Ubuntu One

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Ubuntu One

Ubuntu One Logo U1.svg
Basic data

developer Canonical Ltd.
Publishing year May 2009
operating system Linux
Windows
Android
iOS
programming language python
category Online data storage
License Proprietary software (server) and GNU General Public License (client)
login.ubuntu.com

Ubuntu One is an Open-ID- based single sign-on service that makes it possible to log into various websites and services related to the Linux distribution Ubuntu with a single account . Until April 2014 Ubuntu One also one was filehosting - service of the company Canonical .

The service was primarily intended for users of Ubuntu operating systems, but could then also be used with the Windows, Mac, Android and mobile operating systems. Ubuntu One enabled users to synchronize data between multiple computers or between computers and mobile phones via a central server. An online music service was also connected , which also enabled streaming to mobile phones. The offer could be used both via client software and via a web interface .

The server-side service was discontinued on June 1, 2014. User data was retained until July 31, when it was deleted.

However, the name and access data of the user are still used for Ubuntu's own identification service. B. is used for the Ubuntu Software Center.

history

The service started in May 2009 with a public beta phase . The application for access codes, which was initially necessary for use, was omitted at the end of July. At the beginning of October, the storage space available to paying customers was increased to 50 GB. In version 9.10 of Ubuntu , which was released at the end of October 2009 , the service was integrated into the distribution. With the release of Ubuntu 10.10 in October 2010, the beta status ended and the payment model was changed.

In April 2014 Canonical CEO Jane Silber announced in a "blog posting" the discontinuation of the service and the publication of the existing program source code as open source software.

Functionality and operation

Ubuntu One created a directory of the same name in the user directory . Files stored there were transferred to the server using the Ubuntu One Client client software when there was an existing Internet connection . Other computers that were connected to the same Ubuntu One user account could also synchronize the changed files using this software.

In addition to simple file synchronization, Ubuntu One could also synchronize other data, such as contacts from the Evolution address book or notes from the Tomboy program .

Web interface

The Ubuntu One client was only used to transfer the data to the server. The data was created and processed in the relevant program on the local computer. For example, contact details were processed with Evolution . However, once the data was uploaded to the server, some edits could also be made in the browser using a web interface. This provided the following functions (as of November 2009):

  • Manage files, i.e. upload, download, create folders, delete files and folders, share folders with other users. All changes made here were transferred to all computers set up with this account.
  • Edit address books that are synchronized with the Evolution e-mail software on your own computer
  • Edit notes that are synchronized with the Tomboy note-taking program . This feature was removed on February 27, 2012.

Packages

Various packages were offered. These differed in price and functionality.

  • Ubuntu One Free
The free basic package with 5 gigabytes of storage space could be used to synchronize files, contacts, bookmarks and notes between different devices. Pieces of music bought in the Ubuntu One Music Store were also synchronized between the registered systems.
  • 20-pack of storage
In addition to the free 5 gigabyte storage space, any number of additional 20 gigabyte packages could be added for a fee. With the exception of the extended storage space, these were identical to Ubuntu One Basic in terms of functionality.
  • Ubuntu One Music Streaming
This paid package enabled a music collection to be streamed from the offer's servers to mobile phones.

technology

On the client side, there is the Ubuntu One client for Ubuntu from version 9.04, written in Python , with a daemon for data synchronization and an applet for notifications in the event of transfers and interruptions as a desktop panel. The software Twisted and Protocol Buffers for the protocol description was used for synchronization . The data of certain applications such as B. Tomboy could be synchronized by accessing a local CouchDB instance.

The data was saved on servers in Great Britain and was therefore subject to European data protection law.

Ubuntu One Mobile

In cooperation with Funambol , a SyncML -based concept for the synchronization of contacts with mobile phones was offered.

Ubuntu One Music Store

The Ubuntu One Music Store (in cooperation with 7digital ) contained MP3 -encoded songs in 256 kbps or higher bit rate without DRM . The integration in Ubuntu was done directly via the GNOME music player Rhythmbox or via Banshee using an extension. In addition to the local copy, purchased pieces of music were also transferred to the user's online storage space and could be synchronized with any connected computer. Depending on the package booked, streaming to a mobile phone was also possible from there.

criticism

The name Ubuntu stands for free and open source software in public , whereas the parts of Ubuntu One running on the server were proprietary . This has been seen by many members of the Linux community as an abuse of Ubuntu's reputation.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Ubuntu One in Practice , videonerd.de
  2. ↑ Shutting down Ubuntu One file services . Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  3. ↑ [1] . Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  4. ↑ Twitter message about the cancellation of the invitation system . Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  5. ↑ Shutting down Ubuntu One file services . Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  6. ↑ http://geoip.flagfox.net/?ip=91.189.89.219&host=one.ubuntu.com  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / geoip.flagfox.net  
  7. ↑ Conflict of conscience - Ubuntu community is bothered by the name of the new canonical service Ubuntu One . linux-community.de. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
  8. ↑ Canonical buries its storage and music service Ubuntu One . Retrieved April 2, 2014.