Ubuntu vs Fedora
Ubuntu and Fedora are two distributions of Linux that are being distributed for free as open source software. Fedora is a very popular linux distribution for desktops but it has been superseded by the meteoric rise of Ubuntu due to its user friendly interfaces. Ubuntu aims to make it easier for ordinary PC users to switch to a Linux based system with minimal problems. Ubuntu also minimizes the need for typing into a command prompt and moves the majority of operations into a graphical interface like the Synaptic package manager.
Although they are both linux, they are fundamentally different because they are based on different distributions. Ubuntu was derived from Debian while Fedora is an offshoot of Red Hat. Since they are based on different distributions, they also adapt the packages that those distributions use. Ubuntu uses DEB packages while Fedora uses RPM packages. They are not compatible with each other and Ubuntu packages would not work with Fedora and vice versa. This is part of the reason why you bound to find more packages for server type systems with Red Hat than with Ubuntu. Ubuntu has placed emphasis on making it as easy as possible for new users and they made it easier to access and install proprietary software like drivers and plugins like Flash.
Something that is a little bit less important but might impact some users is the installer. Fedora installers often have a lot of packages that you can choose from during installation, meaning bigger file sizes for the installer itself. Ubuntu, on the other hand, has a very small installer as it does not come with a lot of packages. After installation, it prompts the user to check online for additional packages that might be needed for the OS to run at optimum or just any package that the user might want or need.
Summary:
1. Ubuntu is based on Debian while Fedora is based on Red Hat
2. Ubuntu is a more popular linux distribution compared to Fedora
3. Ubuntu is easier for beginners to learn than Fedora
4. Ubuntu uses DEB packages while Fedora uses RPM packages and are incompatible with each other
5. It is easier to find packages for servers with Fedora than with Ubuntu
6. It’s easier to install proprietary software in Ubuntu than with Fedora
7. Fedora installers often have a lot of packages while Ubuntu only has a minimal amount and downloads the rest from the internet
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i’ll go on the record in saying that Fedora has better package management because of compression it uses for RPM. It also has a presto plugin for quick downloads. ive seen my updates sayd 300 MBs but because of presto it more like 12 MBs i have to download
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Why is it that everytime someone wants to compare ubuntu thet choose to compare to Fedora? Not that there is anything wrong with Fedora. They contribute as much if not more than anyone else to the development of Linux certainly more than ubuntu ever will. That being said Fedora is a testing platform for the newest and most recent software and as such its really not a fair comparison for a day to day desktop. Certainly not for new users to Linux. A more fair comparison would be with a distibution that is actually new user friendly in fact not just in name such as Mandriva,Pclinux or even one of the excellent Slackware derivitives such as Zenwalk or Vector Linux. Try comparing apple with apples for a change and youll gain credibility and actually make a useful comparison that may help someone make an informed decision.
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I’m sorry but this article is based on ‘fuzzy’ thinking.
To say that two distros are different because they are different is pointless.
That one distro is more popular explains nothing.
DEB packages are NOT incompatible with RPM’s. The package called ‘alien’ allows conversion between the two. It’s simply a matter of resolving dependencies.
Finding packages depends on the skill of the user. Either distro will take a little practice.
The number of bundled apps is limited by the capacity of a CD (700 MB). There are countless suggestions for other apps for either distro.
Now, a few real facts. Fedora is known to adopt new technology earlier than Ubuntu. Fedora is less permissive of non-free proprietary software. Ubuntu eliminates the need of separate passwords for the ‘root’ user. Either distro may succeed or fail depending on a user’s specific hardware. Both distros use the kernel developed and maintained by Linus Torvalds.
Let’s focus on facts, not feelings!
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This article is very flawed. First of all, what exactly are the more friendly user interfaces in Ubuntu? Gnome is just about exactly the same on the two. Gnome is quite different in Linux Mint, but we’re not comparing Linux Mint.
Ubuntu requires plenty of command line stuff. Just go to the forum with a problem and watch the responses: “Open a terminal and type ‘sudo…'” Are you kidding me? Have you really used very many Linux distros? In complete contrast, you’ll probably never need to open a terminal at all in either OpenSuse or Mandriva. Their excellent comprehensive control panel applications are miles ahead of anything Ubuntu has done for ease of use. I’d say Mandriva actually has a slightly better version of a control panel app, but both are very good.
RPM has one distinct advantage over DEB: DeltaRPMs. With DeltaRPMs, you only download what’s different, saving both user and server bandwidth.
If you ever want a career in Linux IT, you want to learn Fedora. Red Hat Linux (and the FOSS version CentOS) is by far the widest used Linux in the enterprise arena. The others don’t come close. Future versions of RHEL are based on current Fedora releases. Basically, Fedora does the cutting edge development and testing for the Red Hat releases, which need stability as a very high priority.
Another difference is respect. I’ve talked about this all over the internet, but Ubuntu and Canonnical don’t really innovate anything. They don’t even do much upstream development at all. On the contrary, Red Hat spends a fortune on FOSS development and upstream development. Two of the biggest contributors of FOSS development are Red Hat Linux and Novell. That demands respect. We owe a lot to the work that they have done. Red Hat is even gobbling up patents to fight MS in any possible patent wars.
Lastly, Fedora isn’t trying to be the easiest to use distro out there. For that, you should look at Mandriva Linux. Fedora is as cutting edge as a Linux distro can be. It’s not for the faint of heart. One bad upgrade can break packages and possibly your install. Ubuntu aims to be cutting edge, but not quite as much, trading it for some stability and usability.
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I agree with Don. However this is not just fuzzy, it is poorly written and full of inaccuracies.
Actually Ubuntu and Fedora are not fundamentally different, you’ll essentially find the same basic software packages on both distributions and the same core at the centre. Where they do differ is explained by Don above. Furthermore, the need to “type into a command prompt” isn’t required in Fedora either.
You launch into indicating differences between DEB and RPM and yet fail to say what they are (differing archive formats for software packages). And then you make the claim that there are many more server type packages available for Fedora without substantiating the claim. Fedora itself is aimed at the desktop market, it’s cousin Red Hat Enterprise Linux is aimed at the server market. And since Ubuntu is part of the vast Debian family it too has plenty of server software to choose from.
Finally, Ubuntu doesn’t “prompt you to check online for additional packages that might be needed for the OS to run at optimum” at all. Once installation is complete that’s it, it’s running at optimium. If you wish to install additional software (just like Fedora) then there are software repositories full of excellent free software for you to explore and try.
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