Project Questions
FAQs
If we get asked something frequently enough we’ll try to provide the answers here.
What is Ubuntu MATE exactly?
See our What is Ubuntu MATE? page.
Is Ubuntu MATE an official Canonical project?
No, it is an Ubuntu community project.
OK, so who is behind Ubuntu MATE?
Take a look at our team page to see the all-star cast who have made Ubuntu MATE possible.
Is Ubuntu MATE an official Ubuntu “flavour”?
Yes.
Why is xyz application installed by default when I prefer abc application?
In general, the default application selection follows what shipped in Ubuntu. The only reason we deviate from the default Ubuntu applications is if they are not compatible with Ubuntu MATE or pull in lots of unnecessary dependencies.
The reason for using the default applications as shipped by Ubuntu is that they are supported by the Ubuntu Desktop team. The Ubuntu MATE team is rather small so sharing the support responsibility makes sense, both for us and our users.
Why is xyz application installed default when abc application is better?
See the answer to the question above.
Will Ubuntu MATE run on my computer?
If you have a computer from Entroware, System76, ZaReason, Think Penguin or some models from Dell such as the XPS 13 Developer Edition, then Ubuntu MATE will absolutely run on your computer.
Computers from major PC vendors such as Acer, ASUS, HP and Lenovo will most likely run Ubuntu MATE just fine too.
Ubuntu MATE is designed to run on almost any computer hardware. Of course Ubuntu MATE runs particularly well on the newest, fastest hardware, but it also runs well on computers manufactured in the last decade. In fact, an older computer designed during the Windows XP era, can easily be outfitted with the new, modern and fully-supported Ubuntu MATE and it will likely run better than it did with the previously installed operating system.
Can I use iTunes on Ubuntu MATE?
No. This is one of those programs that is specifically designed by Apple NOT to run on Linux. Although macOS has its roots in the same UNIX philosophy as Linux, macOS is not the same as Linux, and applications written for Apple’s operating system do not automatically run on Linux. However Spotify is available for Ubuntu MATE and there are plenty of alternative media players that will play music, create play lists, sync with mobile devices, and retrieve, manage and play podcasts. Rythmbox is provided with Ubuntu MATE and can play any of the music or podcasts in your iTunes library.
Is Ubuntu MATE secure and safe to use?
Ubuntu MATE is designed with security in mind. Unlike operating systems that update only once a month, Ubuntu MATE receives updates continuously. The updates include security patches for Ubuntu MATE and all of its components. Security updates for all of its installed applications are also provided on the same schedule. This ensures that you have the latest protection for all of your computer’s software, as soon as it’s available! Is Ubuntu MATE more secure than other operating systems?
We think that security on Linux systems like Ubuntu MATE is superior. Ubuntu MATE users are not administrators by default. Administrators (“root” users) on any computer system have permission to do anything they want, including the ability to damage the system.
For example, other operating systems look at the name of a file to determine which program should open it, then immediately attempt to open it! That design makes it easy for an intruder to attack a computer. Ubuntu MATE opens a file based on what the file is, not based on its name. So even if a malicious program disguises its identity by using the name “Last Will and Testament.txt” Ubuntu MATE will recognize the file as a program. The system provides a warning that the file is not a text file, but that it is a program that will be run if you give it permission to continue. To be extra secure, Ubuntu MATE requires you to provide your administrator password before that permission is granted. Every single time.
Can Ubuntu MATE get computer viruses and malware?
Ubuntu MATE can get viruses and other infections… but it doesn’t. Rapid and timely updates ensure that there are very few, if any threats to Linux systems like Ubuntu MATE that persist in the wild. In reality, there have been very few “public” infections in the last 10 years that can affect Ubuntu MATE. They are no longer a threat to anyone installing or using a modern Linux distribution today. Ubuntu MATE is designed to make it difficult for viruses, root kits and other malware to be installed and run without conscious intervention by you, the user. Even if you do accidentally invite in an infection, chances are it’s designed to attack Windows and won’t do much, if any damage to Ubuntu MATE.
How can Ubuntu MATE be free?
What Linux, Ubuntu and MATE Desktop all have in common is they are Open Source. Open Source software is software that can be freely used, changed, and shared (in modified or unmodified form) by anyone. In a nutshell Ubuntu MATE is free, in the truest sense of the word.
Although you will find some versions (distributions) of Linux for purchase, the vast majority are provided free of charge, like Ubuntu MATE. Open Source software is licensed in a way that allows anyone to give it away for free, no strings attached. For example, the licence gives any member of the user community the freedom to use Linux for any purpose, to distribute, modify, redistribute, or even sell the operating system. If you do modify and then redistribute Linux with your modifications, you are required by the licence to submit your modifications for possible inclusion into future versions. There is no guarantee that this will ever happen, but if you have made it better, then your changes just might be included in the next release of Ubuntu MATE.
Many of the users of Linux are corporations that use the operating system to run their businesses, or include it within their products. Many of these corporations provide fixes and new features for Linux as they use the software for their businesses. These improvements are given back to the Linux community and Ubuntu MATE improves as a result.
This is how we can continually improve and grow without having to charge our users money.
I’ve got a question. Where do I ask?
Ask the Ubuntu MATE community.
What has Ubuntu MATE got planned for the future?
Hopefully our roadmap outlines some of what we have planned. If you have any ideas yourself, we’d love to hear from you.