Ubuntu is currently the most popular of the GNU/Linux operating systems that are around today. In theory, this would make it the 3rd-most popular operating system in the world, though there is no real way of telling whether this is true or not. Ubuntu has become so popular because of its many benefits over Windows and Mac OS X. Here are just 5 of them:

Community - there is a community made up of millions of users that are behind this operating system. This community helps other users with any problems they might face, and it also drives the operating system in general, always providing feedback on features as well as contributing to the operating system in ways that cannot be achieved on Windows or Mac systems.

Ease of Use - Linux has long had a reputation of being for geeks only, too hard for regular people to use. Not anymore. Ubuntu makes Linux easy to use, often easier than in Windows. Installing programs, for example, is extremely easy. There is an Add/Remove Programs option in the main menu that allows you to search through all the available programs for your computer and install them in one or two clicks.

Ubuntu is Free - and not only is it free, but it is open-source. Anyone can modify it if they want to. Nothing is hidden, which means thousands of developers can work on the system to fix problems. It also means that anyone can redistribute the system, or even make their own version for themselves, without worrying about pirating laws or security cracks.

Security - Ubuntu, and Linux in general, was designed to be very secure. People will often say that it is impossible to get a virus on Linux. This is simply not true. The biggest reason why there are no known viruses is because Windows is the most popular. That being said, however, Ubuntu and Linux put certain safeguards in place to make it a lot more difficult to exploit the system.

It Looks Cool - the possibilities are nearly endless for Ubuntu users. You can make your system look almost however you want, which means that a lot of cool themes are available. There are also some pretty cool desktop effects, like having multiple workspaces on the sides of a rotating cube. You want it to look like a Mac? You can do that. Windows? That, too. You are only limited by your imagination.

One of the best things about Ubuntu is that you don't have to erase your hard drive and files to try it out. You can even install it as its own program inside Windows. It's so easy to try out, and you'll be disappointed if you don't. Try Ubuntu today!

Learn more about this author, Matthew Mark.
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