Linux

Wait what? Telnet? I am guessing cybersecurity is not one of the classes available at your school.

No

please don't

You must! The Penguin demands it!

A lot of advanced analytical tools in biotech at least are developed to be compute cluster compatible, and thus work best on unix-like CLI, e.g. Linux (or Mac with a bit of tinkering)

Don't worry, Ubuntu was probably Lucid. 🤭

Medical environments are notorious for inept tech skills and slow technology adoption.

I loved it when it came out.

From my perspective, if used for work, automatic security updates should be mandatory. Linux is damn impressive with live patch. With thousands or even tens of thousands of endpoints, it's negligent to not patch.

Features? Don't care. But security updates are essential in a large organisation.

The worst part of the Linux fan base is the users who hate forced updates, and also don't believe in AV. Ok on your home network that's not very risky compared to a corp network with a million student and staff personal information often with byo devices only a network segment away and APT groups targeting you because they know your reputation is worth something to ransom.

Windows, macOS and a ton of other Linux distros do that as well.

First of all, windows and macOS are not for free. They cost extra money, sometimes hidden in the PC cost when pre-installed. When they do a major update, like Win10 to 11, you are at their mercy, if your license can be used to upgrade. Often it can, but sometimes your PC is not "Windows 11 ready" or so and then you get updates for your old system for a few more years until they drop you like a hot potato and throw you to the malware wolves.

Additionally, in Windows the automatic updates are just for the OS itself and some apps from its store. A few apps like Chrome and FF install their own extra update service on top. A lot of other programs check for updates individually or some not at all and often you have to download and run their installer for every update. Idk how it is in macOS tho. Haven't used it in years.

Yes, a ton of other Linux distros also have background unattended-upgrade or similar. However, the people who choose Ubuntu over those are usually looking for a quick solution that almost always just installs without problems. They usyally don't have time or patience for any complications, however small. So they choose the fire-and-forget Linux and additionally have greater chances to find a fix or help in the super rare case it doesn't work, because the bigger user base increases the likelyhood someone else is familiar or has infos regarding that exotic issue.