Ubuntu 13.04 Review: Linux for the average Joe or Jane

Hi there
as a user of AMD, INTEL and NVIDIA I'd have to say after trying alternatives I'm back to the INTEL fold -- I7 processor, Intel HD Graphics etc. I have used AMD and Nvidia in the past but as of May 2013 these companies just don't cut it any more -- they have had their chance and seem to have blown it.

Extreme gamers might have another take but for extremely high graphics performance and hardware that always works I'm afraid whatever you might think of the monopoly situation I'm back with INTEL again and not regretting it -- and I did give the others a decent chance too.

Smartphones/ tablets etc might give other hardware manufacturers a look in but for computers IMO it's GAME OVER for Nvidia and AMD unless they can come up with something CHEAP and STUNNING very QUICKLY - preferably ASAP. Definitely the "Last Chance Saloon" for these guys.

Cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

Hi there
Linux invariably never runs 100% OOB -- this is why it won't make mainstream for years if ever. - Don't get me wrong - I use Linux a lot for any sort of Networking / file server / internet gateway but as a desktop OS - for me forget it.

One of the problems is that there's always something niggledy that won't work -- maybe it's trying to get a stupid printer to work via CUPS, your USB3 disk won't get detected, your smart phone isn't recognized (another USB problem),sharing printers with Windows or more usually a Wireless network adapter won't work.

The current Ubuntu doesn't like the Belkin N300 USB wireless adapter. It's also not a case of you having to simply try and find and install the correct driver - but first you have to find out the wretched type of CHIP that's in it -- Belkin use a lot of "Generic components" from all sorts of manufacturers so trying to find a driver from scratch -- for the average Joe --forget it.

Windows for all its faults usually works STRAIGHT OOB and in any case a Windows driver was supplied on a CD. Until manufacturers can supply Linux drivers too with their products we are ALWAYS going to get these types of problems -- and in the case of Linux there are on the whole just TOO MANY different distributions and even METHODS OF INSTALLING SOFTWARE to make installing any driver a hit and miss affair.

Cheers
jimbo

What you say is true and it is worse when you run Linux in a VB. I have been doing that for the last two weeks and I am now fed up with VB. Some distros limit the resolution to 800 x 600 and these old eyes cant see that well and with a 23 inch flat screen monitor it is a waste. Then there are more driver issues as well.

I have a Ubuntu 12.10 VM server running as a Squid3 Proxy and web filter.

But jimbo
I wouldn't classify you as a average Joe buying a puter.....


"extremely high graphics performance" !!!!!!!!
"Intel HD Graphics"
I'm sorry will have to disagree here.

ATI and Nvidia are the leaders, but for most apps any of the onboard graphic chipsets would do, but then even the lower power ones can be supplemented by cpu processor power.

Iforgot said:

But jimbo
I wouldn't classify you as a average Joe buying a puter.....

Hi there
Thanks

However If I am having issues then you can imagine how the average Joe would react when something doesn't work -- especially with Linux if you are in SU or SUDO there's absolutely no check on anything you do - so removing critical system directories or data is easy -- we all know most individual users on computers tend to run in the administrators group.

Users often do add a piece of hardware to their machines - particularly USB devices and Linux isn't always Plug'nPlay --that's where the problem will arise - and also most Linux systems aren't very tolerant if you just switch the machine off. You shouldn't do this with Windows either - but loads of people I know just switch off via the hardware power switch -- amazingly the system seems usually to re-boot without trouble or at worst repairs itself at the next boot.

Cheers
jimbo

jimbo
Windows can still have issues if you just reboot..

Remember the reboot cure is a M$ thing...
Linux, just restart the task..

If you remember anything dealing with Unix..... Reboot????? why???

And this is relevant to the su/sudo user mode.

Unfortunately M$ had everyone logon with admin privileges from the start with XP.
And then have to use virus etc programs to protect themselves.
All because they logged on with administrator privileges, If they were a normal user, then there would be a pop up asking for a password... etc

M$ tried to change this with Vista,,,,, well what happened.

With Unix, you never logon as Root..... should never need to..
Linux is/was the same, but seems now with Mint14 (at least) they have changed it, to similar to Win7 idea of providing as password.

Me personally don't see the need to logon with an admin account..
Just normal user account
And if I need to load or change something, use "run as" or in Linux use "su"

Oh forgot...!!

Usb devices???
Linux has had usb2 drivers for a while now.

Iforgot said:

jimbo
Windows can still have issues if you just reboot..

Remember the reboot cure is a M$ thing...
Linux, just restart the task..

If you remember anything dealing with Unix..... Reboot????? why???

And this is relevant to the su/sudo user mode.

Unfortunately M$ had everyone logon with admin privileges from the start with XP.
And then have to use virus etc programs to protect themselves.
All because they logged on with administrator privileges, If they were a normal user, then there would be a pop up asking for a password... etc

M$ tried to change this with Vista,,,,, well what happened.

With Unix, you never logon as Root..... should never need to..
Linux is/was the same, but seems now with Mint14 (at least) they have changed it, to similar to Win7 idea of providing as password.

Me personally don't see the need to logon with an admin account..
Just normal user account
And if I need to load or change something, use "run as" or in Linux use "su"

Oh forgot...!!

Usb devices???
Linux has had usb2 drivers for a while now.

Hi there
Most stuff runs but sometimes it doesn't - and that's where Linux gets tricky - even for those with experience of it.

Don't get me wrong - I Like Linux- and use it as a server - however that doesn't stop me having reservations about it as a generic Desktop OS for the typical user to replace Windows.

Cheers
jimbo