Which *buntu to pick?

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Introduction
Should I use Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, or Edubuntu? Ubuntu Server Edition? What's the difference?
12.10? 12.04? 11.10? 10.04? What is all this?
Desktop CD, Alternate CD, or Server CD?

Introduction

Before some people can even begin using Ubuntu, they want to sort out which version to use. This page can help you sort it all out.

If reading this page confuses you, however, just go with Ubuntu, the latest LTS version, the Desktop CD. You don't have to worry about these other options unless you're really curious.

Should I use Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, or Edubuntu? Ubuntu Server Edition? What's the difference?

Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, and Edubuntu are all the same Linux distro using the same base, the same software repositories, and the same release cycle. They just have different artwork, different user interfaces (in most cases), and different default programs installed.

Ubuntu uses a user interface (or desktop environment) called Gnome. Gnome is focused on simplicity and usability. Ubuntu includes a bunch of Gnome-native applications such as Rhythmbox (music player), and Gedit (text editor). You can find the full list of software packages in ubuntu-desktop here.

Kubuntu uses the K Desktop Environment (also known as KDE). KDE is focused on including a lot of point-and-click configuration options immediately available to end users. Kubuntu includes a bunch of KDE-native applications such as Amarok (music player), K3B (CD burning), and rekonq (web browser). You can find the full list of software packages in kubuntu-desktop here.

Xubuntu uses the Xfce desktop environment, which is a lighter one than Gnome or KDE. In terms of its design principles, it has a bit of a balance—presenting in some ways more point-and-click configuration options than Gnome but also retaining some of the simplicity of Gnome. Its main appeal is its speed, though, and it's ideal for systems with 256 MB to 512 MB of RAM. Both Ubuntu and Kubuntu can run on 512 MB of RAM, but they're more ideal for 1 GB of RAM or more. Xubuntu includes Thunar (file manager), Thunderbird (email client), and Leafpad (text editor). You can find a full list of software packages in xubuntu-desktop here.

Lubuntu uses the LXDE desktop environment, which is a lighter one than Gnome, KDE, and even Xfce. This is ideal for low-memory systems. Lubuntu can work speedily on even 128 MB of RAM. Lubuntu includes pcmanfm (file manager), Sylpheed (email client), and Leafpad (text editor). You can find a full list of software packages in xubuntu-desktop here.

Edubuntu uses the Gnome desktop environment but has a different set of default applications from Ubuntu. Its focus is on educational tools. It includes Kolourpaint (an easy to use paint program), Atomix (a puzzle game for building molecules out of isolated atoms), and Xaos (a real-time interactive fractal zoomer). You can find a full list of software packages in edubuntu-desktop here.

Ubuntu Server Edition is a command-line interface that is designed for people running Linux servers. It is outside the scope of these tutorials.

Mixing and matching *buntus is possible and often encouraged by the community. If you choose Ubuntu, you are not stuck with Ubuntu. If you choose Kubuntu, you are not stuck with Kubuntu. You can use Gnome-native applications in KDE and vice versa. You can use Gnome- and KDE-native applications in Xfce. You can install education-related programs in any desktop environment. You can install kubuntu-desktop on top of Ubuntu and choose which one you want to log into at the login screen. All versions of Ubuntu (Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, Edubuntu, etc.) share the same software repositories and available applications. You are not locked into using one version just because it is the first version you installed. From now on, I'll be referring to all or any of the above versions as simply Ubuntu.

12.10? 12.04? 11.10? 10.04? What is all this?

The numbering scheme for releases of Ubuntu sometimes confuses people. It is the year of release followed by the month of release. That's all. You'll also sometimes hear these releases referred to by their nicknames, usually involving alliteration, an adjective, and an animal. I've put the nicknames in parentheses.

For Ubuntu 13.04 and beyond, check the Ubuntu Release page on the Wiki.

12.10: October 2012 (Quantal Quetzal)
12.04: April 2012 (Precise Pangolin) Long-Term Support
11.10: October 2011 (Oneiric Ocelot)
11.04: April 2011 (Natty Narwhal) [No longer supported]
10.10: October 2010 (Maverick Meerkat) [No longer supported]
10.04: April 2010 (Lucid Lynx) Long-Term Support
9.10: October 2009 (Karmic Koala) [No longer supported]
9.04: April 2009 (Jaunty Jackalope) [No longer supported]
8.10: October 2008 (Intrepid Ibex) [No longer supported]
8.04 LTS: April 2008 (Hardy Heron) [Supported only on servers]
7.10: October 2007 (Gutsy Gibbon) [No longer supported]
7.04: April 2007 (Feisty Fawn) [No longer supported]
6.10: October 2006 (Edgy Eft) [No longer supported]
6.06 LTS: June 2006 (Dapper Drake) [No longer supported]
5.10: October 2005 (Breezy Badger) [No longer supported]
5.04: April 2005 (Hoary Hedgehog) [No longer supported]
4.10: October 2004 (Warty Warthog) [No longer supported]

While the LTSes (Long Term Support releases) are not necessarily stabler than other releases, they get support for more years (LTS releases get three years of security updates or five years for servers instead of just eighteen months), and my tutorial screenshots almost always use the latest LTS instead of the latest release.

Releases come out around every six months with the latest (for that time) software available and usually some extra features and possibly some new artwork (splash screens/wallpaper).

Desktop CD, Alternate CD, or Server CD?

The default option for type of CD is the Desktop CD. It is a live CD that is also an installation CD. A live CD allows you (provided you have enough memory—I'd recommend at least 512 MB) to run a fully functional Ubuntu operating system without affecting your hard drive or existing Windows or Mac installation. The live CD runs the session off the CD itself and your computer's RAM. While running the live CD, you can also install Ubuntu to your hard drive (yes, you can browse the web and type up documents while installing Ubuntu)—for the combination of live session and installation, I'd recommend at least 1 GB of RAM. Warning: the Desktop CD cannot be used for upgrading existing Ubuntu installations. It will do only a clean (re)installation of Ubuntu.

If you have a special situation, you may want to use the Alternate CD instead of the Desktop CD. The Alternate CD allows you to install Ubuntu without also running a live session. This is ideal for people with less RAM (128 to 256 MB of RAM). There is an option to install Ubuntu from the Desktop CD directly without a full live session, but it'll still require more RAM than the Alternate CD would. The Alternate CD also allows you to do OEM installations and the installation of only a command-line system. It can also be used for upgrades from older versions to newer versions of Ubuntu—particularly handy for those who have a slower (or no) internet connection, since most upgrades happen with direct downloads from the Ubuntu software repositories instead of from a CD.

Note: the Alternate CD has been discontinued as of Ubuntu 12.10 (Quantal Quetzal).

The Server CD provides you all the tools you need to set up a server (including LAMP). It does not come with a GUI (graphical user interface), but you can add one later if you feel you really need one (most people recommend against using a GUI on a server). If you accidentally downloaded the Server CD and want a home desktop instead of a server, you can install a home desktop by typing

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
sudo service gdm start

Last updated 12/29/14 10:30