Ubuntu is one of the most widely deployed open-source operating systems in the world, powering millions of desktops, cloud servers, and IoT devices. Maintained by Canonical Ltd. and supported by a global developer community, Ubuntu is built upon the foundational packaging and architecture of the Debian GNU/Linux project.
The Philosophy of Ubuntu
The word Ubuntu originates from the Nguni Bantu languages of Southern Africa, translating to “humanity towards others” or “I am because we are.”
This concept serves as the philosophical foundation for collaboration within the project.
“Ubuntu is very difficult to render into a Western language. It speaks of the very essence of being human. When we want to give high praise to someone we say, ‘Yu, u nobuntu’; ‘Hey so-and-so has ubuntu.’ Then you are generous, you are hospitable, you are friendly and caring and compassionate. You share what you have. It is to say, ‘My humanity is inextricably bound up in yours.’ We belong in a bundle of life.” — Desmond Tutu, No Future Without Forgiveness
This name was chosen for a Linux distribution because it represents the core ideas of sharing, cooperation, and collective progress that define the open-source movement.
Core Principles
The development and distribution of Ubuntu are guided by a strict set of software freedoms:
- Accessibility: Every user should have access to their operating system regardless of language, geography, or physical capability. Localized translations and accessibility utilities are built-in from the ground up.
- No Licensing Fees: The operating system is available free of charge, including security updates and maintenance releases.
- Freedom to Modify: Users have the right to inspect, customize, and redistribute the source code under open-source licenses without paying royalties.
Open Source vs. Free Software
Ubuntu sits at the intersection of two closely related movements: the Free Software movement and the Open Source movement.
- Free Software: Focuses on the ethical and social freedoms of users. Defined by the Free Software Foundation (FSF), it emphasizes the user’s right to run, copy, distribute, study, change, and improve the software.
- Open Source: A term coined in 1998 to highlight the practical advantages of collaborative development. Defined by the Open Source Initiative (OSI), it focuses on the business, development, and engineering benefits of open code.
While these movements sometimes differ in their messaging, their licensing requirements overlap almost entirely. Ubuntu includes and contributes to both domains, cooperating voluntarily to build high-quality, auditable software that benefits everyone.