Ubuntu
 Latest stable release: Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope) |
Ubuntu (pronounced /uːˈbuːntuː/) is a computer operating system based on Debian GNU/Linux. It is distributed as free software. Ubuntu provides an up-to-date, stable operating system for the average user, with a strong focus on usability and ease-of-installation. Ubuntu has been selected by readers of desktoplinux.com as the most popular Linux distribution for the desktop, claiming approximately 30% of Linux desktop installations in both 2006 and 2007.[1]
Ubuntu in general
Ubuntu is very popular among newcomers to Linux[2] as the transition (from Windows based operating systems) is rather seamless. However, Ubuntu's ease-of-use philosophy does not stand in the way, or in any way limit, the ability of power users to highly customise their systems. As far as scientific computing is concerned, Ubuntu supports most applications used in the scientific UNIX environment.
Ubuntu on campus
Ubuntu is freely (yes, free) available on the UP ftp here. You can choose to download either the 32bit or the 64bit version. Burn the image (.ISO) to a dvd and install. Easy as that. If you are not ready to take the plunge into an operating system of less hangups and problems, then you testdrive Ubuntu directly off the dvd that you wrote.
After you've installed Ubuntu you'll want to install some of the multitude of packages and add-ons that's available. This can be done freely (yes again, free) from the campus ftp repositories. All you need to do is edit your /etc/apt/sources.list file. The TLUG (Tuks Linux Users Group) shows how this is done on this page. REMEMBER to change the intrepid in the given addresses to either hardy (if you install Ubuntu 8.04) or jaunty (if you install Ubuntu 9.04). You are now set to install applications with the apt-get install command, quickly, free and without using up all your internet credits.
Ubuntu in Chem. Eng.
Ragnarok (our server hosting this wiki) uses Ubuntu 8.10 as its OS. A nice little reference for Ubuntu users is the Ubuntu Pocket Guide (available on Ragnarok). Also have a look at the open source page - all the alternatives given there are supported (and usually pre-installed) by Ubuntu.
Ragnarok's useful Linux applications page will contain a dynamically growing list of both general purpose and scientifically oriented applications which no Ubuntu should be without.
References
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_(operating_system)
2. http://www.tlug.org.za/wiki/index.php/Ubuntu
