Ron Schenone

Why Is Ubuntu So Popular?

Posted by on Jul 5, 2007 | 11 Comments

Ubuntu has been around for only 3 years, yet as the new kid on the block, it has become the most popular Linux distribution. Going up against some of the larger companies such as Red Hat, Suse, Mandrivia and others, Ubuntu has become the shinning star in the Linux community. Based on Debian, this distribution has attracted entry level Linux users from all over the world. Now that Ubuntu has partnered with Dell and Sun, the popularity of Ubuntu is sure to grow.

But why is it so popular? What is Ubuntu doing right? Well first of all Ubuntu is a free download and anyone can get a free CD mailed to them as well. But what I believe are Ubuntu’s strengths is the simplicity that Ubuntu offers to first time users. This is one of the simplest distributions to use. The other plus is that there are a variety of different versions which have something for everyone. I recently did an article on the different versions here.

But where Ubuntu and its derivatives really shine is in the area of stability. Over the years I have used more Linux distributions than I can count. But the one thing that I found was that on occasion the system would become unstable for no apparent reason. This was perplexing because I then needed expert help which required an assortment of difficult commands to follow, with the usual result of having to reinstall the OS. I know. We Windows users have to do this also. But Linux should be stable like a rock. At least in my opinion. This is where Ubuntu really shines. Either I have been extremely lucky, which I seriously doubt, or I believe it is the fact that Ubuntu just flat out works.

This alone makes Ubuntu worth using. Stability, ease of use and easy to configure are Ubuntu’s attractions that has made it very popular. I should also mention that it is easy to teach someone how to use Ubuntu. About a month ago I installed Ubuntu [Kubuntu] for a client on a old box he had saying he wanted to ‘play’ with Linux. Last week I went to his home on a Windows problem he was having and saw him using the Linux box when I arrived. I asked him how he liked it to which he stated ‘ this is great and it works better than Windows does.’ To which I just smiled. The Windows problem was actually a hardware issue and when I told him I need to take his Windows box in for repairs, he stated ‘take your time, I have my Linux box which is working well.’ As I left I thought to myself that I could of thrown the Windows system in the trash and this man would of been happy using Linux as his primary box, minus the Windows programs he did need. :-)
Comments welcome.

[tags]ubuntu, linux, debian, windows, microsoft, dell, sun, [/tags]

  • http://kylekeeton.com Kyle Keeton

    Hi,

    (“I believe it is the fact that Ubuntu just flat out works.”)

    This statement tells it like it is! You once again answered your own question!
    I know that I am happy with Ubuntu. Sounds like you are happy also.

    Kyle

  • http://kylekeeton.com Kyle Keeton

    Had to make one last statement, The one thing that Vista has over Ubuntu!

    I would not name my baby girl “Ubuntu”. Vista does sound better!
    :)

    Kyle

  • marc klink

    I started looking at it when I read that Mark Shuttleworth funded its start out of his own pocket. I think the figure was in 9 figures. I was impressed. The technical prowess has kept me in the camp, but Shuttleworth and his magnanimous behavior was what got me.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Kyle,
    “I would not name my baby girl “Ubuntu”. Vista does sound better!”
    That was good. LOL

    Heh Marc,
    Agree. And it just keeps on getting better and better. :-)

    Thanks for the comments, Ron

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/shadowmyth/ ShadowMyth

    I tried Ubuntu out a few weeks ago on my newer system. I was impressed with many of it’s features, but I have to tell you I went through a few small hells to try and make it do what I wanted it to. I finally threw in the towel, and decided I would end up sticking it on my lower end system so I can get it all figured out and working the way I ideally would like it to. I was also thinking about trying out Puppy Linux, as it appears to be pretty tweakable, as long as it is on an older system.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi ShadowMyth,
    I hope that Puppy Linux works well for you.
    Thanks for the comments.
    Ron

  • http://www.destinydawnmarie.com Dawn Wentworth

    I think one big reason is the free CD’s. That inspired me to try Ubuntu. I now recomend it on any friends/family/client systems.
    AS LONG AS they are not dial up internet users with winmodems! (ouch ouch)

    Ubuntu is going on my kid’s systems this week. Actually, we are going to utilize the Edubuntu modified version of Ubuntu. Just got the CD today :)

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Dawn,
    I am glad you are enjoying the Ubuntu series of distro’s.
    Ron

  • http://pclinuxos2007.blogspot.com manmath sahu

    Ubuntu is a good distro, but not better than PCLinuxOS. I think because of some great patronage of Canonical+Shipit program it has become this much popular.

  • Dennis

    I have tried Ubuntu on and off since 8.04 and always went back to XP but since 10.10, I completely switched to Ubuntu and will never go back to Windoze. Ubuntu is so quick and stable that I would never go back especially after a Vista laptop experience I bought for my wife. Vista was so painfully slow and unstable I was shocked even on high end hardware, I spent a bunch of money upgrading the RAM and then spent a bunch of money upgrading to Windows 7, what a horrible experience that was. I had to reinstall over and over for it to kinda work OK but was still slow and unstable. I finally bought her a Mac and both of us were so happy, no more maintenance, no more virus, no more spare, no more crashes, no more problems. I UPGRADED her old laptop to Ubuntu and now it works like a it is running on an OS designed by God himself. It boots up so quick and it is so stable and all programs are free and I never have to pay those greedy idiots in Redmond another cent ever. The most amazing thing was that I actually installed Ubuntu on a very old PC (about 8 years old, Pentium 4 with 1 gig of RAM and 40 GIG HDD) and it ran faster than a Quad core PC with XP.

  • http://www.phantomclf.net phantomclf

    But the lack of multi-tasking support is a real bumper. Had works wiped off few times when I accidentally switch app.