About Ubuntu
What Is Ubuntu?
Ubuntu is a variation of the Linux operating system, it is completely free to use, and has a wide range of software packages available to install.
The latest stable version of Ubuntu is version 7.10 a.k.a Gutsy Gibbon. Although this is a codename, it is popular within the Ubuntu community, and the various versions are
commonly known and reffered to by there codenames.
The version number refers to the date it was released, for example:
- Ubuntu 4.10
- Ubuntu 5.04
- Ubuntu 5.10
- Ubuntu 6.06 LTS *
- Ubuntu 6.10
- Ubuntu 7.04
- Ubuntu 7.10
- Ubuntu 8.04 LTS - This is the next version of Ubuntu which is currently in development
* This version was the first version of Ubuntu to have support that lasts 5 years, and was therefore dubbed as a 'Long Term Support' version. All these versions came with an accompanying server edition.
Ubuntu uses the Gnome window manager by default, however other variations of Ubuntu such as Kubuntu and Xubuntu use the K Desktop environment (KDE) and the XFCE desktop environment by default, with Xubuntu being the lowest on RAM requirements. As well as this, the Linux kernel is constantly been upgraded, therefore there is regular updates to the system files, which isn't the case with Windows.
Windows
What Is Windows?
Windows is the Operating System that most people will be familiar with. It's estimated that Windows is run on over 90% of computers worldwide.
The latest version of Windows is Windows Vista there are 6 different mainstream versions of Vista:
- Windows Vista Starter * This edition is only available in developing countries
- Windows Vista Home Basic
- Windows Vista Home Premium * This is the most common version found on most new PC's
- Windows Vista Business
- Windows Vista Enterprise
- Windows Vista Ultimate
Windows Vista is the first version of Windows to include Windows Media Centre as standard and features many enhancments over Windows XP.
At the time of writing, Service Pack 1 (SP1) is currently in development and in testing with a select group of beta testers.