How Ubuntu came to life

Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution that is based on Debian, and it was created with the goal of providing a more user-friendly and accessible version of Debian. The story of how Ubuntu came about is as follows:

1. Mark Shuttleworth’s Vision: Ubuntu was founded by Mark Shuttleworth, a South African entrepreneur, and technologist. He had a vision of creating a Linux distribution that could be both user-friendly and accessible to a wide range of users. He was inspired by the Debian project and its commitment to free and open-source software.
2. Debian’s Role: Debian is a highly respected and influential Linux distribution known for its stability and commitment to free software principles. Ubuntu was created as a derivative of Debian, which means that it built upon the foundation of Debian’s software repositories and packages.
3. Initial Release: The first version of Ubuntu, known as “Warty Warthog,” was released in October 2004. It was based on Debian’s “unstable” branch, and Shuttleworth and his team aimed to make it more user-friendly by focusing on ease of installation, usability, and a regular release schedule.
4. Regular Release Cycle: One of the key differences between Ubuntu and Debian is the release cycle. Ubuntu follows a predictable, time-based release cycle, with new versions coming out every six months, whereas Debian has a more relaxed release process that is not bound by specific timeframes.
5. Desktop Environment and Usability: Ubuntu also made decisions about the default desktop environment and pre-installed software to enhance usability for a broader audience. The GNOME desktop environment was initially chosen and later replaced with Unity, which was developed in-house by Canonical (the company behind Ubuntu). In recent years, Ubuntu has switched back to GNOME as its default desktop environment.
6. Commercial Backing: Canonical Ltd., a company founded by Mark Shuttleworth, provides commercial support for Ubuntu. This helped sustain the development of Ubuntu and allowed for greater financial resources and marketing efforts, making it more accessible to businesses and individuals.
7. Community and Ecosystem: Ubuntu has fostered a large and active community of users, developers, and contributors, and it offers derivatives like Kubuntu (using the KDE desktop environment), Xubuntu (using Xfce), and others, to cater to a wide range of preferences.
8. LTS Releases: Ubuntu introduced Long-Term Support (LTS) releases that are supported for five years, providing stability and security for enterprise use.

While Ubuntu is based on Debian, it has evolved into its own distinct distribution with its own package management system (APT), release schedule, and user interface choices. Ubuntu remains committed to the principles of free and open-source software, but it also focuses on delivering a more user-friendly and predictable experience, which has contributed to its popularity as a desktop and server operating system.