Ubuntu and its amazing surprises!

In the "distant" year 2004, another is born - among other - Linux distributions: Ubuntu. At the time, he even had a very cold reception, but because of their limitations: no part of the acceptance was because of the huge amount of distributions that existed until then. However, due to his proposal to provide a simple, easy to use and "made for humans," in addition to bringing good innovations, the renowned distribution sponsored by Canonical claimed their space, making it currently the most popular systems free for desktops ...

In October 2004, the Ubuntu Foundation launched the first version of the distribution: 4.10 (Warty Warthog). Bringing a basic system, based on the GNOME desktop environment and a good collection of applications, the initial proposal was just to be a simple and easy distro to use. For this, all possible improvements have been made to provide the best possible experience of usability, such as customization of the graphical environment, automation of routines for hardware detection, and the inclusion of critical applications for the most common activity. And most importantly, provide all the essential features to make using the terminal dispensable, thus eliminating an old ghost who haunts the Tux for years: the hatred of the newest interface for text mode.

Ironically, early versions did not have the graphical installer, the main facilitator for new users who wish to conduct experiments, as we know it today. As usual, there were two distinct versions of media, which could be used as a live CD (for testing) and the other was used for the installation of the system.Fortunately, since version 6.10 (Edgy Eft), the complete system is now offered in one media, enabling both the test mode live-CD as the unattended installation, which in turn could be done through a graphical wizard called Ubiquity (already implemented earlier in the Dapper Drake) and that greatly increased the responsiveness of the newcomers.

Given the limitations of many older PCs, is now also offered a version Alternate CD, which is basically the same system with the only option to perform the installation in text mode. In addition, we have the facility to upgrade the system to a newer version by simply inserting the media into the drive and let the automatic process of detection of the media do the job. Farther out, was released Startup Disk Creator, a tool that provides a copy of the installation files (either CD or ISO image) to a USB stick from 1 GB, which make possible the installation of the system computers devoid of optical drives, such as netbooks.

Here, one of the first innovations of Canonical interesting: distribute free media installation of Ubuntu to the interested parties who request the service through Shipito by simply making a record of information needed for sending. On average, it took a little over a month for the arrival of the CD, but for those who may not have access to a broadband connection, the service itself was very useful. And who do you dare to download 700 MB on dial-up or "sluggish-band" 3G? Unfortunately, the service stopped working recently due to the good provision of broadband and the ease of downloading the media today.

Of course, after the easy and automated graphical installation process to establish itself, other important qualities quickly followed, as the process of automatic hardware detection. The routines that manage the hardware "behind the scenes", along with the implementations made for distribution, provided the detection of all available devices and peripherals, making life easier for the average user. In traditional systems like Debian and Slackware, knowledge of tools and configuration files were essential to enable the use of hardware resources present; on Ubuntu, the process could be detected automatically, without any major mishaps.

Later on, came to support proprietary drivers. Unlike purists distributions like Debian, and other not so friendly, Ubuntu aims to provide its users, the necessary infrastructure - aka drivers - to have properly configured all your peripherals "problematic." Video cards - especially the AMD / ATI and nVidia - Chipset and wireless networking as well as numerous other hardware manufactured, can be well recognized in Ubuntu without great mysteries.Occasionally, the nVidia drivers insisted on working with some updates to the satisfaction of the X.org X server, as well as the IGP of the SiS and Via were not detected correctly, but believe me: the other distributions also suffered the same ills.

The startup has also undergone profound changes for faster system startup. Through the upstart, the entire loading process management services are streamlined to ensure the lowest startup time (from the computer to connect to the disposal of the graphical environment). Rather than run the scripts in a synchronized way (as is done in the method sysinit), services are started via a scheme based on events (eg., The availability of the network or the connection of a particular peripheral), where its implementation is "shot" so that such occurrences are reported.

In times of cloud computing, Ubuntu was not slow to offer the traditional services of this category. One, the storage of information in the clouds, made the One Canonical create Ubuntu, a virtual drive that is integrated into the system, making it possible to synchronize the information stored in the computer servers that host the service. In addition to the data, the user can also keep contacts on certain models of smartphones as well as bookmarks and other information he desired. Also, support for music store also allows the storage of tracks purchased.

I said "music store"? This is another novelty that might pass unnoticed were it not for the initiative of Canonical to offer Ubuntu One Music Store. 7Digital platform-based backend, Rhythmbox (the application designed for audio playback) offered an integrated interface in which users could build their collections you want, and have the option to store them in the clouds, through the service Ubuntu One, of course, play it, just as you would with a good player! Although compared (unfairly) as "iTunes for Tux", the service brings great advantage as the lack of hated DRM, allowing play songs purchased at any electronic device.

For the entire spectrum of resources, the availability of applications will be essential to provide the necessary functionality and interactions, in order to harness all its potential. For this, the Ubuntu reserves its AppStore Ubuntu Software Center, which not only integrate the main free applications, but also provides the necessary infrastructure to the proprietary applications can be obtained commercially without further inconvenience. For example, so the little game out for the Angry Birds Tux, is not likely to let you buy it! ;-)

Finally, the most important innovations: the usability. While other distributions seek - in their own way - to provide the best possible experience of usability, it was through the Ubuntu GNOME won the world to receive small visual enhancements and customizations, providing accessibility and comfort desired by its users. In large part, the credit was given to his own GNOME, when designing a graphic environment with excellent usability (through the GNOME Human Interface Guidelines), but with the finishing touches of Canonical, he became the most sensible modern desktop environment for Unix systems .

All of these events which I describe in summary form, as well as the impressions made and acceptance (or rejection) of his critics and users, Ubuntu and shaped the world of Linux distributions, making it that what he is today: the distribution most popular and innovative in the world! And probably will remain so for a long time during its existence.

But now, due to the design and use of the Unity, and the popularity of portable devices such as netbooks and tablets, new chapters in the history of Ubuntu will be written. GNOME, present or absent as the backend due to the replacement of the GNOME Shell, will record historical moments to be remembered in future times. Finally, the renewal of the new series of the Linux kernel (3.0) will also leave his legacy, although initially the changes are small compared with the previous generation.

What to do when these times come? Well, if there'll be using Ubuntu, I can not say, but I'll be following all the events and related news!