- desktop-oriented Linux distribution, based on Debian GNU/Linux but with a stronger focus on usability; fully free;
- the name comes from the African concept of ubuntu which may be rendered as “humanity toward others”;
- first released on October 20, 2004 as a temporary fork of the Debian GNU/Linux project;
- new version of Ubuntu is released every six months;
- comes installed with the software: OpenOffice.org, the Internet browser Firefox, the instant messenger Pidgin (formerly known as Gaim), and the raster graphics editor GIMP. Several lightweight card and puzzle games are pre-installed, including Sudoku and Chess. Ubuntu has all ports closed by default adding to security, although some people choose to run a firewall in order to keep tabs of incoming and outgoing connections.
