about codecs before. They allow you to play various multimedia files such as music and videos on your computer. When you buy a Windows or macOS PC, the codecs come as part of your desktop. This is usually not the case when you install Linux yourself.

This is not a bug or flaw in the Linux desktop - it's a legal issue. Many codecs remain under copyright, and computer manufacturers must pay licensing fees in order to legally distribute them.

Laws vary by country. This is one of the reasons why codecs are available as a free download on many Linux distributions such as Ubuntu and Linux Mint. But there is also a paid version that you can download in case you want the exact license to play these files.

Search for additional drivers

When you change the operating system your computer came with, things don't always go smoothly. Sometimes you will need to install additional drivers or codecs to get the full picture.

If you experience graphical glitches or cannot view Wi-Fi networks, you may need to install a proprietary driver. This is software that Linux distributions do not allow you to pre-install, so you must do it yourself. How you do this may vary depending on which distribution you are using. If you have chosen Ubuntu, you can find a section for installing drivers inside the software and updating the application. Software & Updates app.

What to do when you need certain software?

One of the first questions people ask when considering switching to Linux is if they can run a particular program. When we used only one operating system, we tended to view applications as components that any computer should be able to run. But in most cases, an application is actually designed to run on only one operating system. In order to work on another, developers must build a separate version. The Windows version of Steam does not work on macOS, and vice versa. Linux also needs its version.

Since not many people run Linux on their desktops like Windows or macOS, developers often choose not to make a Linux version of software. Often a free and open source alternative that does the same job is sufficient. But there are times when people want to use a program that doesn't work on Linux and for which there is no alternative. While this may be a reason not to switch to Linux, the choice is always yours. Perhaps there are still ways to make this program work.

emulations

You may have heard of emulators, the software that people use to play console video games on their PCs. They work with code that is similar enough to mimic (or emulate) the original machines that the games were designed for. The same can be done with programs designed for personal computers.

The most famous way to emulate Windows software on Linux is with Wine. While this doesn't always work, at best a Windows application will run alongside your regular Linux software without any extra fuss.

Because setting up Wine can be tricky, there are programs that will try to do the hard work for you. There are two popular examples - PlayOnLinux and Crossover Linux. The latter is a paid app that also exists for Windows and macOS.

Virtual machines

Emulation allows an application to run on an operating system for which it was not intended. Virtual machines allow you to run the entire operating system inside the current one. So when you need to run a specific Windows program, you can launch your virtual copy of Windows and open the program.

Unlike emulation, virtual machines are guaranteed to work. The downside is that you have to boot up a separate operating system in your own window, which can be time consuming and inconvenient. You must also have a copy of Windows or macOS to run. Getting one of the options can be difficult or expensive depending on your conditions.

All is ready!

At this point, you've installed Linux, learned the new interface, and installed the software you need to get started. But your journey is just beginning. There is so much more to see and do in the world of free and open source software!

Since everything is free, you can change your distribution at any time or change your current interface to any other. Nor do you need to open a command line to use Linux, since you can do a lot more if you're curious enough to give it a try.

Very often, beginners confuse Linux and Ubuntu, considering the second to be a full-fledged operating system that has nothing to do with GNU / Linux distributions. This is an erroneous judgment, moreover, Ubuntu is not even an independent Linux distribution, and is based on the notorious Debian.

What is Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a Linux distribution based on another Linux distribution, Debian, and distributed under the free GNU/GPL license. In general, I think it is clear to everyone that the distribution is freely distributed, and any user can simply download it for personal use. Ubuntu is developed by Canonical and comes in two versions: LTS (Long Term Support Distributions from Developers) and Light Versions, supported for less than a year. By the way, a new LTS release is expected very soon: Ubuntu 18.04 LTS.

Previously, Ubuntu distributions shipped with Unity as the default desktop. Now, starting with Ubuntu 17.10, Ubuntu will ship with Gnome.

Do not forget about the huge popularity of this distribution. For a very long time, he was the first in the world ranking of Linux distributions, which was compiled, just the same, for reasons of popularity of a particular product. More than 20 million users prefer Ubuntu. The operating system is used both on home PCs and on servers of huge companies.

History of Ubuntu

This wonderful distribution began its history in 2004 as a temporary offshoot of Debian. Then the goal of the developers was to ensure the release of stable versions of the operating system every six months.

Time passed, and at the same time there was a need for some changes that were not provided for by the main version (Debian). Less and less compatibility, and more and more independent experience. The developers were forced to make fateful decisions, which in the end led them to success.

