Why I Use Ubuntu: A Journey That Started in 2007
When I was using Windows XP, my computer was struggling with its hardware limitations. I wanted to try Windows Vista, but my system simply could not handle it. At that time, I started looking for alternatives and discovered Ubuntu.
In 2007, I visited the Ubuntu website and explained why I wanted to try it. Back then, internet speeds in Turkey were not as fast and accessible as they are today, and downloading a large operating system image was not always easy for everyone. Ubuntu sent me a free installation CD all the way to Turkey.
That small gesture had a huge impact on me. Ubuntu was the first Linux distribution I ever tried. Although it was not perfect at the time and I could not use it permanently because I was still playing many games, it became my first step into the Linux world. The connection I built with Ubuntu started with that CD and has continued for years.
Over time, I have tried many Linux distributions and followed the discussions around Ubuntu closely. Of course, Ubuntu has received criticism from the Linux community. Some people criticize Canonical because of Snap, the company’s decisions, or past controversies. However, I believe it is important to look at the whole picture.
Canonical was founded in 2004 by Mark Shuttleworth, and the company played a huge role in bringing Linux to millions of desktop users around the world. Thanks to Ubuntu, many people who had never used Linux before were able to experience a user-friendly and accessible operating system.
One of the frequently mentioned topics is the Amazon search integration in Ubuntu 12.10. Canonical added Amazon results to Unity’s search feature, and this created privacy concerns in the community. Some people described it as data selling, but there was no evidence that Canonical sold user data to Amazon. It was mainly related to online search integration and affiliate revenue. The feature was later removed after community feedback.
Despite these criticisms, I think Ubuntu deserves credit. Without companies and projects like Canonical investing resources into Linux, desktop Linux would not have reached today’s level of popularity.
For me, one of Ubuntu’s biggest strengths is its community. When you have a problem, there are thousands of users, forums, documentation pages, and developers ready to help. This support network makes a huge difference.
Yes, Snap has been controversial. I also understand many of the criticisms. However, Linux gives users freedom. If someone prefers Flatpak or another solution, it can be installed easily. Personally, I choose the tools that fit my workflow and continue enjoying Ubuntu.
Another reason I prefer Ubuntu is the LTS (Long Term Support) release model. Ubuntu provides long-term support releases every two years, giving users a stable system that can be used for daily work without constantly worrying about breaking changes.
Compared to other distributions I have tried:
-
Fedora: I experienced black screen problems after updates.
-
Linux Mint: Although it is popular, it did not provide the experience I was looking for.
-
Zorin OS: I experienced boot problems and GRUB-related issues.
-
Arch Linux: I enjoyed learning from it, but keeping the system perfectly stable required more time and effort than I wanted.
Ubuntu gives me a balanced experience. It is stable, well-supported, compatible with a wide range of hardware, and does not make me spend all my time maintaining the system.
For me, Ubuntu is not just an operating system. It is the Linux distribution that opened the door to the open-source world.
A free CD arriving in Turkey in 2007 may seem like a small thing today, but at that time it showed me the power of the Ubuntu community. That experience created a connection that has lasted for years.
Thank you, Ubuntu, for being my first Linux adventure.
I guess some Ubuntu relationships really do last a lifetime.