Ubuntu or Fedora, Which is Better Linux Distro.
Linux Operating Systems are getting popular. Over the years they have grown and today they present an option to Microsoft Windows OS. There are about more than 200 Linux distributions which are being used currently. Many of IT personnel who swear by MS Windows all day turns in to Linux lovers by night. 
Since most of the corporates have gone in for Windows OS and Windows Servers, their employees have to necessarily opt for Windows OS but their love for open source is what drives to use Linux distro in the cool ambient and comfort of their homes.
The two popular distributions which are keenly tracked on Distrowatch are Fedora and Ubuntu. With keyword Fedora or Ubuntu you will get more than dozen comparisons between Fedora and Ubuntu. Each of these comparisons have tried to cover some or a few of the aspects of Fedora and Ubuntu but none of these comparisons have declared either one of them as the winner.
Both of these distributions were Ubuntu was founded by Mark Shuttleworth. Last five years have seen, these two distributions growing at frenetic pace. The present versions Fedora 12 and Ubuntu 9.10 have evolved considerably compared to their earlier forms.
Theme and Policy:
While Ubuntu aims to provide “an open-source alternative to Windows and Office,” Fedora‘s goal is to create “a Linux-based operating system that showcases the latest in free and open source software.” Ubuntu’s emphasis on usability and making changes and Fedora’s on innovation, leaves a gaping hole in marketability of these products. A techno savvy person or a geek may understand the nuances of these Linux distributions but a commoner will turn away from the change which is unfolding so fast.
Fedora and Ubuntu alike are centered on the GNOME desktop. Most of users install Fedora and Ubuntu through Live CDs with minimal interface from users. Setup completes in less than half an hour.
Apart from defaults like themes, wallpaper etc, the GNOME desktops of two distributions leave you with very little differentiations.
Installation:
Space is going to be constraint in future so software like GIMP may get dropped. Presently installation is done using Live CDs but in future if Ubuntu and Fedora offers DVD support then in that case space requirements during installation may be forgotten. It’s known that Ubuntu uses Debian packages and Fedora, the RPM packages. Debian packages earlier used to install the missing packages on its own while RPM packages needed user to install all the packages one by one. But today the graphical user interface has blurred the difference between the two installations. Today Fedora even competes with Ubuntu with its rich packages.
Security:
Ubuntu uses ‘sudo’ with administrative commands and requires root password to be entered before command proceeds. Fedora doesn’t uses sudo but requires separate password to enter root. Fedora does use SE Linux which can be set to a level of security which prevents installation of software unless user disables it. In a way Fedora thus scores over Ubuntu in terms of security.
In the end, there is hardly anything which differentiates the two popular distributions. Fedora and Ubuntu both are equally good and in terms of features, both of them have always been trying to compete with each other.
Other comparisons:
polishlinux.org » Ubuntu vs Fedora
The Linux Battle: Ubuntu vs. Fedora
May also like to read:
This comparison states that both of these distributions are founded by Mark Shuttleworth. That is completely wrong.
Fedora is sponsored by Red Hat and is a continuation of Red Hat Linux which has been around for a decade
Ubuntu is sponsored by Canonical which is a different company headed by Mark.
How about some fact checking next time?
Thanks. Noted and Corrected.
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.
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
The main differences that are important to me:
1) Ubuntu is Debian-based (.deb packages) and Fedora is Red Hat-based (.rpm packages)
2) Ubuntu community is much larger
3) Fedora community is much smarter (technical might be a better word)
4) Ubuntu tries to be more “user friendly” and Fedora tries to be more “cutting edge”