Thread: Ubuntu

What is so great about this? Should I get it?

Ubuntu is an Operating System that's catered primarily toward desktop users
(as opposed to server, embedded systems, or special use cases)

Ubuntu targets the same user group as Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh

Specifically, Ubuntu is a distribution of Linux

What is Linux?
Well, without going on for pages and pages (I'll leave that to wikipedia)
Think of Linux as the "chassis" and "drive chain" on which many different operating system "cars" are built
These different Linux "cars" are called distributions

(Same basic "nuts & bolts" mechanics, but put together in different ways to suit different groups of people)

Ubuntu is a car for desktop users
RedHat Linux, for example, is a car designed for enterprise server use

But both use the same underlying mechanics - Linux

What is great about Ubuntu, is a matter of personal preference and is largely subjective - different people will have different opinions on what makes it (or any other OS, for that matter) great (or crap)

Take a look around the Ubuntu site
http://www.ubuntu.com
and if you have any queries, post back here

Thanks for the info! I heard someone say that you can customise the looks of it...?

I prefer Knoppix myself.

you can customise pretty much everything on a distribution of Linux

from the cosmetic look and feel of the user interface (colour and shape of the body panels), all the way down to the nitty gritty parts of gear ratios and fuel injection timings

but don't be scared off
It can be as simple (spray it a different colour)
or as complex (install a nitrous kit and big arse spoiler)
as you like

xXSomeGuyXx -- this is what ubuntu can look like:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bvnQE1EAEZY

Thanks guys for the info.