Why use Ubuntu Linux?

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is a popular and widely used Linux distribution today. Ubuntu is simple, easy to use, and user-friendly. Its my personal favorite GNU/Linux distribution. Ubuntu is the best alternative to Windows operating system. If you consider switching from Windows to GNU/Linux, I would personally recommend Ubuntu.

Why Ubuntu?

Aside from being free, secure, stable and easy to use, here are the other deciding factors why I switched to Ubuntu.

Based on Debian - Ubuntu is based on Debian, which is among the oldest and most respected Linux distribution. It inherets most everything that makes Debian great Linux distributions.

Good Hardware Support - Hardware support has improved tremendously, Ubuntu has now supports wide range of hardware devices like video cards, sound cards, printers, scanners and web cams. You can find the list of supported hardware here. Ubuntu also includes proprietary drivers to enable essential hardware functionality, without these proprietary drivers your wifi and graphics card will not work at all, or at a minimal level.

Eyecandy - If you want to have desktop effects like Windows Vista in your Ubuntu PC, just install Compiz Fusion. Compiz Fusion is far better than Vista, it consumes less RAM and has a lot of cool 3D desktop effects and animations.

Easy to install - Some say that GNU/Linux installation is a nightmare, well not anymore. I had that problem 7 years ago when I am installing Debian Woody and Red Hat 7 but recently released GNU/Linux distributions like Ubuntu are now easier to install than Windows. Installing Ubuntu on your computer will take only a few clicks and the installation will take less than an hour.

Ubuntu offers three types of installation methods for new and expert users.

• Live CD - Recommended for newer users. The live cd lets you try Ubuntu first before installing it in your PC. If you decide to install, it will only take a few clicks to install Ubuntu in your PC.
• Alternate CD - Recommended for expert users, this cd is using text-based installation.
• Wubi - For Windows users who want to install Ubuntu on their Windows System.

In addition to these methods, you can also create Live bootable Ubuntu on your USB flash drive using these following tools:

• Live USB system creator
• UNetbootin

Free CD's - Canonical offers Ubuntu installation CDs at no cost, including paid postage for destinations in most countries around the world, via a service called ShipIt. After a request for CDs is made and approved, disks are sent to the user's postal address in the mail at no charge.

Well supported - It is supported by strong community and sponsored by Canonical Ltd, which is owned by South African entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth. You can get paid support from Canonical Ltd. or a free support from thousands of Ubuntu users from all over the world using forums, local groups, irc and mailing list.

Regular release cycle - Because of its rapid development and active community participation, new version is available to the public everysix months. Ubuntu users will always have the latest applications and support for the new hardware.

Free updates - You get free security updates for at least 18 months on the desktop and server. With the Long Term Support (LTS) version you get three years support on the desktop, and five years on the server.

Ease of getting documentation - Many documentations and informations on how to do things in Ubuntu are available out there on the internet. Just google it and you will find thousands of Ubuntu-related blog postings, wiki, articles and Ubuntu hacks.

Lots of available applications - There are many software available in Ubuntu, you can have it installed by typing apt-get command from the console, using synaptic package manager, or you can download from a third party software repository like GetDeb.