Ubuntu是一个自由、开源的操作系统，它基于Debian，但有自己的发行版(每六个月发行一版)，以用户为核心，简单易用(“能用”就行)，承诺对每个发行版有18个月的安全升级支持。Ubuntu自带最新版的Gnome桌面，拥有大量的服务和桌面应用程序，让您仅通过一张安装光盘就可以体验到无比舒适的操作环境。

　　Ubuntu是一款自由软件，获取它是完全免费的。它也给你软件自由的权利，您应该已经听说过这个了。但不像其他商业发行版(比如Libranet 、Lindows、Xandros、Red Hat等)，Ubuntu团队相信，自由软件的版权费用应该是免费的。

　　Ubuntu没有很漂亮的图形安装界面，但有一个快速、简易的界面。好了，虽然您对于安装时的各种设置还需要了解，但默认设置适应大多数人。我们将Ubuntu的发行版压缩在单张CD里，但所有其他的软件您可以通过网络获得。在一个典型的计算机上，Ubuntu的安装应该在25分钟内完成。

　　安装界面也许没有GUI，但反正您也只要用到一次，因为我们会通过网络来升级您的系统和应用程序。您根本不需要重新安装系统，只要您想，就可以把它升级到每个新的发行版。

　　Ubuntu 包含了超过 16,000 种软件， 但核心的桌面安装系统合并到一张光盘上， Ubuntu 覆盖了所有的桌面应用程序, 包含了文字处理，电子表格程序到 web 服务器软件和开发设计工具。以上文字来自ubuntu官方站点。

Ubuntu is a community developed, linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more. Ubuntu is free software. Whether you use it at home, at school or at work Ubuntu contains all the applications you'll ever need, from word processing and email applications, to web server software and programming tools.

Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing. We issue a new desktop and server release every six months. That means you'll always have the the latest and greatest applications that the open source world has to offer. Everything you need on one CD, which provides a complete working environment. Additional software is available online.

Ubuntu comes with full commercial support from Canonical and hundreds of companies around the world. Ubuntu includes the very best translations and accessibility infrastructure that the free software community has to offer. Ubuntu CDs contain only free software applications; we encourage you to use free and open source software, improve it and pass it on.

With Ubuntu Desktop Edition you can surf the web, read email, create documents and spreadsheets, edit images and much more. Ubuntu has a fast and easy graphical installer right on the Desktop CD. On a typical computer the installation should take you less than 25 minutes. The graphical installer enables you to get up and running quickly and easily. On the desktop you have a full set of productivity, internet, drawing and graphics applications, and games.

The Server Edition - built on the solid foundation of Debian which is known for its robust server installations — has a strong heritage for reliable performance and predictable evolution. As your business grows, so does your network. More applications need to be deployed and more servers are required. Ubuntu Server Edition offers support for several common configurations, and simplifies common Linux server deployment processes. It provides a well-integrated platform enabling you to quickly and easily deploy a new server with any of the standard internet services: mail, web, DNS, file serving or database management. A key lesson from its Debian heritage is that of security by default. The Ubuntu Server has no open ports after the installation and contains only the essential software needed to build a secure server.