The world of operating systems (OS) is big and diverse. Along with Windows and macOS, there’s one name that makes a strong statement: Ubuntu. As one of the most widely used Linux-based operating systems, Ubuntu is making its mark on everything from home users to enterprises to cloud environments.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what Ubuntu is, why so many people love and use it, and how you can get started if you’re on the fence about getting into Linux. Are you ready to fall in love with the spirit of freedom and openness? ✨
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1. What is Ubuntu? 🤔
Ubuntu is an open source operating system used in a variety of environments, including desktops, servers, cloud, and the Internet of Things (IoT). It is one of the most popular Linux distributions in the world, and its name means “humanity” or “living together” in the Zulu language of South Africa. Like its name, Ubuntu emphasizes the values of cooperation and sharing.
- Developed by: Developed and maintained by Canonical, a company based in the United Kingdom, it evolves through contributions from communities around the world.
- Based on: Based on Debian Linux, which is known for its stability.
- Release cycle: A new version is released every six months, with a Long Term Support (LTS) version every two years. The LTS version provides five years of security and maintenance support, making it ideal for users or organizations that prefer a stable environment.
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2. Why choose Ubuntu? ✨ (Benefits of Ubuntu)
With so many operating systems out there, why choose Ubuntu? Let’s take a closer look at the unique advantages that Ubuntu offers.
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2.1. Completely free and open source 💰➡️🌐
One of the biggest selling points of Ubuntu is that it’s free. It’s free for anyone to download, install, and use without having to pay expensive licensing fees like Windows or macOS. Plus, the source code is open, ensuring transparency, and it’s constantly evolving as developers around the world contribute to finding bugs and making improvements.
- Examples: Environments with limited budgets, such as schools, public organizations, and development companies, can use the latest operating system without breaking the bank.
2.2. User-friendly experience 🌈
The “Linux is hard” stereotype is a myth. Ubuntu comes with the GNOME desktop environment out of the box, providing an intuitive and sleek interface that makes it easy for users used to Windows or macOS to adapt. Most tasks can be accomplished with a few clicks, and you don’t need to know complex commands to enjoy your everyday computing experience.
- Examples: There are many familiar elements, such as the Start Menu-like “Activities” overview and the clean Dock.
2.3. Superior security and stability 🔒🚀
Designed on top of the Linux kernel, Ubuntu is relatively free from viruses and malware. The strict privilege management system and active security updates keep the system secure at all times. In addition, the system crashes and errors are few, allowing the system to run stably for a long time, especially in a server environment.
- Tip: Ubuntu users are so confident in their security that they often don’t install a separate antivirus program.
You can learn more about Ubuntu’s security here: #### 2.4. Vast software ecosystem 📦
Ubuntu offers tons of free and paid software for easy installation through the ‘Ubuntu Software Center’. There is also a wealth of specialized software developed for Linux.
- Built-in and available software:
- Working with documents: LibreOffice – a free office suite that is compatible with MS Office.
- Web browsers: Firefox, Google Chrome
- Graphics tools:** GIMP, Inkscape – alternative to Photoshop/Illustrator
- Media Player:** VLC Media Player
- Development tools: VS Code, PyCharm, Docker, Git, etc.
- Example: You can easily install the VLC media player with a single command:
sudo apt install vlc.
2.5. Strong community support 💪🤝
Ubuntu has a huge community of users and developers worldwide. When you run into a problem, you can ask questions and get answers through a variety of channels, including official forums, wikis, and Q&A sites (like Ask Ubuntu). The wealth of online resources and active community is a huge help for Linux beginners.
2.6. Versatile 🖥️☁️🌐
Ubuntu is incredibly versatile.
- Personal Desktop: For everyday web surfing, working with documents, watching multimedia, gaming, etc.
- Servers: One of the most widely used server OSes in enterprise environments, including web servers (Apache, Nginx), database servers (MySQL, PostgreSQL), file servers, and more.
- Cloud: Major cloud services such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure support Ubuntu as a virtual machine (VM).
- Internet of Things (IoT) and embedded devices: Ubuntu Core is also utilized in small devices such as the Raspberry Pi.
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3. Getting Started with Ubuntu: First Steps 👣
If you’re intrigued by Ubuntu and want to give it a try, you can follow these steps to get started.
3.1. Download and prepare to install 💾
- Download: Download the latest LTS version from the official Ubuntu website (ubuntu.com). It is usually available as an ISO file of 3GB or more.
