Open Source Challenge part 10: The verdict.

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Ashton Mills17 September 2007, 12:44 AM

Join us for the final instalment of our Open Source Challenge -- to see just how easy, or hard, it is to make Linux your main operating system and a replacement for Windows. What verdict does Ashton Mills give?


Right at the time of writing the verdict the new Ubuntu 7.10 was released, making it perfect timing to wrap up our ten-part series on living in a Linux only world. Ten parts ago we embarked on this journey to see just how well Linux, and specifically Ubuntu, would handle being the sole operating system on my system and if it would handle everything I needed to do from work to play, day to day.

After all Linux has been developing rapidly and while, in recent years, it has made huge in-roads into being a comprehensive desktop operating system, there's always been something missing. But armed with the latest 6.06 release at the time of Ubuntu -- the darling of the Linux world, and a self-proclaimed distribution for the masses -- we asked the question: Can you really replace Windows with Linux, and get everything done that you need to get just as under Windows? Lets find out.

Tallying the scores

Over the series as I looked at various tasks -- everything from office applications and online banking through to media playback and games -- I gave them various ratings between Flop to Fantastic, with values like so:

Optimal -- Passes with flying colours. The task could not only be completed, but better or easier than under Windows.

Pass -- No problems. The task can be completed exactly as under Windows.

Iffy -- When a task could only be partially completed, or completed but not without issue.

Flop -- Not possible to complete at all. Probably not a good thing.

There were a lot of pleasant surprises with Ubuntu, but also quite a few frustrations too. Some results were clear cut, others were harder to call. Overall, though, despite being a Linux fanboy ever since Slackware came on floppies, I like to think I judged fairly in these results. And going by the feedback emails I receive, a lot of you seemed to agree.

To refresh your memory, here's the complete list of tasks and their ratings:

First impressions: Pass -- No problems. The task can be completed exactly as under Windows.
Getting Updates: Optimal -- Passes with flying colours. The task could not only be completed, but better or easier than under Windows.
Web browsing: Pass -- No problems. The task can be completed exactly as under Windows.
Media playback: Iffy -- When a task could only be partially completed, or completed but not without issue.
File management: Pass -- No problems. The task can be completed exactly as under Windows.
Network shares: Pass -- No problems. The task can be completed exactly as under Windows.
Uploading to sites: Optimal -- Passes with flying colours. The task could not only be completed, but better or easier than under Windows.
CD and DVD burning: Optimal -- Passes with flying colours. The task could not only be completed, but better or easier than under Windows.
MP3 Encoding: Iffy -- When a task could only be partially completed, or completed but not without issue.
Talking to the iPod: Optimal -- Passes with flying colors. The task could not only be completed, but better or easier than under Windows.
Taking the upgrade plunge: Optimal -- Passes with flying colours. The task could not only be completed, but better or easier than under Windows.
Evolutionary email: Optimal -- Passes with flying colours. The task could not only be completed, but better or easier than under Windows.
Open Office: Optimal -- Passes with flying colours. The task could not only be completed, but better or easier than under Windows.
Web StarCam: Iffy -- When a task could only be partially completed, or completed but not without issue.
Plug in Cameras: Flop -- Not possible to complete at all. Probably not a good thing.
USB drives: Optimal -- Passes with flying colours. The task could not only be completed, but better or easier than under Windows.
Image management: Optimal -- Passes with flying colors. The task could not only be completed, but better or easier than under Windows.
Image editing: Optimal -- Passes with flying colours. The task could not only be completed, but better or easier than under Windows.
Printing: Pass -- No problems. The task can be completed exactly as under Windows.
Managing disk space: Flop -- Not possible to complete at all. Probably not a good thing.
Video production: Optimal -- Passes with flying colours. The task could not only be completed, but better or easier than under Windows.
Native games: Flop Pass -- No problems. The task can be completed exactly as under Windows.
Transgaming: Iffy -- When a task could only be partially completed, or completed but not without issue.
Free games: Optimal -- Passes with flying colours. The task could not only be completed, but better or easier than under Windows.


So for the lower than expected results, where did it fall down?

If you've just tuned in now, you might wonder how I could score Web browsing down with the power of a browser like Firefox, or media playback given Linux's extensive codec support.


Well, stick a DVD into Ubuntu to see why for that, or try to encode a CD to MP3. Yes, I covered how Ubuntu's hands are largely tied by US law for these, that's fine, but the complete lack of explanation, even a re-direct to learn more or for the onus on user to install support was missing. A new Windows user to Ubuntu would simply think Linux was incapable. Fixed, of course, by going to the forums and reading up on solutions, but more on that in a moment.


And for browsing sure Firefox is fantastic, except for the lacking necessary plugins like Flash and Java and no easy way to install them from Ubuntu itself -- again without going to the forums.


Then there were hardware support issues -- mainly with the webcam and the printer -- which aren't Ubuntu's fault but just the open source community at large (or rather, the hardware vendors). Regardless of the cause, problems were encountered that don't exist under Windows.


Finally, many issues were simply a lack of polish -- like the Gnome application to copy images from a camera with the wrong permissions, so it couldn't copy at all. Easily fixed from the command line for a Linux user, but a Windows user trying to live in a Linux only world would be left hanging.


Now back to the comment on forums -- if you've been reading the series, you'll know that going to the forums is not a solution. No, really, it's not -- it's a crux. A simplistic but effective analogy of the areas where Ubuntu needs to improve would be this: if the user has to search forums to fix problems or find necessary files, then these are the problems Ubuntu needs to address. Unless you're playing with a cutting-edge beta release, a user should never have to search forums just to get the desktop working. This isn't being harsh, this is common sense.


If Ubuntu wants to be a desktop operating system that can replace Windows -- and we all want it to be -- it has to offer at least the same level of ease of use that Windows does. Or, more succinctly, it has to 'just work'. Making the user work to get their desktop functioning with basic features like media playback or getting a full browsing experience on the web is counter-intuitive to why they installed it in the first place -- it's supposed to work for you, not the other way around.


Now some of these issues have been fixed since going between 6.06 (the version my journey started with) to 6.10, and now 7.04. However, many still remain.


And what about the areas Ubuntu excelled? All the important ones -- all the key applications were there and worked wonderfully for me to use it as a working desktop, ie. to actually do my business with. The bundled applications including Firefox, Office, printing and the necessary media players for me to watch my Anime means I had everything at finger tips, once they were properly setup. All the issues aside, and after the myriad issues I discovered were fixed, the desktop served me well.


I really should add one more category: Stability. By far Ubuntu makes Windows look a castle built on a sandbank. Score one Ubuntu. Fairly, however, I should also mention that I think a good part of Ubuntu's success (and for the score I give below) as an easy to use desktop is down to Automatix -- It fixed many of the problems I encountered, and I know the same is true for a majority of Ubuntu users. Ubuntu should either take a leaf from its book, or include it (if it can work out the licensing issues of the libraries it allows you to install, such as for DVD playback).


So, given all of the above, what's my verdict for living in a Linux only world? *drumroll*


Linux only world: Pass -- No problems. The task can be completed exactly as under Windows.


And that, as they say, is that. I'm sure you have your thoughts to give, so drop me a line and let me know.

Ubuntu 7.04, all shiny and new.Ubuntu 7.04, all shiny and new.

Automatix brings Ubuntu up to speed in one neat package.Automatix brings Ubuntu up to speed in one neat package.

DVD playback works eventually. Ten points for guessing the DVD.DVD playback works eventually. Ten points for guessing the DVD.

<<< Return to the start of the series

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Ken Alpha:

Instead of just trying out the 'usual suspect', why not try PCLinuxOS instead? You might score several more Optimals with that.

Hardware support, bundled-apps and multimedia playback is flawless as well is java and flash support in firefox -- which incidentally makes it ahead of Windows!

However, I am disappointed when all I see is a comparison of Windows to Ubuntu -- which is not a good representative of what a Linux desktop can do today!

Other than that, a good article.

Cheers.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Damon:

This is with a 64 bit OS, PCLinuxOS doesn't have a 64 bit version.
He explained why he wanted Ubuntu. It has the greatest chance of breaking into the mainstream market.
His comparison to windows!?
That was the main point of the article.
I found this perfectly honest. Ask a regular Joe what a console is and his reply will be along the lines of, "isn't it like an Xbox or something?"

Good work.

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Anonymuos:

While I'm neither a Linux fanatic nor a Windows fanboy, apps are what matter eventually. And on Windows, no of app=Windows apps + many many (almost all) Linux apps, even KDE4 will go native, GNOME can be run with Cygwin. Not that many Windows apps run on Linux in spite of Wine, virtualization etc efforts.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

jxn:

So, do MS Windows install all those aplications with only a few klicks witout searching and downloading through a web browser?
Just "Skrivbordet" -> "Administration" -> "Pakethanteraren Synaptic" and then you have over 1000 programs to install under your fingertips.
Oh, did I mention that it has real localization and Internationalization, just select language when you log in (that was swedish). You can even have one application running at the same time with different locales. And that in languages that MicroSoft won't even consider translation.

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Fred Nerk:

Not a bad article.

I suppose I'm a bit bugged that there wasn't more emphasis put on at the end for the things that Feisty (7.04) fixed up. Yeah, the codec support on Dapper was crap, same with the video drivers, but I installed Feisty on my computer (my wife is still happily running Dapper, despite being a bona-fide non geek), and found that there was that bit of polish (that you understandably criticised for not being there) included, that wasn't previously included.

