Ubuntu Linux

Ubuntu Linux is a free, Debian-based, GNOME oriented distribution, on a 6-month release cycle. April releases (numbered x.04) are long-term support versions which are considered quite stable. October releases (numbered x.10) are more of a development release which usually includes newer technologies, but is sometimes less stable or user-friendly.

Recent Releases

 * 16.04 Xenial Xerus LTS supported until 04-2021
 * 18.04 Bionic Beaver LTS supported until 04-2023

LTS means "Long Term Support" which indicates that this version is supported for 5 years and will receive updates and security updates during this period.

Architectures Supported
i386, x64/AMD/Intel, Netbooks (Intel Atom, etc.), ARM (Raspberry Pi)

i386 support will on April 2021.

Installation
You can download Ubuntu from the Ubuntu homepage. The LiveCD version allows you do one of 2 things:
 * 1) Test Ubuntu directly from the LiveCD without making changes to your system.
 * 2) Install the system to a new partition directly from the CD.

Actually it is a Live DVD. The ISO file can't fit on a CD. Live CD was popular before the emergence of DVD drives. Live Disc is more accurate.

Software Installation
Being a Debian-based OS, many programs can be installed via Synaptic Package Manager. New development has also brought forth the upcoming Software Store application which will attempt to make packages more easily accessible and basically 'Windowify' the process making it even easier for new users.Ubuntu introduced Snappy a package management system for snap packages.Snappy is included by default in Ubuntu desktop images from version 16.04 on-wards.Snap packages can be installed in Ubuntu and many other distributions

Pros

 * Very simple to use, great for the new-to-linux person.
 * A plethora of community (and officially) supported help and documentation
 * Can be beefed up for 'power user' use.
 * Has become a mainstream-driver/pusher of open source development.

Cons

 * Forum support is ruled by elitists, can seem unfriendly to new users.
 * Ubuntu has been slowly branching away from the 'linux-geek' user-end to a more windows-like environment.
 * Development cycles tend to suffer more regressions with each new cycle.

Official (Canonical Supported)

 * Kubuntu - for KDE users
 * Xubuntu - for Xfce users
 * Lubuntu for LXDE users
 * Ubuntu MATE for MATE desktop users
 * Ubuntu Budgie: New official flavour

Unofficial (Not officially supported by Canonical)

 * Linux Mint - A more-polished Ubuntu-based release with it's own software development staff/community. Completely suitable for beginners who don't know anything about linux.

= External links =
 * Ubuntu official homepage (www.ubuntu.com)
 * About Ubuntu (https://ubuntu.com/desktop)

Forums,Mailing lists

 * Ubuntu forums (www.ubuntuforums.org)
 * The officially recognized LQ Ubuntu forum (www.linuxquestions.org)
 * The ubuntu-users mailing list Archives (lists.ubuntu.com)

Documentation

 * Community documentation (wiki) (help.ubuntu.com)
 * Official documentation (help.ubuntu.com)
 * Ubuntu Geek Tutorials and Articles (Ubuntu Geek)
 * Switching To Ubuntu From Windows (help.ubuntu.com)
 * Ubuntu Document Storage Facility (doc.gwos.org)
 * Helpfull sticky thread (www.ubuntuforums.org)
 * Ubuntu/Debian Tutorials and Articles (www.debianadmin.com)
 * IRC, the #ubuntu channel on the server irc.freenode.net