Ubuntu becomes a Linux distribution in its own right, and begins to promote its own philosophy, which was to create a convenient and functional operating system for everyone.

Many things that are not available to ordinary people have become much easier to use thanks to Ubuntu. Some applications received a GUI, some were simply lightened or stuffed with useful functionality.

Now Ubuntu is not just an operating system, or the brainchild of a big company. Ubuntu is a whole community of like-minded people who strive to create a good and usable product.

Features of Ubuntu

This Linux distribution has a huge number of features. They can be attributed to both pluses and minuses - you decide.

Focused on ordinary users
Many things have been simplified
A peculiar graphical interface that you need to get used to
High hardware compatibility
And much more

Where to download Ubuntu

You can download Ubuntu distribution images on the official Canonical resource or on our website /download-ubuntu/

Ubuntu is a community-developed, Linux-based operating system that is ideal for use on personal computers, laptops, and servers. It contains all the necessary programs that you need: an Internet browser, an office suite for working with texts, spreadsheets and presentations, programs for communicating on the Internet and many others.

Ubuntu Promise

Ubuntu will always be distributed free of charge, including enterprise editions and security updates.

Full commercial support is available for Ubuntu from Canonical Ltd. and hundreds of companies around the world.

Ubuntu includes the best translations and accessibility tools available for people with disabilities as open source software.

The Ubuntu discs contain only free software; we encourage the use of free and open source software, its improvement and distribution.

In this article, we will considerthe main advantages of the Ubuntu operating system why it will be interesting and useful for beginners in administration, and what disadvantages this system has in the eyes of users. In particular, consider the version of Ubuntu 14.04, which is now quite popular. In particular, there are a large number of operating systems based on LINUX. Which are the most famous? More details in .

The Ubuntu distribution was created with the goal of being a convenient and understandable OS (based on Linux) for the average user. Indeed, Installing and configuring this OS is easy.. In addition, there are a large number of instructions and tips on using the system for beginners on the Web. According to official figures, more than 20 million users use the Ubuntu distribution. There are 23 versions of Ubuntu in total, Moreover in April 2016, the next release is planned - Ubuntu 16.04 LTS. It should be noted that some versions are no longer supported by developers.

For easier work with operating systems, control panels are used.

Main Ubuntu distribution features :

work stability - the system is often used on highly loaded servers. The OS does not require frequent restarts of the computer, even in cases of updates, installation or removal of programs.
secure system that does not require antivirus. It takes a lot of effort to pick up a virus if you are using an Ubuntu distribution.
free OS- installation takes place in a few clicks, the network is full of versions for free download, you do not need to enter any keys, you can use it on multiple computers at the same time.
nice and clear interface a large number of free themes and effects, for every taste and color.
quick and effortless installation with the advent of new versions, the installation of Ubuntu is simplified which attracts inexperienced users. The main software and drivers are installed immediately and almost automatically, as a result, you get a ready-to-use OS. In addition, automatic updates are offered.
and ideal option for beginners– all settings and settings are carried out at an intuitive level. Through a dedicated package managerSynaptic is installing the necessary programs. It has features for viewing ratings, descriptions and reviews of programs.
stability is ensured by a huge support team that quickly finds and fixes bugs.
system predictability - each new release comes out with a frequency of 6 months, users always have access to the latest versions of the OS.
coexists perfectly on the same PC with other operating systems, such as Windows.

this version is promised a long period of support;
support for high resolution displays - FullHD;
the presence of two new architectures ARM64 and PowerPC64;
support for TRIM commands for solid-state drives is present by default;
optimized NVIDIA Optimus technology;
Linux 3.13 kernel along with Deadline I/O scheduler;
included in the Python 3.4 library set;
using Oxide, you can run the application directly from the desktop;
qualitatively updated LibreOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird.

You can download the ISO image completely free of charge and legally on the website of the official developer. In addition, the distribution of this OS by any means is also legal. The Ubuntu driver installation process automatically installs additional applications. For example, the Firefox browser with the Thunderbird mailer, the Rhythmbox audio player and the Totem video player, the Transmission torrent client, the full version of LibreOffice. For the initial work of these applications will be quite enough.

Disadvantages of Ubuntu :

If you use specific software, it may not be available in Ubuntu and you will not be able to completely abandon the Windows OS. But do not forget about the emulatorWine, which allows you to run inUbuntu software from Windows. For game lovers, Ubuntu will not seem as high quality as compared to Windows, since the number of games for it is much smaller and their quality leaves much to be desired, but here, too, our developers have an option - an emulatorPlayOnLinux allows you to run onUbuntu games which are developed for Windows. However, this OS, like all others, has its drawbacks, but it is up to the user to decide whether they are significant for him or not.

