Tech

Linux Ubuntu: what is it, what are its versions and how to download?

CrazyUBG

The Linux operating system is one of the best known after Microsoft and Mac OS, which are most used. Because it is a little different from these two, many people end up forgetting about it or not finding it as useful. But those who have tried it find advantages, especially with the Ubuntu Linux distribution . 

Can you imagine a technology that allows free use, with an easy-to-use graphical interface and practical support ?

Its popularity arose from the adoption of the system by home users and beginners in the field.

In this article you will check the main details about this Linux distribution and how to adopt it in your routine. Let’s go?

What is Ubuntu Linux?

With the word of African origin, meaning “humanity for others”, its function has to do with translation, as it came to facilitate information architecture for people.

Linux Ubuntu is a distribution of the Linux operating system, which operates completely, free of charge and with community and professional support. That’s because the system, as you may already know, doesn’t have a company behind it managing it, but a group of people always collaborating.

Thus, a relevant characteristic is that in Ubuntu the programs are usually already installed , different from Windows which only comes with the most basic ones. So, you can use the system as soon as you open it without worrying about installations, unless you want to install something specific.

How did Ubuntu come about?

It was developed by Canonical, a South African company focused on free software, launching the product in the year 2004.

It has been conquering space, mainly, in home computers, as it has the freedom to customize and change the software in the way the user deems best.

Therefore, telling more of the story, in 2004, the CEO of Canonical, Mark Shuttleworth, gathered a team of developers of the Debian Linux distribution with the intention of creating a distribution that was easier to use for common users, eliminating several difficulties that existed for people who didn’t have a better knowledge of software development .

Thus, the first version of Ubuntu appeared, codenamed Warty Warthog, numbered 4.10, since the organization of versions is based on month and year, and not on consecutive numbers, which you will check in the next topic). 👇

Versions of the Linux Ubuntu Operating System

Just like any other distribution, Ubuntu has several versions since its launch until the present day.

At the time of its launch, Ubuntu was called “brown Debian”, in a tone of criticism, for still being very close to Debian, its original system.

Despite this, the first version was relatively simple, but already had a much more friendly installer for the common user , even giving options in choosing video drivers during installation. And this system came with the already known GNOME, visually very different from what exists today.

It is worth mentioning that all Ubuntu version numbers are related to the month and year of each release, always in the American y.mm date format, that is, the first digit refers to the year and the second digit to the month.

Another note is that each new version is released every 6 months . Check out some releases below:

Latest releases of Linux Ubuntu

  • Ubuntu 4.10: The first version of Ubuntu, released on October 20, 2004.
  • Ubuntu 5.04: the version that made Ubuntu famous, released on April 8, 2005.
  • Ubuntu 5.10: version released on October 13, 2005.
  • Ubuntu 6.06 LTS: The first Long Time Support release, released on June 1, 2006.
  • Ubuntu 6.10: version with structural reforms, released on October 26, 2006.
  • Ubuntu 7.04: version released on April 19, 2007.
  • Ubuntu 7.10: The first version with Desktop 3D enabled by default, released on October 18, 2007.

And this lasted until the most recent, named 22.04 LTS , released in April 2022.

Thus, the new version came with improvements in the graphical interface and more practicality. The visual changes derived from GNOME 42 are quite evident, in addition to more color customization, a new capture tool and the latest version of the Nautilus file manager.

Differences between Ubuntu and Linux

Although one is part of the other and complements each other, Linux is a kernel present in several operating systems on the market, which is available in an open source way for the most diverse purposes: operating systems for home computers, servers and even some more unusual gadgets. like the Echo Dot.

Ubuntu, on the other hand, is a refinement and improvement of Linux. A system created using the Linux kernel as the core

Therefore, we can say that whenever there is an Ubuntu there is a Linux, since it is a branch of that operating system. Therefore, Linux alone is simply useless, depending on a distribution to work, as is the case with Ubuntu.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Ubuntu Linux

One of Ubuntu’s best advantages over other distributions is the stability of support.

But there are still others, check out the main ones below.

Benefits

  • Partnership with Canonical, which allows for the non-charging of license and distribution fees;
  • User-friendly, as its installation is easy and anyone with basic computer skills can configure their system;
  • It is quite secure, so much so that compared to Windows, which requires the use of antivirus software, the malware risks in Ubuntu Linux are negligible;
  • It works on simple computers;
  • It has a very active community to help solve problems and exchange experiences;
  • Have high customization and freedom;
  • It can be installed together with another operating system that already exists on the computer.

Disadvantages

  • Some programs may not work well or require more knowledge from the user, such as installing Java or Flash;
  • Although it allows you to download and install programs at no additional cost, Canonical still charges a fee for its support;
  • The system is not yet compatible with some tools, such as 3D Studio, Cubase or Photoshop.

Ubuntu Linux Applications

As already mentioned, it already comes with several programs and applications, such as:

  • Office package: OpenOffice;
  • Accounting: GnuCash;
  • Desktop Publishing: Scribus;
  • Email: Zimbra Desktop;
  • Web page editing: KompoZer;
  • Graphics: GIMP;
  • Between others.

How to Download Linux Ubuntu?

Simply put, you just need to have:

  • A dual-core processor (can be Intel or AMD), with at least 2GHz;
  • Make sure that the RAM memory is at least 4GB;
  • Internal space from 25GB on HD or SSD.

Once that’s done, follow these steps:

  1. Access the official Ubuntu website ;
  2. In the top menu, select the “download” option;
  3. Select version 20.04;
  4. Save the system image on a USB stick;
  5. Start the system installation on your desktop.