Seriously thoughtful Should I switch to Ubuntu, or stay with Windows XP?

[frabjous]

Let's just say I've become very annoyed with Microsoft lately. Lots of reasons, and you can probably guess what they are.

In principle, the idea of a community-based software platform rather than consumer/vendor model also greatly appeals to me.

From what I've read there are also a lot of advantages to Linux.

But there's no substitute for familiarity, more ready availability of software, and a broader user base.

What do you think?

P.S. If it makes any difference, I'm a very fast learner with computers in general, I've done some minimal programming, but by and large, I'm not actually an "expert".

[wodin]

Originally Posted by frabjous

Let's just say I've become very annoyed with Microsoft lately. Lots of reasons, and you can probably guess what they are.

In principle, the idea of a community-based software platform rather than consumer/vendor model also greatly appeals to me.

From what I've read there are also a lot of advantages to Linux.

But there's no substitute for familiarity, more ready availability of software, and a broader user base.

What do you think?

P.S. If it makes any difference, I'm a very fast learner with computers in general, I've done some minimal programming, but by and large, I'm not actually an "expert".

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this question, but if you need to ask, you'd better stick with Windows. Linux is very capable but is very unfriendly.

[Dr. Drib]

Windows XP is about to be superseded by Windows 7, I think.

Of course, philosophically, this probably doesn't change a thing with your feelings about Windows.

Isn't there a version of Linux that's now very friendly? What type of Linux are the new Netbooks being loaded with?


Don

[frabjous]

Originally Posted by wodin

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this question, but if you need to ask, you'd better stick with Windows. Linux is very capable but is very unfriendly.

Can I ask upon what evidence you formed the opinion that it is unfriendly?

I know there are probably better forums to ask this question, and indeed I am asking it at other forums. But I think MR represents a community of people, many of whom have about the same amount of tech savvy as I have, who are comfortable with their computers but do have other hobbies (like reading), so their opinions seem most valuable to me.

Besides, if I asked at the Ubuntu forums, the answer will be skewed.

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

Windows XP is about to be superseded by Windows 7, I think.

Of course, philosophically, this probably doesn't change a thing with your feelings about Windows.

If anything it makes me less likely to want to stick with Windows, since if I wanted Windows 7, I'd have to pay for it.

Isn't there a version of Linux that's now very friendly? What type of Linux are the new Netbooks being loaded with?

My guess (for both questions) would be Ubuntu.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by frabjous

Can I ask upon what evidence you formed the opinion that it is unfriendly?

I know there are probably better forums to ask this question, and indeed I am asking it at other forums. But I think MR represents a community of people, many of whom have about the same amount of tech savvy as I have, who are comfortable with their computers but do have other hobbies (like reading), so their opinions seem most valuable to me.

Besides, if I asked at the Ubuntu forums, the answer will be skewed.

I am a long time Debian user. From what I have heard Ubuntu is really beginner friendly (and based on Debian). I think you can also test Ubuntu using a Live DVD and/or a USB tstick and see if you like it.

[Moejoe]

My advice, and I use all three systems Win, Linux and Mac, is go with a dual boot of Windows 7 and Ubuntu Jaunty Jackalope. Ubuntu is great, community based, lots of progress and exciting release schedules, but it is lacking in some areas (and it's getting easier and easier to use). Windows 7 is great also, very friendly, snappy on even lower end hardware. Dual boot and you have the best of both worlds

[mtravellerh]

I use JJ on my desktop and Win XP on my netbook. The best solution ever (honestly). Well, my netbook is quite fast so it can double as a laptop quite easily. (160 gb HD inside)

[badgoodDeb]

I put Ubuntu eeeBuntu on my 8.9" screen netbook. It's very "familiar" in feel. Though I haven't done much more than web serf and browse the hard drive.

Besides, it's free. Give it a try ... and revert if you don't like it!

[wodin]

Originally Posted by frabjous

Can I ask upon what evidence you formed the opinion that it is unfriendly?

I've ventured into Linux every year or two for the last ten or fifteen years, most recently on a Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, and have found it just not worth the hassle of trying to get something useful and compatible with the rest of the world running. My opinion is that Linux, while slowly making progress, is still not ready for the desktop.

Originally Posted by frabjous

If anything it makes me less likely to want to stick with Windows, since if I wanted Windows 7, I'd have to pay for it.

