Ubuntu is a GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian that is oriented to users with little knowledge of this operating system. In other words, its appearance, installation process and general operation are designed to make users accustomed to other desktop operating systems, such as Windows or Mac OS X, feel at home. The widespread notion that installing and using Linux is complicated has long ceased to be true. Ubuntu is a good option for novice users, as installing and configuring the operating system is easy thanks to a step-by-step installation wizard that guides you through the entire process. You can even test the distribution without installing it, thanks to the Live-CD of the installation ISO image, which can be quickly run from a USB drive. As a result, if you are not convinced by what you see, reverting back to Windows will be a breeze. Ubuntu includes a range of free and open-source software that comes pre-installed. The Mozilla Firefox web browser, the LibreOffice office suite, the ThunderBird email client and the Gimp image editor are some of the programs that you can put to good use from the first minute. However, you can also complement these programs with the huge catalog of free software that you will find at your disposal in the Software Center integrated in the operating system. With this tool, you will be able to search for new programs quickly, thanks to the large Ubuntu repository. This repository has new additions every year. There is more to Ubuntu than this, however, as with each new update, new features are included to make the distribution more and more flexible and practical. Ubuntu One, for example, is a free service offered by Canonical, its developers, which allows you to synchronize your files and settings in the cloud. Dash, on the other hand, is an intelligent search bar that allows you to access all programs or personal content dynamically through a search field that is always at hand; all this, moreover, framed within an elegant interface with many customization possibilities. There is no doubt that Ubuntu is a great choice when it comes to choosing a powerful and affordable Linux distribution. Its wide range of features, regular biannual updates and increasingly elegant style make it one of the most interesting alternative operating systems (beyond Windows and Mac OS) you can find out there.
