Ubuntu Remains Best Linux Distribution for Desktops (
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The latest version of Canonicals Linux distribution, Ubuntu 8.10, still outshines the Linux desktop offerings from Red Hat and Novell, and is the best open-source alternative to Microsoft and Apple operating systems. However, both Red Hats Enterprise Linux and Novells SUSE distributions are ahead of Ubuntu 8.10 in the server space.Canonical's Ubuntu 8.10, the latest version of the popular Linux-based operating system for desktops and servers, hit the Internet in early November bearing a modest assortment of updates to the open-source software components that compose it.
Based on my tests of Ubuntu 8.10which is more fancifully known as the Intrepid IbexI maintain that Ubuntu is, without question, the best Linux distribution available for desktops, and the ablest open-source rival to the more broadly used desktop operating systems from Microsoft and Apple.
That's because, while most Linux distributions come with the same software components, Ubuntu distinguishes itself with its attention to usability, its large selection of ready-to-install software packages, and its large community of users and contributors.
Check out eWEEK Labs' walk-through of Canonical's Ubuntu 8.10.
If there's a piece of Linux-supporting software that you wish to run, the chances are good that it's available in prepackaged form for Ubuntu. The same goes for hardware components, where Ubuntu's support is among the broadest of any Linux distribution.
What's more, through its various platforms for facilitating communication and collaboration among its users and developers, the Ubuntu project does a good job corralling the questions and answers, bug testing, and integration grunt work of its large community into a body of knowledge and solutions that's readily accessible from your search engine of choice.
For instance, I tested Ubuntu 8.10 with an MSI Wind U100 netbook, which ships with a Realtech wireless adapter that none of the Linux kernel's built-in drivers supports. I searched for a suitable driver for Ubuntu, for Red Hat's Fedora and for Novell's OpenSUSE distributions, and found compilation instructions for a suitable driver for all three. However, for Ubuntu, I also found a precompiled, packaged and ready-to-install driver that had been produced by a volunteer community member.
Among alternate desktop Linux options, Ubuntu 8.10's stiffest competition is the distribution's elder sibling, Ubuntu 8.04, which is also known as the Hardy Heron release. Version 8.04 was a Long Term Support release, which Canonical pledges to provide with updates and support for three years in its desktop incarnations, and five years in server installations.
Ubuntu 8.10, in contrast, will be supported for 18 months before its update pipeline closes, requiring users to upgrade to a newer version. Fortunately, Ubuntu is very easy to upgrade, either from a bootable CD or USB media, or in-place, using the system's Update Manager.
| | Reader Comments: Ubuntu Remains Best Linux Distribution for Desktops | | >>> Post your comment now!
| | Time For A Change From UbuntuI have to agree with many of the posts above.
I really did hope for great things from Ubuntu, but after many months of trying to make it work, I... Posted At: 05-29-09 By: Keith | | | | | | become rootRun an app as root: hit Alt-F2, type gksudo yourappname Posted At: 02-10-09 By: Jason Brooks | | | | | | Best Linux Distro?Ubuntu is promoting itself as the best distro, but it just does not work if you try to install a proprietary program. I have a math program, Maple8,... Posted At: 02-10-09 By: Roger | | | | | | Mandrive 2009 is HOTYeah, I just installed Mandriva 2009 (I opted for KDE) on my laptop. It is HOT!
I can't believe they produced it with a compiz-fusion that... Posted At: 02-04-09 By: Jason | | | | | | A user comment on this articleThis comes off as nothing but an opinion piece. There is no real comparison to openSUSE or Fedora. Frankly, it is just this writers "love fest"... Posted At: 01-14-09 By: Anonymous | | | | | | MEPIS is my choice (Amen!)Mepis also comes with root enabled for grownups so you don't have to keep typing sudo. Having a root password in addition to the user password also... Posted At: 01-05-09 By: shyster | | | | | | Ubuntu is a flopAfter 4 years the same bugs with NVIDIA install, the same bug with USB audio, the same drop to terminal and text-file editing that is akin to... Posted At: 01-03-09 By: BHOB | | | | | | >>> Post your comment now! | | | | | |
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