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About Ubuntu

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is a complete Linux-based operating system containing the very best free and open source software applications you need to work and play. With Ubuntu you can surf the web, read email, create documents, presentations and spreadsheets, edit images and more.

What does "Ubuntu" mean?

Ubuntu is an African word, which has been described as "too beautiful to translate into English". The essence of Ubuntu is that "a person is a person through other people". It describes humanity as "being-with-others" and prescribes what "being-with-others" should be all about. Ubuntu emphasises sharing, consensus, and togetherness. It's a perfect concept for Free Software and open source. Here's a great article that describes Ubuntu, which may help define it. Wikipedia also has a good definition.

How do you pronounce Ubuntu?

Ubuntu, an African word from Zulu and Xhosa, is pronounced "oo-BOON-too".

How much does Ubuntu cost?

Absolutely nothing. Ubuntu is Free Software, giving you rights of Software Freedom, and it really is free of software licensing charges.

Who is Canonical Ltd?

Canonical Ltd is the European-based company that sponsors Ubuntu. Find out more about Canonical.

How does Canonical make money?

Canonical revenues come from its commercial support contracts and engineering services. Canonical offers global, 24x7 support services to customers ranging from Fortune 500 companies to schools and research institutes to governments.

What are the different versions of Ubuntu?

There are several different versions of Ubuntu, some with a different desktop and others for a specific market. Here is some information about them.

Kubuntu is an official derivative of Ubuntu using the KDE environment instead of GNOME. It is part of the Ubuntu project and uses the same underlying system. It is an exciting distribution that showcases the full potential of the KDE desktop. Kubuntu shares the same repositories as Ubuntu, and relies on the same underlying architecture.

Edubuntu is an official derivative of Ubuntu designed for use in classrooms. It contains a large number of educational applications including GCompris, KDE Edutainment Suite, and Schooltool Calendar. Edubuntu is developed in collaboration with teachers and technologists across multiple nations. It enables teachers/lecturers with limited technical knowledge and skills to set up a computer lab, or establish an online learning environment, in an hour or less, and then administer that environment.

Xubuntu is an official derivative of Ubuntu using the Xfce desktop environment. It is intended for users with less-powerful computers, or those that require a highly efficient desktop environment on faster systems. Xubuntu features primarily GNOME applications.

Gobuntu is a derivative of Ubuntu for people who desire a desktop environment that adheres to the Free Software Foundations four freedoms. It excludes binary-only drivers and strives to ensure that no software is included that puts restrictions on distribution of artwork.

How do I get a GNOME, KDE or Xfce desktop?

Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Edubuntu, Xubuntu, and Ubuntu Server all share the base (kernel, low level programme mes). This means you can install any of them on any other.

GNOME

GNOME is the default desktop for Ubuntu. It can also be installed with the ubuntu-desktop package. To learn more about Ubuntu, please see Ubuntu on the desktop.

KDE

KDE is the default desktop for Kubuntu. It can also be installed with the kubuntu-desktop package. To learn more about Kubuntu, please see Kubuntu.

Xfce

Xfce is the default desktop for Xubuntu. It can also be installed with the xubuntu-desktop package.To learn more about Ubuntu, please see Xubuntu.

How often do you issue new releases?

We issue a new release every six months, which is supported for up to 18 months with security patches, fixes for critical bugs, and extra translations

Once I have installed Ubuntu, will I be able to upgrade to the next release?

We fully support upgrades from one release to the next. However, we do not support upgrades that skip a release. Thus we support upgrades from 5.10 to 6.06, but not from 5.04 to 6.06 unless you first upgrade to 5.10.

Note: that this does not necessarily extend to certain situations involving unsupported software, such as packages in the Universe repository, or software which you obtained from a third-party source. Therefore if you install such packages please be aware that you have to track the security implications of it as it is outside of the distribution. To do this you sign up to a security announcement list for the software you run that is not from within your distribution.

Is there a specific Enterprise Release?

In addition to regular releases, the Ubuntu team may make an Enterprise Release, also known as a 'Long Term Support (LTS)' Release, that has received additional stabilisation, polish and translation work. These Enterprise Releases will be supported for a longer period of time than the standard 18 month support of the time-based Releases. Upgrades will be supported from Enterprise Release to Enterprise Release.

What is the Ubuntu Server Edition?

Ubuntu Server Edition is a version of Ubuntu specifically designed for servers and as such includes the bare minimum you need to get your server up and running. Find our more about Ubuntu Server Edition.

How do I get support for Ubuntu?

You can get advice and help on using Ubuntu from the Ubuntu community, or buy professional support from Canonical and a range of local companies.

How do I use and get help about Ubuntu in my own language?

There are a number of international user resources available for Ubuntu. Please check the Local languages page.

Is Ubuntu easy to install?

Ubuntu has a fast and easy graphical installer right on the Desktop CD, which is also a Live CD. On a typical computer, the Ubuntu installation should take less than 25 minutes.

