Category: Open Source OS

Several operating systems have come into the market over the past years, with each proposing unique tweaks that are different from the rest. One such operating system that has win hands over the market and is successively growing is Ubuntu. Thus, raises the question, what is Ubuntu operating system and why is it so popular in the recent days?

About Ubuntu

Ubuntu (pronounced as “oo-boon-too”), an open-source operating system, is a distro or distribution of Linux, which conveys that it is an operating system that uses the Linux kernels as a foundation for its creation. There are numerous Linux distros out in the market, however, Ubuntu stands out a mile due to its marketability and ubiquity. It has a highly earned history of reliability and safety.

Ubuntu was released by a worldwide community of programmers along with the employees of Ubuntu’s commercial sponsor, Canonical and is designed to provide a free platform to developers and users. To get started, visit the Ubuntu website, download the OS, use, and share the operating system as a perk.

Ubuntu enables you to use other OS as well, for example, if you have a Windows operating system on your computer, you can still use Ubuntu alongside without any hassles. Apart from the fact that it is the most popular server Linux distribution, Ubuntu is also a completely open-source project that can run on the cloud, servers, desktops, tablets, smartphones, IoT (Internet of Things) and much more.

Ubuntu is available in three editions – Desktop, Core, and Server editions, the Core edition being for the IoT devices and robots. Ubuntu gets a new release every six months, and Long-Term Support (LTS)releases in every two years. Canonical provides security patches, updates, and support with every Ubuntu release.

Ubuntu is accredited to have a third party software system in its application, which includes packages such as Ubuntu restricted extras that are legally secured by the government. However, the plus point of this third party application is that the DVD software will be available for purchase through the Canonical store.

Features of Ubuntu

After understanding the basic idea of Ubuntu, let us look at the features for which it is the best OS for the developers.

• Assistance for Emerging Technologies
• Allowance to Certified Hardware
• Reliable OS Experience

Benefits of Streamlined Distribution

• Massive Support
• Enhance Hardware without any limitations
• Attractive User Interface

Benefits of Ubuntu

Below listed are some of the promising characteristics of Ubuntu that has helped it to gain a head place among the users –

• Free of Cost
• Can be easily customized
• More secure compared to other operating systems
• Can run from a flash drive
• The best option for development
• Supports frequent updates
• Offers multiple desktops

Conclusively, Ubuntu was developed to enable the use of an efficient working system. Until now if you have not used the Ubuntu OS, then now is the time to check on it. With such a mind-blowing number of features and customization options, you will be able to use your system more efficiently and securely. Now that you are aware of the basic impressions of Ubuntu, it is time to explore the OS in thoroughly.

Most of the companies face an issue when buying some new software. They will be in the confusion that whether to go for open source or closed source software. This choice is not obvious since software comes with its particularities. So, based on the situation both open and close software may have their advantages and disadvantages. Let us understand both open source and closed source software and their differences.

OSS or Open-source software 

OSS means, software that is utilizing the code freely available on the internet. Here code can be modified, copied, and even deleted by users and even by any organization. The open-source software is open to the public and all the results updated will be made available to the public. An open-source experience of continuous updates expands and improves since many people will be working on it.

CSS or Closed source software

Closed source software is completely opposite to the meaning of OSS. Here the software utilizes closely guarded proprietary code. Here the code will be accessible only to the original authors. They can alter have the right to access, and copy the software. Closed source software cannot be purchased completely but only we can use it.

It is very important to understand the peculiarities of both closed source and open software to understand them completely. Through five basic aspects like security, pricing, source availability, and support along with usability you can understand them better.

Price Policy

When we consider open source, it is available for free of cost. Of course, there will be costs for additional services, assistance, and even for added functionality. But basic software will be available for free. So, you have to pay for the services in case of open-source software.

If we consider closed source software, it is paid software. The cost of the software may vary based on the functionalities and even the complexity of the software. Sometimes the price can be high but there is a guarantee that for the money paid, you will get better software. Closed software comes with complete support, innovation, and functionality. In most of the cases, closed software also offers a free trial. Through this, the owner of the closed software tries to convince the buyer about the quality of the software.

