Ubuntu Desktop A Linux OS For Everyone
The title of this post is a fact and please pass the word. Ubuntu Linux is an operating system for everyone. I have been in the technology field for many years. During that time I have install Red Hat and Fedora. I found Red Hat and Fedora had a long install process followed by difficulty installing software, drivers, and codecs once the install was complete. Those to drawbacks were the primary reasons why I never really made the switch to running Linux. Well that has changed with Ubuntu.
Lets start with the install, or should I say run it before you install it. You can actually run Ubuntu on your computer from the boot/install CD without actually installing it to your hard drive. Just visit the Ubuntu Dektop page and download the CD image. Once you have downloaded the image burn it to CD. Now you can use the CD to boot any computer which meets the system requirements, run Ubuntu. At this point you can really test Ubuntu, then if you are happy you can perform an install.
The Ubuntu install process is a seven step process. During the install you will be asked will how much space to use for the install, your geographic location, and a few other things. That is it! Your Done! I have to say I was impressed after the install to find all the hardware in my system worked perfectly. Hardware compatibility was not the only surprise.
If you are a seasoned Windows user like myself, get ready for a treat. Ubuntu’s easy on the eye desktop is just the beginning. Here are a few of the features I tested right after the install. The list is in no particular order.
- Can I connect to a Citrix Terminal Server - Yes with a built in TS Client
- Can I view a PDF in Ubuntu - Yes
- Can send and receive e-mail - Yes with Evolution
- Can I Sync my Treo With my contacts - Yes
- Can I read and write MS Documents - Yes with Open Office
- Can I play games - Yes there are about 15 or 20 automatically installed
- Can Ubuntu play my MP3s Yes
- Can I play MP3s on my Windows Domain Controller - Yes, but had to enter domain userID & password which was save to the keyring.
- Can I burn a data DVD and read it on a windows computer - Yes
- Can I browse the Internet - Yes with Firefox
Hmmm… Easy to install, all the essentials, and the price is right. But wait that’s not all. One of the best features I have found came when I realized I needed software for web development. I went to the applications > add/remove. Once there I was presented with a list of ready to install software. I could browse by category or I could just search for what I wanted. I server for ‘web development’ and was given a list of application I could install. I chose Bluefish, a web development application. I was prompted for the administrative password and Ubuntu then installed the software. Wow what a great feature.
There are many other intuitive features which I will be writing about in the coming days. Panel Applets, Network Tools, and Security just to name a few. Bottom line, I have been a MS Windows user since the late 80’s. Ubuntu has has not only turned my head but delivered a fantastic package. If you are reading this please take the time to try Ubuntu you will not be disappointed. Please feel free to comment and or ask questions.
“Can I connect to the Internet - Yes with Firefox”
Erm, wow.. I’ve been an IT professional for 17 years, and I never knew that Firefox connects me to the internet… I thought my PPPoE connection on my ADSL line, established by OpenWRT did it …. now I find Firefox can do it for me… damn
Sarcasm aside… always nice to see a post plugging the pluses of Linux OS’s and OSS.
But please, edit that connection line jeje
regards
[diablo]
Ok if we are going IT, Firefox is the browser (presentation layer) which allows us to browse the web. Man you must be alot like me with the sarcasm… I’ll clean it up to Browse the internet.
Thanks,
Doug
I am a very new Linux user, having installed Ubuntu as a Windows application using Wubi. One very nice feature of this approach is the retention of all my current Windows files, and the ability to access them from Linux. I don’t think this capability would be available with a clean install, which I believe wipes and reformats the hard drive. Very pleased thus far with Ubuntu.
About my only problem was the inability to print on my Windows network shared printer when the “Firestarter” firewall was enabled. Disabling [and later uninstalling it] eliminated that problem.
Jack,
I did a clean install of Ubuntu and was really at how easy it was to access my Domian shares. I really think Linux will start to get more use by home users as well as in the work place over the nex few years and into the future. The only bad part about that is that More malware, viruses, and other junk will be made to function on that platform.
Doug, thanks for your comment!
I will likely retain the Ubuntu-under-Windows status, as I have an application that only run under Windows. But for general use by my bride, on her laptop, Ubuntu is working well. I installed it without telling her, and such minor adjustments as were needed were made smoothly.
As a side note: initially after the Wubi install, I was unable to access my wireless network. So I established a wired connection. Within a few minutes, Ubuntu had downloaded a driver update, and wireless has worked just fine since! On other forums, I have heard of issues with wireless, but mine went away quickly.
That laptop is a low-budget Compaq Presario 2200: 1 GB of memory [originally 256 MB, but I added for my Windows application]; 40 GB drive; Intel Celeron chip [1.2 GHz]; integrated graphics; WiFi; networked to a Windows desktop, with shared printer; etc etc. Works just fine for the normal use of e-mail [Thunderbird], internet [Firefox], and productivity [OO 2.4]
Jack,
I understand about having to keep an install of Windows. I too still have a few media applications (DVD Creators) which tend to run better on Windows. My workstation is configured with swappable hard drives so when I did the Ubuntu install I just installed it to a different HDD. When I need the DVD software I just throw in the hard drive which has Windows XP as the OS.