Ubuntu, (pronounced [ùbúntú], or "Ooh-boon-too"[citation needed]), is a computer operating system based on Debian GNU/Linux. Ubuntu's goals include providing an up-to-date, stable operating system for the average user, with a strong focus on usability and ease of installation. Ubuntu has been rated as the most popular Linux distribution for the desktop, claiming approximately 30% of desktop Linux installations in 2007.[2]
Ubuntu is composed of free and open source software distributed under various licenses, especially the GNU General Public License (GPL) so that users are free to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. Ubuntu is sponsored by the British based company Canonical Ltd., owned by South African entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth. Instead of selling Ubuntu for profit, Canonical creates revenue by selling technical support. By keeping Ubuntu free software and open source, Canonical is able to take advantage of the talents of outside developers in Ubuntu's constituent components without developing the entire operating system itself (which is based primarily on current Linux kernels).
Canonical endorses and provides support for four additional Ubuntu-like operating systems: Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Edubuntu, (a subproject and add-on for Ubuntu, designed for school environments and home users),[3] and Ubuntu JeOS (pronounced "Juice", a stripped-down version of Ubuntu optimized for virtual appliances).[4]
Canonical releases new versions of Ubuntu every six months and supports Ubuntu for eighteen months by submitting security fixes, patches to critical bugs and including minor updates to programs. LTS (Long Term Support) releases, which occur every two years,[5] are supported for three years on the desktop and five years for servers.[6] The current version of Ubuntu, Intrepid Ibex, was released on October 30, 2008, and the upcoming version, Jaunty Jackalope, will be released on April 23, 2009. The version after Jaunty will be Karmic Koala, which will possess several advanced features like Eucalyptus.
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