20 Years of Ubuntu: Celebrating Innovation with the Latest 24.10 ‘Oracular Oriole’ Release
Ubuntu, one of the most popular Linux-based operating systems, has just celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of innovation, community-driven development, and a notecable impact on the tech industry.
Turning 20 is a big milestone for Ubuntu, highlighting its sustained impact in the Linux landscape. Over the years, it has maintained its core values while evolving to meet the changing needs of users and industries. From its early days as a desktop alternative to Windows and macOS to becoming a dominant force in cloud computing, AI, and IoT, Ubuntu has proven to be a versatile and future-focused OS. Its longevity and relevance are testaments to the strength of its open-source community and Canonical’s dedication to continuous improvement.
With the recent release of Ubuntu 24.10, codenamed “Oracular Oriole,” Ubuntu continues to build on its strong foundation, providing an accessible, flexible, and powerful operating system for all kinds of users worldwide.
What is Ubuntu?
Ubuntu is a free, open-source operating system (OS) based on Debian Linux. It was developed by Canonical Ltd. and the open-source community, and was first released in October 2004 by founder Mark Shuttleworth with the vision of making Linux more accessible to users and bridging the gap between proprietary OSes like Windows and macOS and the open-source world. The name “Ubuntu” is derived from a South African philosophy meaning “humanity to others,” reflecting its mission of inclusivity, collaboration, and global community.
Ubuntu is a versatile OS used by millions today and it goes from desktops and servers to cloud infrastructure and the Internet of Things (IoT). It is the default OS of choice for many developers, tech enthusiasts, and enterprise environments, offering robust performance, high security, and cost-effectiveness.
Ubuntu's Role in Today's Tech World
Ubuntu plays a significant role across a wide range of application domains:
- Cloud and Data Centers: Ubuntu is among the most widely deployed Linux distribution on public clouds like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Its cloud-specific version, Ubuntu Server, is optimized for scalability and offers compatibility with popular cloud management tools, making it ideal for data centers and large-scale deployments.
- AI and Machine Learning: Ubuntu provides native support for popular AI frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Keras, and is the go-to OS for many data scientists and machine learning engineers who need reliable tools and software compatibility without headaches.
- IoT and Edge Computing: Canonical has adapted Ubuntu for IoT devices and edge computing, ensuring that even small, resource-constrained devices can run secure and stable Linux systems. With Ubuntu Core, a lightweight version of the OS, IoT developers can benefit from advanced security features and consistent over-the-air (OTA) updates.
- Development Environment: As the default OS for many developers and system administrators, it’s a top choice for building, testing, and deploying applications. Many developers prefer Ubuntu for its rich repository of tools, open-source software, and supportive community.
Key Features of Ubuntu
Ubuntu is known for its stability, ease of use, and active community. Here are some of its defining features:
- User-Friendly Interface: Ubuntu’s default GNOME desktop environment offers a clean, intuitive interface that is easy for newcomers to navigate.
- Software Center: Ubuntu provides access to thousands of applications through its Software Center, where users can find and install both open-source and proprietary software.
- Security and Regular Updates: Security is a top priority in Ubuntu. Canonical releases regular updates, and each Long-Term Support (LTS) version is supported with five years of security patches and updates.
- Customizability: With Ubuntu, users can choose from various desktop environments (KDE, Xfce, LXDE, etc.) to tailor their experience.
- Community and Documentation: Ubuntu has an active, global community of developers, users, and enthusiasts who provide extensive documentation, forums, and troubleshooting guides.
Why Ubuntu?
Choosing Ubuntu comes with many benefits, whether you’re a beginner Linux user, a developer, or a business looking for a stable, cost-effective, and customizable operating system.
Ubuntu’s flexibility and reliability have made it an attractive option for users across many sectors. Here are some of its core advantages:
- Cost-Effective: As an open-source OS, Ubuntu is free to download, install, and use. It’s particularly appealing to companies seeking to reduce costs associated with licensing fees.
- Security and Privacy: Ubuntu’s robust security features make it a trusted choice in enterprise environments. It employs strict access controls, encrypted communications, and regular security updates.
- Performance: Compared to many proprietary OSes, Ubuntu is lightweight and optimized for performance, especially in environments where efficiency and scalability are crucial.
- Open-Source Philosophy: Ubuntu embodies the principles of open-source development, encouraging transparency, community collaboration, and freedom from vendor lock-in.
