If you have been involved with the IT community at all, or even a serious internet addict, chances are you've heard of Ubuntu Linux. If you've heard of him, then the chances are also good that you have considered installing the operating system, and playing with him a bit.
If you installed, for example, 2-3 years, chances are, things do not work properly. I mean, things that "just worked" in good ole 'XP, not entirely. Then he did what he could to get rid of him, and promised not to get involved with Linux anymore.
I wonder, as I had similar problems the first time I ventured into the land of Linux. Here is my dark memories of that time.
I do not remember the first time I heard of Ubuntu. I only remember a few things about my experience installing the first time:
- It installs fairly quickly.
- I could never get my wireless card to work properly.
- They forced me to fix things via the command line
- I messed around with "sudo this" and "sudo" In vain.
- I had to reformat my entire hard drive to get rid of him.
Fast Forward 2 years. Ubuntu is running as the only operating system on my machine. Wireless works perfectly, like printing, and most of the other features that are available for my laptop. In fact, most that I can install everything works fine. I never even look at a command line if desired.
What has changed? Well, Ubuntu improved drastically, I might add. Everything from the stability, usability and compatibility with the Windows driver is approaching a level of compliance. In many areas, Ubuntu has surpassed Windows, especially performance.
If you want to give him another chance, I guarantee you will not have the same problems with what you did last time? Why? Well, for example, Ubuntu has added a Windows installer based on new distributions that lets you install and uninstall Ubuntu as a standard Windows application. No more accidents in which erases all traces of GRUB partition NTFS, and Vista does not start. What is the name of this magical program: Wubi.
How am I so sure that is easy to use? It took me 15 minutes to PC with dual boot of my friend the other night. Ubuntu is installed in a single file. Also Windows default on boot, unlike grub, usually by default the latest kernel, and put XP after 3 or 4 other kernel options.
By minute number 30, my friend is running Linux versions of their favorite programs like handbrake and Audacity. He even found the new version of Kdenlive for your video editing needs. The only problem we had was resolved in the next boot. Your wireless card not working. Ubuntu is the driver, and installed him on the restart. Happy day. No command line (with the exception of the commands that I learned and wanted to question, rather than go through graphical menus), and zero configuration.
Look, there is an easy option to try something new after they were burned. I suggest that, however. If you can find the courage to try again Ubuntu, is a pleasant surprise awaits you: It comes in 3 flavors, based on the window manager of choice.
- Ubuntu – Gnome
- Kubuntu – KDE
- Xubuntu – XCFE
I'll go ahead and say that 98% of you, vanilla Ubuntu is the way forward. All the bells and whistles have been fully tested and integrated to work with Gnome. The eye candy is great, and feels very polished. The only drawback is that the performance requirements for all but the older machines can be a bit much.
2% of those who may want to run more than GNOME-based Ubuntu, 99% to 2% does not want to run KDE. On the positive side, it feels a bit more like a Windows-based operating system.Except for the fact that it is not as easy as regular Ubuntu. There are some KDE fans out there, but I'm not one of them. Not much more to say about KDE as window manager.
If you have an old machine, XCFE is incredibly fast. It occupies relatively little ram is a big commitment, and runs most things pretty well. If you do not need a lot of extra graphical polish (ie minimal) then Xubuntu may be the way forward.
Now I'm going to really confuse you. How? Well, if you really like a sleek Linux installation, with the full support of Ubuntu, and all the style of a professional graphic designer, you want Linux Mint. It is based on Ubuntu, and personalized versions of the programs that have been changed to reflect the distribution of Mint. They can be several months behind the latest distribution of Ubuntu, but there certainly is a great distribution.
So, now I'm through with jets, why not try to download, burn to a disc and give you a time by using Wubi. Oh, and if you have problems with sound cards or wireless, while the Live CD, not so sure it will have that problem when you do a full installation. 9 out of 10 times, problems are solved in a full installation.
So go find your favorite pocket protector, strap on your safety glasses, and take the plunge. It will be almost painless, and totally worth it. You can find all the information you need in Ubuntu.com.
I'm going to download a podcast, and have a cup of coffee. For the record, the coffee I was burnt once or twice, but that does not stop me from taking a boat or two a week.