I found that the following is incredibly better in Feisty, than Dapper:

java installation
flash installation
codec installation
video driver installation
DVD playback installation

And you don't have to wait 5 years for it.

MP3 encoding - I found that I just jumped on Add/Remove and installed Audacity (available in windows and mac as well), and it did the job perfectly. I had to do some basic sound editing and conversion and it worked a treat.

USB pen drives - I find the way ubuntu does it better, because I hate having to drill down via My Computer in XP to access a drive after I close the initial dialog box. Same for CDs.

Finally, I would have been happier if you included stuff that is on ubuntu/gnome/linux that isn't in windows that make it more useable/prettier, such as:

The desktop cube is brilliant and useful (or at least you should have mentioned the 4 desktops by default - they do add productivity).

Customisability of the way it looks - gnome-look.org and all that. I've used Windows Blinds which is fine, but slows things down. With Ubuntu you get that skinnability without the resource hogging.

Add/Remove and Synaptic - the software delivery method is streets ahead, and not having to google for a free program and then find it, d/l it and install it is brilliant. In fact audacity and other programs, I now look to see if they have windows equivalents after using the linux version.

Last thing - most people don't install their own OS and get it running, so some allowance should be made for the fact that a good portion of people buy a computer "already running". I setup my near computer illiterate wife's laptop, and not a problem since. moot, i know.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Anton:

Nice article, but many points are highly debatable.
I see many things marked with a Flop, which I have no or little problem with in Kubuntu.
Also some things are pass and iffy which I do encounter
problems with.

I think you should do the same experiment with Mint, Mephis and PCLinuxOS.
With pclos , I think every thing gets a pass, at least from my own experience.

However, thanks for the article.
It's usefull

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

dns:

The thing about this series of articles is that they where written every month in APC and things did change in that time. Feisty was just out in part 8 or 9 of the series so that changes things.

We should not be asking the simple question of is linux ready for the "desktop" (whatever people define that as).
Instead we should ask what are the major things it is missing and at the current rate of development will these required features be finished.

The main advantage of the open source development model is it allows a small group of programmers with an interest to work on and take a huge jump forward.

It took microsoft years to develop silverlight, it took mono a month to develop moonlight. The open source model has the ability to adapt quickly to the changing environment, Microsoft and Apple to some extent are too big and too slow moving to compete with linux in the long term.

Is linux ready yet? perhaps. Will it be better in the future? defenately as the model makes it nearly impossible make anything worse. Give linux some time, with the rate of improvement faster than the competition, even if it takes 10 years to do everything the competition does it will win eventually.

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ugashia:

I found that feisty was alot easier than Dapper to use in everyday life. And i love Linux, this was a great article and i really like the way you didn't bash Linux all the way through like most of the other comparison articles out there.

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Adele:

You might also have discussed the differences in computer security. It's an important part of Windows. Many new Linux users ask me what antivirus or security suite to use. They are surprised to learn nothing needs to be done. Also, Ubuntu 7.04 has a trash can on the lower panel - no need for command line stuff. Don't know about your tested version in that regard. Otherwise, I learned some things from your observations as well.

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Gregg:

...we could require intelligent people to use computers and quit accommodating the lowest denominator. But then I guess Geek Squad would be out of business. Ugh!

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

TucsonGuy:

This is exactly the sort of reaction that hurts Linux adoption. The fact is that in order for Linux to be successful, a lot of "stupid users" have to be willing to use it. Difficulties in setting things up and comments like this will just make them stick with Windows.

I installed 7.10 on my Gateway laptop this weekend (32 bit) and had to manually download Flash support and install it because the automatic download wouldn't work. Also, the sound didn't work and I had to search and found a really weird solution to it that worked, but still...



29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Campbell Duff:

I'd just like to add a small thing on the ability for Linux to run well on underpowered machines.
I have an old PIII 500MHz and am duel booting Linux and Windows. To take for example DVD playback-it is unwatchable in windows, while in all the various linux distributions I've tried it works perfectly.
I am able to get a Vista quality desktop experience on a computer which would struggle to run XP.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Axel:

Hi! Nice write Up.
I tend to agree, that LinuxDesktop still has a bit to go.

> Installation effort actually can be bad for newbies - especially if the HW is not recognized
> Linux also has a different lingo, which gives WinUsers trouble
> "Minor" Tweaks are required for MP3, printer, etc.

I do believe so, once we install the basics are installed -the rest In many cases here are still issues.

Having for each distrubtion a windows onboaring guide would really be good. Even things like "What is /home?" is unknown to people who never used *ix....

Just my thgouhts.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Zolookas:

Codec installation is much better in Ubuntu 7.04 (when you try to open mp3 or other file ubuntu gives you ability to check and install which codecs you need with just a few clicks)

Also Ubuntu 7.04 has "Restricted drivers" manager which offers you to install official nvidia drivers if you launch it. Again, installation done much simplier than in windows, you just need to check ckeckbox, press install button and reboot.

Easy dual monitor support will be added in Ubuntu 7.10

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Barry Brimer:

While direct multiple monitor support may not be available in Ubuntu, it is available in Red Hat/CentOS/Fedora via the system-config-display utility.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

sanosuke001:

The only reason I haven't switched is gaming. I would love to have the freedom of being able to switch between free OS' to find the one that I like the best. However, as a gamer, there is no way I could with the current state of things. The forum trolling comments I agree with also, but are more of an inconvenience to me than anything else. Most of your grievances can be worked around except for gaming. Yes, I know I could dual boot, but once I'm in Windows, whats the point of switching back and forth all the time? Not to mention all the extra resources I'd need to have both loaded. Also, I don't remember seeing anything about this in your article but mounting hard drives was always difficult in any other Linux distro I tried. Is is that hard to auto-detect a HDD? Windows seems to do it fairly easy.


Until gaming is thoroughly supported or I hear a FREE Cedega clone that "just works" as you put it, I'm stuck with Windows.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

dave:

what he said

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

IT Veteran(so called):

What He siad is right.

Linux is not there and won't be for a while. I'm a Network Engineer and have been one for 10+ years as a consultant. Dealing with users all that time I can say that the things you had to do to give a pass on some of those items ARE IMPOSSIBLE for a user to do. Trolling the forums is not an answer. A typical user will not have the gumption to look at a well organized Knolege Base like MS provides, let alone the forums. I understand that many people are saying I'm a user and I use forums but if you ask MANY of the people I work with as users and customers they will not even know what a FORUM is let alone go searching around for some cryptic answer to a "common" issue that assumes you can fill in the blank in the command line.

Linux needs an attitude adjustment not a technical fix! It has to be easy for people to like it and want to switch. The food chain of software/drivers/hardware is established and here it is: Companies will develop software/drivers/hardware for the OS that a majority of people use." That is right you see the period at the end of that sentance, it means what it says.

I am a technical user, not a linux guru nor a fanatical Windows supporter, but over the years I have been frustrated so many times to the point that I stop using the new flavor of Linux because it does not WORK! I get sick of searching for 20 different solutions (only one of which will work for my problem but I have to try them all untill I find the right one) just to make something work that Windows XP makes work even though it is running an OS released in 2001!!!! This is an attitude problem and I use Linux because it lets me do things that I can't do easily in Windows (or free in most cases) but these things are on the fringe of computer use (security auditing, networek monitoring and troubleshooting.. etc) and this is where Linux will stay if the attitude does not change.

Some say try this distro or another, well I did, recently I even opted for a pay-for Linux to see if my computer would work after installing without allot of nonsense, $60 down the drain after figguring out that simple things did not work even after paying for support and software ARGH!!! Can you imagine this in Windows?!?!? I'm not talking about getting my "fringe" piece of software or hardware to work, I'm talking about useful stable behaivior from SOUND, WIFI, VIDEO... things that Windows did well on mainstream hardware in 1995!!!

But I do love Linux for the things it can do and the freedom it stands for and maybe that is causing the attitude of the people that drive it "well you can do it and there is 10 ways to do it"... I just want one way to do it and for it to work without me rebooting to windows to get on google so I can find what i might have to do to get internet working in Linux.

And to waste my time to dual boot when the Windows PC does exactly what I need and more importantly things that Linux can not (Games!!), is utter madness since I just don't think you should change your life to support a great "idea", because that "idea" will not fullfill my need to kill some terrorists in CS2!

only my $.02 and that is all but I find this mindset in so many people that if Linux does not change then it will always be the distant runner-up.

I still play with Linux becasue of a character flaw i have and that is that I will always try to make a "turd shine". So i look forward to KDE 4.0 but I REALLY look forward to it on my working WINDOWS OS!!!! :-)

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

nOg0oi3:

Glad to see some comment on the stability but the performance of Linux is a significant motivator for many of us and I expect this could have been noted too.

I also thought the comparitive study was little lopsided. Comparing Windows Vista with Ubuntu 6 when the XP comparison would have been better and also shown up those same 64bit issues (i.e. 64bit XP never really happened) mentioned. Also the article presumed that Vista install / driver support was perfect, as an IT consultant who still back orders Windows XP for home and business clients I'd suggest it's mis-representative.

However, I must finish by saying, "great articles", comprehensive and well balanced. Thank you, going to post to facebook now.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Michaeld:

One of the essential things that anyone with a laptop would need to know is how easy is it to connect to a wireless router?

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Init:

I don't know about Ubuntu, since I run Fedora, but with Fedora 7 and a supported wireless chipset (such as those that come with Intel Centrino-branded laptops), wireless networking is a breeze. After enabling NetworkManager, it detected my WPA2-PSK home network and connected without problems after I entered the key.

