What is Kubuntu?

Kubuntu is a free, user-friendly operating system based on the K Desktop Environment and on the award winning Ubuntu operating system. With a biannual release cycle and at least 18 months of free security updates for each release, it is the secure, stable computing environment you've been waiting for. Take the tour or hear what our users have to say.

Who uses Kubuntu?

Kubuntu is used by KDE enthusiasts, non-technical home users, netbook owners, small-businesses, educational institutions and governments alike. Here are a few examples of just who is using Kubuntu.

The French government: Since June 2007, 1154 of the French parliament's desktops have been running Kubuntu. An official government report stated that the switch was expected provide a substantial savings to tax-payers.
Mike: Mike is your average non-technical home user. Kubuntu allows him to easily browse the web, check his email, manage pictures and access his multimedia collection.
Ryan: Ryan is a KDE enthusiast and wants to experience KDE SC the way it was meant to be experienced. He loves that Kubuntu tries to ship a KDE the way upstream meant it to be, with the least modifications possible.
Brazilian primary schools: A modified version of Kubuntu is used in over 29,000 computer labs in Brazilian primary schools, serving over 32 million students. By the end of 2009, it will be used in 53,000 labs, serving roughly 52 million students.

Developer of the moment

Roderick B. Greening

I started with Kubuntu in 2006. I had a friend who was dissatisfied with Windows, and we decided to test drive Kubuntu together. Then one day, Knetworkmanager stopped working. I decided then to see if there was something I could do to help fix it. That was my first foray into Kubuntu development, and the rest is history.

Typically I help package for Kubuntu, however this cycle I developed a PyKDE front-end to usb-creator. It was a labor of love, but the finished product is something I'm proud of.

Tip: If an application is completely non-responsive, you can kill it by pressing CTRL+ALT+ESC and then left-click on the application.

User of the moment

Jim Shaver

I have recently downloaded and installed Kubuntu 9.10 and it is great! [...] Well I have used Kubuntu 9.10 for a bit now and I must say it is giving me very little to complain about. Network has a little ways to go yet. New installer bling is great! Some great new improvements to gwenview. [...] (Most) compositing effects now show up in screenshots! Congrats to Pinheiro for his work on icons and theming. K3B looks great now that it is integrated into KDE4 as well as the newest air desktop theme. Kopete can now integrate with Skype. Awesome!