UBUNTU...

[Diplomat]

Has anyone ever tried this free (Linux) OS?

Ubuntu Desktop

I installed it on an XP machine (dual-booting) and I'm quite impressed! It even found my networked printer (though I had to install the driver through a Windows-like interface). It comes with more than enough applications for the average use too. Effortless install!

Great stuff

[andronian2]

Re: UBUNTU...

I run it exclusively on a computer I built recently.
I have absolutely no complaints.

[j-kid]

Re: UBUNTU...

Mi bin meanin fi try dat distribution (version) ah Linux, but haven't got around tuh it yet.

[halfwaytree]

Re: UBUNTU...

My uncle went from running Windows ME right to Ubuntu when windows stopped supporting the ME version. I have not heard him complain.

I am wanting to switch too but I have too many specialized programs which I have grown accustomed to using for video editing and I don't want to find out that Ubuntu does not support them.

[j-kid]

Re: UBUNTU...

Has any ah unnu tried it wid 3D XGL yet?

[halfwaytree]

Re: UBUNTU...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J kid</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Has any ah unnu tried it wid 3D XGL yet? </div></div>



Please translate for us laymen.

[andronian2]

Re: UBUNTU...

It's a 3D desktop.
It's easier to see than to explain:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD7QraljRfM&amp;feature=related

[andronian2]

Re: UBUNTU...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Milo Man*</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My uncle went from running Windows ME right to Ubuntu when windows stopped supporting the ME version. I have not heard him complain.

I am wanting to switch too but I have too many specialized programs which I have grown accustomed to using for video editing and I don't want to find out that Ubuntu does not support them.

</div></div>

Yeah, older computers will explode if you try to run Vista on them. If someone has a computer that came with windows Me on it, the current windows is no option at all. If you HAVE to run windows, you're basically forced to buy a new computer. All my older machines run ubuntu as well.

Compatibility with existing programs is always the concern. If certain programs are expecting a windows environment, they won't work Mac/Ubuntu unless the software developer makes a compatible version. The easiest options is to find something equivalent that's made for Ubuntu, they're mostly free anyway.

Also, there is WINE for Ubuntu (http://www.winehq.org) and DARWINE for Mac. It's a free implementation of a windows environment so windows programs can run in Ubuntu/Mac through that layer. It's under active development and is incomplete so you can't expect perfection. A particular windows program might very well refuse to install or run correctly. Still, it's a really useful effort and I do run a few windows programs in Ubuntu through WINE.

[andronian2]

Re: UBUNTU...

I was to mention that you can actually install the new version of Ubuntu to your machine without touching windows and without worrying about partitioning your hard drive.

It's called WUBI (http://wubi-installer.org/). Basically, Ubuntu uses a file in the windows partition as its hard disk during installation.

If you have a disk of the LATEST Ubuntu (Hardy Heron) you can stick it in and install it like any other program (Or you can download WUBI from the WUBI website and when it runs it'll download the needed files...better have a fast connection though). When you reboot, you'll have the option to go into windows or ubuntu. You can remove Ubuntu from Add/Remove programs.

I tried it on a windows XP machine I have. Works fine and it's a good way to check out Ubuntu without messing with your existing installation. Of course, there's always the Live CD but that's always slower than a hard disk install would be.

[j-kid]

Re: UBUNTU...

ScreenShots:

http://ubuntusoftware.info/ultimate/screenshots.html

http://monkeyblog.org/ubuntu/installing/

http://lifehacker.com/software/ubuntu/hack-attack-top-10-ubuntu-apps-and-tweaks-195437.php

[andronian2]

Re: UBUNTU...

Nice installation guide.

[halfwaytree]

Re: UBUNTU...

Thanks for all that great info folks!

[Diplomat]

Re: UBUNTU...

<span style="font-weight: bold">andronian2:</span> Great stuff. The install I used is the latest version. Basically, I d/led the file (for some reason I couldn't burn in to CD) but ran it from the Windows desktop, it connected to the 'net during the initial install to get some files, and then it was seamless after that. All I had to do was to install the network printer, and that was easy. I have a scanner attached to the dual-booted PC, and my next goal is to see if I can get Ubuntu to recognize it as well.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Compatibility with existing programs is always the concern. If certain programs are expecting a windows environment, they won't work Mac/Ubuntu unless the software developer makes a compatible version. The easiest options is to find something equivalent that's made for Ubuntu, they're mostly free anyway.</div></div>
True enough. There's a Linux equivalent for a lot of Windows software available, though the interface on most of them might take some getting use to.

[andronian2]

Re: UBUNTU...

Yes man, I had a similar experience with installation. Completely seemless. I have an Epson multifunction printer/scanner device connected by USB and ubuntu just recognized it when I turned it on and said 'printer is ready to use'. No manual driver installation or anything. It was actually easier than getting it to work with windows.

[Diplomat]

Re: UBUNTU...

Ubuntu on the desktop now recognizes the USB peripherals. Life is good There were some issues with the latest Hardy Heron upgrades, but those were resolved within 24 hours.