Part of the Linux glossary:

Goobuntu (Google Ubuntu) is the default operating system (OS) that Google uses for its employee computer desktop workstations

Goobuntu is basically a long term support (LTS) version of Ubuntu with custom security features. Ubuntu (pronounced oo-BOON-too) is an open source Debian-based Linux distribution managed by the private company Canonical Ltd. Although new versions of Ubuntu are released every six months, the LTS version is released every two years, making it a good choice for large enterprise customers like Google.

According to Google engineer Thomas Bushnell, Google partners with Canonical's Ubuntu Advantage support program and Google administrators use Advanced Packaging Tool (APT) and Puppet for desktop management. Employees are encouraged, but not required, to use the OS -- but all Google's development tools are built for Goobuntu. The OS does not have a default graphical user interface (GUI); employees can use Ubuntu Unity, GNOME, KDE, X-Window or X-Terms.

Google engineer Thomas Bushnell explains why Google uses Goobuntu.

This was last updated in August 2012
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

Related Terms

Definitions

Glossaries

  • Linux

    - Terms related to Linux, including definitions about open source and words and phrases about Linux distributions and software development.

  • Operating systems

    - Terms related to operating systems, including definitions about open source and proprietary operating systems and words and phrases about system programs, boot mechanisms, kernels, command interpre...

  • Open source

    - Terms related to open source, including definitions about Linux and words and phrases about Apache and other open source software development projects.

Ask a Question About GoobuntuPowered by ITKnowledgeExchange.com

Get answers from your peers on your most technical challenges

Tech TalkComment

Share
Comments

    Results

    Contribute to the conversation

    All fields are required. Comments will appear at the bottom of the article.