Ubuntu Linux, First Steps

There are a lot GNU/LiNUX distributions based on Linux Kernel. The one that I handle is Debian. Another day with more time I will speak about Debian, but now of what really I want to comment on about Ubuntu LiNUX. Ubuntu is a distro sponsoriced by Canonical, a Mark Shuttleworth's company. Mark Shattleworth was the second spacial tourist. Apparently the guy is a fanatic of the Free Software.

Ubuntu is a Debian based distro, as Knoppix, Linex or Guadalinex. To understand one of the best characteristic of Ubuntu it's neccesary to know since Debian works.

There are three Debian versions, called “flavors”, the “stable”, the “testing” and “unestable” , also known as SID.

The worst of Debian is that the it is too much time between stables version. If you wanted use recently programs version you must use SID flavor. Sid is unestabe, sometimes thing fail.

When Debian accept a package in the distro, the package goes to SID flavor. After ten days, if it is all good, the package goes to testing flavor. Testing Flavor was created in order that it could turn in stable into any moment. But for Debian rigorous policy it could be have done.

Ubuntu Linux take packages from SID Debian's flavor and do stable its. And what is better they promise to extract a new version every six months. Then we will have new version every six months.

Ubuntu uses Gnome Desktop, I am sorry with kde users, as my friend “melenas”. It have the programs with I work usually, as evolution, Firefox navigator, Gaim or OpenOffice.

Like his mother distro, Ubuntu has three flavors:

main: the supporteds and maintained packages of the distro.
universe: maintained with Ubuntu, but not supporteds.
multiverse: the rest of Debian packages.

Of course, I am not going to left Debian, but Ubuntu is a good option. I recomended you if wants to start in GNU/LiNUX world.