Linux on the desktop
Wednesday, 9. July 2008, 09:57:11
Today I've read a number of articles and blogs on the topic of everyday usage of Linux as opposed to WinXP, and I just wanted to say: I've mucked around with Linux in various incarnations (Mandrake and Suse typically) for a decade, and a couple of years ago decided to shift my everyday computing to Linux, in this case Ubuntu. In hindsight, it is a no-brainer, but I am pretty knowledgable, comparatively, when it comes to computer OSs. I love the Debian system, and vastly prefer Gnome to KDE - Gnome is a far more elegant interface, but I have a real soft spot for Thunar and the XFCE thing.
I have tried Vista, and was appalled. Its a truly awful operating environment - way too much Las Vegas (apologies to Las Vegans, I've never been to your city, so am using the term as an analogue) and seemingly built on the principle that MS should control the way one interacts with one's computer. I can make my Ubuntu system look exactly like Vista, or OSX or WinXP if I so chose, or I can make it exacly as I want it. This is a major plus in a graphical interface, because we all have preferences of interaction. I can only get the sort of desktop I want in Linux. Any brand of Linux. I do love the BSD-based Mac OSX, but don't want to be constrained. If you don't know what I mean, you obviously haven't experienced the freedom of Linux.
No, my hesitant resolution to "switch" had very few hiccups (and I might add, far fewer than general usage of WinXP as an experienced user, from Win 3.1 - seriously, what is it with the registry?). I'd be lying if I said I didn't kind of enjoy mucking around with the fundamentals of an OS, but I had done that for years with the odd dual-boot (Win XP as automatic boot) system. That said, by far the majority of issues I encountered were as a result of my own meddling.
Simply put, Linux as a desktop is far superior (and let's not even mention cheaper) than what MS can muster, and far more adaptable than the major options. And, at the pace it is currently improving - given that in my opinion it is far superior than the proprietry competition - it will outpace the opposition in general opinion in but a couple of years.
Converted? Absolutely!
I have tried Vista, and was appalled. Its a truly awful operating environment - way too much Las Vegas (apologies to Las Vegans, I've never been to your city, so am using the term as an analogue) and seemingly built on the principle that MS should control the way one interacts with one's computer. I can make my Ubuntu system look exactly like Vista, or OSX or WinXP if I so chose, or I can make it exacly as I want it. This is a major plus in a graphical interface, because we all have preferences of interaction. I can only get the sort of desktop I want in Linux. Any brand of Linux. I do love the BSD-based Mac OSX, but don't want to be constrained. If you don't know what I mean, you obviously haven't experienced the freedom of Linux.
No, my hesitant resolution to "switch" had very few hiccups (and I might add, far fewer than general usage of WinXP as an experienced user, from Win 3.1 - seriously, what is it with the registry?). I'd be lying if I said I didn't kind of enjoy mucking around with the fundamentals of an OS, but I had done that for years with the odd dual-boot (Win XP as automatic boot) system. That said, by far the majority of issues I encountered were as a result of my own meddling.
Simply put, Linux as a desktop is far superior (and let's not even mention cheaper) than what MS can muster, and far more adaptable than the major options. And, at the pace it is currently improving - given that in my opinion it is far superior than the proprietry competition - it will outpace the opposition in general opinion in but a couple of years.
Converted? Absolutely!
WIDGETIZE
AungChanThar # 9. July 2008, 10:31
I'm the one who intrested in Linux, but i'm not familiar with it. I want to use it. But in my country Linux is not the popular one.That's why I'm not familiar. Would you like to tell me how to use ,and the important one is I don't know which linux OS is easy to use. Please guide me?
My e mail address is changyi.enics@gmail.com
Regarding for ur reply.
Stephen O'Sullivan # 10. July 2008, 06:25
One of the great features of many Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, is the ability to try it out without installing - it will run directly from the cd. In Ubuntu this is called the "live cd". Your choices are simply dependent on your computer processor - download the i386 live cd of Ubuntu 8.04 (latest release) if in doubt, and get the 64-bit version if you have an AMD64 processor.
If you have a computer that is more than 5 years old the live cd may not run, and an alternative cd is provided. This will simply guide you through the installation, with no chance to try it out first.
Assuming your PC already has windows on it, you can install Ubuntu alongside the Windows installation, and can access either installation from a simple boot menu.
A good howto for installing Linux, including dual boot, and running the system can be found here: http://forums.mystery-axiom.com/showthread.php?t=35251
Good luck!