Ubuntu

Ubuntu has rapidly become probably the most popular version of Linux currently in use on desktop computers and has acquired a reputation as the most 'user friendly' distribution currently available.

Ubuntu on the Desktop

The desktop is where Ubuntu first made it's mark building on the Debian distribution to provide a Gnome based  system with user-level installers that actually provides an environment where novice users can successfully install and run a Linux system.

Much of their initial success is down to the Debian project who have their own (slightly different) base system but without all the 'user' friendly bells and whistles that Ubuntu have added.

Building on this product Ubuntu have added a number of alternative desktop options including Kubuntu (based on the KDE desktop) , Edubuntu (for schools) , Goubuntu (for developers) , Ubuntu MID Edition (for Laptops) and Xubuntu (based on Xfce).

Ubuntu as a Server

This has been a more controversial package aimed at the server market with a view to competing with the likes of Redhat and pure Debian distributions. Unfortunately developers on the server side of things have been stretched a little and the quality and range of available server software has been limited.

In particular, not so much attention has been paid to solutions or package integration so if you are looking for a server implementation where all the components are going to "play nice" and be flexible, you may not get exactly what you are looking for. Certainly when you enter the realms of virtualisation, clustering and more advanced services, the likes of RedHat have put far more by the way of resources into getting things "right".

All too often the response to a critical server related issue from the Ubuntu community is either "it's not supported" or "it'll be fixed in the next major version .. maybe".

Seeing it run

Ubuntu have a very nice tour which with screen shots of the desktop in action on a widescreen monitor, very well woth a look if you want to see what it looks like. Just as a matter of interest, as of the current version (8.04) , Compiz (which provides all the fancy 3D graphics and transparancies) does seem to work "out of the box" on many systems, which provides for a *very* pretty / smooth user experience.

System Requirements

Here's what Ubuntu say you need;

• Ubuntu is available for PC, 64-Bit PC and Intel based Mac architectures.
• At least 256 MB of RAM is required to run the alternate install CD
  (384MB of RAM is required to use the live CD based installer).
  
• Install requires at least 4 GB of disk space.

This translates to;

• It runs on Pretty much any PC or Mac, but beware that if you pick a 64-bit chipset or distribution then some desktop stuff won't work .. in particular proprietary software plugins for Firefox that are only available in 32-bit format .. but, the 64-bit option will provide a much faster environment.
• If you are a basic user, 256Mb will just about cut it. If you want more than one application open at any one time, 512Mb is recommended. If you are a power user, don't even think about trying this on with less than 1Gb. If you are a 'real' multi-screen power user, you will eat your way through 2G without even thinking about it.
• You can install it on a 4G hard drive, just don't try to use it afterwards. As with most Linux desktop systems, to be realistic you need a 30G partition to provide a useful / stable system with plenty of user space that won't fall over because log files keep filling up.

Summary

If you're looking for a desktop system, don't stop until you've at least tried Ubuntu and have a benchmark for everything else you're going to see.

If on the other hand you are looking for a server system and it's a 'basic' system, then certainly give Ubuntu a go, it's always nice if you can run the same distribution for both your servers and your workstations. (we do!)

Be warned however that although we run 30+ Unix servers on the Xen virtualisation platform and they all run on Ubuntu server edition, that also all run a Redhat kernel with lots of hand-compiled software to actually make them stable and usable.

Get your Free Copy!

You can obtain a free copy of Ubuntu from a number of sources. 

	Download now - Download the Ubuntu, Edubuntu or Kubuntu CD installer to your computer now. Please note: the CD Installer is nearly 700M. If you don't have a fast internet connection you may want to consider requesting a CD.
	Buy on CD or DVD - Buy a CD or DVD with Ubuntu, Edubuntu or Kubuntu CD, or a large number of CDs from a distributor near you. If you are in North America you can get Ubuntu and Kubuntu on DVD from Amazon.com.
	Request a free CD - Request a free Ubuntu, Edubuntu or Kubuntu CD from Canonical. Delivery typically takes 6-10 weeks Use each CD as many times as you like - you are free to use it on as many computers as you wish and to pass on to others Learn more by visiting the Shipit Questions page.

Ubuntu and Canonical are registered trademarks of Canonical Ltd.