Updated May 19, 2023
Introduction to Ubuntu
Ubuntu is an open-source, free Linux distribution. It is an operating system for cloud computing, in accordance to support with Open Stack. The canonical community develops Ubuntu, and it is freely available. Also, Canonical Ltd. is responsible for the funding of Ubuntu.
Basically, Ubuntu is released every six months. For every release, the availability of free support extends to nine months, and we release long-term support (LTS) versions every two years. The first release of Ubuntu was in October 2004. 18.10, known as Cosmic Cuttlefish, is the latest release.
Three editions of Ubuntu are Desktop Edition, Server Edition, and Core Edition.
After the African philosopher, the name Ubuntu was given, which translates to “Humanity to Others.” The architecture of Ubuntu is based on Debian and Linux servers.
Uses of Ubuntu
Below are the Top 12 Uses of Ubuntu which are as follows:
1. Free of Cost
Downloading and installing Ubuntu is free and costs only time to install it. One can download from the internet or create an ISO bootable disk; the environment is ready to launch. With the help of Ubuntu, one can revive old, unused, or low-performance computer systems without any investment. Also, troubleshooting does not cause any penny. And one can do this with the help of the Linux environment.
It also consists of its own Office suite, named LibreOffice. This prevents our pockets by not letting us purchase costly licensed suites such as MS Office and others.
2. Privacy
Compared to Windows, Ubuntu provides a better option for privacy and security. The best advantage of having Ubuntu is acquiring the required privacy and additional security without having any third-party solution. The risk of hacking and various other attacks can be minimized by using this distribution.
3. Working with Partitions of hard drives
Linux live CD and Gparted enable the division of the hard disk into partitions. This feature also applies when your system is a dual or triple boot. Otherwise, the partition is helpful in migration to a solid-state drive or a more spacious drive. Apart from this, wiping of data can be easily done in Ubuntu.
4. Free Apps
Ubuntu provides a lot of free apps to explore the world of opportunities, refreshments, and enjoyment. Following are a few apps of total listed for reference:
- Spotify: Used to stream songs for free. Also, allow the creation of playlists and albums of favorite songs.
- Skype: Used for instant messaging, high-quality video, and voice calls.
- VLC: Uses of Ubuntu A single media player compatible with various media file formats.
- Firefox: Fast Browser with better efficiency and 30% lighter than Chrome.
- Slack: Teamwork and collaboration software enables individuals to easily and smoothly complete work in one place.
- Atom: A Text Editor for the modern generation that handles all document formats.
- Pycharm: An attractive IDE for programming that includes all important tools for Python coding, along with exciting in-app features.
- Telegram: A mobile synchronized desktop app for faster and more secure messaging.
5. User-Friendly
Ubuntu is as easy as the Windows operating system. There is a well-known myth about Ubuntu that Ubuntu is developed for developers and coders only. But the actual fact is Ubuntu is a beautiful desktop operating system and can be used by any common computer user.
6. Accessibility
Another great feature of Ubuntu is its ease of use. The user can easily work with various CMS of PHP such as Laravel, Magneto, WordPress, and many more. Apart from PHP, Ruby, and Java, Python can easily be implemented in Ubuntu. Users experience a beautiful desktop design while accessing Ubuntu that is quite easy and efficient to use.
7. Home Automation
Little knowledge of Linux and a minicomputer such as Raspberry Pi is all to create a small home automation gadget. One click, press, or hold enables various devices and systems of your house to run automatically without human intervention.
8. Say Bye to Antivirus
The risk of having a virus or malware is minimal, reducing antivirus software costs. Antivirus is also a reason for the computer system’s slowness and badly affects performance. Also, this may cause the system not to function efficiently. Besides this issue, antivirus also acquires much space in our system. But with Ubuntu, all these risks and problems can be neglected affordably.
9. Say Bye to Pirated Software
As stated, It is free, including much free software embedded with the system. However, some Windows-based programs require alternate options, such as virtual machines, because it creates compatibility issues in Linux-based servers. Access to official software not only provides security and prevents bugs, but it also saves money that will be spent on purchasing pirated software.
10. Free games
A compatibility layer known as WINE is the most popular program for running Windows-based games and applications on a Linux-based operating system. Many games from the distribution are open source and hence do not require extra installation costs in our system.
11. PC performance
The performance of a system depends on what kind of usage it is. For example, it is recommended if the system is used for coding, designing, testing issues, business purposes, or just using a computer system. Some reasons behind this are Ubuntu boots faster than Windows, gets less infected and provides various free-of-cost IDEs. Otherwise, Windows and MAC are way ahead of Ubuntu if gaming purpose is considered.
12. Free upgrades
All the upgrades provided by Ubuntu are free of cost. And they are released every six months. Users know that the installation and upgrades are automatically installed, but only with their permission. And while installing, the user does not need to bother losing data or redoing it. Distribution is capable of handling the system well.
Conclusion – Uses of Ubuntu
Ubuntu is an open-source desktop operating system that is freely available and can be downloaded and installed without hassle. Ubuntu comes with various features that make it more competitive than other distributions. The number of variations in functionalities of Ubuntu makes it useful for the developer and the common user.
Recommended Articles
This has been a guide to Uses of Ubuntu. Here we have discussed the basic concept and uses of Ubuntu, respectively. You can also go through our other suggested articles to learn more –
