This is Andrew Gee with the forth screencast in the
Ubuntu Month of Screencasts.
All the screencasts in this month can be downloaded
for free at our website, screencasts.ubuntu.com
So what makes Ubuntu so special?
Why should you be using it?
How can it be so different to alternatives like
Windows or Mac OS X?
You may find the license or end user license agreement that came
with the operating system you chose restricts you from doing things.
For example you are not allowed to redistribute most
proprietary operating system such as Windows or Mac OS X.
With Ubuntu, you are encouraged to share it as much as possible.
Ubuntu is great at running on old hardware.
The requirements of it are not that much.
If Ubuntu is too much for your computer, you can always try Xubuntu.
Xubuntu is specifically written to run on older machines,
that might not be able to cope with a powerful operating system.
But do not worry, Ubuntu also runs excellent on high end hardware too.
You may find that your Windows 95, 98, ME and NT
are version of Windows that are no longer supported by Microsoft.
But what does this mean?
1. Microsoft will not help you if you have a problem with their
operating system.
2. They will not provide updates for security and bugs
in the operating system.
Ubuntu has LTS versions specifically for computers
you want long support for.
The normal versions are supported for quite a while too.
As the cost of the operating system is free
you do not need to worry about support.
If you get to the end of a support cycle,
you can always just easily upgrade to the next version.
If you are using windows, you may be sick of all
those viruses that turn up on your computer.
Well with Ubuntu you will find none.
When using Ubuntu you may find that you that have a computer
with all free software on.
Ubuntu is free and always remains free.
You might find that some third party software
costs money though.
Some examples of this include Tux Print and Cedega.
You may find that when you got Ubuntu, you paid some money.
This was likely to cover the cost of the CD or DVD
that you received it on.
Ubuntu is sponsored by Canonical,
but maintained by the community.
What does this mean?
Well if Canonical were to go bust,
Ubuntu would continue as there is a vast
community who would be able to maintain it.
Finally, you may just prefer the look and feel
of the operating system.
Thanks for watching.
To see more screencasts from the Ubuntu Month of Screencasts
please visit screencasts.ubuntu.com