At work, we have a WPA2-Enterprise wireless network, and Networkmanager detected it and let me enter the needed details, after which it connected to the network without a hitch.


29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Matt:

I am running Kubuntu 7.10 on a dell inspiron 1000 laptop with a dell 1350 wireless card... the restricted drivers manager allows activation of the broadcom firmware and the laptop connects to my WPA-PSK router with NO HICCUPS!!!

I have to say, Kubuntu Gutsy ROCKS!

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

gareth:

firstly you state that searchign forums is not a standard user experience to solve problems

i must say on may occasions i have found myself searching forums to solve problems in windows, also the results you get are generally much less helpful than anything i have found in linux forums.

about space management ok it didn't tell you that you had 7gb of trash but there is a waste bin on the bottom task bar there was no need to use a terminal

and problems with the desktop resolution after intalling the nvidia drivers where more to do with automatixs configuration of the x server than the gnome interface envy is a much better script for installing grafics drivers and does both ati and nvidia drivers, and the latest releases have a gui making it very easy to use.

i also think that a better comparison of windows to ubuntu would have been made if you used a pre installed ubuntu machine from dell as this is more reminisent of 90% of windows users (not sure if these come with java flash etc pre installed) also comparing 64 bit oses was unfair as most vista oem machines (even though they are on 64 bit processors are 32 bit versions

the 64 bit version may also have been the major failing of cedega as i now many people who use it on a 32 bit base ubuntu with no issues




29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Anonymous1:

Babylon 5 - Season 3 - DVD 1

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tristan Rhodes:

See review by the Ubuntu technical board here:

http://mjg59.livejournal.com/77440.html

Also, Ubuntu 7.04 DOES allow you to easily install Java, Flash, and MP3 codec support, without going to the forums.

The first time you try to play an MP3, it will ask if you want it to install the codec for it. This is similar to other codecs as well.

And for Flash and Java - Did you try "Applications > Add/Remove"? You can search for Java and Flash and have it installed in a few clicks.

Thanks for the review. I appreciate the work you did in documenting the current status of Ubuntu. Please do it again when Ubuntu 7.10 comes out! :)

Tristan

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tristan Rhodes:

I see what happened. You decided to use Ubuntu 6.06 LTS version. The LTS versions are created for corporations who need stability over newer features, and do not want to upgrade every 6 months. LTS releases come out every 2 years (the next one is due in April 2008).

So the version you tested is about 1.5 years old, and a lot of progress has been made since then. I recommend that you wait a month and then try Ubuntu 7.10. Compared to 6.06, it will knock your socks off!


29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Cohortq:

The DVD is Babylon 5, I don't know which season, but it looks like season 3 or 4.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

sorpigal:

The DVD is Babylon 5 season 3 disc 1. The review is good but it's being a B5 fan that makes me give this author a Pass.

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

ecartman:

Nice review. I pretty much agree. I am currently running Gutsy on this machine and Cassandra Mint on my other machine. I must say both these distros were easier for me to install and get tweaked than my Vista machine. Truth be told one of the reasons I use Ubuntu is the help offered on the boards. Intelligent, nice and always willing to help, truly amazing and a real benefit to the OS. Example; I lost my desktop background the first day using Vista, never really could fix that or even find any hints anywhere with google. I have fixed all my problems I encountered with Ubuntu in minimal time by reading the boards.
Again, liked the review. Nice reading something that didn't reek of fanboyism, something both sides are guilty of.

Cart

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

sx66gns:

7.04 is much better with the things the author expressed displeasure with , also it's soon time for 7.10 release which is really going to raise the bar.


PCLOS is a very nice distro , but for those that do not need any hand holding at all , those that can maintain and perform their own repairs..


Basically Ubuntu is easy , so easy even a caveman could do it.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

chasm:

Mostly I have to agree with your results. But the criticism of DVD playback on Ubuntu is pretty lame. I don't have DVD playback on either of my Windows systems out of the box (well, after reinstalling Windows, that is). Windows XP (any service pack) itself does not include DVD playback. But if you buy an HP or Dell box, they include third party DVD players on the hard drive. They usually don't include the install CD though. So if you reinstall the OS, bye-bye to DVD playback.


I do not know about DVD playback on Vista (it's probably there now), but if you are coming from XP to Ubuntu, that should be a Pass (an equal PITA, that is).


I've hardly played with Vista (in spite of it being "free" with my new laptop) because I have three pieces of hardware it does not support (and never will) - DLT tape drive, cheap multichannel PCI audio card and TV I/O card. So until I change over at work, I'll still be running XP even on that laptop, not because I need the unsupported hardware on it, but because it would be the only Vista system I use, and the UI really did change a lot. Old hardware has always been the bane of Windows upgrades, but it seems to be less of an issue with Linux (still an issue, though). Does the MSI webcam work with Vista?

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Alex C:

Good article, was thinking about installing Linux for a friend who has an older computer and doesn't play any intense windows games and could probably learn the basic functionality fairly quickly.

Anyway, decided against it based on research of my own, but I remain hopeful that I will find the right distro that won't require me to tinker with their computer for a week just to make sure everything will work. The article hits it on the nose. While Linux is great for those who already know computers and who aren't scared to use a command prompt, there is still no distro in my opinion that makes the transition from Windows to Linux painless or even for many newbies easy.

In response to one of the replies above, I have tried PCLinuxOS 2007 and the version prior to it (0.97a I think), and on both my desktop and laptop I found Ubuntu far easier to get up and going. Both have ATI video cards, but even Ubuntu was able to configure them properly for 2d accel. PCLinuxOS will only let my 1600pro run in 800x600 without the screen acting like windows on the wrong drivers.
Additionally PCLinuxOS TRIES to install my wifi cards but fails, my desktop needs to use ndiswrapper but fails to install it correctly using PCLinuxOS, for some reason using ndiswrapper and the exact same driver on Ubuntu works, perhaps an inferior version of ndiswrapper, but either way Ubtunu won.

While neither distro supports my cards out of the box, I was at least able to get them both to work under Ubuntu.

I have a small tower of linux distros I've tried. Ask my girlfriend. I've tinkered with some of the most obscure distros out there. Among the easiest are often the smallest, but then repositories are lacking. I have yet to find one acceptable to thrust upon my Windows using, non-techno-dork friends, but Ubuntu comes the closest. I would recommend it to people who haven't used Windows for extended periods of time or people with some willingness to configure varying areas of the OS.

My conclusion is that while I have had my share of woes with PCLinuxOS and with Ubuntu, they are both still the forerunners of this user-friendly Linux ordeal. Which is better can really only be determined by installing and trying for yourself. I'm sure a number of you will have the same experience as me where Ubuntu is better and some will find Ubuntu buggier on their system than PCLinuxOS.

Oh and BTW, the part where you only got 4:3 resolutions is controlled by an entry in x windows config file (x.conf or xorg.conf if I remember), not the driver (though bad driver could cause hardware supported modes to not function correctly, it has nothing to do selectable modes). The fault lies with whatever made the entry to that file. And ironically, as much as you love Automatix, it was probably one of it's install scripts that made the entry.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

AnonyMouse:

Good article, very fair.. except for your choice of 64 bit.. As you point out, even Microsoft is just now getting their 64 bit support in order. By choosing to install 64 bit, you set up an additional barrier, and most users would not have had your problem with the browser plug-ins. Considering this additional barrier, Linux did very well...

But I think you also did a fine job of exposing one of the biggest problems facing linux at the moment: The necessity of distribution-specific installation files and repositories, each distribution having to keep up with not only the latest versions of each application, but also each driver. At the very least, printer driver packages ought to be liberated from the chaos of package management and standardized among distributions. The fine job Ubuntu has done with their update s and application repositories means that the user rarely has to stray outside these repositories.. but this lasts only as long as you are willing to be happy getting the application you NEED and not necessarily the one you WANT. Once you leave the nest, the full horror of Linux application installation becomes visible, as you found with your video editing applications. As ,uch as I love linux, I cannot turn a blind eye to this issue. It is the largest problem facing linux today.


29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

pensulo:

After using Ubuntu Linux for nine months, in 2 home machines, I began to suspect that old PCs could be brought back to life for nothing - or close to no expense. That just happened! I recommend that you try it too.

I asked my friends and acquaintances to give me their old PCs, alive or dead, so I could install Ubuntu Linux to rescue such computers. Mostly. my friends said, "What? What is Ubuntu?" At that point I'd try to explain the free operating system with pre-installed open source software. Usually, eyes would roll and expressions would blank. However, my niece's fiancee said, "Sure, take that one because I'm going to throw it out when we move. It's dead". I looked it over and saw the windows 2000 sticker. He & my niece had no interest in an old windows PC, because they had changed to use pearly new Macs for everything they do. I took it.

Once I got it home, I connected the usual peripherals: Mouse, Monitor and Keyboard. After pressing the start button and watching the boot process, I determined that the old 20 gigabyte hard drive had failed. After a quick trip to Microcenter in Cambridge, Massachusetts, I returned with a new 80 gigabyte IDE hard drive. Fifty-two dollars invested, including tax. I love that store. Microcenter is my favorite technology store.

