We get various distros like kubuntu/ubuntu/lubuntu/edu/etc… for free.
We get critical updates constantly. We can download any programs we want from Ubuntu repos.
Gee, I can't even imagine what kind of a CDN network you gotta have to support all this. Also, Ubuntu has a lot of people working for them:
Ubuntu jobs
Can someone explain how this is possible financially?
Best Answer
Firstly a lot of people work on Ubuntu in their free time (many of them programming, but also those of here for instance answering people's questions). Also some people donate to Ubuntu.
However there is more to the story. Canonical Ltd. is a private company that created and continues to pay for Ubuntu. We know Canonical hadn't been making a profit, but Canonical was initially founded by multi-millionaire Mark Shuttleworth which meant it didn't have to focus on making money right away.
However Canonical is now looking towards to making Ubuntu profitable. (After all, they have 600+ employees to pay every month!) There are some indications this has been successful. Their key revenue streams offer services around Ubuntu:
The Canonical Store (selling physical Ubuntu branded items)- discontinuedUbuntu One (online file storage and synchronization service) and Music Store (selling music from within Ubuntu)- discontinued.All of these are areas that Canonical hopes will grow.