Often our users ask what to choose Ubuntu or Debian. The answer to this question and the analysis of operating systems in . You may also be interested in the topic ““.

In conclusion, if you are in doubt whether to choose Ubuntu for work, we will note the main advantages of the Ubuntu distribution, which attracts its users. First of all, it is a free system, which is currently used for PC, but may soon move to smartphones / tablets. Secondly, a huge number of applications and drivers, which simplify the initial PC setup for the user. And finally, an important aspect - ubuntu security, that is, virus protection compared to Windows. By installing Ubuntu on your server, you immediately get what you need - a working machine.

Company Hyper Host™ offers for its users and with installed OS Ubuntu 14.04 thus, users will be able to take full advantage of all the benefits of the current version of the system.

Except ubuntu you can use other operating systems to work on the server. Read about how to choose an operating system, depending on your tasks.

A person who first heard the name Ubuntu will quite logically ask the question: "What is it?" Ubuntu Linux is a free operating system based on Debian GNU/Linux.
How does this operating system differ from the generally accepted and well-known Windows?
Here are the main differences and advantages of Ubuntu:

Free.
"Ubuntu will be distributed free of charge anytime, anywhere, including corporate editions and security updates." So says its creator Mark Shuttleworth, and founder of Canonical. Previously, Mark was the developer of another Linux project called Debian, which is considered very stable among Linux users. Ubuntu is based on Debian. Nowadays, almost every user of a personal computer has Windows installed. And if we take users from the CIS, then those who bought a license for the system from Microsoft can be counted on the fingers, figuratively of course. It follows from this that all the rest are, in fact, thieves. And using Ubuntu, you absolutely legally use this "OS".

Safety.
You can forget like a nightmare about viruses. There are viruses for Linux systems, but their number is negligible. Recently, many Windows users have been subjected to computer lockdown as a result of a ransomware virus getting onto their hard drive. In the warning text on the monitor, you are asked to pay a certain amount for visiting not very good sites (examples of blockers below).

In the case of Ubuntu, this virus, as well as other viruses from the Windows world, will not be able to do anything to your operating system. Personally, I haven't used an antivirus for over two years now.

Hardware support.
In almost 90% of cases, after installing Ubuntu on your computer or laptop, you immediately have a network working, sound, screen resolution of the right size, Wi-Fi, printers, etc. The system itself, without your help, downloads the necessary drivers from its server ().
Although there are some .

Ready to work immediately after installation.
Immediately after installing Windows, sound may not work and video may not be played on your system, PDF, DOC, DjVu files, etc. may not open, you will not be able to open 7ZIP, RAR, ZIP archives, due to the lack of the necessary codecs and programs. But in the case of Ubuntu, all these files and archives work out of the box. The operating system is ready to work with audio-video files, common archives, text documents, etc. immediately after installation.

Stability.
Unlike Windows, Ubuntu and other systems based on the Linux kernel are much more stable. There are no such cases when a hung program can "put down" the entire system. If the program freezes, then you simply "kill" it and continue to work on. Usually Ubuntu can work for months without reboots, and no "brakes" or "freezes" are observed.

Ability to run the application from Windows.
There is a program called Wine as part of Ubuntu. This is a kind of program that serves as an interlayer between Linux and win-applications. A kind of environment emulator for programs and games from the Windows world. There is an official website of the Wine project, where there are statistics of games and applications that have been, or with difficulty, installed in Ubuntu. These applications are divided into categories. The Platinum and Gold categories indicate games and programs that have been installed and work without problems. What is called "Install and work".
Read more.
There is also a PlayOnLinux program that uses the aforementioned Wine, and with its help you can install a huge variety of programs, and most importantly games. This program is more suitable for a beginner in Ubuntu. It is enough to download the game, from the program list to the hard one, and then it's a matter of technology. The list of games is very large.

Ubuntu App Center.
This is a repository of programs and libraries, which are divided into categories for convenience (Internet, Office, Audio-video, System, Games, etc.) and number several tens of thousands. By selecting the desired program and entering just your personal password, you can install the program without any problems. While in Windows, you need to click on the OK button or Next several times.

Many programs you have used on Windows also work well on Ubuntu. Here you will find Firefox, Google Chrome, Chromium, Opera, Skype, Audacity, Blender, GIMP, Inkscape, VLC, FileZilla, LibreOffice and etc.

