Switching to ubuntu

[nickyspaghetti]

I hate windows at the moment. Does anybody reccomend ubuntu. What problems/ benefits would I get from switching? I want a mac but I can't afford it right now

[rnfuller]

I have used Ubuntu for several years. Very Stable, and good OS. Also, you might want to look at PCLinuxOS It is more geared to the desktop user with NO linux experience.

Randy

[nickyspaghetti]

Thanks, are there any types of programs that are unavailable to linux users or are most things covered. I am a complete newbie to it but the windows system I am using right now is so frustrating that I fancy an experiment, even if it is hard work to get used to, it can't be worse than what I already have!!

[A.de.Lioncourt]

There are many applications available for Linux generally free. Tell me what specifically are you looking for and I can recommend a program.

[WithTheGrain]

I hate windows at the moment. Does anybody reccomend ubuntu. What problems/ benefits would I get from switching? I want a mac but I can't afford it right now

My dad uses ubuntu and loves it. I hope you do end up going mac when you can afford it, I switched in 2001 (from Linux) and love it. If money is a cost, I would keep an open mind about the mac mini. Cheaper than an iMac but still capable. If you are looking at laptops, that is a different story. Regardless, Ubuntu is pretty slick as far as linux goes.

[nickyspaghetti]

Yeah mac mini was what I was thinking of too. It is the most affordable way to go.

[nickyspaghetti]

I am looking for sound edit software in particular. It wouldn't be essential as I don't have my equipment I use with me now, but to know that it is possible in the future would be nice.

[A.de.Lioncourt]

Ardour and Audacity are available for sound editing, but sometimes sound cards can be difficult to set up with Ubuntu.

There is a distribution of Ubuntu called Ubuntu studio that is set up with these sound editing programs that should take the hassle out of it for you.

[liege]

Ubuntu also has a live CD option. It temporarily runs Ubuntu from a bootable CD so you get an idea of what it can do. It's slower than if it was installed on the hard drive, but if you don't like it you still have your original OS. If you decide you like it you can install from the CD. Set it up as a dual-boot with your existing crummy MS WinXP/Vista or install it as your only OS. It takes some getting used to when you are coming from Windows, but it is a fairly user friendly flavor of Linux.

[usqview]

Ubuntu also has a live CD option. It temporarily runs Ubuntu from a bootable CD so you get an idea of what it can do. It's slower than if it was installed on the hard drive, but if you don't like it you still have your original OS. If you decide you like it you can install from the CD. Set it up as a dual-boot with your existing crummy MS WinXP/Vista or install it as your only OS. It takes some getting used to when you are coming from Windows, but it is a fairly user friendly flavor of Linux.

+1

great way to get a taste of ubuntu without having to make the full commitment.

http://distrowatch.com/

great web site.

cheers,
ryan

[nickyspaghetti]

Yeah I don't have a standard sound card so I guess I will have quite a few problems with that.
Live cd sounds quite good I might try that before jumping in headfirst.
Thanks for the advice guys

[jamacdon]

I am switching to the new iMac in a little bit, after Leopard is released. I've had Macs in the past, and while I liked them a lot, I always had some reason to use a PC. With BootCamp, I'll be able to install Windows on a relatively small partition and use it mostly for gaming -- no internet (except for Windows updates) or email at all on the Windows side, thus no antivirus apps are necessary.

[RichGem]

I've used Linux (Red Hat/Fedora) since '03 and have never ever looked back. For me, Fedora is the answer, but Ubuntu is generally recognized as the easiest/most popular for a Linux newbie to pick up. Download a live CD and try it out (it'll run slowly, but you'll get the idea).

[perry]

If you're a little gunshy about blowing away Windows, check out Wubi (http://wubi.sourceforge.net/). More than a LiveCD, less than getting rid of the Windows partition.

[Lynchmeister]

I'm not sure how big a can of worms I'm opening here, but could someone give me a brief explanation of Linux? It sounds interesting. Thanks!

[smithno]

I am a big Ubuntu fan too. I ran it on an old Averatec 3250 laptop (512MB RAM and 60gB hard drive for about 6 months before buying a Dell 1420N with Ubuntu installed. It is a very nice setup!!!