I took me 20 minutes to open the case, vacuum and wipe up the dust, and finally install the hard drive. It wasn't difficult; replace the drive and snap fit the ribbon connections. Installing Ubuntu from a CD is very easy, comparatively convenient considering the software monsters of the past If you ever installed a windows OS from floppies or CDs, ( remember the 16 floppies of IBM's OS2?), you'll positively enjoy ease of Ubuntu. It takes less than 15 minutes to the first desktop appearance and another 30 minutes or so for the rest of the process, in my case. I did not reserve any partitions, and simply allowed Ubuntu to take the whole disk. Approximately 45 minutes later - this box is up and running, with a full set of office software, graphic programs, and accessories. Running? YES! This box has only 256 ram and it seems to run better than the other, newer PC I had been using.

I say "this box" because I'm using it now to write to you. Another bonus was that Ubuntu Linux was able to use the graphics card to properly handle this modern 22" monitor. My newer Dell Dimension couldn't do that. As a result, it's unplugged now; this resurrected machine is better than the one I had been using.

The desktop experience of Ubuntu is very good; I don't want to say "windows-like", because you might get the wrong impression of Ubuntu. However, some visual elements are similar, task bars, big useful workspace, normal accessories like text editors, dictionaries, calculators and terminals. If you don't like issuing commands by typing in the terminal window, you won't need to do that., because there's such a nice GUI for ordinary tasks. A casual computer user can easily adapt to the open source software. My favorite free software, which arrived via the Applications Add/Remove is GIMP. I've paid for Photoshop Elements in the past but never again! GIMP is similar enough to Photoshop, that it serves me totally. Mac advocates will think that Ubuntu is somewhat like OS X, but lacking the flash and the launcher, and the familiar branded software. If your primary use of the computer is browsing the web and corresponding by e-mail, then the free Ubuntu operating system will save you money. Consider that for 52.00, I've got a new-used computer that works very well.

I'm imagining that I'll be doing this for friends and neighbors a lot in the future. We'll be saving money and exploring the world of open source software.


29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Venkatesh Nandakumar:

"Ten points for guessing the DVD...."
Babylon 5!

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Jojo:

I see a *huge* gaping hole in this review...configuring wireless.

Setting up/getting wireless to work with your NIC is a total bear on Linux...

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Anonymous Man:

I agree, wireless is not exactly easy to setup. Also, how is linux on laptops? Does it have all the necessary drivers? In general, can you use all features of the hardware you buy? ATI All In Wonder video cards are practically useless in linux.

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Anonymouse:

AIW is useless? I bought one years ago and never could get it working under Windows. Once I switched to Linux, It Just Worked(tm). No problems at all. As for laptops, I have three and the only problems have been Broadcom wireless cards were replaced with better supported ones and one laptop doesn't initialize the video problem when coming out of hibernation. Other than that the laptops work flawlessly.

For the curious, the laptops are a Thinkpad 600x, a Dell C640 and a Compaq V2000.

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Paddy:

We went all Ubuntu at home/home office when my wife's XP system crashed and I had an Ubuntu live disk around. The live disk meant that we could get her back online and working without a hard disk in minutes - very cool if your HD dies.

My wife is not an expert computer user but after a week or so of living in an Ubuntu only world she could see no good reason to go back to Windows.

All the Windows applications that she used had perfectly good replacements in the Linux world and all her cameras, phones, mp3 players, PDAs and other peripherals worked with Ubuntu without any problem.

The children, (5 and 8), both heavy web users, are happy in an Ubuntu only world.

The only and, I stress only, issue we have had moving from XP to Windows was that some of the children's online games need Shockwave which is not available in the Linux world. A bit of shame to have to explain to a five year old girl that one of her favourite games doesn't work but all in all not much of a downside given the availability of non-Shockwave games.

Caveats. 1) I have knocked around computers for a long time and I had spent time figuring out how to move from Windows to Ubuntu on my own computers so I was able to set the system up for her. I don't think that she would have had the confidence to make the move without me around. 2) We had long ago abandoned MS applications like IE and Outlook for Firefox and Google applications so we didn't have a lot of legacy data locked into Windows systems to worry about.



29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

mahiyar:

If you are serious to throw out windows out your windows, then it needs commitment. There is nothing like free lunch in this world. If you want a free software working for you, you will have to learn. This review was done on 6.06? 7.04 takes care of 95% of media problems, and flash and Java. There is only one reason I go to windows, about once a month, and that is if need something to scan.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

John Frobisher:

Commitment? Are you kidding? I want to use my computer, not marry it.

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Speaking of Marriage:

I found similar unsavory commitments in Windows. Eventually, I got tired of massaging my system with the associated necessary security software subscriptions/updates/scans, WPA and other licensing requirements, and general worry about what was really happening behind the scenes.

In fact, using Windows felt a lot like being married to an unfaithful spouse.

Linux is much better from where I sit.

29 February 2008, 8:49 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Anonymous13587!*&^:

Until Linux can handle the gaming industry demands it will not flourish. That is the main reason I haven't made the jump. Regardless of the fact that Microsoft is evil.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Reghart:

Wow, I really liked this article. It was very well thought out, and as a Windows user, it was relevant to me. If I were to try a Linux Distro, it would be Ubuntu, and I very much liked the comparisons between it and Windows. However, and I know it wasn't the point of the article, this has not convinced me to swap over to Ubuntu, or any form of Linux, simply for the fact that drivers are a pot luck, and the fact that I'm a gamer who likes the big games, and am a fan of many of the proprietary Windows games. But this is excellent, and, given a few more years, if Linux finally makes it into the heart of games and third party app developers, and there are as many apps, official drivers, and games for it as Windows, I may switch. Simply put, I have too many apps I use very frequently that'll only run under windows. This article really put that in perspective for me, as I had considered testing Ubuntu recently. Thanks, your article has saved me a good bit of time.

Very well written, Cheers!

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Dain:

thanks for the great article....btw, the DVD is Babylon 5 - The Complete Third Season, Disc 1 of 6

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Anonymoose:

.. and the shown pictures show Marcus Cole's introduction, Brother Theo, the berserker probe, and Lyta Alexander's returning of the Kosh piece back to Kosh..

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Dwindle:

Honestly, I wish Linux would stop wasting so much time making itself cute and jammed packed with cheesy free ware apps and just make it work better. I have two computers, both of which need to use WEP encrypted WiFi, and no distro can seem to pull it off. Java has never worked for me. It's slow, glitchy, and the colors are wrong for some reason. Sound won't work on one, touchpad won't work on the other, and any number of forums I go to can't seem to help me. There are many distros that crash and burn before they are even installed, and I don't even know why.

I'd suffer a handful of inconveniences for Linux, but I just can't seem to get it to work well enough to be a functioning computer while I learn the little ins and outs.

The worst part, for me at least, is the software. I love Irfanview, because I just click on any media file, even a text, PDF, or HTM file, and it just pops up, rendered in full screen, and lets me flip back and forth. I miss Explorers simple, clean interface, and loathe Linux's obsession with clunky toolbars and over sized buttons, and trying in vane to find a "skin" that, rather than look cool and pretentious, is easy to use.

My Explorer windows are trained to take up exactly the half side of the screen, so they can be easily seen side by side - of all the programs I've tried in Linux, I've never seen one that will do this simple thing.

No matter what codecs I install, there is always a handful of media files that just won't work and, as always, no one has a clue why or what to do about it.

I can read or write to drive "X" on a Windows network, but no torrent application can seem to do the same. Other file sharing programs can do it, so what's the problem? as usual, posting to forums ad infinitum just doesn't solve anything.

I don't know why it seems to me Linux is just a pipe dream spinning it's wheels, but honestly, after Suse, Ubuntu, Knoppix, Xandros, Puppy, RedHat, and countless others, I'm rather bored with the whole thing, as most problems I've had with Windows don't exist anymore.

There is no crashing, BSOD, ad ware or any of that nonsense, so why bother switching?

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

victim of windoze:

Your Windows problems don't exist anymore? How did you manage that? I have XP and almost every day something freezes, a program is forced to close, a program is unresponsive, an unresponsive problem refuses to close when I try to close it and about once a week or more I have to turn off my computer completely because it refuses to shut down when I tell it to. I sometimes use someone else's computer with XP and it does the same thing. Also, it takes forever to boot up and load!

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

sanderjd:

Good article! Thank you.

I finally removed my dual boot Windows XP image when Ubuntu 6.06 came out and ran into many of the same annoyances as you. I pushed through the multimedia and Java issues all the time thinking to myself "Nope, still not ready to recommend to non-geeks."

Since then I have reinstalled with each successive version that has been released and as a previous comment mentioned, nearly all of my gripes have been largely remedied. Ubuntu now has a fantastic system for determining when functionality desired by a user is missing and prompting the user to install it. This works wonders for the multimedia experience. Try to play an MP3 and it pops up saying "Install this package to play MP3 files" - sweet! Both the Java and Flash extensions are now working seamlessly.

One portion of your article confused me - the removal of trash. In my experience, Ubuntu does a great job of moving any deleted files to a per-user (rather than per-directory) trash folder, which appears as an icon on the desktop, and is easy to expunge (certainly no 'rm -rf' is necessary).

Unfortunately, there are two problems remaining for me as of 7.04. The procedure for using NVidia drivers remains an annoyance, requiring a manual edit of the X11 configuration file to change the resolution. This bug has existed for me since the 6.06 beta and is completely unacceptable. The other problem I still have is something you didn't cover at all in this review - wireless. This is hugely important for laptop users, and also desktop users, as more and more households go wireless. From many things I've read, Ubuntu has some of the best wireless support in the Linux community, and I have found it to be unfortunately atrocious. Even with wireless cards that I have looked up on forums as being compatible, I have been completely unable to get a reliable solution. This seems to be (along with gaming perhaps) the last great frontier of Linux support. It looks like help is on the way though, as the newest Linux kernel appears to include a re-write of the wireless stack from the ground up. This should be included in Ubuntu's 7.10 release, due in 2-4 weeks.