Security of all your data.
In Windows, all your program settings, browser bookmarks, My Documents folder are located on the C drive. Many users are very fond of storing documents, photos, music, etc. on the Desktop, which by the way is also located on drive C. After a system crash, or a failure after a power outage, due to viruses, Windows usually refuses to boot, which means that you need to install the system from scratch. This means that all your data that was on the Desktop and in other folders on drive C will be lost.
In Ubuntu, this does not threaten you. Why? Because the settings of all programs, browser bookmarks, all folders, such as: My Documents, Music, Photos, and also the Desktop, are NOT ON THE SYSTEM PARTITION OF THE DISK! (Although you first need to correctly partition the disk). And this suggests that even after a complete reinstallation of the system, all your important, and not very files, will remain safe and sound.

Large range of system appearance.
You have the opportunity to change the appearance of the system (desktop environment) to your liking. Currently, Ubuntu uses its proprietary graphical environment, Unity. But there are distributions in the Ubuntu family that use a different graphical environment (LXDE, KDE, Gnome, Xfce). You can change the appearance of Ubuntu yourself by downloading and installing the desired shell, or by installing any build from the Ubuntu family (Kubuntu-uses KDE, Lubuntu-uses LXDE, Xubuntu-uses Xfce, Ubuntu Gnome-uses Gnome, or install the Linux Mint distribution, which is based on Ubuntu and uses Mate, Cinamon, KDE, etc. graphical environment)

Ubuntu - Humanity

According to Canonical, this system is used by about 20 million people, and with the transition of China at the state level to Ubuntu, it is even difficult to calculate the total number of users, which makes it the most popular among Linux systems. You can use an Ubuntu disk or flash drive as a Live CD. If we take the exact translation of the meaning of Ubuntu, then from African (Zulu) it means - humanity in relation to other people. And with each version of the system, this is visible to the naked eye. You can install it on a single Windows drive and have two systems at your disposal.

In Ubuntu, you can do everything that you did before in Windows:

listen to music
watch films
download files from torrent trackers
do video editing
create slideshow
edit spreadsheets, text files and presentations
process audio and video files
encode video files to popular formats (avi, dvd, mkv, mp4)
encode audio files to popular formats (mp3, audio cd, ogg, wav, flac)
surf the Internet (Firefox, Google Chrome, Chromium, Opera...)
process and catalog your photos
work with websites
send and receive email
chat with friends on skype
run many Windows applications
record desktop and take screenshots
work with archives
full support for ISO images
burn CD/DVD discs
capture video footage from cameras
and much more

Many Windows users still naively believe that Linux is only for programmers and system administrators. This is an erroneous misconception. Ubuntu Linux has been out of the role for a long time catching up, but most likely in the role of an ideal system that adopted the best moments from the MacOS X operating system, from the well-known Apple company, which is still considered the reference system of all existing ones. Recent benchmarks comparing performance between macOS and Ubuntu have made Ubuntu the winner in this debate.

Canonical and its unchanging leader Mark Shuttleworth created an operating system that, of all Linux distributions, has stepped far and made a huge contribution to the popularization of Linux. From 2014 there will be a version of Ubuntu for tablets, as well as for mobile phones. Canonical is the only company that produces operating systems based on the Linux kernel for computers, laptops, tablets, mobile devices, and SMART TV.

Ubuntu games

Until recently, it was believed that games for Linux systems do not exist, and if they do, then this is a parody of games. But the situation is changing dramatically and very quickly. New game clientSteam for Linux, by Valve. One of the developers of this company said that the new Windows 8 failed miserably as a gaming system. In this dispute, Ubuntu 13.04 looks much more preferable than the craft from Microsoft. Therefore, it was decided to create a game client for Linux. Many games have already been ported for this environment, and work is just beginning. Therefore, it is already safe to say that Ubuntu is becoming a gaming platform.

The following games are already available:

Serious Sam 3: BFE,
Trine 2, Amnesia: The Dark Descent,
Steel Storm, Solar 2,
Crusader Kings II,
half life 2,
Team Fortress 2,
Left 4 Dead 2,
counterstrike,
Counter Strike: Source,
Counter Strike: Condition Zero,
portal,
Day of Defeat: Source,
postal,
postal 2,
Bastion,
Day of Defeat,
X3: Terran Conflict,
Anomaly: Warzone Earth,
Penumbra Overture,
X3: Albion Prelude,
Cogs, Expeditions: Conquistador,
killing floor,
Champions of Regnum

And this is not the whole list of supported games. At the moment, and this is at the beginning of August 2013, there are more than 140 games on the list for Linux. This list is constantly updated.

The entire list of games for Steam can be viewed