Yes Ubuntu is a full Linux OS,it untiles the same things as any other distro. Uses the same kernel,the same software,the same desktop environment,the same terminal near the same as every other distro out there. It can compile code just fine,it can use network tools just as well as Novell,it just as secure as any other linux os.Ubuntu is getting a few things right that previous distros didn't. Some of it is marketing, some of it is technical.
I started using linux with ubuntu, now I use gentoo,openSUSE,PCLinuxOS,Debian, Fedora and tons of others.In fact it be hard for me to stay with one distro for a month you can just ask HDD,phil,Mike and tons of others.I might have gone threw more than 50 distro. Gentoo is awesome, GREAT performance, etc... but sometimes.. its nice when things just work. I suffer a few issues with gentoo and others, like finding it impossible to set up my surround sound which will work out ofthe box with ubuntu. For laptop support I find it hard to beat ubuntu,most dont have the out of the box hardware working like ubuntu.
It like training wheels for people who want to use a new os,does everything you need it to do,sure it not cutting like others but still is up to date with everything others do.The ubuntu team and users have done more to push linux then any other distro I can think of. Ubuntu is a great linux os, just cus some leets feel it to nub freadly doesnt mean it sucks. Hell the guy who makes linux kernel Linus Torvalds loves ubuntu
"Ease of use isn't just for newcomers. Nobody would question Linus Torvalds' expertise when it comes to Linux or his technical skills yet he stresses ease of installation and ease of keeping a distro up to date. In that context his preference for Fedora and Ubuntu over what he calls "overly technical" distributions makes a lot of sense. While he only names Debian I think we can safely assume that Gentoo and Slackware would fit into this category."
Linus Torvalds on Linux Distributions - O'Reilly News