The real great thing about Ubuntu that is sometimes missed is it's velocity. While it may not be perfect now, you've got to admit it's getting better, it's getting better all the time.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Scott:

I have no idea how you scored gaming a pass. I know that when they are ported they work, but you were living in a Windows-less world, and what happens if I want to play something that isn't either 12 - 18 mths old or isn't the few that have been ported, or if you've got kids that buy the latest title, not thinking about the OS, because you shouldn't have to think about the OS, and it won't work. That's not a pass, that a dismal failure, and one of the biggest failures of Linux. And forget that rubbish about native games, they're not up to the grade. Combine that with failure to play DVDs without some knowledge and effort, and you've got one angry consumer, as those would be two of the primary activities on a family computer. It's chicken and egg I guess, companies won't port games without more users, and non-geek users, without a geek in the household, won't switch and stay switched without things working.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Oracle of Mice:

As a Windows user whom has never played with Linux, I was hoping for an honest, and unbiased look at the ease of switching.

When it came to drivers, multimedia, and games, you had to jump through more hoops than I ever would consider doing as a Windows user. Support forums??? Command line prompts??? No average Windows user ever uses the Command line prompt. Hell, your standard Windows user rarely uses system tools like Character Map, Disk Defragment, Disk Cleanup. Just look around and see for yourself.

People still use mostly IE, and to be honest, with the people I've done modest computer work for, they still have yet to understand how tabs work, even under IE.

The thing that makes Windows appealing for most is that it does it all for you. Instead of forums, a nice help directory with step by step walkthroughs already installed on your computer in the form of wizards and help files are there for you. Sure, it's kiddie for users of alternative operating systems, but for the average novice, that's what works best for them.

You mentioned several times already having a Linux bias, and have commented "but it works with other webcams" or "but it works with other variations of linux" or "but it worked with this game before" but damn it, that's just excuses! If you want it to work with as much ease as windows, it should just damned work! that's NOT "The task can be completed exactly as under Windows."



As for multimedia, I'm surprised you went with the various players you listed rather than the popular VLC player for both Linux and Windows. (I know it's available on Linux, in particular the version you had tried, because a Linux using friend had installed it on his machine after my mentioning its version for Windows).

This just failed.

Please use someone who has never in their life used Linux in such a test to get more accurate results.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

tom:

Hmm. Obviously you've never installed an operating system from scratch. Most of the multimedia problems suffer simialrly under Windows: DVD playback et al is not enabled by default.

No one claims that installing Ubuntu is perfect. But if you're prepared to spend a bit of effort, check out your hardware, etc, Ubuntu can work for you.

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Shilen Patel:

I was completely new to Ubuntu six months ago, and so far my only problem has been with dvd playback, i went online to the ubuntu forums, and after about 3 mins of searching i fixed it!!!! Even without any experience in linux the ubuntu forums can guide you through any problems you see, and with a huge number of us noobz there even the smallest issues are addressed concisely!!!

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Didi:

For the gaming, 0AD will be a turning point. It uses OpenGL not DirectX. Just can't wait for the Release !

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

TimJowers:

Excellent article. It should be the template for evaluating all distros and proprietary OS's like Windows, Solaris, and MacOSX.

After you install a few other apps then you can get optimal on most things; but you are right there are a few things which are tricky at best.

But you can also write the reverse of this article to evaluate Windows from a Linux perspective and I'm fairly sure Windows will score far, far worse. I'm using Windows at a client site now and it has real problems. XP but I suspect Vista is just as bad from what I've heard. From copy-and-paste of simple words in Outlook taking 1-2 minutes to IE just disappearing. From file deletes which take 15 minutes or cannot be done in bulk at all to many poorly designed user interfaces. This is not to even begin to dig into the power tools of Linux. No "less" and no "grep" are just the tip of the iceberg. Also, File Manager which was Windows' old app for working with Files was far superior to Explorer when moving files between multiple folders. Fortunately, Linux can install many file managers and let you use the best tool for your current job (I know, many people download Fileman2 or whatever for Windows). Last of all, "File Search". Need I say more? Microsoft defeatured "Find in Files" in their current releases of Windows so it outright fails for many file types. Sure, there may be some tricks and techniques to make "File Search" work again but this is one thing which is basic and works beyond flawlessly in Linux.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

TimJowers:

BTW, my wife is a very basic computer user and does little besides web browsing and email. She had zero learning curve when we moved to Fedora. To her, its just a computer.

For one considering Linux, consider installing Open Office on your Windows box. See if you can use it. Try running with Firefox web browser. Try installing Gimp for graphics editing. Try other such Open Source software which runs the same on Linux and Windows. Then when you move to Linux it will not even be much of a move.

Some Windows considerations such as needing to run disk defrag simply do not exist in Linux because of its superior design.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

TripleII:

but was surprised you got it to work. Lexmark is notoriously flaky with Linux. On the server side (i.e. IT side), they fall all over themselves to demonstrate their Linux support, while on the desktop, Lexmark and Linux are usually to be avoided in the same sentence.

HP is the way to go. HPLIP supports virtually every windows function and my new HP C4280 scans, uploads photos, but most importantly, prints better than the Windows equivalent. (OK, I can't just state this, here's why, this printer does 4X6 borderless from the SD card, but other sizes, only from software. In Linux, 5x7 borderless flawless, in Windows, functionally impossible. HP themselves can't show me a set of options that will succeed in 5x7 borderless.)

Excellent review, I was also surprised at Video editing. I haven't done any, but it usually fails miserably by reviewers.

I would love to see someone review a KDE based distro. I prefer KDE and it is extremely popular, however, seems the world is on the Ubuntu Gnome = Linux kick of late. I'd like to see what you thought of PCLinuxOS, everything just works out of the box, including automatic docking station monitor adaptation, wireless, etc.

TripleII



29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

ArtInvent:

After years of Windows only I made the complete jump to Ubuntu about a year ago. It was difficult at first - I use a LOT of software, everything from Photoshop, raw photo processing, CorelDraw, audio editing and CD mastering, music notation, high def video editing, 3D design, CAD software, Quicken, office software, web development, you name it. So I had to migrate everything to free software equivalents. But that was really the key motivation. My problem was: upgrades. Every two or three years, each one of my proprietary packages needed an expensive upgrade. And when Windows itself finally upgrades - fantastic. Except - you may be forced to upgrade some of your software as well, even when you don't need the 'new improved' version. Software - the proprietary stuff - is many times more expensive and bothersome to me than hardware.

So I started a few years ago with open source software on Windows. First it was OpenOffice, which did more than what I needed from it, and was faster and more streamlined to boot. Then Audacity, a fantastic audio recorder and editor. Then Blender, one of the most complex and capable 3D creation apps ever made. Absolutely amazing, and new versions every few months or so. Firefox and Thunderbird email. Gimp and Inkscape. All brilliant, even on Windows. So that's actually a pretty good way to make the move really, and good advice: start moving your apps and file formats over to these open source alternatives that are all available for Mac and Windows. Then moving completely to Linux the next time you need a new computer is a painless no-brainer.

Vista and it's pretty interface seemed tempting and long overdue, until the first reports about it's bloat and other problems started me wondering - since I love this open source software, wouldn't this be a good time to give Linux a try, of which I knew nothing. So I bought 'Linux for Idiots' and tried out Fedora Core. It was pretty neat, and it ran fast on the old box I put it on. Then I heard about this popular new guy called Ubuntu. The live CD was impressive and I installed it instead. Then I put it on a brand new box and it's fantastic. I've looked at others but any kind of Linux takes some figuring, and the forums and the massive and organized development push and relentless progress of Ubuntu is just incomparable. Synaptic is heaven for me, thousands of programs just waiting to be installed at the click of a mouse.

For me, a few months of figuring out the stuff it took me 20 years to learn on Windows is a small price to pay for a system that upgrades itself and maintains itself like clockwork. I feel like there are thousands of software developers just working for me and other people like me. True, I wouldn't dump an Ubuntu box on my parents doorstep just yet, but that's more a matter of just being different than what they're used to.

Every six months, fantastic strides - the upcoming Ubuntu 7.10 will have been the fourth version I've used. This article will soon be 2 versions behind and hopelessly out of date.

Ubuntu is the real deal and it's only just starting to get warmed up.

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Kristian Erik Hermansen:

Very well written article!

About analyzing disk usage, the software tool 'baobab' is included and labeled as the "Disk Usage Analyzer". Give it a try under the Accessories menu I believe...

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Jeff Smith:

with all the crap you had to go through to get mp3 functionality and DVD playback, you would have just had an easier time of it by installing VLC from synaptic.

Oh, and blaming the OS and calling it a flop on disk space management because you missed the fact that you had a full trash icon on your toolbar? Shame shame. Perhaps you're the flop.



29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Not an Expert:

I am new to Ubuntu, have been running 6.06 on an AMD64 bit machine for 7 months, after using Windows for 6 years. VLC worked fine for me in my 32bit Windows machine. When I gutted my old machine and installed new mobo, processor, RAM, video card and harddrive, VLC does not work as well. Some media files it just does not play. I use XMMS as it is similar in some respects to WinAmp, which I used on Windows.

