2008 Woodie Awards
Linux distribution suitable for human beings
By Brandon Himes
Rocket Web Editor
Issue date: 1/20/06 Section: Life
I was recently turned on to Ubuntu, a distribution of Linux. I should explain what Linux is for those who may not be sure. Linux is an operating system like Microsoft Windows, only not because it isn't evil in nature. Linux is open-source which means any Tom, Dick or Harry who feels like downloading the code that runs Linux can. The aforementioned downloader can then modify the code to their liking. Linux is also free. This is proof that though programmers may lack the finer points of social skills and probably harbor ill will toward society in general due to getting made fun of as a kid, they must still hold out hope for humanity as they are using their skills to provide free software for everyone to use.
A distribution is like a flavor of Linux. Ubuntu Linux is one of these. "Ubuntu" is an ancient African word for humanity. Ubuntu's slogan is "Linux for Human Beings". This is very fitting because Ubuntu Linux is dedicated to making Linux that everyone can use, not just the super-geeky. I think Ubuntu is significant not only because it enables normal folks to use Linux but also because I feel it is likely to gain a lot of ground in the battle of the bulge against Microsoft's domination of the operating system and software market.
In addition to Linux being free, it also has some other distinct advantages over We-Own-Your-Soul, Inc., better known as Microsoft, such as being extremely reliable. There is nothing analogous to Windows' Blue Screen of Death in Linux; it hardly ever crashes. Furthermore, you can download and begin using any software title you like with Linux, almost always free of charge. Open-source's benevolent programmers have provided them all. Linux can even do some tricks Windows isn't capable of such as running the operating system from a CD or running in text-only mode.
So, with all that Linux brings to the plate, how is Ubuntu Linux different? Ubuntu Linux is different from other versions of Linux because of its user-friendliness, as its slogan suggests. Ubuntu's interface is very simple and clean and feels familiar for users of Windows or Mac. Linux isn't bloated as some distributions are; it comes with only the most basic software and additional software is added as needed. Adding software is another of Ubuntu's distinguishing features. Adding software is simple and circumvents the steps of finding, downloading and installing new software by automating the process and requiring only a few simple mouse clicks. This is accomplished by Ubuntu maintaining a software repository called "universe," where software is stored and distributed on demand.
A distribution is like a flavor of Linux. Ubuntu Linux is one of these. "Ubuntu" is an ancient African word for humanity. Ubuntu's slogan is "Linux for Human Beings". This is very fitting because Ubuntu Linux is dedicated to making Linux that everyone can use, not just the super-geeky. I think Ubuntu is significant not only because it enables normal folks to use Linux but also because I feel it is likely to gain a lot of ground in the battle of the bulge against Microsoft's domination of the operating system and software market.
In addition to Linux being free, it also has some other distinct advantages over We-Own-Your-Soul, Inc., better known as Microsoft, such as being extremely reliable. There is nothing analogous to Windows' Blue Screen of Death in Linux; it hardly ever crashes. Furthermore, you can download and begin using any software title you like with Linux, almost always free of charge. Open-source's benevolent programmers have provided them all. Linux can even do some tricks Windows isn't capable of such as running the operating system from a CD or running in text-only mode.
So, with all that Linux brings to the plate, how is Ubuntu Linux different? Ubuntu Linux is different from other versions of Linux because of its user-friendliness, as its slogan suggests. Ubuntu's interface is very simple and clean and feels familiar for users of Windows or Mac. Linux isn't bloated as some distributions are; it comes with only the most basic software and additional software is added as needed. Adding software is another of Ubuntu's distinguishing features. Adding software is simple and circumvents the steps of finding, downloading and installing new software by automating the process and requiring only a few simple mouse clicks. This is accomplished by Ubuntu maintaining a software repository called "universe," where software is stored and distributed on demand.