- Create a bootable USB:** Burn the downloaded ISO file to a USB drive using a tool like ‘Rufus’ (Windows) or ‘Balena Etcher’ (cross-platform) to create a bootable USB.
- Select an installation method:**
- Single install: Erase the existing OS and install Ubuntu only (not recommended for beginners)
- Dual boot:** Install Ubuntu alongside Windows/macOS and select the desired OS at boot time. (Most common method)
- Virtual machine:** Install Ubuntu inside virtualization software such as VirtualBox or VMware. This is the safest way to experience Ubuntu as it doesn’t affect your existing OS. (Highly recommended for beginners! 👍)
3.2. After the first boot, go to ⚙️
After a successful Ubuntu installation and first boot, it is recommended to perform some initial setup and updates.
- System Update: Open a terminal and type the following command to update your system to the latest version.
sudo apt update sudo apt upgradeThis command will upgrade all software packages on your system to the latest version.
- Set up Korean language:** Go to ‘Settings’, then ‘Region & Language’ to add and set up a Korean language input.
- Install software:** Install the required applications (Chrome, VLC, etc.) through the Ubuntu Software Center.
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4. Learn about Ubuntu’s core features and tools 🛠️
These are the core features and tools that you should know about to use Ubuntu more efficiently.
4.1. GNOME Desktop Environment 🖥️
Adopted as the default desktop environment starting with Ubuntu 17.10, GNOME has a clean, modern design. The dock and top bar on the left side of the screen allow you to launch applications, check notifications, change system settings, and more intuitively. The ‘Activities’ overview is handy, showing all your open windows and workspaces at a glance.
4.2. Ubuntu Software Center 🛍️
It plays a similar role to the app store on your smartphone. It’s very convenient because you can search for the software you need and install it with one click. It’s sorted by categories, and you can browse software in different ways: popular apps, new apps, and more.
4.3. Terminal: The heart of Linux ❤️🔥
The Terminal is a powerful tool for controlling your system through commands. It may seem intimidating at first, but once you learn a few basic commands, you’ll be able to work much more efficiently. It is an essential tool for any developer or server administrator.
- **Basic commands include.
ls -l: Shows a detailed list of files in the current directory.cd [folder name]: Navigate to a specific folder.mkdir [folder name]: Creates a new folder.sudo apt install [program name]: Install a specific program, for example,sudo apt install chrome.man [command]: Shows the manual for a specific command. (Example:man ls)
4.4. Package Management System (APT & Snap) 📦
Ubuntu has a powerful package management system to efficiently install, update, and uninstall software.
- APT (Advanced Package Tool): This is a traditional package management tool based on Debian. Most system software and libraries are managed through the APT repository. Commands include
sudo apt update,sudo apt install, etc. - Snap: A general-purpose package system developed by Canonical that distributes applications and their dependencies in a single package file. It runs in a sandbox environment to minimize system impact and ensure stable execution. Many third-party apps are available in Snap, including Chrome, Spotify, VS Code, and more.
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5. Ubuntu, who do you recommend it to? 👨💻👩🎓⚙️
Ubuntu can be an attractive choice for a wide range of users.
5.1. Linux Beginners 👶
This is the best choice for those new to Linux, thanks to its user-friendly interface and vast community support that makes it easy to adapt even if you’re used to Windows or macOS.
Learn more here: #### 5.2. Developers and Programmers 🧑💻
Optimized for open source development environments. You can easily build development environments for most programming languages, including Python, Java, C++, and JavaScript, and utilize modern development tools such as Docker and Kubernetes without any problems.
5.3. Server administrators and cloud users ☁️
It is the most widely used for building web servers, database servers, and cloud instances due to its robust stability, security, and rich software support for servers.
5.4. Those who want to breathe new life into an old PC ♻️
With relatively low hardware requirements, even an old laptop or desktop PC can run comfortably. Install Ubuntu on a slow Windows PC and you’ll experience much faster performance.
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Conclusion 🚀
Ubuntu is more than just an operating system, it’s about freedom, openness, and collaboration. Free yet powerful, user-friendly yet reliable, Ubuntu will enrich your digital experience.
If you haven’t tried Ubuntu yet, start small by installing it in a virtual machine or dual-booting. It may feel unfamiliar at first, but you’ll soon fall in love with it. We hope you’ll unlock your potential at the center of a free and open source ecosystem!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to knock on the door of the Ubuntu community. Ubuntu is here to help you on your digital journey! 🌟