6 Reasons Why I've Stuck With Ubuntu-based Linux Distros For The Last 20 Years

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

It was October 2004, and I'd been utilizing Red Hat Linux (way earlier it became Fedora) for years. I was reasonably definite that would beryllium my distribution until nan world ended. I'd go comfortable pinch Red Hat. Sure, it had its quirks and was sometimes a spot much difficult than it needed to beryllium (remember, it was complete 20 years ago), but it was unchangeable and I'd grown to cognize it well.

But past a caller distribution arrived connected nan scene... Ubuntu. Oddly enough, nan first type to deed nan marketplace was 4.10, aka "Warty Warthog." I'd not heard overmuch astir Ubuntu, but my curiosity was piqued, truthful I decided I would instal it complete Red Hat and spot what was what. Since that moment, I've beautiful overmuch stuck pinch Ubuntu-based distributions for much than 20 years. 

Also: The easiest measurement to effort retired Ubuntu Linux

In fact, different than testing, I can't retrieve nan past distribution I utilized that wasn't based connected Ubuntu. What makes Ubuntu truthful typical that I've refused to moreover see switching to different distro pinch a different base? Let maine show you.

1. Reliable updates

Over nan 2 decades I've been utilizing Ubuntu-based distributions, I judge I've only knowledgeable 1 rumor wherever an update wasn't successful, and nan only logic that happened was because nan OS I was updating had been dramatically customized to nan constituent it was almost unrecognizable. With that upgrade, I did upwind up having to scrap it and do a caller installation, but again, that was 1 lawsuit complete a span of 21 years. Not a bad way record. 

Also: While Windows 10 users panic, Ubuntu makes extending support easy - here's how

Other than that, each upgrade I've executed connected an Ubuntu-based distribution went disconnected without a hitch. With Ubuntu (and Ubuntu-based distributions), I ne'er hesitate to tally upgrades (minor aliases major) because I cognize they'll work. With that successful mind, why would I ever want to move to a different base? It's that overmuch of a no-brainer.

2. Ease of installation

Ubuntu has, for a very agelong time, offered nan champion installation acquisition of each Linux distributions. This is particularly existent pinch nan latest type of nan installer. Not only is nan latest installer incredibly elemental to use, but it's besides 1 of nan astir elegantly designed. Many Linux installers still look arsenic if they were designed successful nan early 2000s. 

Also: 5 of nan easiest, quickest Linux distros to instal - and I've tried them al

Some mightiness opportunity that nan look of nan installer shouldn't matter, but I disagree. The installer app is nan first point caller users experience, and it should beryllium thing that not only makes them consciousness comfortable but besides gives them nan belief that Linux is conscionable arsenic modern arsenic macOS and/or Windows. And, akin to nan upgrades, I've ne'er knowledgeable an Ubuntu installation spell sideways.

3. Hardware support

Ubuntu (and Ubuntu-based distributions) has immoderate of nan champion hardware support available. I tin plug almost thing in, and it will beryllium automatically recognized. Hardware support has go 1 of nan large trading points for Ubuntu, and I've personally seldom knowledgeable a business wherever nan distribution couldn't admit a peripheral aliases soul device. 

Yes, location person been instances wherever I've had to find a driver for something, but nan bully point astir utilizing Ubuntu is that, if a institution has created a Linux driver for a device, you tin beryllium definite they've created 1 for Ubuntu. In fact, I've knowledgeable immoderate situations wherever Ubuntu was nan only distribution a institution developed for. 

Also: I'm a Linux powerfulness user, and nan latest Ubuntu update put a grin connected my face

I will opportunity this: Fedora is simply a much cutting-edge distribution, which intends it often gains support for newer hardware faster than Ubuntu, but nan advantage it has complete Ubuntu-based distributions is slim.

4. Software readiness

Similar to hardware support, I've tally into situations wherever companies person developed ports of their software, but only for Ubuntu. Beyond that, Ubuntu has immoderate of nan largest package repositories of immoderate distribution. On apical of that, you get Snap retired of nan container (at slightest pinch immoderate Ubuntu-based distributions), which intends you person moreover much package disposable to install. Add Flatpak and AppImages, and nan magnitude of package you tin instal is staggering. 

Also: The champion Linux distributions for beginners: Expert tested and reviewed

That's not to opportunity that Ubuntu has much package than immoderate different distribution. It would beryllium adjacent to intolerable to cipher that because location are truthful galore repositories (official and unofficial) for astir each distribution available. But Ubuntu-based distributions get nan separator because erstwhile third-party companies create for Linux, you know they'll merchandise a type of their package for Ubuntu.

5. A immense organization

Because location are truthful galore Ubuntu-based distributions, there's a monolithic organization retired location for support and interaction. But we're not conscionable talking astir users. There is simply a immense number of contributors crossed various projects for Ubuntu, which intends it enjoys superior progressive development. Thanks to Ubuntu's wide usage, this isn't going to beryllium shrinking immoderate clip soon. 

Also: 10 things I ever do aft installing Ubuntu to instantly amended nan experience

It could beryllium said that nan ample number of distributions based connected Ubuntu (and location are a lot) intends nan organization is watered down because it is dispersed retired crossed truthful galore "flavors." I would reason that's not an rumor because a personification of, say, elementaryOS could still beryllium helped by a personification of Ubuntu, acknowledgment to nan akin base. When utilizing an Ubuntu-based distribution, you tin beryllium definite that there's a forum, mailing list, user, aliases website disposable to thief you retired of a jam.

6. Ubuntu is for nan mean personification

When I deliberation of Ubuntu, I deliberation of an operating strategy for nan masses. This isn't a niche distribution; it's created truthful that everyone tin usage and bask it. Ubuntu is intentionally designed truthful that nan mean personification tin log successful and instantly understand really nan desktop works. Yes, nan creation of nan desktop mightiness beryllium a spot different from what you're accustomed to, but it's still easy capable that it won't stump you. 

Also: Why this Linux distro is my caller favourite Windows replacement

To me, that's an important distinction, because Linux needs to pull arsenic galore users arsenic possible, particularly pinch Windows 10 support coming to an end.

Get nan morning's apical stories successful your inbox each time pinch our Tech Today newsletter.