Goodbye Vista / Hello Ubuntu - UK Web Hosting | Dedicated Server Windows and Linux VPS Forum

**Ben** · #1 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 08:53

Not sure where this goes so I guess off topic section will suit my needs. I did actually consider the Fun Zone.......

I decided to go with Ubuntu yesterday after I got confirmation my wireless device is natively supported so I won't need to spend 6 hours trying (and failing) to install ndiswrapper. I have used Ubuntu before at School but obviously they installed old versions, a friend of mine installed Ubuntu yesterday and I loved the interface and obviously his wireless connection worked automatically.

Just wondering, does anybody else use Ubuntu as their main personal computer? I have seen one or two laptops on sale in PC World with a Linux-based operating system but only one of them included Ubuntu and it costs just under £90 less than the laptop I bought with Vista...

All I need now is to go to good ol' Tesco and buy some blank DVDs

**flesso** · #2 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 09:03

Good luck trying to get anything else to work.

**paul** · #3 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 09:31

I think such shifting is good for those who are using gradually more non-Microsoft products.

**Eidolon** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 10:00

At risk of thread hi-jacking I recommend using PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB drives, it's a collection of open source software and very handy when using multiple computers.

**paul** · #5 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 10:09

Eidolon, that's good suggestion I think, thanks for the link.

**John** · #6 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 15:53

I used to use Ubuntu before I got my Mac. Ubuntu is a good OS and I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Installing codecs can be a bit annoying, but there are many website hostings to guide you.

**WelshTom** · #7 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008, 16:39

I have dual boot running at the moment between Kubuntu, Ubuntu and Windows XP Pro.

**Ben** · #8 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by WelshTom

I have dual boot running at the moment between Kubuntu, Ubuntu and Windows XP Pro.

Good options.

Well, Ubuntu doesn't properly work on my ADVENT laptop and PCLinuxOS has a newer kernal (Gnome)... unfortunately I only get 1Mb speeds so it's going to take another 1 hour for the download...

...don't worry, I have the Tesco DVD-RWs

**Brian** · #9 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008, 17:13

PCLinuxOS rocks! Had it on the laptop for a while now. Just installed it on the Public Access Chamber of Commerce PC yesterday too.

**smiffsoft** · #10 (**permalink**) 14-07-2008, 23:25

I use Ubuntu (in both KDE and Gnome flavours). I've not used Windows since Win 2000. It's not exactly been the easiest ride, in fact you mention the very thing that's bugged me for the last 4-5 years. ndis-bloody-wrapper! Every time I updated my kernel I'd have to jump through hoops and learn a new secret handshake to get the damn thing working. Thankfully, for the small investment of <10 quid I bought a new wireless nic, and ubuntu 7.10, and more recently 8.04 and 8.10 alpha 1 have worked out of the box.

I see no reason for people to switch from Windows if they're comfortable with it. My other half tried and didn't like it, some things are just different and she was unwilling to unlearn what years of Windows use had taught her. It is different, so if you're not willing to put the time in then don't bother. I did, and I'm very much happier for it. She did make me upgrade her machine from Vista to XP after the failed attempt to get used to Ubuntu though, which I duly obliged

**esnail** · #11 (**permalink**) 15-07-2008, 09:31

Ubuntu has improved massively in this last incarnation 8.04 - it installs nicely, finds the wireless card and connects seamlessly (so no more ndis-wrapper) and has plenty of decent software to install. The problem I have found now is that java doesn't work too great on it and the installation of software is still far too complicated for most casual pc users. If Ubuntu could develop drag-n-drop installation (like a mac) or even an installer interface (like windows) then ubunutu would be ready for general consumption and would be a genuine, free alternative to windows/os x for all users. At the moment though, as improved as it is, its still not quite an accessible OS those who don't want to ever touch the command line.

**DPS Computing** · #12 (**permalink**) 15-07-2008, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by WelshTom

I have dual boot running at the moment between Kubuntu, Ubuntu and Windows XP Pro.

Wouldn't that be treble boot?

And yup, I use Portable Firefox and VLC player a lot - there great at Uni as we have Linux PCs and Windows PCs and its great cos you can have all your saved passwords work on your two seperate accounts. Invaluable!

**smiffsoft** · #13 (**permalink**) 15-07-2008, 22:42

Agree with esnail. As much as I want it to be the desktop of choice, it's still not quite there. Don't get me wrong I think it's leaps and bounds ahead of Vista, but only if you're willing to put some effort in. I'm happy to help in any way I can, but only if people really want to move away from Windows.

**DPS Computing** · #14 (**permalink**) 16-07-2008, 09:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by smiffsoft

Agree with esnail. As much as I want it to be the desktop of choice, it's still not quite there. Don't get me wrong I think it's leaps and bounds ahead of Vista, but only if you're willing to put some effort in. I'm happy to help in any way I can, but only if people really want to move away from Windows.

The fact is, whether Windows is worse or better, it is standard - so it becomes a moot point. Most developers, both software and hardware, model their product on Windows. Due to this, most of the time its either incompatible with anything but Windows but even if it'll work on Linux / MacOS it normally performs less well than it should do due to the fact that it is optomised for Windows.

Until this changes, Windows will be first, last and everything in between!

**Ben** · #15 (**permalink**) 24-07-2008, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPS Computing

The fact is, whether Windows is worse or better, it is standard - so it becomes a moot point. Most developers, both software and hardware, model their product on Windows. Due to this, most of the time its either incompatible with anything but Windows but even if it'll work on Linux / MacOS it normally performs less well than it should do due to the fact that it is optomised for Windows.

Until this changes, Windows will be first, last and everything in between!

Until Windows becomes free then you'll hate Linux!!

**DPS Computing** · #16 (**permalink**) 25-07-2008, 10:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben

Until Windows becomes free then you'll hate Linux!!

The day Windows becomes a free product i'll run around Manchester wearing nothing but my birthday suit and declare that the country has been liberated from the constraints of clothes!

**Ben** · #17 (**permalink**) 25-07-2008, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPS Computing

The day Windows becomes a free product i'll run around Manchester wearing nothing but my birthday suit and declare that the country has been liberated from the constraints of clothes!

Not sure if the Free Software Foundation would like the fact Windows being free anyway

- especially with Microsoft/Windows track records!

**flesso** · #18 (**permalink**) 25-07-2008, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPS Computing

The day Windows becomes a free product i'll run around Manchester wearing nothing but my birthday suit and declare that the country has been liberated from the constraints of clothes!

I got a fully legal copy of Vista Ultimate off Microsoft for free