- User-Friendly Interface and Accessibility: Ubuntu is one of the most accessible Linux distributions, with a polished, intuitive desktop environment (typically GNOME) that is easy to use even for those new to Linux. It offers a similar experience to other major operating systems like Windows or macOS, but with greater customization options.
- DEB Packages support: Ubuntu has been derived from Debian providing access to a huge ecosystem of software packages (50K+) with more than 2 decades of development.
Companies Running Ubuntu
Ubuntu is the operating system of choice for many companies across industries, from tech giants to startups. Some of the notable organizations that rely on Ubuntu to power their operations, products, and services include:
- Google: Google uses a customized version of Ubuntu known as “Goobuntu” as the OS for many of its developers. Ubuntu provides the flexibility and security Google needs for its vast engineering teams, facilitating rapid software development and testing on an adaptable Linux-based platform.
- Netflix: Netflix utilizes Ubuntu to support parts of its cloud-based infrastructure, which is responsible for delivering streaming content to millions worldwide. Ubuntu’s compatibility with tools like Docker and Kubernetes helps Netflix manage its microservices architecture efficiently and scale up as needed.
- Dell: Dell offers Ubuntu as a standard OS on many of its laptops, especially within its XPS and Precision lines focused on developers and IT professionals. Dell’s partnership with Canonical allows customers to enjoy a pre-installed Ubuntu experience, fully supported and tested with Dell hardware.
- Uber: Uber uses Ubuntu in its data centers to support its global network of ride-sharing services. The OS powers large-scale data analysis, location tracking, and logistics software that optimize Uber’s operations and provide real-time service to millions of users.
Ubuntu 24.10 "Oracular Oriole" Release

Ubuntu 24.10 “Oracular Oriole” is the second release in 2024 and it brings substantial enhancements. Canonical has shifted its kernel policy to include Linux 6.11, embracing the latest upstream kernel at release for enhanced hardware compatibility and advanced features. This shift enables hardware providers, such as Dell, to more easily plan for future kernel compatibility in upcoming releases and Hardware Enablement (HWE) updates to Ubuntu LTS versions.
Key New Features and Enhancements
- Enhanced Kernel and Security Features: Ubuntu Desktop 24.10 now includes kdump-tools for automatic kernel crash diagnostics, aiding in quick issue resolution. Additionally, users gain experimental control over Snap app manager permissions through a new Security Center app, which allows fine-tuned management of system permissions and access.
- Wayland and GNOME 47: Ubuntu 24.10 brings improved graphical performance and stability with GNOME 47 and uses Wayland by default for NVIDIA hardware, with open-source NVIDIA 560 drivers now included.
- Enhanced Snap and Gaming Support: With a reworked App Center interface, users can view Snap installation and update progress more transparently. For gamers, the Steam Snap now provides expanded permissions and optimized gaming performance, with low-latency kernel settings and additional NVIDIA driver support.
- Vulnerability Reporting and Security: Canonical is introducing the OpenVEX and OSV standards for vulnerability reporting, addressing known vulnerabilities more comprehensively and aligning with industry-wide best practices. PPAs and other repositories also now require stronger signatures, enhancing security for all Ubuntu users.
- Developer Tool Updates: The latest toolchains and runtime environments for languages such as Python, Java, Go, C++, and Rust are included, offering developers both the latest and versioned packages. Ubuntu’s OpenJDK versions 17 and 21 now pass the TCK certification, ensuring Java SE compliance and compatibility across architectures.
- Introduction of Valkey: Ubuntu 24.10 debuts Valkey, an open-source, high-performance key-value data store suitable for diverse workloads, including caching and message queuing. This addition underlines Canonical’s commitment to supporting robust open-source solutions, offering Valkey with backported support in LTS editions.
- 20th Anniversary Celebrations: To mark Ubuntu’s 20th anniversary, users can enjoy nostalgic features like “warty brown” accents, classic wallpapers, and even the original startup sound.

Closing Thoughts
Ubuntu has come a long way since its first release in 2004. Now, two decades later, with the release of Ubuntu 24.10 “Oracular Oriole,” it remains a go-to operating system for individuals, developers, and enterprises. Its impact on cloud computing, AI, and IoT highlights its role as a leader in open-source innovation.
As Ubuntu continues to evolve, it is well-positioned to meet the demands of tomorrow’s tech landscape, providing a reliable, secure, and adaptable OS that empowers users worldwide. At Cloudification we have been using Ubuntu since the early days and it has been proven in many production environments with c12n.cloud – our end-to-end private cloud solution. Should you be looking for a server OS or to build and run a cloud platform – do not hesitate to get in touch!