Twenty-five years immersed in the Linux universe represent a wealth of technical and human experience. The distribution landscape has evolved, from the oldest machines to modern platforms, but one constant remains for many users: Ubuntu. This distribution, often criticized by purists, has weathered trends and innovations while maintaining a stability and ease of use that appeals to a wide range of profiles. From software selection to system management, including the community and documentation, Ubuntu retains a central place. Let’s dive into the detailed reasons why, after so many years of exploring the world of GNU/Linux systems, this distribution remains an essential reference.
Ubuntu, the distribution that simplifies the complexity of Linux
The Linux kernel is the heart of all distributions, but the major difference between them often lies in the user experience and software management. Ubuntu has always stood out for its ability to offer configuration and handling that are suitable for both beginners and seasoned professionals. In 2025, Ubuntu version 25.10 perfectly illustrates this evolution. It integrates Linux kernel 6.17, which improves hardware compatibility and performance, particularly on recent architectures. This kernel provides even better support for AMD Ryzen, Intel Alder Lake, and Raptor Lake processors, meeting the needs of users seeking a modern and responsive system.
Ubuntu’s strength also lies in its numerous flavors, which allow the system to be adapted to different uses and hardware profiles. These include:
Ubuntu GNOME:
- The default configuration for new users, with a simple and clean interface. Kubuntu
- : with the KDE Plasma environment, ideal for those seeking more customization and graphical options. Xubuntu and Lubuntu
- : Designed for machines with limited resources, using Xfce and LXQt respectively. Ubuntu MATE
- : For those who prefer a traditional interface, reminiscent of earlier versions of GNOME. Ubuntu Budgie and Ubuntu Studio
- : Targeting music, video, and graphic design users. These variants make the Ubuntu ecosystem particularly accessible, in contrast to more technical distributions like Arch Linux or Fedora, which often require extensive manual configuration. This flexibility is one of the keys to Ubuntu’s success in businesses, educational institutions, and among individuals.
The constant improvement of the Ubiquity installer, now more fluid and intuitive, significantly reduces the barriers to entry, avoiding the lengthy command-line manipulations often required on Debian or Fedora. Installation on atypical machines, such as ARM platforms (e.g., Raspberry Pi), has also been made more straightforward, with dedicated images optimized for these architectures.
Finally, Ubuntu integrates modern technologies such as the Snap package system and the increased use of Flatpak for universal software distribution, making it easier to install and update applications, especially for less experienced users. This approach is highly complementary to traditional APT-based methods, which aim to simplify software maintenance without sacrificing reliability.
Discover the evolution of Ubuntu after 25 years: innovations, impact on the world of free software, and the future of the famous Linux operating system.
Stability is a key keyword in the adoption of an operating system, particularly in the professional world. Ubuntu, which evolved from Debian, has inherited a strict policy on system robustness, favoring regular, well-tested updates over consistently cutting-edge but unstable versions.
Ubuntu’s release lifecycle management follows this model. The main distinctions are:
LTS (Long Term Support) versions: Supporting the system for five years, these are intended for production environments that require uninterrupted operation.
- Intermediate versions: With updates every six months to bring new features and innovations, suitable for more inquisitive users. This strategy differentiates Ubuntu from distributions like Fedora or Arch Linux, which are more focused on access to the latest technologies but carry a greater risk of instability. This explains why Ubuntu is widely adopted in businesses, where downtime is expensive and maintenance must remain predictable. On the hardware front, Ubuntu excels with its extensive support. The proactive integration of graphics drivers, particularly for Nvidia, AMD, and Intel, has made life much easier for users. Network device management, often problematic on more “raw” distributions like Fedora, is largely automated here, with advanced features such as configuring network bonding, a topic detailed in specialized tutorials available online (
- Configuring Bonding on Ubuntu ).
Optimization over the years has allowed Ubuntu to be compatible with various platforms: servers, powerful workstations, but also embedded systems such as the Steam Deck or Raspberry Pi laptops optimized for Ubuntu. This versatility is difficult to match, even against competing distributions like Linux Mint, Zorin OS or Elementary OS, often intended for more specific audiences.
discover the evolution of ubuntu after 25 years: its impact on computing, the major innovations and the future of this emblematic open source distribution.A strong community and exhaustive documentation, guaranteeing the sustainability of UbuntuAnother aspect that explains the lasting support of users for Ubuntu lies in the size and diversity of its community. In 2025, Ubuntu remains one of the most followed distributions on forums, question-and-answer platforms and social networks. This community offers:
Near-instant support for resolving software and hardware issues.