Windows Seven Release Candidate became available today, is free to download, and will not expire for a year.

[columbus]

Originally Posted by wodin;

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this question, but if you need to ask, you'd better stick with Windows. Linux is very capable but is very unfriendly.

I have to ask - Have you tried Ubuntu?

If you had you would realise that it is far from unfriendly. Transfer from Windoze XP is very easy & friendly, you need about as much computer expertise as for Xp, though drivers for some very obscure software may be a problem. But the community will usually offer a solution.
I am currently running Win 98, (to support some old software), Win Xp prof, Win Xp home and Ubuntu on various pc's. (I refuse to use Vista).

IMHO Ubuntu Linux is at least as user friendly as Xp.

And the bottom line is that for the moment Linux is not a target fot the malware / virus writers.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by columbus

I have to ask - Have you tried Ubuntu?

The N800 uses Maemo. It is based on Debian GNU/Linux and draws much of its GUI, frameworks, and libraries from the GNOME project. My understanding is that Ubuntu is also a derivative of Debian. Other than that I have not actually used Ubuntu.

My experience with the N800 was that there is a great deal of software available, but that the lion’s share of it was either buggy, incomplete or both. That would follow from the developer model being largely amateur driven. That’s not to say there are not talented dedicated amateurs around, but by the nature of the beast it is necessarily their second job.

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by columbus

I have to ask - Have you tried Ubuntu?

If you had you would realise that it is far from unfriendly. Transfer from Windoze XP is very easy & friendly, you need about as much computer expertise as for Xp, though drivers for some very obscure software may be a problem. But the community will usually offer a solution.
I am currently running Win 98, (to support some old software), Win Xp prof, Win Xp home and Ubuntu on various pc's. (I refuse to use Vista).

IMHO Ubuntu Linux is at least as user friendly as Xp.

That depends. Granted, it's been a while since I last tried it (7.10-Gutsy Gibbon, I think) but getting my wireless adapter working on it is a pain. Even when I was able to install the drivers, I still needed to reset the settings every time I rebooted the laptop.

Good thing it was only running on an extra laptop. I kept having to move to a PC running Windows XP whenever I needed to do some "power user" stuff. Linux is great if all you need are the basics (net surfing, email, word processing, etc) or if you're an expert at *nix. If you're somewhere in between, it might be difficult.

[columbus]

Originally Posted by wodin;

The N800 uses Maemo. It is based on Debian GNU/Linux and draws much of its GUI, frameworks, and libraries from the GNOME project. My understanding is that Ubuntu is also a derivative of Debian. Other than that I have not actually used Ubuntu.

My experience with the N800 was that there is a great deal of software available, but that the lion’s share of it was either buggy, incomplete or both. That would follow from the developer model being largely amateur driven. That’s not to say there are not talented dedicated amateurs around, but by the nature of the beast it is necessarily their second job.

Rather than making speculative comments may I suggest you try it first, I think you will be surprised at how far Ubuntu has come from it's roots in unix.

It is after all free, and you loose nothing to try, and your comments will then be more informed.

BTW why are you batting so strongly for Windows?

[columbus]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd;

That depends. Granted, it's been a while since I last tried it (7.10-Gutsy Gibbon, I think) but getting my wireless adapter working on it is a pain. Even when I was able to install the drivers, I still needed to reset the settings every time I rebooted the laptop.

Good thing it was only running on an extra laptop. I kept having to move to a PC running Windows XP whenever I needed to do some "power user" stuff. Linux is great if all you need are the basics (net surfing, email, word processing, etc) or if you're an expert at *nix. If you're somewhere in between, it might be difficult.

7.10 was a long time ago the 8.? Lts release for me has not shown any problems with drivers for normal use. Granted there is not so much "black" software (DVD, music rip of etc.) as for windows. I have not tried the latest 9.?4 as yet but I understand that it is even less resource hungry than 8.1.
I am not biased in any way I go back to Trs dos, Ldos, cpm etc. etc. & believe you should give credit where it is due.

[TadW]

My suggestion: Install Virtualbox (free). Then install Ubuntu within a virtual machine. Now you can give Ubuntu a try without messing with your harddisk partitions. If you don't like what you see, you can easily erase the virtual machine and uninstall Virtualbox.