Linux

[bigseb]

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.

 

[smarteyeball]

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...?

 

[loaba]

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.

 

[bigseb]

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...?

Microsoft for starters...

 

[loaba]

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...?

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.

 

[pparks1]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

[Little Darwin]

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

 

[TheSchaft]

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.

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.

 

[Dinesh]

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.

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.

 

[pparks1]

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

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.

 

[CommonTater]

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...?

Well, computationally, it beats the heck out of mashed potatos.

 

[TheSchaft]

Just a quick addition - I put in a DVD (Lady and the Tramp - love that movie) and the only thing Linux Mint asked was whether I wanted to use the default player. Said "yes", and away it went - no downloading anything.

It did offer some options for other players, but my hard rule for any Linux is that it has to work out of the box, and it did, again.

 

[pparks1]

but my hard rule for any Linux is that it has to work out of the box, and it did, again.

I'm glad that Linux Mint did work for you.

You do realize though why most Linux distros are unable and unwilling to automatically play back these formats automatically for you, right? It's a philosophical principal and helps to legally keep that price at zero. Part of the reason that Windows costs money is to pay for these codecs and such to playback these files. There is actually a fair amount of concern over the legality of using Linux Mint for people in many countries...including the United States. (where I am).

One of the beauties of Linux is that there are tons of distros and each fill needs...so you can almost always find one which is perfect for what you want. Just as you found with Linux Mint...if Ubuntu cannot do it automatically, Mint can.

 

[KazeNoKoe23]

I've been thinking of throwing Linux onto my netbook lately but wasn't sure if it was the best idea or not.

 

[antharr]

I really love the way most of the posters have responded to this thread. I like seeing that people aren't so locked up into one OS that they think that their primary OS's poop doesn't stink. I loathe the fan boy mentality. Each operating system has it's place and they all can coexist depending on what the end user's preference is.

I don't like OSX but I am not going to say that Windows pawns it because that is only from my perspective. Some people find that it works best for them and that's fine.

 

[pparks1]

I really love the way most of the posters have responded to this thread.

I've enjoyed this thread as well because it hasn't turned into a mine is better than yours argument. I truly think there is plenty of space in the market for both Windows and Linux. I know that I personally use them both and love them both and wouldn't want to be stuck without either.

 

[SIW2]

Hi pp,

Is there a link to your blog?

I am sure many will be interested.

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.

 

[pparks1]

Oops, yeah sorry I forgot to post it.
PatBuntu

I just realized that I never updated that after Ubuntu 8.10...but I did create a setup guide on another one of my forums that covered Ubuntu 9.10. I will work on getting that posted to my blogpost tomorrow.

 

[smarteyeball]

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...?

Microsoft for starters...

Fair enough. It will be interesting to see if you still feel the same after using it for an extended period of time

 

[pparks1]

Alright, I just updated my blog to include my latest setup guide...which is unfortunately for Ubuntu 9.04. I never got around to writing one for 9.10. However, I setup my 9.10 box using my guide for 9.04...so 95% of it is applicable and shouldn't be much of an issue.

I'm going to wait for Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx). For those who aren't aware, Ubuntu 10.04 is going to be an LTS (Long Term Support Release) meaning that you got 3 full years of support from the date of release for the desktop and 5 years for the server version.

Also, the Ubuntu 10.04 Beta 1 was just released. So, if you want to see what is coming down the pipe...give it a download (675MB) and try it out on a virtual machine. http://releases.ubuntu.com/releases/10.04/