The release of the server version of Ubuntu's Linux distribution, codenamed "Dapper Drake" and officially called Ubuntu 6.06 LTS (where LTS stands for Long Term Support), was launched on June 1st, as noted in the Ubuntu wiki. Ubuntu is an easy-to-install and easy-to-use version of the Debian Linux distribution, and it has become very popular since the endorsement by Sun CEO Jonathan Schwarz at JavaOne mid-May 2006.
I.T. Works Analysis: Although Ubuntu is now mainly used on the desktop, the server version will have a serious impact on the market, particularly when it (as expected) also runs on Sun's UltraSparc hardware, besides the 32- and 64-bit x86-processors and the PowerPC-based hardware. While Red Hat and Novell are moving up the software value chain and loose their Linux focus, Ubuntu may be the big winner in the Linux server OS market. Update: Ubuntu will indeed support Sun's "Niagara" T1000 and T2000 servers, and Sun has packaged Java with the distribution. So far, Red Hat has not announced support for Sun's newest Sparc servers.
Check out the FAQ about Ubuntu and how to get free CD's of Ubuntu, and check out Distrowatch's popularity of Linux distributions. You can also check out Mark Shuttleworth's blog, the South-African billionaire (he sold his company Thawte at the right moment to Verisign) who is behind Ubuntu.
Posted by admin at May 30, 2006 07:51 PM