…I hear you ask. Here’s a summary.
Ubuntu is a Linux-based operating system. Linux is a kernel - a kernel is the foundation of a computer operating system such as Windows. Unlike the Windows kernel, the Linux kernel is free to download, modify, and use.
There are many operating systems that use Linux. These include Red Hat, Debian, Gentoo, Mandriva, and Linspire. You may have heard of some of these names before. These OS’es are all said to be Linux Distributions because they contain other application programs as well.
Ubuntu is also a Linux Distribution (abbreviated to distro).
Linux is the operating system that powers most of the world’s web servers, and probably most e-mail servers too. This is so because it’s safe against attackers/hackers, it’s stable (i.e. rarely crashes), and can multitask (walk and chew gum at the same time - you know what I mean).
Recently though, the various Linux distributions have gotten a lot easier for mere mortals to use. They include graphical user interfaces, useful applications for business and pleasure, and lots more stuff that you never dreamed you’d want to use. Ubuntu is one of the easier-to-use distros. And it’s free to download, free to use, and free to modify.
If you want to start your Linux journey and have some Linux adventures just like me, you’d better get yourself a Linux distribution. If you just want to run a simple, fast distro from CD without touching your hard disk, try doing a web search for "Puppy Linux". Apparantly it’s great. If you want to take the plunge and install a Linux onto your hard disk, there are plenty of distros to choose from. If you want more info about Ubuntu, go here: www.ubuntu.com
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