Should I use Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, or Edubuntu? What's the difference?
8.04? 7.10? 7.04? 6.10? 6.06? What is all this?
Desktop CD, Alternate CD, or Server CD?
What's the difference between the Ubuntu CD and DVD?
How do I get *buntu?
Introduction
Before some people can even begin using Ubuntu, they want to sort out which version to use. This page can help you sort it all out.
If reading this page confuses you, however, just go with Ubuntu, the latest version (8.04 right now), the Desktop CD. You don't have to worry about these other options unless you're really curious.
A full list of vendors selling preinstalled Linux is available at Lxer.Should I use Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, or Edubuntu? What's the difference?
Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, and Edubuntu are all the same Linux distro using the same base, the same software repositories, and the same release cycle. They just have different artwork, different user interfaces (in most cases), and different default programs installed.
Ubuntu uses a user interface (or desktop environment) called Gnome. Gnome is focused on simplicity and usability. Ubuntu includes a bunch of Gnome-native applications such as Rhythmbox (music player), Sound Juicer (CD player and ripper), Evolution (email client and calendar), and Gedit (text editor). You can find the full list of software packages in ubuntu-desktop here.
Kubuntu uses the K Desktop Environment (also known as KDE). KDE is focused on including a lot of point-and-click configuration options immediately available to end users. Kubuntu includes a bunch of KDE-native applications such as AmaroK (music player), K3B (CD burning), Konqueror (web browser and file manager), and Kopete (instant messenger). You can find the full list of software packages in kubuntu-desktop here.
Xubuntu uses the Xfce desktop environment, which is a lighter one than Gnome or KDE. In terms of its design principles, it has a bit of a balance—presenting in some ways more point-and-click configuration options than Gnome but also retaining some of the simplicity of Gnome. Its main appeal is its speed, though, and it's ideal for systems with 128 to 256 MB of RAM. Both Ubuntu and Kubuntu can run on 256 MB of RAM, but they're more ideal for 512 MB of RAM or more. Xfce includes Thunar (file manager), Thunderbird (email client), and Mousepad (text editor). You can find a full list of software packages in xubuntu-desktop here.
Edubuntu uses the Gnome desktop environment but has a different set of default applications from Ubuntu. Its focus is on educational tools. It includes GPaint (an easy to use paint program), Atomix (a puzzle game for building molecules out of isolated atoms), and Xaos (a real-time interactive fractal zoomer). You can find a full list of software packages in edubuntu-desktop here.
Mixing and matching *buntus is possible and often encouraged by the community. If you choose Ubuntu, you are not stuck with Ubuntu. If you choose Kubuntu, you are not stuck with Kubuntu. You can use Gnome-native applications in KDE and vice versa. You can use Gnome- and KDE-native applications in Xfce. You can install education-related programs in any desktop environment. You can install kubuntu-desktop on top of Ubuntu and choose which one you want to log into at the login screen. All four versions of Ubuntu (Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, and Edubuntu) share the same software repositories and available applications. You are not locked into using one version just because it is the first version you installed. From now on, I'll be referring to all or any of the above versions as simply Ubuntu.8.04? 7.10? 6.10? 6.06? What is all this?
The numbering scheme for releases of Ubuntu sometimes confuses people. It is the year of release followed by the month of release. That's all. You'll also sometimes hear these releases referred to by their nicknames, usually involving alliteration, an adjective, and an animal. I've put the nicknames in parentheses.
Please keep in mind that LTSes (Long Term Support releases) are not necessarily stabler than other releases. LTS simply means they gets three years of security updates instead of just eighteen months. I would always recommend the newest release to users who are doing a clean install (as opposed to an upgrade) of Ubuntu. If you're concerned about stability, you may want to wait a little over a month after the release date for the major bugs to be fixed.
Releases come out around every six months with the latest (for that time) software available and usually some extra features and possibly some new artwork (splash screens/wallpaper).Desktop CD, Alternate CD, or Server CD?
The default option for type of CD is the Desktop CD. It is a live CD that is also an installation CD. A live CD allows you (provided you have enough memory—I'd recommend at least 256 MB) to run a fully functional Ubuntu operating system without affecting your hard drive or existing Windows or Mac installation. The live CD runs the session off the CD itself and your computer's RAM. While running the live CD, you can also install Ubuntu to your hard drive (yes, you can browse the web and type up documents while installing Ubuntu)—for the combination of live session and installation, I'd recommend at least 384 MB of RAM. Warning: the Desktop CD cannot be used for upgrades. It will do only a clean (re)installation of Ubuntu.
If you have a special situation, you may want to use the Alternate CD instead of the Desktop CD. The Alternate CD allows you to install Ubuntu without also running a live session. This is ideal for people with less RAM (128 to 256 MB of RAM). It also allows you to do OEM installations and the installation of only a command-line system. The Alternate CD can also be used for upgrades from older versions to newer versions of Ubuntu—particularly handy for those who have a slower (or no) internet connection, since most upgrades happen with direct downloads from the Ubuntu software repositories instead of from a CD.
The Server CD provides you all the tools you need to set up a server (including LAMP). It does not come with a GUI (graphical user interface), but you can add one later if you feel you really need one (most people recommend against using a GUI on a server). If you accidentally downloaded the Server CD and want a home desktop instead of a server, you can install a home desktop by typing
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm startWhat's the difference between the Ubuntu CD and DVD?
The CD usually contains only one version of Ubuntu (Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Edubuntu) and is either the Desktop CD, the Alternate CD, or the Server CD. The DVD contains the entire Main and Restricted repositories (read more about Main and Restricted here), which means it has Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, and Edubuntu, allowing you to install any or all four versions without needing an internet connection.How do I get *buntu?
You can download any *buntu off the appropriate website:
To help ensure the integrity of downloads, try to use BitTorrent, especially if you're downloading over dial-up. These CD images are usually several-hundred-megabyte files and can easily be corrupted during download. You can find a guide to checking the integrity of CD images and burning CD images here. That guide also includes links to other guides for further reference.
You can order free CDs using Ubuntu's ShipIt service. The CDs ShipIt sends you are entirely cost-free, including postage. They may take a long while to get to you, around two months sometimes.
Certain online vendors also sell Ubuntu DVDs and CDs. Some countries' Amazon.com sites, for example, sell Ubuntu DVDs.
Some hardware vendors sell Ubuntu (or other Linux distros) preinstalled, saving you the trouble of downloading Ubuntu, figuring out how to install it, and wondering whether or not it's compatible with your hardware. You can find a list of vendors here. At least in the United States, two popular Ubuntu vendor are ZaReason and System76. Dell has also start selling desktops and laptops with Ubuntu preinstalled on them.
Find a Linux User Group in your area and ask someone to install Ubuntu for you. LUGs often have what are called Installfests, where you can bring your computer and get free help installing Linux on your computer and troubleshooting problems. Linux users are very giving and willing to help new adopters of Linux.
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