Ubuntu 13.04 Review: Linux for the average Joe or Jane

jimbo45 said:

Hi there
I'm surprised there are some GLARING ERRORS and Omissions in his post of such an elementary nature that I now have to get suspicious of the entire article.

1) Windows 8 users can't run UBUNTU because SECURE BOOT locks out any other OS --- He doesn't mention anything about disabling secure boot -- which is quite doable -- and NOT ALL machines have secure boot anyway.

2) He says you can no longer run UBUNTU from within Windows -- Wub.. wpplication no longer supported -- he doesn't mention ANYTHING about running Ubuntu in a VM such as VMWARE player or VBOX (Both free pieces of software).

For ANYBODY who wants to test / trial an OS then using a Virtual Machine seems the sensible way to test it first -- OK then try it on real hardware but at least on a VM you can see if you like the OS and whether the basic functionality works.

Need I go on.

Cheers
jimbo

everything is fine with your post.
But review is called linux for average Joe/Jane and you will be surprised how many of those average users don't know what BIOS or virtualization is.

I would be surprised if most average Joes/Janes knew what a computer is, let alone the BIOS or virtualization or even what an OS is. While it's demeaning to the slightly more knowledgable average Joes/Janes out there, for the most part it's easier to start by assuming they think everything works with magic.

All that aside, I do agree with Jimbo that the review lacked objectivity and value. It all felt a bit forced as a whole, certainly not a review I would recommend to a friend to read.

King Arthur said:

I would be surprised if most average Joes/Janes knew what a computer is, let alone the BIOS or virtualization or even what an OS is. While it's demeaning to the slightly more knowledgable average Joes/Janes out there, for the most part it's easier to start by assuming they think everything works with magic.

All that aside, I do agree with Jimbo that the review lacked objectivity and value. It all felt a bit forced as a whole, certainly not a review I would recommend to a friend to read.

Hi there
King Arthur
I agree with your comments about perhaps the average joe - but if we are being REALLY pedantic here would the average joe really understand the article in the first place or even be aware that the magazine EXISTS in the first place. !!!!!!!

I've found though when concepts are decently explained you would be surprised how much the average person can understand -- 90% of the problem is incredibly bad teaching these days where a lot of the State / City run "Inner City Schools" in big cities around the world are nothing more than "Drug Infested Hell-Holes and Gang recruitment zones" so anybody even THINKING about getting any sort of decent education is going to be mightily disappointed unless they can pay mega bucks for some sort of private schooling.

Cheers
jimbo

might have to fire up a VM tonight to see what all the hoopla is all about. Have always enjoyed learning linux over the years.

Regarding working out of the box, Windows goes down the middle lane where if Windows doesn't have appropriate drivers by itself (which is more common than you'd think!) it is usually trivial to provide Windows with the appropriate drivers unless you're running on some downright arcane hardware that nobody's heard of in the past 30 years.

Linux on the other hand either works with everything out of the box not even asking once for drivers or config changes, or it flat out doesn't work in a way that could be either game-ending or a nuisance and requiring a resolution method that can test even the hardiest of IT geeks and professionals to say nothing of Joe Average.

While Windows 7 might sport a $100~300USD price tag depending on the edition, I would say that it's money well spent since Windows simply works and does its job dashingly well while also being powerful enough to suit enthusiasts.

Hard core Linux fans won't care for it, but for the average user the new Ubuntu desktop Linux has a lot to offer.

I have been using it for a few days, and I agree. It is fine for the average user. Easy to use, fast, low on resource usage. Obvious where everything is that the average Joe wants. Very easy to twitbook, shop, browse, etc.

If you are using it on a non touch machine - it is far better than 8. The start screen doesn't cover up everything you are doing, search is excellent, multiple programs,apps,workspaces at the same time.


It is aimed at the mass market. I expect Mark is hoping to get some oem ditribution at some point. It deserves to be out there and given a chance. Perhaps it will happen.


Hard to tell. The oems have been let down by 8. They realise they should not be reliant on a single supplier for their os.

Unfortunately, it is difficult for them to switch. Ms are paying them subsidies and reducing license fees to try and stop a revolt.

MS can not afford for any competition to appear, and will do whatever they can to prevent it.

Jimbo

Windows 8 users can't run UBUNTU because SECURE BOOT locks out any other OS

That is what MS might have been hoping - but Ubuntu supports secure boot and efi since 12.04

Whether it's Linux as OS or some other hardware....
It doesn't matter
It's brand name the average Joe will look for... ie "Intel inside" or "Microsoft"

Also something they are familiar with ie MS Office