1. What is Ubuntu MATE?
Ubuntu MATE is an operating system -- the core software that runs your computer, similar to Microsoft's Windows, Apple's OS X and Google's Chrome OS. Ubuntu MATE is a distribution (variation) of Linux designed for beginners, average, and advanced computer users alike. It is a dependable, capable, and modern computer system that rivals all others in popularity and usage.
If you are new to Ubuntu MATE, or only casually acquainted with Linux based distributions, it can be difficult to understand how a Linux operating system compares with other computer systems that you may already be familiar with. You are likely to find that it is more similar than different. Hopefully this help system manual will help demystify Ubuntu MATE for new-comers and provide a reference for all users. This manual has four main sections, each of which has additional detail. Click on any link to explore a topic that interest you. You can always come back to this page or simply continue to explore and learn about Ubuntu MATE.
Modern and Full-Featured
Ubuntu MATE is a modern computer operating system, with an attractive and easy to understand user interface. Its update manager keeps not only the operating system itself, but all of its installed applications updated to the current release. The operating system is more secure, and better supported than operating systems that come pre-installed on most home computer hardware today.
Pre-Configured Yet Flexible
Using Ubuntu MATE provides you with the freedom to run a complete, full-featured operating system, pre-configured with most, if not all, of the applications you will need for your daily computing -- or to change anything about the way it looks, the way it works, or the applications it runs to suit your taste.
Built-In Security
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!