Windows 7: Linux

Been running Ubuntu 9.10 for a little over a week now and I have to say its the best ever.



Just thought I'd share that.

Best ever compared to...?

I've been using 10.1 and I have to say it's been more trouble than it is worth.

My number one complaint centers around setting up wireless NICs. For whatever reason, WiFi has long been a problem for Ubuntu (and Linux in general I suspect). If I had to speculate, I'd say that wireless hardware vendors don't feel compelled to share info with Linux developers.

Number two complaint is that I can't stick just any DVD into the drive and start watching movies. Nope, doesn't work that way. Because Ubuntu focuses on being absolutely free, I have to go out and find various codecs and install various players first.

Those are just the two bigger complaints for me. I love the Ubuntu community and the idea of a free OS, but in the end, Windows is just the best option for me.

Side Note: Apple is actually higher on my list than Linux. However, until Apple lets me build my own box, I'll never use their OS.

Microsoft for starters...

Yeah, 'cause, you know, Win 7 just installs right out of the box... And, I mean, who would want that?

Ubuntu Linux (the only distro I've ever used) is neat, and the community backing it up with free advice is even better. But in the end, you get what you pay for.

I don't mind most computer challenges, I genuinely like tinkering with Linux (edit: to a point. I also like that Win 7 has, thus far, required minimal tinkering). But not everyone is like that. Most people want to turn on the box and go, and that's just not possible with Ubuntu (unless we're talking about a wired LAN connection and strictly internet surfing and emailing).

Linux is nice, but casual users need not apply. Overall, Ubuntu has required much more of my time to get it to do things that Win 7 accomplishes right out of the box.

I've got a small blog site that I maintain that walks through setting up a majority of the common stuff that everybody wants to have for Ubuntu 9.10. It does java, MP3's, DVD playback, etc. Once you know some of the tricks and secrets, it's not all that hard.

Yes, you hit the problem spot on. Without support from the vendors, it's tough. Not impossible but far more trouble than it is worth.

Booo. Apple OSX is nothing more than a locked down off shoot of a Linux distro which has taken away all of the freedom from the end user and locked you into proprietary and expensive hardware. Usually apple fans say, "it just works". Well, when you offer only 10 different pieces of hardware, assemble the machine and provide the OS...that's pretty easy to do.

I haven't tried Ubuntu in a while. I may have to give it a try just for fun...

I ran Ubuntu 9.10 on a couple of laptops and liked (not loved) it. I didn't have the same problems with wireless, although as I recall it took jumping through a few hoops to get it going. Never tried a DVD, so can't comment on that.

Now, Linux Mint 8.0 (based on Ubuntu 9.10) blew my socks off.

They are up to version 9 right now, but 8 works for me - a nice cross between XP and Windows 7. (http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php)

Codecs? Got them - I can play ".flv", ".mov", ".mpg", etc. with no problems (even Windows media files). Wireless? No problemo. I have a hidden SSID, password protected router and when I added in the SSID to search for, all it asked was what's the password. Firefox comes pre loaded with links to the community and software site also.

A replacement for Windows 7? Not yet - I like Office more than Open Office, and IE8 more than Firefox.

A good alternative for folks with limited funds and a need for a computer to surf with, get mail, do office-type stuff? Absolutely.

+1 for Linuxmint. Been using it for over 4 months now.

I agree completely. I love having it around for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, pc's that I keep around the house, but don't want to spend the $$ to upgrade them to the newer versions of Windows.

In addition, these make great web surfing boxes for the kids since they are pretty much untouched by modern day viruses, trojans, malware, and spyware. With no need to run any of those utilities and perform that repetitive maintenance, it makes it easy to run and support those extra boxes.

I too have used Linux Mint in the past. It's based on Ubuntu, it just includes some of the codecs and proprietary components which are not freely distributable and/or licensed under the GPL. Since I can get these pieces added easily enough to Ubuntu, I just stick to that for my desktops and control the modifications myself...to make it exactly the way that I want it.