Ubuntu Linux - Open source OS
I recently got the Ubuntu Linux distribution, a open source operating system based on Debian Linux and to my surprise it was much similar to the windows environment. Linux used to be tough for the windows user. But due to the vast improvements and the free tools available people are able to give a complete operating system which can be compared with windows.
You can either download ubuntu Linux distribution from the internet or get the CDs shipped to you free of cost via shipIt. Though I got started I had the doubt that Linux was always hard to configure and tough to use.
I selected ubuntu because it was new, emerging and getting popular in recent days. The rumors about google developing an OS based on Ubuntu which later were confirmed false.
Linux needs fat32 partition. I have NTFS. So I changed one of my unutilized disk space drives to fat32. But I did not change my root drive where I have installed windows XP in NTFS format. See Ubuntu Linux installation video if you want.
Why ubuntu Linux - there are a large number of Linux distributions. Some of them include fedora, mandriva, SUSE etc., these distributions comes either in 2 or 3 CDs. But Ubuntu 5.10 release comes just in a single CD.
User friendly – Ubuntu has Firefox and the multi protocol IM client gaim. Thunderbird is not there yet. Gimp which is considered as Photoshop alternative is available in ubuntu Linux. Open office is part of ubuntu CD.
Installing ubuntu Linux was not tough. I think if you can install windows XP without pain then you can install ubuntu Linux. This operating system installs drivers of all available hardware on its own just like windows XP. You need not install anything manually.
With ubuntu Linux you can surf the web with Firefox, chat online using Gaim which can handle google, yahoo and msn messenger. Apart from this you have the solid stability and security of a Linux operating system. No virus, no antivirus, no spyware, no antispyware.
Cons - suppose you need to install additional software then it is not that much easier. Installing something in Linux is totally different from what we do in windows. You need to know the Linux commands. It becomes more complicated when we need to install custom based software. Also playing mp3 music files, wmv windows media video files are not possible yet in ubuntu Linux due to their proprietary file formats.
But even then ubuntu Linux stands out of the other Linux distributions due to its simplicity and ease of use. Also at some point we can’t find the minimal difference between windows OS and an ubuntu Linux OS. If you can have dual boot for two operating systems on a single hard disk then ubuntu Linux would be a good bet for windows. At least for using internet, Ubuntu Linux works fine.
Linux distributions like PClinuxOS (beta), Damn Small Linux and Puppy Linux can be run without even installing anything in your hard disk just by running the live CD.
If you have doubts or questions regarding partitioning, installing etc then you can get things clarified at the Linux forums on the internet. If you are frustrated by closed source operating systems then you need to look seriously towards Linux.
1. No antivirus needed. The possibility of a virus attack is very little.
2. No antispyware needed. Spyware can’t settle inside the Linux kernel.
3. No hard-disk crashes. Linux kernel is stronger.
4. Free for ever. No automatic updates without your notice.
1. Installing famous add-ons like skype, thunderbird is not easy.
2. Listening to mp3 music - not possible (open source restrictions).
3. Watching wmv video files - not possible (open source restrictions).
Windows and Linux have their own advantages and disadvantages. One thing can’t act as a substitute for another.
Update: MP3, wmv, skype works well in Ubuntu. But, aditional repositories need to be installed.
Related Read:
Ubuntu Linux for Novices - Paul Stamatiou
Huge Listing of Linux screenshots (almost all distributions)
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