Why is Ubuntu so popular?

This was a topic of discussion on some Linux forums recently.

I am a Linux user, I use openSUSE.

I wonder the same thing, why is Ubuntu so popular, they haven't really done any innovation.

All improvements in Ubuntu r present in any other Linux distribution I have ever tried. All Linux systems support the exact same hardware.

In fact Ubuntu isn't even as polished as distros like suse or mandriva or linspire.
Its very buggy compared to suse, if I have a bug on suse and I can be sure the bug is there on all Linux systems.
Ubuntu doesn't have a GUI for everything so how is it easier, opensuse and mandriva have a GUI for every little thing.
Ubuntu bug fixing policy is horrible.
Novell started the compiz project, Ubuntu has not done anything really so why is it growing?
Its not the easiest Linux system no matter what anyone says, try performing different tasks on ubuntu then suse and mandriva and u will see the difference.

What r your opinions?

I am not talking about opensuse, I am talking about distros like opensuse, mandriva, and even linspire cause it has a lot of legal software such as codecs and stuff.

I've tried open suse, but I just couldn't get into it. I started off on Debian-based distros and that's probably where I'll stay. Ubuntu's bugs have improved a lot, and even Ubuntu hardy herron alpha 5 isn't very buggy. I know that most of the hardware detection is in the kernel, but for some reason Ubuntu is one of the only distros that my sound card works with. (maybe different version of the kernel? IDK) Yeah Ubuntu isn't nearly as polished as other distros, but Gnome is so configurable, you can pretty much make it look as good as you want. I'm not saying Ubuntu is better than Open Suse, just that I prefer it.

Later

If / when OpenSUSE gives out free CDs, I'm sure they'll become more popular.

you could say the same about os x but it was marketed or talked about more than other distros like suse and so has more people.

they give lost of free cd's
more people use it and more people have heard of them that other distros so you can get support easier.
it all goes to what you have heard of not many people have heard of the others so they know about them or dont trust them.

relatively speaking linux in general isnt popular because it add's more of a learning curve for people than mac os or windows os does on windows and mac os you can get the dumbest person you know and they can figure out what to do.

and you have to go searching on the net for codecs for simple things as playing a certain file types while most are built in to windows or mac

I use both Ubuntu and OpenSUSE. I find the installation of software on OpenSUSE to be more involved, despite the YAST installer.
Detecting the Graphics driver was another issue, where with Ubuntu it will install via the Restricted Drivers Manager, OpenSUSE despite having the what seems to be an impressive installer insisted my Graphics card was not capable of 3D acceleration, so it had to be installed manually, not much of a problem once you had kindly guided me yourself via email.
I feel for the Linux first timer Ubuntu is easier to get their head around, its easily accessable and the installer is as easy as it could be.
I admit when Ubuntu is first installed it is nothing short of ugly, but once you have personalized it with various themes, it becomes beautiful.
As much as I appreciate your input whenever we communicate online, I have to disagree with you when you say Ubuntu is buggy, I admit I prefer to use Ubuntu 7.04 than 7.10, but that is of personal preference.
If Ubuntu does encounter a problem they are usually pretty quick to address it.

Both OpenSUSE and Ubuntu are great, for me Ubuntu has the edge.

Good luck.

LUg.

I sense a bit of Ubuntu bashing.
Admittedly I have not use SUSE Linux but I have tried Open Suse. I have also tried about ten other Linux distros. I found something to like in all of them but I found myself returning to Ubuntu every time. Some of it may just be my comfort level.
I think there are two factors contributing to the popularity of Ubuntu.
1.) The developers have made it increasingly easy for a gnoob like me to install the OS and add software and functionality.
2.) The availability of help when us gnoobs run into problems.

I have visited the forums for other Linux distros and found them quite cold and cliquish. The Ubuntu Forums strive to be helpful and welcoming to gnoobs.

Open Suse is on my list of distros to try again after I give Fedora8 a spin.

ubuntu based distros seam easier to tweek to me. easier to install goodies then every other distro I have tried. Admittedly I havent been able to try suse or slackware I could never get an install to go right. for beginners I always recomend ubuntu based distros of course thats not to take anything away from any linux distro its all good but as you know its not all easy to work with I never got the first RPM to work and for get about command line entry. I recently took a peek at the new fedora 8 and I think they are coming up to speed if suse is anything like that then maybe I underestimated them. I use linux mint and its the first distro I reach for when doing a friends computer its nice when its installed to know I dont need to install anything else to play DVDs and other videoes, java, and flash are ready to go.