Security

When we think about the security of software it is definitely like two sides of the coin. This is true especially in the case of open-source software. The code of the open-source software can be viewed and it can be modified. Of course, this code can be shared. So, open software code can be fixed, upgraded, and tested by anyone. But, here the bugs get fixed quickly. After that the code undergoes thorough check soon after every change. But, unfortunately, the code is available open even for the hackers.

But, in the case of closed source software, code can be accessed and fixed only by the author or vendor. In case if something goes wrong with closed source software you need to place a request. After that, you have to wait for their response and answer. So, with closed source software it always takes a long time to fix something compared to OSC. Hence when we consider security, both closed source and open source software have their own cons and pros. This is the reason companies and firms face difficulties in choosing them.

Quality of Support

When it comes to support, compared to the open-source software, of course, CSS brings better support. Closed source software always predominates in case of support. Support will always be available upfront since you have paid the money when buying the CSS. When you buy CSS there will be an option for contract support. You will get a response usually within a day in most of the cases. More than that, the response in the case of closed source software is well documented and organized.

In the case of open-source software, there is no such option available. You can just rely on forums and useful articles for support. You can even hire an expert for solving issues. So, you cannot expect a high level of response in the case of OSS.

Source Code Availability

There is no restriction applied to the availability of code in the case of open-source software. Here individuals can update and develop the functionalities they need and get benefited from their innovations. But, closed source is completely restricted its code. Here the source code cannot be viewed and definitely cannot be changed. These restrictions contribute to the reliability and security of the code.

Usability

In the case of open-source software, usability is completely painful. User guides can be understood only by developers but not by a layman. Usability is one of the merits in the case of closed source software. Documentation is completely well-written and there will be detailed instructions about the software.

Conclusion

As said earlier, there will be pros and cons in both types of software. In some cases, open-source software is beneficial and in other cases, closed software brings more advantages.

Operating systems are softwares that allows managing of hardware of computer, resources of software, and gives services for  programs operating on computers.

Operating systems help in scheduling programs and tasks for use in an efficient way and could also inculcate accounting programs. It allows time, storage of mass etc. There are different types of operating systems. They are:

Single and multi tasking

A system of single-tasking at a time runs only one program, whereas the operating system of multi-tasking  type permits running of two or more programs simultaneously. This system of working is obtained by sharing of time, where there is a division of time of processor among several processes.

Single user and multi user

The operating system with Single-user systems does not have the ability to differentiate users, but it could permit running of several programs. A system of multi-user operation expands the root basis of multiple tasks performing with a number of facilities which have the ability of identifying processes, like the space in disk, multiple users belonging, and the system allows more than two users to communicate through the program at the very same point of time.

Distributed

A distributed type of operating system has the ability to manage a cluster of different computers and builds them to be appearing as a one constituted computer. The progress of computers connected through network, that are able to be linked and interact with one another gives boost to computing in a distributed manner. Computations in distributed manner are used to being performed or run on two or more machines a distributed is system is the one in which. Computers perform their work in a constituted group in whole cooperation.

Template

In this Operating System, both the distributed and the computing via cloud system  context works, templating can be defined as the creation of one virtual image by machine which is then considered  as an operating system which is a guest, then the image is being saved as a machine tool for running a multiple machines that are virtual in nature. This method is utilized in both the process of virtualization and management of computing in the cloud, and it is also a common way present in very large warehouses of servers.

Embedded

The Embedded type operating systems  are utilized in computer with embedded systems. They are made to be operated on some very small scale machines such as PDAs which have a very less system of autonomy. They have the ability to run their programs within a limited resource number. They are quite compact in nature and are highly efficient in performing tasks because of their design. 

Real time operating system

An operating system named as real-time operating system is the system that ensures to process and run events, information or data in a particular moment in real time. A real-time operating system could be of multitasking or single tasking management but when it is used as multitasking system, it makes use of specialized algorithms for scheduling.