Is Ubuntu easy to install on the server?

Yes. Ubuntu includes a nice, easy text installer, a one click LAMP install option and specialised software for databases, web serving, email hosting and DNS name serving, internet caching and directory services. Ubuntu also includes Samba for Windows file sharing, FTP server software for large file repositories and NTP for network time services. Ubuntu can be installed in a minimal server configuration optimised for data centre servers that will not be used as desktop machines.

What applications does Ubuntu include?

Ubuntu includes a full range of desktop and server applications. When you install Ubuntu you have software for most computing needs, from complex programming to business presentations and databases.

Ubuntu is a complete desktop operating system and application set. It includes everything you need to gain computer literacy skills, and to become proficient in the use of computers for home, business and professional purposes. Ubuntu is an excellent platform for education, there are no limits to the amount that students can learn about their software.

What about applications for business users?

When you install Ubuntu, you get business software that handles word processing to create letters and documents, spreadsheet software for business analysis and calculation, and presentation software that lets you get your point across clearly in a business meeting. This software, called OpenOffice, is compatible with Microsoft Office, so you can easily exchange documents with friends and colleagues who use Windows and Microsoft Office.

Ubuntu also includes a world class internet browser (Firefox) which is fast and secure, and which has many features to improve your web surfing experience. For example, tabbed browsing lets you open many web pages in the same window and switch quickly between them, and popup blocking means that you determine which sites are allowed to create new popup windows and adverts. Ubuntu has an excellent email and calendar application (Evolution) which sets the pace in the email world in terms of searching and organising your mail.

Is there a specific version of Ubuntu for use in schools?

If you are looking to gain basic computer literacy, Ubuntu includes applications that cover every area of computer use from the straightforward (typing, word processing) to the specialist (graphic design and desktop publishing). It is also an excellent platform for students studying information technology and computer science, as it includes all the tools you need to become a world-class software developer. What's more, Ubuntu is available in many languages which makes it appealing to new users who prefer to learn in their local language. We also have a specific version developed especially for schools called Edubuntu.

How much software is available for Ubuntu?

About 1,000 pieces of software are installed by default, out of the basic fully supported software list of 1,300 packages. In addition to that, there are more than 16,000 packages which are available to you immediately, and more software is available from third parties. You can read about the complete Ubuntu software repository and its structure here.

How is Ubuntu developed?

Ubuntu is community developed. You can interact with the Ubuntu community including developers, translators and technical support activists through our mailing lists and IRC channels:

Ubuntu Mailing Lists

  • There are several mailing lists that you can join. Some of these receive very high traffic so you may prefer to use a web forum.

  • Ubuntu IRC Channel.

Web Forums

  • Find out more about web forums in which to meet Ubuntu users and developers.

What is the current stable release?

The current stable release can be found at www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

What is the current Long Term Support release?

The current Long Term Support Release is 8.04 LTS, sometimes referred to by its development name of Hardy Heron. The previous LTS, 6.06 LTS, is still supported.

What is the current development version?

The current development version can be found at www.ubuntu.com/testing

How does the numbering system work?

The version number comes from the year and month of the release, it really is that simple.

  • The first release (Warty Warthog) was released in October 2004, release number 4.10.

  • The second release (Hoary Hedgehog) was released in April 2005, release number 5.04.

  • The third release (Breezy Badger) was released in October 2005, release number 5.10.

  • The fourth release (Dapper Drake) was released in June 2006, release number 6.06 LTS

  • The fifth release (Edgy Eft) was released in October 2006, release number 6.10.

  • The sixth release (Feisty Fawn) was released in April 2007, release number 7.04.

  • The seventh release (Gutsy Gibbon) was released in October 2007, release number 7.10.

  • The eighth release (Hardy Heron) was released in April 2008, release number 8.04 LTS.

What does releasename+1 mean?

If you see a name such as current development_name +1 what is being referenced is the version after the current development name, and the reason for the +1 is that the version after next has not got a name yet.

What do these funny names like Dapper mean?

We name all of our development releases with catchy animal names. This started with the early days of Ubuntu, before it was called Ubuntu, when Robert Collins, upon hearing of the six month release schedule, said "That is going to be pretty warty. Lets call it Warty Warthog". The naming convention stuck. Here is a quick table to help you:

Release Name

Release Number

Warty Warthog

4.10

Hoary Hedgehog

5.04

Breezy Badger

5.10

Dapper Drake

6.06

Edgy Eft

6.10

Feisty Fawn

7.04

Gutsy Gibbon
 7.10
 Hardy Heron
 8.04

Note: The official way to refer to a released version of Ubuntu is by the number, not the name. Thus the current version of Ubuntu is 8.04, not Hardy Heron. The transition from being known by a code name to being known by a release number occurs when the Beta release happens. At that point the code name is obsolete

How do I become part of the community?

If you run Ubuntu, you already are. If you want to help out, please see the Get Involved page. You will find information about beta testing, and other ways to help Ubuntu even if you are not a programmer.