Collaborative projects around the Ubuntu ecosystem, ranging from development to packaging.
This lively community is supported by Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, which maintains a professional and regularly updated documentation center. Users have access to resources covering:
- Essential system commands, such as
- apt
- for package management or service configuration via
systemd
- . Recommendations for optimizing the Linux kernel, for example with kernels 6.14 and higher, particularly detailed in specialized articles ( Install Linux kernel 6.14 on Ubuntu 24.10 ).Securing systems against known vulnerabilities is a particularly important topic with the increasing number of computer attacks and vulnerabilities on Linux (
- Linux Vulnerability Detection and Prevention).In addition to official documentation, the wealth of tutorials available on the web helps break Linux’s reputation as a “difficult” operating system. This open and free access contributes significantly to the democratization of Linux among students, aspiring system administrators, and curious tinkerers.
- Those looking to experiment with more exotic environments like Fedora, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Manjaro, or Arch Linux can rely on the knowledge acquired with Ubuntu to subsequently master these distributions, which often require more expertise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33wgKL_eIdcUbuntu’s Role in the Current and Future Linux EcosystemBeyond its role as an operating system, Ubuntu plays a central role in the modern Linux ecosystem in several key ways:
Access Facilitator for New Users
: Ubuntu allows for a smooth and intuitive first immersion in Linux without sacrificing rich functionality.
: Thanks to its extensive repositories and open source support, Ubuntu is often a preferred platform for testing new software, frameworks, and configurations.
Standard Bearer in the Professional World
- : Canonical offers business-friendly offerings, such as Ubuntu Server, Ubuntu Core for IoT, and long-term support, combining reliability and innovation. For example, in the Linux gaming market, Ubuntu has positioned itself as an environment that supports Steam, Proton, and Wine tools, thus facilitating gamers’ transition to Linux. The success of the Steam Deck, whose operating system is derived from Ubuntu, demonstrates the distribution’s influence in this field.
- Furthermore, Ubuntu’s modularity allows it to easily integrate emerging technologies. Whether it’s the adoption of advanced file systems, expanded support for ARM architectures, or innovations in virtualization (see tutorials on installing VMware on Ubuntu
- ), it remains at the forefront of the technical scene. Finally, Ubuntu continues to influence very popular derivatives, such as Linux Mint, Zorin OS, and Elementary OS, each of which adds its own user interface layer or features while maintaining Ubuntu’s robustness and software foundation. Discover the evolution of Ubuntu 25 years after its creation: innovations, impact on computing, and future prospects for this iconic operating system.
Why Ubuntu remains a wise choice amidst the diversity of Linux distributions While the diversity of Linux distributions is a source of wealth for the community, it can also be confusing for a newcomer or even an experienced user. Faced with this abundance, Ubuntu stands out for its rare compromise between accessibility, stability, and innovation.Here are some key arguments for choosing Ubuntu, including over Fedora, Arch Linux, Manjaro, or Red Hat:
A system that “just works”: Ubuntu’s reliability is renowned, with hardware and software management often ready to use, even on heterogeneous configurations.
A large community and a rich ecosystem: this guarantees constant support, a wide selection of software, and accessible documentation.
An easy-to-use system, which eliminates many of the often-feared complexities of Linux, without sacrificing power and features.
LTS releases adapted to critical environments: rigorous update management provides a system that is both secure and future-proof.
- On the other hand, specialized distributions like Manjaro or Arch Linux appeal due to their rolling release approach and the possibility of extreme customization, much appreciated by purists and advanced developers. Fedora, with its proximity to Red Hat, relies more on the latest open source technologies while remaining relatively stable, but requires more maintenance. For the majority of users, whether beginners or experts, Ubuntu offers a rare compromise, combining user-friendliness, technical rigor, and progressive innovations. It is this mix that explains why, after a quarter of a century, despite the constant arrival of new distributions, Ubuntu retains a prominent place in the Linux universe.