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

mookiemu:

Very good article and very similar to my first experiences with linux after coming back to it several months ago after not using it for about 3 years. But I think your assessment of gimp is not correct. I'm a graphic artist, I use photoshop and Maya for a living. Maya has a native linux port but not photoshop. Gimp doesn't even come close to the power of photoshop. In fact, like many of my friends, lack of photoshop on linux is the last thing preventing me/us from ditching windows forever. Gimp is a cute little program for the hobbyist, but it's lack of 16bit and 32bit support is frustrating. Also the color management in gimp sucks. Most of my work is for print so color profiles are very important to me. Adjustment layers and support for alternative color spaces are sorely lacking as well. These are things that need to be addressed before Gimp can be elevated to a professional app. Without the things I mentioned, gimp is useless for any real image editing and creation other than removing redeye and resizing and cropping. Cinepaint had a lot of promise but development on that seems to have stymied.


29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ian M:

Have you tried GimpShop?

29 February 2008, 8:48 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Jacob Saaby Nielsen:

Ashton, this is a good article. However, your credibility drops like a stone in water, when you point out that Linux passes being equal to Windows.

It is in some areas. In some it's way better, no doubt.

But - you're giving flying colours to video production, when on Windows there's Pinnacle Studio 11 (Plus, Ultimate, take your pick).

Kdenlive in 0.4 in any way better than Pinnacle Studio 11 ? I'm sure Kdenlive is a good freeware app for video editing, considering what's available in particular.

But better than Pinnacle in its 11th revision ?

You have GOT to be kidding... I'm sure it does the job fine, I'm also completely sure that I would never EVER replace Pinnacle 11 with Kdenlive in its present state.

Gaming. Transgaming is iffy ? It's more than iffy. And gaming is one of the ares in which Linux has its true challenges. Unless the main titles are released for Linux natively, forget it. The freeware and native games that are available on Ubuntu now, are actually good titles within their respective categories. It's just not enough to play Frozen Bubble. It's not enough to have FPS games available, when that's not what you play.

Like I said, I think you did an admirable job actually. But some parts of your article, seem more like you want Linux to do good, so badly, than that it actually does a good job. Your religion shines through for some parts, and it's not pretty. It discredits the article as a whole.

If you want to do something truly credible, and impressive, get a Windows user to do the same review.

Let's see the impressions then. I'm pretty sure some of that users experience will equal yours in enthusiasm, some will probably exceed yours. I know I had a very positive experience with Ubuntu 7.04.

But it just doesn't cut it. I can't game properly, and I can't use a proper and fully equipped video editing tool.

So erased my Ubuntu partition and concentrate on what works for me, in those areas that I need the most.

Cause technicalities aside - your operating system is there ONLY to facilitate an environment in which the applications that support your daily tasks and productivity, can run.

I'm sure Ubuntu would run them just fine. If they were actually there.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

TheDen:

I completely disagree with this articles ratings. I appears to just make excuses for Linux. First why use a 64 bit linux? The vast majority of people are using 32bit WinXp. 64bit is still in its infancy.It should have been compared to what people are using today. Also, why use an old version of Ubuntu? I don't understand these choices. Bad choice. Those aside, almost every time there was an issue with linux, you made some excuse to defend it. IMHO, you are way too generous. Really, if and average user was given Ubuntu, they couldn't do half of what they wanted to do very easily. Several years ago I was excited by Linux and looked forward to it going head to head against Windows. Unfortunately, the same issues it had years ago are not resolved. Its getting prettier and slicker, but it's not ready for the big league.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Jazzdoorman:

Thank you!
Finally a fair, concise and seemingly unbiased take on Ubuntu Linux (the King of Linux distros).
I switched to Linux-only about 2 years ago and to
Ubuntu from PCLinux about 1 year ago. While it has
been a very rewarding 2 years, it has also had a few moments of frustration. However, all of this pales in comparison to the insanity I was living with trying to keep a functioning Windows desktop running. I was using a dual-boot machine with PCLinux and Windows (thankfully I had PCLinux in charge of booting the machine!), but after my Windows installation got corrupted for the 3rd time due to viruses, etc., I kicked Windows to the curb for good to free up my disk space. Thank God I was able to recover my important files from the Windows partition using the Linux partition before reformatting! I have had precious few nostalgic moments for a Windows OS, and barring a drastic, complete upheaval in the Operating System landscape, Windows will never find its way on to my hard drive again. Long live Linux!

P.S. I hope someone from Canonical reads your review. It might just help provide the motivation for Ubuntu to finally become the OS we hope it will. Thanks again for your comments.

Jazzdoorman

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Lonnie Henry:

With the new 7.10 version of Ubuntu, some of the media problems that you had are solved. While the support for webcams and cameras is weak, it is improving. Ubuntu is constantly evolving and improvements are added as soon as they are deemed stable. I gave up windows more than a year ago, but only uninstalled windows when I realized that I hadn't booted up windows to even do updates in 10 months. With the release of Vista and people's problems with it, I am more sure that Linux is the best OS. There are versions to fit everyone's taste and ability.
Thank you for the careful thought you have put into this article.


29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ken Buck:

Good article. I have been "Windows free"
for a long time. Ubuntu was probably chosen
because of it's popularity, but I use Vector
Linux. PCLinuxOS2007 is also a good choice.

Crossover Linux works great for running
Quicken, Microsoft Office, and other applications that may be needed without
ever going back to Windows.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

A. Mills:

Just a reminder -- this is the online published version of a ten part series in the magazine, the first part of which was written a year ago -- which is why it started with 6.06 and ended on 7.06.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Andy:

great article. Thank you. You have obviously
put a great deal of effort into this.

One question: what OS are you using now?
ie did you actually stay off windows?


29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Anonymouss:

Great post! Just a few more things I would love someone to consider...

1) wireless support
2) Windows emulators! ( Last time I checked autodesk or other autocad companies do not write design programs for linux yet! )
3) 32bit program control in 64bit systems.
4) overall benchmark between the too systems.
5) Programs for the office or work related skills. Lets face it these days many people program, and do technical skills on pc's where does the tire hit the road?

Other than that looks great! if you can review linux again after windows gets vista sp1 out. I would love to see another head to head with Vista alone..

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

jonas 1:

ubuntu 7.10 wont even install on my pc. it just locks up in the middle of the intall. i tried 7.04, 6.10, & 6.06 LTS & it did the same thing. & i got a prty good pc except 4 my video card.
AMD athlon 64 X2 5200+ 2.6gHz
2GB ddr2 ram
MSI K9N platinum sli
ATI radeon X700 pro(i know its shity)
150GB WD SATA HDD
if someone could tell me y it dont work. id like 2 try it. ive re-burned the discs about 10 times so its not a bad disc. so 4 now its obviously xp 4 me.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Shannon VanWagner:

Very nice and informative review!!

Things I liked:
-Very detailed description of what you went through to make things work

-Objective Review

-Good pick of commonly used categories under which to make the comparison

-Taking the real-world state of things into mind


Things I'd like to see in a future article:
-As for Ubuntu, please mention that Unbuntu is upgraded every 6 months and so many things can change in 6 months. I say again, there is a full system upgrade released every 6 months for Ubuntu. With that in mind, I've found quite a bit of difference between Ubuntu 7.4 Feisty and Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy.

-As set forth in my previous statement, lots of things change for Ubuntu in just 6 months - please perform this same detailed review on Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy and let us know how much has changed since your review of Ubuntu 6.

-I know it's a lot more work to make such a comparison, but could there possibly be a better choice than the Ubuntu Linux Distro? Please provide reviews just like this one for other Distributions (i.e., PCLinuxOS, Fedora, Linux Mint, etc.)

-How do any of the problems that you experience change (for better or worse) if you were to pay for (and use) the canonical paid-support for Ubuntu? I know only certain applications are covered in the Canonical support but perhaps something like the camera image upload support, which consequently scored badly, could have been easily resolved by using the canonical support for Ubuntu. Canonical support is much cheaper than purchasing using Windows Vista anyways and so it could be a viable option.

-Games for education and lots of Open Source software: Something I noticed right away after installing Ubuntu was that I found several free learning games for kids, ranging from as low as learning how to use a mouse, to typing tutors, to flash cards/problem solving, test-taking preparation, and ultimately computer programming. Also, upon opening the Add/Remove (software utility) in Ubuntu, I was pleasantly surprised at the literally hundreds of applications of all types that became available to me to use for free. Please speak more to the myriad of "Free/Open Source" software (of every kind imaginable) that becomes available when using GNU/Linux.



A note on my experience with using Ubuntu at home:
Printing - I had a similar experience as you in that one printer (Epson C60) was a real pain for me to use whereas another printer (Brother MFC-8600) worked perfectly after I simply plugged it in via USB

USB Camera - I agree, this is something that needs improvement, especially since plugging in a usb webcam doesn't seem to do anything on the system. One has to know which applications they will use to access their Webcam instead, perhaps Ubuntu should have some type of popup window that detects USB Webcams that will assist the user through getting it working. Note: I actually have not tested this type of functionality in Ubuntu 7.10 - it may have it built in already - that's the beauty of GNU/Linux today, things can change very rapidly if they are spoken to the right people.

-As for Multimedia support, for instance Ubuntu 7.10 automatically detects when "Adobe Flash" is not installed and you try to visit youtube.com - this functionality should be VASTLY improved for all types of "unsupported" media formats. HERE'S A CALLOUT TO GNU/Linux DEVELOPERS: Please create an application that will help users to identify and fix "Unsupported" applications in GNU/Linux. This will greatly enhance the usability of GNU/Linux.

