Chapter 1. Introducing Ubuntu

Chapter 1. Introducing Ubuntu!

Welcome to the Ubuntu Linux universe, one and all!

So, what is Ubuntu Linux? I could tell you that Ubuntu Linux is currently one of the hottest Linux distributions around with one of the most active and dedicated user and development communities. We could also take a look and see what the Ubuntu Web site has to say.

"Ubuntu" is an ancient African word, meaning "humanity to others." Ubuntu also means "I am what I am because of who we all are." The Ubuntu Linux distribution brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the software world.

Ubuntu Linux (and Kubuntu Linux) are funded and supported by the Shuttleworth Foundation, headed by billionaire Mark Shuttleworth. I mention this to say that Ubuntu Linux is a solid organization backed by solid financial support. With this support, the Ubuntu Foundation will ship free Linux CDs to anyone anywhere in the world (visit https://shipit.ubuntu.com). This is quite impressive, but it does not answer the question: What is Ubuntu Linux? The official Ubuntu site goes on to say the following:

Ubuntu Linux is a complete desktop Linux operating system, freely available with both community and professional support. The Ubuntu community is built on the ideas enshrined in the Ubuntu Manifesto: that software should be available free of charge, that software tools should be usable by people in their local language and despite any disabilities, and that people should have the freedom to customise and alter their software in whatever way they see fit.

If you are new to Ubuntu Linux and to Linux in general, this might be time for a little Linux Q&A. These days, the first question I get is not, "What is Linux?" but rather, "What do I have to do to get Linux on my system?" And in the case of Ubuntu Linux, people know enough to point to a specific distribution and ask for it by name.