Ubuntu Studio

As I mentioned in my "Technology" page here, I'm a big fan of the Linux operating system. I've always had at least one Linux installation running since the late 90s. I've bounced around with my favorite distribution, for many different reasons. About ten years ago, I had settled on the Ubuntu Linux distribution as my go to for a desktop installation. It was easy to use daily and was built upon the rock solid Debian Linux distribution.

Most of my tinkering time up until a few years ago was finding a solid distribution that worked well with the old hand-me-down consumer computers that I was given once it was too old to handle a current version of Microsoft Windows. You know, when people have computers that are in great shape but it will not work with the latest version of Windows. In the last three years or so, I've had access to much newer (and more powerful) workstation class computers and that meant that I could explore the higher performance end of Linux. For that kind of computer, I found the distribution that was the best fit for me: Ubuntu Studio.

So what do I like about Ubuntu Studio that makes it better for me than the other distributions? For starters it is built on Ubuntu (easy admin/use), tuned for multimedia creation out of the box, and a vast selection of default apps for the various areas of media creation. Starting with the current version (at this writing, it was 20.10) the os featured the KDE Plasma desktop environment. 

The first thing that caught my attention of Ubuntu Studio was the fact that it was a distribution with a focus on media creation. When you are dealing with creating audio or video content, giving the creator the most power is not just desirable, but is actually critical. The Wikipedia page for Ubuntu Studio has a great explanation of the advantage of the low latency kernel and why it is utilized in this Linux distribution. This performance tweak is installed by default, right out of the box.

The next thing that I loved about Ubuntu Studio was the fact that when you do the initial system installation, you are asked for the categories of media creation programs you would like to install: audio, graphics, publishing, photography, and video. Each category has a broad selection of powerful programs that allow a creator to work their magic. Since I usually don't have an issue with hard drive space, and the fact that I love to explore all areas of media, I usually select all of the categories. This gives me the option to do some exploring when the urge strikes.

What really sealed the deal was the fact that Ubuntu Studio was built on the standard Ubuntu Linux distribution. That meant that the tools I use to manage a standard Ubuntu installation would also work here. I place a great value on maintaining my computers and making sure they are current with security and program updates. It also meant that I knew when to expect the major system upgrades: one in April and the other in October. The other good point with being an official Ubuntu distribution, any program that you want out there that is either in the official repositories or is an Ubuntu package will be an easy install. That sealed the deal for me and I gave it shot on an old HP Elitebook laptop I had laying around.

That first installation went well. Everything installed as it should and worked as expected. It was quite clear that I needed to give it a shot on a better system. In an effort to get more screen real estate, I installed it on my 17" Elitebook 8760W laptop and I was very pleased with it. It worked comfortably and was more usable for media editing with the 8760W's larger touchpad and 17" FHD (full hi-def) screen. The only downside was the fact that the 8760W was HUGE and made it quite difficult to use anywhere besides my home office desk. Some when the opportunity for me to get a used HP ZBook 14, I knew this laptop was going to be my go to Ubuntu Studio machine. In fact this is the computer I am using right now to write this post, and I'm sitting comfortably on the couch in the living room!

I've become such a fan of Ubuntu Studio that when the Community published the the release notes of 20.10, they inlcuded an announcement of the Ubuntu Studio Marketplace. The proceeds from the marketplace would help to subsidize the development of the distribution. Since I had lost enough weight, I was able to find some clothing in the marketplace that fit me: a hoodie and t-shirt! I was in need of new clothing that fit the slimmer me, represent my adoration of Ubuntu Studio, AND help the community! It was a win/win/win deal!

Well let's wrap up this post! You can be sure that I will be sharing more Ubuntu Studio related news in the future, so stay tuned!!