Ubuntu Facts For Kids

Ubuntu is a type of computer system called a Linux distribution. It is made mostly from free and open programs that people can use and change. The British company Canonical works with many volunteers to build and improve Ubuntu, so the project is part company and part community.

Ubuntu comes in different editions for different jobs: a Desktop for people who use a mouse and keyboard, a Server for big computers that hold websites and files, and Core for tiny devices like robots and smart gadgets. The name “ubuntu” comes from a word that means people are connected and should help one another.

Ubuntu began in 2004 when one person asked a small group of developers to make a friendly, easy-to-use version of Linux. Canonical was started to support and pay the people who built Ubuntu, and a few years later a foundation was made to help the project keep going.

Over time Ubuntu changed how it looks and works. It added ways to run on cloud sites like Amazon, tried a new desktop look called Unity around 2011, and later returned to the GNOME style in 2017. In the 2010s it also created a small system called Core and a new package system called Snap for tiny and smart devices.

Ubuntu is updated often: new versions appear about every six months, and every two years there is a special Long-Term Support (LTS) release that gets updates for a longer time. This makes it easy to get new features or stay on a steady, supported version. The Desktop edition includes a web browser and basic tools, while Server and Core include different programs for their jobs.

People install more programs using an app store called Ubuntu Software or using the APT tools that come from Debian, the project Ubuntu is built on. Ubuntu also supports Snap and Flatpak packages, which are a simple way to add programs that can work on many kinds of Linux systems.

Ubuntu tries to be safe by default. Most everyday programs run with limited power so they cannot change important parts of the system. The main administrator account called “root” is locked, and people use a special command called sudo to do important tasks. A simple tool called the Uncomplicated Firewall (UFW) helps block unwanted network access so most doors into the computer are closed.

There are also ways to keep your files private by turning on encryption for the whole drive or just some folders. For people or organizations that want extra protection, Canonical offers Ubuntu Pro, which gives longer security updates and tools like LivePatch that can fix some issues without restarting the computer.

When you want to put Ubuntu on a computer, you usually start with a live image (a file that ends in .iso). You download that image from the Ubuntu website and copy it to a USB drive or DVD. That makes a bootable stick you can use to start the computer and try Ubuntu without changing anything.

If you like how it works, you can use the built-in installer from the live session to put Ubuntu on the computer’s hard drive. Different Ubuntu editions need different amounts of memory and storage, so there are lighter flavors like Lubuntu for older or slower machines. Ubuntu also runs on several chip types, such as x86‑64 and ARM.

Ubuntu is updated on a regular schedule: a new version comes out every six months. Every fourth version is called an LTS (Long Term Support) release, and it gets updates for five years so people and schools can keep using it for a long time.

Each version has a number that shows the year and month it arrived (for example, 22.04 means April 2022) and a fun code name made from an adjective and an animal, like “Bionic Beaver.” You can download older or current release images from the Ubuntu site and try them from a USB stick before installing.

Ubuntu comes in several official flavors that share the same core but show different desktop styles and tools. For example, Kubuntu uses the KDE desktop with lots of options and colorful buttons, while Lubuntu is built to be small and fast for older machines. Xubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Budgie, and Ubuntu Cinnamon each offer different layouts and programs so people can pick a look they like.

There are also special official editions. Ubuntu Server has no usual desktop and is tuned to run websites and services. Ubuntu Core is a tiny edition that uses Snap packages only and is made for small devices.

For running things in data centers and the cloud, people use versions of Ubuntu made for servers and devices. Ubuntu Server runs without a desktop, so it uses fewer resources and can host websites, databases, or virtual machines. It includes security tools and works on many kinds of computers used in clouds.

Ubuntu Core is built for small gadgets and internet devices; it uses Snap packages and is set up in a locked, safe way. Ubuntu also offers images and certifications that help companies run Ubuntu on big cloud platforms and keep things updated.