-I can't seem to find an uber-easy way to provide feedback to the Ubuntu developers. I think Ubuntu should have a desktop icon for all users that will give them a way to very easily submit feedback - I think this will greatly help to improve the usability of the operating system.

Please inform (and encourage support for GNU/Linux from) Walt Mossberg over at wsj.com about this review.

Thanks!

Shannon VanWagner

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Shannon VanWagner:

One more thing....

Please do not support the use of Automatix (and the like). Automatix has been known to break Ubuntu after installing updates.

Instead, we should encourage Ubuntu to have(or improve) a utility similar in functionality to Automatix so that it won't break the Operating System.

Regards,

Shannon VanWagner

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Glitch:

Wow, this is a great article. Especially since I'm both a Windows Vista Ultimate X64 user and Ubuntu 7.04 user. I've never been a big fan of "which one is better" debates, because anyone with sense knows they both have their strengths and weaknesses. There really isn't a "better" one in general, but one is definitely more suited for different types of people.

I do believe however, that within the next 2-3 years, Linux will certainly be up there with Windows and Mac OS. At least, I hope so.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Hippopanymous:

These articles are highly subjective and unscientific, that being said I agree that hardware isn't always compatible with Ubuntu. Games I'm not really into other than stuff like Frozen Bubble. I'll have to give the Doom games a look sometime. I like old games, and some game emulators in Synaptic P M work good, but they weren't mentioned. Automatix does a good job like you stated. As far as the hardware I have a Dell Inspiron 1150 with a built in Wireless card, that I couldn't get to work in Feisty and previous versions. It works in Gutsy now with the Restricted Drivers Manager. I'm really happy about that. I know you probably have limited funds to buy compatible hardware for Ubuntu. I just can't see why you would choose to use a Digital Camera that isn't known to be supported and expect it to work. Maybe you should have a popup on your site that says to buy compatible hardware if you can't get your winXP compatible stuff to work. Sorry about the length of my comment. I'm new to Linux so maybe I missed something.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Anon.:

Just curious if this
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats
would make any difference for your media installation issues. Note that this is a new devolopment since 7.10

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

has_an_idea:

next apc mag should compare linux with a mac

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

elpistole:

Ashton - your article is an excellent effort in dealing with a complex, changing and emotive topic. Congratulations on such great quality work.

Given that ubuntu is free, freely available, and excellent at updating itself as well as all your apps, it's achievements are amazing.

With it's elegant and powerful unixy kernel, plus it's development support, I believe that linux will become the dominant OS in coming years. But even as a unix user in my day job, i've been a reluctant windows desktop user because i simply don't wish to burn my valuable time in getting the basics up and running. At least in windows, there is a clear way forward even if the daily journey is a pain in the butt!

Your article makes me feel confident that I won't be wasting my time in putting it on the next bit of hardware I can find for it. I was a bit surprised, though, that you give it a thumbs up for non-tech savvy users. No doubt some will curse you for that. But then, Gates gets plenty of cursing too :) ...

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

bob smiley:

I'm a Windows & Ubuntu/Linux user. And I agree with his verdicts. The analogy I like to use is that Windows is the high-maintenance super-model girlfriend you like to hang out with because she's really, really fun sometimes. But when she's tempermental, she'll make your life hell. Meanwhile, Linux is the steady, reliable girlfriend that you can always count on, but isn't quite as fun (not much gaming, no loop-based music programs like Acid Pro, etc).

I stopped using Windows for about a year after XP decided to destroy my hard drive during a routine "Disk Cleanup" (IE: I decided to purge the old 98 install files. Apparently Windows thought that meant "destroy hard drive".) I was so frustrated shelling out money for an OS where I constantly felt like I was paying MS to be a beta tester for them. And to add insult to injury, MS would usually try to charge you to get support for their OS. So, I jumped ship over to Linux.

It was confusing figuring out the distro's, but I went with Ubuntu. The initial distro confusion is a hindrance to techno-noobs and Linux virgins. But, the self-running install CD's make it so easy to install and run, it was made up for it. I easily tried 5 different distros in one weekend, and finally settled with Ubuntu.

The lack of mp3, flash, etc was a sticking point for a while, which things like Automatix tried to ease the pain of. However, Shuttleworth and the Ubuntu dev's built in driver installers that would notice you trying to use flash or mp3's, and let you install the drivers / codecs "at your own risk" by telling you why they're not initially installed (due to licensing issues), and that you might be held liable or breaking the law by installing. So, they killed two birds with 1 stone...1) they explain why it's not initially installed, and 2) they give you the option to install it. The biggest complaints with have been getting wireless setup (real headache, even still), and some of the ATI / Nvidia drivers are a pain to get working. But overall, using Ubuntu was reliable, safe and productive. However, it was boring. No more weekends spent "maintaining" the machine (defragging, etc)...it did all that for you. So, you had more time to actually DO things with the machine. But, after surfing the net or typing up your term paper, there weren't many games to play.

So, I got a new comp for gaming (keeping my old comp for Ubuntu only), deciding to toss Windows Vista on the new comp. I had crashes, blue screens, random lock-ups... Just starting up the comp was like playing Russian Roullette...you never knew if it was going to work or not. The Windows Update utility failed to update itself, and tossed back cryptic codes that required surfing the net. Some updates had to be done manually. Anti-virus, spyware removers, reg cleaners...more time spent taking care of the OS rather than it taking care of me (again, the high-maintenance girlfriend). Games finally got installed, got played, but Vista started randomly corrupting files on my HD, eventually to the point where it hosed the boot loader (winload.exe). I turn on the comp one night expecting to play Crysis...instead, I get to spend the next 3 hours trying to reinstall the OS. Joy.

Windows has been around for quite a while, and it's the 21st century, so it's a bit distrubing and frustrating that this type of annoyance still takes place with their OS. You'd think it would be bullet-proof by now. Linux has continual improvement and is solid for a generic home computer, but it's just boring once it's going. Windows is never boring...for better or (oft-times) worse.

My biggest issue with Windows is that they are constantly rolling out updates. So, when you reinstall, you have to spend more and more time updating your old, base install. MS has been trying to move to a subscription system, and I wouldn't really mind that if they did it using a Valve "Steam" style approach, and also modular OS design.

Follow along... You'd create an account with them. It would be unique for buying software through them. You'd setup a subscription to Windows, let's say a base $100/year for base OS. This lets you d/l the latest build of the OS, fully updated and patched, and you customize what you want in addition through a wizard screen that let you setup which components you wanted to use (EG: you want to use their media player, they charge an extra $10/year to your subscription). When you get done, it streams to your comp and installs, or lets you burn as an .iso and reinstall. Wow, what a concept. When you go to the store to buy an "install" cd, you would basically be paying $100 for your 1st year's subscription. All the CD would do would act like a Linux live-cd, cranking up your comp from the OS on the CD, and then hooking to the net to setup your subscription and customize your .iso/install. Then, it'd stream it to your system and you're installed.

If you ever had to reinstall, let's say because you switched comps or such, you'd use the same account to get the latest build of the OS and install it on the comp. Thus, MS is happy, because only one user account can be used to install one "copy" of the OS to a machine. And, you're happy, because you can migrate that user account to different comps, but it can only ever be running on one comp.

I think this might make MS' high-maintenance girlfriend a little more user-friendly. They need to stop this practice of tossing users in the back-seat for the sake of profit maxing and pirate-stomping.

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ron (User):

Peripherals - my HD collapsed last year and I tried Ubuntu on new HD.
Neither my HP scanner 4470c or Canon printer BJC 2100SP would work.
There seems to an on going project on Scanner and I did see files on printer but working the obscure command line conversion instructions was just failing

To be fair on Macbook the Scanner does not work and the Printer half works - Mac expects it to use Colour cartridge all the time - no option for the black only

One Big plus for Ubuntu - it did read and rescue some 90% of failed HD. XP and Mac failed.

My other Ubuntu problem would be software I like on Windows that does not work in Ubuntu even in Wine etc. I know some of it is antique such as MoneyCounts a Windows 3.1 that still works in XP - don't know about Vista.

29 March 2008, 10:43 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ron (User):

Peripherals - my HD collapsed last year and I tried Ubuntu on new HD.
Neither my HP scanner 4470c or Canon printer BJC 2100SP would work.
There seems to an on going project on Scanner and I did see files on printer but working the obscure command line conversion instructions was just failing

To be fair on Macbook the Scanner does not work and the Printer half works - Mac expects it to use Colour cartridge all the time - no option for the black only

One Big plus for Ubuntu - it did read and rescue some 90% of failed HD. XP and Mac failed.

My other Ubuntu problem would be software I like on Windows that does not work in Ubuntu even in Wine etc. I know some of it is antique such as MoneyCounts a Windows 3.1 that still works in XP - don't know about Vista.

29 March 2008, 10:43 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ron (User):

Peripherals - my HD collapsed last year and I tried Ubuntu on new HD.
Neither my HP scanner 4470c or Canon printer BJC 2100SP would work.
There seems to an on going project on Scanner and I did see files on printer but working the obscure command line conversion instructions was just failing

To be fair on Macbook the Scanner does not work and the Printer half works - Mac expects it to use Colour cartridge all the time - no option for the black only

One Big plus for Ubuntu - it did read and rescue some 90% of failed HD. XP and Mac failed.

