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Get to know Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | Welcome Bionic Beaver!!

Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, codenamed "Bionic Beaver", is one of the most popular and widely used Linux distributions. The "LTS" stands for Long - Term Support, which means it will receive security updates and maintenance for an extended period, in this case, five years. This makes it an ideal choice for both personal users and businesses that require a stable and reliable operating system. In this blog, we will explore the key features, installation process, and common usage scenarios of Ubuntu 18.04 LTS.

2026-06

Table of Contents#

  1. Key Features of Ubuntu 18.04 LTS
  2. System Requirements
  3. Installation Process
  4. Post - Installation Setup
  5. Package Management
  6. Working with the Terminal
  7. Common Software and Applications
  8. Security and Updates
  9. Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Key Features of Ubuntu 18.04 LTS#

Desktop Environment#

  • GNOME 3.28: Ubuntu 18.04 comes with the GNOME 3.28 desktop environment. It offers a modern, clean, and intuitive user interface. The Activities overview provides easy access to all open applications, windows, and workspaces.
  • Unity Option: Although the default is GNOME, users who prefer the classic Unity desktop environment can still install it. Unity offers a more traditional layout with a launcher on the left - hand side of the screen.

Performance Improvements#

  • Fast Boot: Ubuntu 18.04 has significantly improved boot times compared to previous versions. This is achieved through various optimizations in the system startup process.
  • Low Memory Usage: The operating system is designed to use less memory, making it suitable for older hardware as well.

Software Updates#

  • Long - Term Support: As an LTS release, Ubuntu 18.04 will receive security updates and maintenance until April 2023. This ensures that your system remains secure and stable over a long period.

Compatibility#

  • Hardware Support: It has excellent support for a wide range of hardware, including laptops, desktops, and servers. This makes it a versatile choice for different types of users.

2. System Requirements#

Minimum Requirements#

  • Processor: A 1 GHz or faster processor
  • Memory: 1 GB of system memory (RAM)
  • Storage: 5 GB of available disk space
  • Graphics: A graphics card capable of 1024x768 resolution
  • Processor: A multi - core processor
  • Memory: 2 GB or more of system memory (RAM)
  • Storage: 20 GB or more of available disk space
  • Graphics: A graphics card with at least 128 MB of video memory

3. Installation Process#

Step 1: Download the ISO Image#

  • Visit the official Ubuntu website (https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop) and download the Ubuntu 18.04 LTS ISO image.
  • You can choose the 64 - bit version depending on your hardware.

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Drive#

  • You can use tools like Rufus (for Windows) or Etcher (for Windows, macOS, and Linux) to create a bootable USB drive from the ISO image.
  • Insert a USB drive with at least 2 GB of space and follow the instructions provided by the tool.

Step 3: Boot from the USB Drive#

  • Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. Change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive.
  • Save the settings and restart the computer. It should boot from the USB drive and display the Ubuntu installation menu.

Step 4: Install Ubuntu#

  • Follow the on - screen instructions. You can choose to install Ubuntu alongside your existing operating system (dual - boot) or overwrite the entire disk.
  • Set up your language, keyboard layout, and user account details.
  • Wait for the installation to complete and then restart your computer.

4. Post - Installation Setup#

Update the System#

  • Open the terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and run the following commands to update the system:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Install Drivers#

  • If you have a graphics card, you may need to install the appropriate drivers. You can use the "Additional Drivers" tool in the system settings to find and install the recommended drivers.

Customize the Desktop#

  • You can change the desktop background, theme, and icons according to your preferences. Go to the "Appearance" settings in the system menu to make these changes.

5. Package Management#

APT (Advanced Package Tool)#

  • APT is the primary package management system in Ubuntu. It allows you to install, update, and remove software packages.
  • Install a Package: Use the following command to install a package, for example, to install the Firefox web browser:
sudo apt install firefox
  • Update a Package: To update all installed packages, run:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
  • Remove a Package: To remove a package, use the following command:
sudo apt remove package_name

Snap Packages#

  • Snap is a new packaging format in Ubuntu. It provides self - contained applications that are easy to install and manage.
  • To install a snap package, for example, the Spotify music player, run:
sudo snap install spotify

6. Working with the Terminal#

Basic Commands#

  • ls: Lists the files and directories in the current directory.
ls
  • cd: Changes the current directory. For example, to move to the "Documents" directory:
cd Documents
  • mkdir: Creates a new directory. For example, to create a new directory named "Projects":
mkdir Projects
  • rm: Removes a file or directory. To remove a file named "example.txt":
rm example.txt

Advanced Commands#

  • grep: Searches for a pattern in a file or output. For example, to search for the word "hello" in a file named "test.txt":
grep "hello" test.txt
  • sudo: Allows you to run commands with administrative privileges. For example, to install a package that requires root access:
sudo apt install package_name

7. Common Software and Applications#

Web Browsers#

  • Firefox: A popular open - source web browser. You can install it using the APT command mentioned earlier.
  • Chromium: An open - source alternative to Google Chrome. Install it with:
sudo apt install chromium-browser

Office Suite#

  • LibreOffice: A free and open - source office suite that includes applications like Writer (word processing), Calc (spreadsheets), and Impress (presentations). Install it with:
sudo apt install libreoffice

Multimedia#

  • VLC Media Player: A versatile media player that can play a wide range of audio and video formats. Install it with:
sudo apt install vlc

8. Security and Updates#

Firewall#

  • Ubuntu comes with the Uncomplicated Firewall (UFW) pre - installed. You can enable it and configure it to allow or block specific ports and services.
  • To enable the firewall, run:
sudo ufw enable
  • To allow incoming SSH connections, run:
sudo ufw allow ssh

Automatic Updates#

  • You can configure Ubuntu to install security updates automatically. Go to the "Software & Updates" settings and select the appropriate options for automatic updates.

9. Troubleshooting Common Issues#

Booting Problems#

  • If your system fails to boot, you can try booting into recovery mode. During the boot process, hold down the Shift key to access the GRUB menu and select the recovery mode option.
  • You can then perform tasks like fixing file system errors or reinstalling the graphics drivers.

Network Issues#

  • If you are having trouble connecting to the network, check your network settings. You can use the "Network" settings in the system menu to configure your network connection.
  • You can also try restarting the network manager service:
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

Conclusion#

Ubuntu 18.04 LTS is a powerful and reliable operating system that offers a wide range of features and applications. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced Linux user, it provides a stable and user - friendly environment. By following the steps and tips in this blog, you can get the most out of your Ubuntu 18.04 LTS installation.

References#