[perry]

I'm not sure how big a can of worms I'm opening here, but could someone give me a brief explanation of Linux? It sounds interesting. Thanks!

http://www.linux.com/whatislinux/114354 - that should give you a good starting point and explains it better than I could.

[RichGem]

I'm not sure how big a can of worms I'm opening here, but could someone give me a brief explanation of Linux? It sounds interesting. Thanks!

A very brief eplaination: a free, from the ground up, UNIX work alike invented by Linus Torvalds which subscribes to "open source" philosophy. Check wikipedia for linux, unix, and linus torvalds for more info.

[analog_kid]

We just upgraded an office so I got a few free PCs with no operating systems so I'm thinking of playing around with some Linux distros. I messed around with Knoppix in the past, as well as another whose name escapes at the moment(it was bootable off the CD, some fancy "hacker" distro with a strange name).

[TimmyBoston]

I am not a computer person, I gave up windows almost a year ago and will never go back. Ubuntu is a fantastic system and I can't praise it enough. Don't wait any longer, well maybe wait a couple weeks until the next offical version comes out then switch!

[Lynchmeister]

http://www.linux.com/whatislinux/114354 - that should give you a good starting point and explains it better than I could.


A very brief eplaination: a free, from the ground up, UNIX work alike invented by Linus Torvalds which subscribes to "open source" philosophy. Check wikipedia for linux, unix, and linus torvalds for more info.

Thanks guys! Now off to see what this is all about...:wink:

[Treedoc]

The only thing that stops me from making the swap to Linux is compatability issues, for instance: when I last checked, either my printer or my scanner, (can't remember which), just didn't have a Linux driver option. What to do? Any good solutions anybody??
John.

[RichGem]

The only thing that stops me from making the swap to Linux is compatability issues, for instance: when I last checked, either my printer or my scanner, (can't remember which), just didn't have a Linux driver option. What to do? Any good solutions anybody??
John.

You definitely have to look before you leap when it comes to *some* hardware. But, compatibility is improving rapidly and there are often workarounds to be had if you're willing to look (and tinker) enough. Chances are, it was your scanner that gave you problems. I think most major printers are well supported these days (altho some inkjets are still a problem and some ultra new ones). Some USB WiFi are also problems, but workarounds exist.

EDIT: This is another reason why the "live CD" is a good option... make sure everything works before you commit.

[Smedley]

Thanks for the Wubi link! Time to see what all the Ubuntu fuss is about.

[kaptain_zero]

I don't often chime in on this forum but linux is a favorite of mine. Do not discount PClinuxOS.... it is an excellent distribution of linux which supports a large portion of hardware and is very friendly towards those escaping the clutches of Microsoft and Apple, both which try to control the user by sticking to proprietary solutions. About the only thing I have not yet discovered is a direct solution to is my tax software (Canada) in PClinusOS or any linux flavor for that matter. I do have a workaround as there are online tax software companies that will let me do things online. Other than that, everything else I have found a way to do in PClinuxOS. I still keep checking other "distros" to see if there is anything better, but so far I've found PClinuxOS to reign supreme in working, right out of the box. They also have an excellent forum and the update system they use is not only intuitive but all the packages are actually tested to work rather than offering thousands of software choices that nobody has downloaded and actually used to see if it works!

By the way, Apple/mac is actually BSD and runs on Intel based hardware... there is no need to buy a new computer to get Apple reliability, just if you want to get their proprietary applications.

There are lots of distributions of linux, bsd etc. out there ...... numbered in the hundreds. An excellent place to start is www.distrowatch.com where you'll get the latest headlines on what products are available and which ones are hot.

Regards

Kaptain "What's on your hd?" Zero

[jamacdon]

I use Linux at work, installed Ubuntu at home, but will be purchasing an iMac 24" next go-around (soon, I hope). For me, I don't want to take the time to go through an install, or build another machine; I'd rather get down to using it for what I use it for: iPod/iTunes, photos, videos, web and gaming. While not a huge gamer, I want to run HL2, Ep.2 just to finish the storyline and I can't do that on Linux.

I know, I know, I could put XP/Vista on a partition alongside a flavor of Linux and do the same as an iMac.