Ubuntu:Pros Cons
From Linux 101, The beginner's guide to all things Linux.
This article highlights the pros and cons of Ubuntu relative to the other main Linux distributions including RedHat/Fedora, SuSE, and Mandriva.
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[edit] History
Even though Ubuntu is the most recent mainstream Linux distribution, it has been able to rise to the top because of its Debian heritage. Debian was founded in 1993 by Ian Murdoc, to become one of the oldest Linux distributions. Ubuntu has been able to take this rich history and mold it into a more complete product for end users.
[edit] Pros
Ubuntu was chosen by the Clemson Linux User Group for the targetted distribution at Installfests for several reasons.
[edit] Wireless
First is the fact that the vast majority of attendees have laptops. Many times wireless drivers for modern chipsets (such as the Intel Centrino) are not included in the main Linux kernel. In addition, a separate firmware file must be downloaded to drive the card.
Ubuntu ships these drivers and firmware by default. On Fedora, the user must install the kernel source, compile the wireless driver each time they upgrade, and download the firmware to the correct location. This and other drivers Just Works in Ubuntu where Fedora and others do not.
[edit] Software
All software in the open source world is always made available by the author as source code. This, along with other dependencies, must be compiled, deployed, and sometimes debugged before it can be used. This is the job of a distribution. The ease of the distribution also relies on how many of these software packages it has available for users to install. Ubuntu has more than any other distribution in existence. A user should spend time using the software, not trying to install it.
[edit] Clemson Linux User Group
The group itself is also an asset for Ubuntu. The club is already heavily supporting the distribution at Installfests and when making general recommendations. A repository for packages has already been put together as well as Clemson-specific packages such as Maple, Matlab, and others.
[edit] Cost
From ubuntu.com:
Ubuntu will always be free of charge, and there is no extra fee for the "enterprise edition", we make our very best work available to everyone on the same Free terms.
While some Ubuntu development is sponsored by Canonical, Ltd. (funded by HBD Venture Capital) the vast majority of resources is pooled by the world-wide Internet community.
[edit] Community
The community is one of the most vital assets a distribution can have. Users help each other, exchange ideas, and help spread the word. Ubuntu has one of the most active forums at http://ubuntuforums.org. The mailing lists and IRC channels are extremely active too.
[edit] Cons
[edit] Proprietary Software
While there are a very limited number of proprietary software vendors (such as Oracle), their offers are usually target only the server and have no implications for the workstation. Most vendors will only claim to support a small set of distributions even when the software runs just as well on others.
Software such as Maple and Matlab does not target a particular distribution.
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