What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux Distribution. It is named after theSouthern Africa ethical ideology Ubuntu ("humanity towards others")and is distributed as free and open source software. Ubuntu provides an up-to-date, stable operating system for the average user, with a strong focus on useability and ease of installation. Ubuntu has been selected by readers of desktoplinux.com as the most popular Linux distribution for the desktop, claiming approximately 30% of Linux desktop installations in both 2006 and 2007. Web statistics from late 2009 suggest that Ubuntu's share is between 40 and 50%.

Ubuntu is composed of multiple software packages of which the vast majority is distributed under a free software licence (also known as open source). The main license used is the GNU General public Licence (GNU GPL) which, along with th GNU lasser General Public Licence(GNU LGPL), explicitly declare that users are free to run, copy, distribute, study, change, develop and improve the software. Ubuntu is sponsored by the UK based company Canoncial ltd.,. By keeping Ubuntu free and open source, Canonical is able to utilize the talents of community developers in Ubuntu's constituent components. Instead of selling Ubuntu for profit, Canonical creates revenue by selling Technical Suport and from creating several services tied to Ubuntu.

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