My other Ubuntu problem would be software I like on Windows that does not work in Ubuntu even in Wine etc. I know some of it is antique such as MoneyCounts a Windows 3.1 that still works in XP - don't know about Vista.

29 March 2008, 10:43 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ron (User):

Peripherals - my HD collapsed last year and I tried Ubuntu on new HD.
Neither my HP scanner 4470c or Canon printer BJC 2100SP would work.
There seems to an on going project on Scanner and I did see files on printer but working the obscure command line conversion instructions was just failing

To be fair on Macbook the Scanner does not work and the Printer half works - Mac expects it to use Colour cartridge all the time - no option for the black only

One Big plus for Ubuntu - it did read and rescue some 90% of failed HD. XP and Mac failed.

My other Ubuntu problem would be software I like on Windows that does not work in Ubuntu even in Wine etc. I know some of it is antique such as MoneyCounts a Windows 3.1 that still works in XP - don't know about Vista.

29 March 2008, 10:43 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ron (User):

Peripherals - my HD collapsed last year and I tried Ubuntu on new HD.
Neither my HP scanner 4470c or Canon printer BJC 2100SP would work.
There seems to an on going project on Scanner and I did see files on printer but working the obscure command line conversion instructions was just failing

To be fair on Macbook the Scanner does not work and the Printer half works - Mac expects it to use Colour cartridge all the time - no option for the black only

One Big plus for Ubuntu - it did read and rescue some 90% of failed HD. XP and Mac failed.

My other Ubuntu problem would be software I like on Windows that does not work in Ubuntu even in Wine etc. I know some of it is antique such as MoneyCounts a Windows 3.1 that still works in XP - don't know about Vista.

29 March 2008, 10:43 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ron (User):

Peripherals - my HD collapsed last year and I tried Ubuntu on new HD.
Neither my HP scanner 4470c or Canon printer BJC 2100SP would work.
There seems to an on going project on Scanner and I did see files on printer but working the obscure command line conversion instructions was just failing

To be fair on Macbook the Scanner does not work and the Printer half works - Mac expects it to use Colour cartridge all the time - no option for the black only

One Big plus for Ubuntu - it did read and rescue some 90% of failed HD. XP and Mac failed.

My other Ubuntu problem would be software I like on Windows that does not work in Ubuntu even in Wine etc. I know some of it is antique such as MoneyCounts a Windows 3.1 that still works in XP - don't know about Vista.

29 March 2008, 10:43 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ron (User):

Peripherals - my HD collapsed last year and I tried Ubuntu on new HD.
Neither my HP scanner 4470c or Canon printer BJC 2100SP would work.
There seems to an on going project on Scanner and I did see files on printer but working the obscure command line conversion instructions was just failing

To be fair on Macbook the Scanner does not work and the Printer half works - Mac expects it to use Colour cartridge all the time - no option for the black only

One Big plus for Ubuntu - it did read and rescue some 90% of failed HD. XP and Mac failed.

My other Ubuntu problem would be software I like on Windows that does not work in Ubuntu even in Wine etc. I know some of it is antique such as MoneyCounts a Windows 3.1 that still works in XP - don't know about Vista.

29 March 2008, 10:43 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ron (User):

Peripherals - my HD collapsed last year and I tried Ubuntu on new HD.
Neither my HP scanner 4470c or Canon printer BJC 2100SP would work.
There seems to an on going project on Scanner and I did see files on printer but working the obscure command line conversion instructions was just failing

To be fair on Macbook the Scanner does not work and the Printer half works - Mac expects it to use Colour cartridge all the time - no option for the black only

One Big plus for Ubuntu - it did read and rescue some 90% of failed HD. XP and Mac failed.

My other Ubuntu problem would be software I like on Windows that does not work in Ubuntu even in Wine etc. I know some of it is antique such as MoneyCounts a Windows 3.1 that still works in XP - don't know about Vista.

29 March 2008, 10:43 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ron (User):

Peripherals - my HD collapsed last year and I tried Ubuntu on new HD.
Neither my HP scanner 4470c or Canon printer BJC 2100SP would work.
There seems to an on going project on Scanner and I did see files on printer but working the obscure command line conversion instructions was just failing

To be fair on Macbook the Scanner does not work and the Printer half works - Mac expects it to use Colour cartridge all the time - no option for the black only

One Big plus for Ubuntu - it did read and rescue some 90% of failed HD. XP and Mac failed.

My other Ubuntu problem would be software I like on Windows that does not work in Ubuntu even in Wine etc. I know some of it is antique such as MoneyCounts a Windows 3.1 that still works in XP - don't know about Vista.

29 March 2008, 10:43 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ron (User):

Peripherals - my HD collapsed last year and I tried Ubuntu on new HD.
Neither my HP scanner 4470c or Canon printer BJC 2100SP would work.
There seems to an on going project on Scanner and I did see files on printer but working the obscure command line conversion instructions was just failing

To be fair on Macbook the Scanner does not work and the Printer half works - Mac expects it to use Colour cartridge all the time - no option for the black only

One Big plus for Ubuntu - it did read and rescue some 90% of failed HD. XP and Mac failed.

My other Ubuntu problem would be software I like on Windows that does not work in Ubuntu even in Wine etc. I know some of it is antique such as MoneyCounts a Windows 3.1 that still works in XP - don't know about Vista.

29 March 2008, 10:43 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ron (User):

Peripherals - my HD collapsed last year and I tried Ubuntu on new HD.
Neither my HP scanner 4470c or Canon printer BJC 2100SP would work.
There seems to an on going project on Scanner and I did see files on printer but working the obscure command line conversion instructions was just failing

To be fair on Macbook the Scanner does not work and the Printer half works - Mac expects it to use Colour cartridge all the time - no option for the black only

One Big plus for Ubuntu - it did read and rescue some 90% of failed HD. XP and Mac failed.

My other Ubuntu problem would be software I like on Windows that does not work in Ubuntu even in Wine etc. I know some of it is antique such as MoneyCounts a Windows 3.1 that still works in XP - don't know about Vista.

29 March 2008, 10:43 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ron (User):

Peripherals - my HD collapsed last year and I tried Ubuntu on new HD.
Neither my HP scanner 4470c or Canon printer BJC 2100SP would work.
There seems to an on going project on Scanner and I did see files on printer but working the obscure command line conversion instructions was just failing

To be fair on Macbook the Scanner does not work and the Printer half works - Mac expects it to use Colour cartridge all the time - no option for the black only

One Big plus for Ubuntu - it did read and rescue some 90% of failed HD. XP and Mac failed.

My other Ubuntu problem would be software I like on Windows that does not work in Ubuntu even in Wine etc. I know some of it is antique such as MoneyCounts a Windows 3.1 that still works in XP - don't know about Vista.

29 March 2008, 10:43 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Ron (User):

Peripherals - my HD collapsed last year and I tried Ubuntu on new HD.
Neither my HP scanner 4470c or Canon printer BJC 2100SP would work.
There seems to an on going project on Scanner and I did see files on printer but working the obscure command line conversion instructions was just failing

To be fair on Macbook the Scanner does not work and the Printer half works - Mac expects it to use Colour cartridge all the time - no option for the black only

One Big plus for Ubuntu - it did read and rescue some 90% of failed HD. XP and Mac failed.

My other Ubuntu problem would be software I like on Windows that does not work in Ubuntu even in Wine etc. I know some of it is antique such as MoneyCounts a Windows 3.1 that still works in XP - don't know about Vista.

29 March 2008, 10:43 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Dave (New user):

Printing - I use Turboprint for my Canon printer. My other printers (HP5510 and HP 895Cse-networked) are useable right out of the box. Ultimate Ubuntu and Linux Mint both work on my Toshiba X205-9800 laptop at the proper screen resolution, but NVidia 3D drivers have a problem. I've decide to wait on these until NVidia comes out with an update that hopefully has a fix. DVD's play normally after installing the normal de-cryption stuff. I've been without Windows for 5 years now, and will NEVER go back (I don't need the gaming stuff).

05 April 2008, 3:30 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

GabeB. (New user):

I recently installed Ubuntu 7.10 on my Sony VAIO. I had some problems getting some thing to work, but I was able to go to the Forums to get things working. I have no problem with going to the forums for get things going.... the problem I have with the forums is that they all seem to default to the terminal, not just when it is necessary but as the firs course of action. If the fact that you have a problem doesn't put you off than this typing busyness might. Having said that I am still using Ubuntu and am looking forward to 8.04 in hopes of having some of the issues resolved.

25 April 2008, 1:12 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

holybladder (New user):

Obviously this is now a fairly outdated post. Just have to say - thankyou for an evenhanded and to-the-point review of Linux. The points you made are totally fair - that to the average user, this is how things stand. Off topic for the article, but important, is that most of the flops/difficulties (unsupported hardware, codecs and games) are down to the originating companies rather than Ubuntu. The fact is, hardware manufacturers and game publishers do not support Linux in the same way they support Windows, and that is why certain features are missing.

04 May 2009, 10:34 AM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Pete2526 (New user):

I am a total Linux novice. Not to say I am a techno-phobe, quiet the opposite. I work in Telecoms and I have been pondering switching to Ubuntu for some time, mainly because I am sick of windows updates messing everything up amongst many other things. I found this article very informative, very easy to follow and has helped me make my decision. I have just ordered my CD from the Ubuntu website! Fairwell Microsoft, hello wonderful world of Ubuntu.

26 June 2009, 6:13 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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