Ubuntu LTS vs Latest Release: Which Should You Choose?
Ubuntu 13.04: A Refined, Yet Evolutionary Release
The newest iteration of Ubuntu, version 13.04, is notable primarily for its lack of radical change. While it incorporates the newest software packages and benefits from further refinement, it doesn't introduce any compelling features demanding an immediate upgrade.
Ubuntu's release cycle has shifted, positioning individual releases as increasingly appealing to more advanced users. The official Ubuntu website prominently features Ubuntu 12.04 LTS as the recommended choice for most users.
Focus on Long-Term Support
Software compatibility is also leaning towards the LTS version. For example, platforms like Valve’s Steam are initially developed with primary support for Ubuntu 12.04 LTS.
The LTS (Long Term Support) version receives continuous updates, ensuring compatibility with the latest hardware components. This ongoing support makes it a stable and reliable option.
Implications for Users
- Users on older Ubuntu versions may find the upgrade worthwhile for the latest software.
- Those currently running Ubuntu 12.04 LTS are not compelled to upgrade immediately.
- Enthusiasts seeking the newest packages will appreciate the changes in Ubuntu 13.04.
Essentially, Ubuntu 13.04 represents an evolutionary step rather than a revolutionary one. It builds upon the solid foundation of the LTS release, offering incremental improvements and maintaining a focus on stability and long-term support.
Understanding Ubuntu LTS
The acronym LTS signifies "long-term support." Initially, LTS versions were developed with business users in mind, providing a dependable platform with guaranteed security updates for an extended duration.
Alongside LTS releases, Ubuntu consistently publishes new versions on a six-month cycle. Historically, typical users favored these frequent releases. These represented the conventional method for experiencing Ubuntu prior to the introduction of LTS versions.
Even following the debut of the initial LTS releases, each subsequent Ubuntu version continued to present attractive features, crucial software updates, and refinements that appealed to general users.
Ubuntu LTS provides a stable base for deployments requiring predictability and reduced maintenance.
The Benefits of Long-Term Support
- Stability: LTS releases prioritize stability over the newest features.
- Security Updates: They receive security patches for five years.
- Reduced Upgrade Frequency: Less frequent upgrades minimize disruption.
The five-year support window for security updates is a key advantage of choosing an LTS version.
While non-LTS releases offer the latest software, they require more frequent upgrades. This can be a benefit for users who want cutting-edge technology, but it also introduces potential compatibility issues.
Who Should Use Ubuntu LTS?
Ubuntu LTS is ideally suited for users who value stability and long-term support. This includes:
- Businesses and organizations.
- Users who prefer a "set it and forget it" approach.
- Servers and production environments.
For those seeking the newest software packages and features, the standard six-month releases may be more appropriate. However, these releases demand a greater commitment to ongoing maintenance and updates.
Long Term Support and Security Updates
Ubuntu’s Long Term Support (LTS) releases are engineered as dependable foundations for extended use. A commitment is made by Ubuntu to provide these releases with crucial security updates, bug resolutions, and enhancements to hardware compatibility – including updated kernel and X server versions – for a period of five years.
Currently, Ubuntu 12.04, the existing LTS release, is slated for support until April 2017. This extended support lifecycle distinguishes it from other release types.
Conversely, a standard Ubuntu release is supported for a shorter duration of nine months. Given that new Ubuntu versions are launched every six months, a three-month window is available for upgrading after each release to continue receiving security patches.
Upgrading Strategies
It is generally recommended to upgrade to each new LTS version as they become available, with new versions appearing every two years. Choosing the LTS path allows for upgrades every two years, or the option to remain on a single version for the full five-year support period.
LTS releases prioritize stability and refinement. Standard releases, however, introduce the newest features, which may still be undergoing final development and testing.
For instance, Ubuntu 13.04 saw the removal of the Gwibber social networking client due to instability, though its reintroduction was anticipated in subsequent versions. Utilizing the latest release typically necessitates upgrades every six to nine months.
By contrast, employing an LTS version permits upgrades every two years, or even maintaining the same version for up to five years.
The Enduring Appeal of Ubuntu LTS
Initially, Valve’s Steam for Linux provided official support exclusively for Ubuntu 12.04 LTS. Despite the availability of newer Linux distributions, the LTS version remains a viable – and often preferred – choice, even for those eager to experience the newest Linux games.
Ubuntu actively maintained the LTS release with updates specifically designed to enhance Steam’s performance. Contrary to perceptions of stagnation, the LTS version is consistently improved, ensuring software compatibility and functionality.
Mark Shuttleworth, a prominent figure at Ubuntu, has even proposed bringing the newest iteration of the Unity desktop environment back to the 12.04 LTS release. This demonstrates a strong dedication to the LTS release, as evidenced by his statement: "We should back port unity 7 to 12.04!" A developer responded, confirming that “almost all the safe speed improvements” had already been implemented.
The Mythbuntu PVR project, built upon Ubuntu, has adopted the LTS release as its standard. They are now exclusively releasing Mythbuntu versions based on Ubuntu LTS, recognizing that frequent six-month releases are unnecessary when the LTS version receives ongoing enhancements for hardware support.
While upgrading to newer Ubuntu releases provides access to the latest software versions, this is becoming less crucial, even for demanding tasks like gaming or multimedia consumption. Should a specific application require the newest features, it can be installed independently via a third-party PPA, avoiding a full system upgrade.
Benefits of Utilizing Ubuntu LTS
- Stability: LTS releases prioritize stability and reliability.
- Long-Term Support: Receive security updates and bug fixes for an extended period.
- Reduced Upgrade Frequency: Avoid the disruption of frequent system upgrades.
- Compatibility: Ensures compatibility with a wide range of hardware and software.
Choosing the LTS version allows users to benefit from a robust and dependable operating system without the constant need for updates. This approach is particularly advantageous for those seeking a consistent and predictable computing experience.
The Appeal of Ubuntu's Newest Version
The question arises: for whom is the most recent release intended? Individuals who prioritize utilizing cutting-edge software, possessing the newest iterations of all applications, and accessing the latest functionalities before their inclusion in Ubuntu's Long Term Support (LTS) version should consider upgrading to the six-month releases.
Furthermore, developers requiring the most current package versions might find an upgrade beneficial, particularly if obtaining them through the LTS version proves cumbersome. Those who embrace Linux for its capacity for customization and experimentation, and who prefer a dynamic software experience, are also well-suited to the latest release.
The Stability of LTS Releases
However, remaining with the LTS release doesn't represent a significant compromise. The necessity for frequent, six-month upgrades has diminished, as Ubuntu’s LTS releases are comprehensively supported and compatible with essential software.
Regular updates incorporating new hardware support and performance enhancements are consistently provided for the LTS version. This means upgrades are typically unnecessary for resolving hardware compatibility issues or achieving substantial desktop performance gains.
Consider this: Ubuntu 13.04, while perhaps not revolutionary, exemplifies a success for Ubuntu and the broader desktop Linux ecosystem.
The fact that frequent upgrades are no longer mandatory underscores the quality and stability of the software already in use.
If you are an Ubuntu user, do you favor the stability of the LTS release, or do you actively upgrade with each new individual release?