You Heard It Here

Over the holidays I decided to give Linux a spin. While I’m not a Microsoft hater, the open source community has done such an outstanding job with programs like Firefox (which I use) and OpenOffice (which I don’t use) I thought it was time to see what it’s done with an OS.

From just general web surfing, it seems like the Linux OS of the moment is Ubuntu. I could have downloaded it for free, but I decided to take a trip to my local bookstore to buy an Ubuntu users manual, which came with a handy DVD. (And by buying the official Ubuntu manual I felt, in some small way, that I was giving back to the open source community.)

I wanted only to dip my toe into the Linux water, so I opted to do two things:

1) Not install Ubuntu, but instead run it right from the DVD.

2) Run the DVD not on my main computer (a ThinkPad notebook) but on a general-use “family” notebook (a Dell Inspiron).

And so into the Dell DVD-ROM the Ubuntu disc went. I turned on the computer and within seconds the Ubuntu logo came up. And then I saw line after line of text — short little messages from the OS telling me what it was up to. (You Linux geeks may know what all this stuff is, but it’s all way outside my area of expertise.) At one point the screen went blank and nothing happened. I decided to wait. A minute or so later the “install” continued until, finally, Ubuntu started up.

First impression? Wow. I’m so used to good ol’ Windows XP that Ubuntu looked amazing. Clean, simple, organized. Right away I noticed what was, essentially, two task bars. The one at the top of the screen acts as the Windows Start button, giving you access to programs, system tools, etc. This also displays the clock, the PC speaker icon, a battery icon, and more. The taskbar at the bottom displays buttons for each program you run. It also has four squares on the far right side — each one representing a virtual desktop that you can switch to with the click of a mouse. (Microsoft offers this for Windows as a PowerToys add-on, but it’s bulky and not very smooth.)

The Ubuntu DVD comes loaded with hundreds of programs that you can install, or run right from the disc, including OpenOffice and Firefox. And while adding new programs isn’t hard, it’s very different from the usual install process. Ubuntu (or is it a Linux thing?) uses the “Synaptic Package Manager” for installs, and the idea is simple: a single place within your OS where you can go for new/updated software. Tell Linux to add a program and it’s done — no clicking ‘Next’ button after ‘Next’ button.

The bottom line is Ubuntu is slick, attractive and very user-friendly. But will I switch? Not any time soon. For one thing, I’m very set in my ways. Like you, I have a set of tools — some Windows-based, some open source — that have worked well for years. I also know Windows like the back of my hand. As mentioned in an earlier post I know enough that I’m the go-to guy among family and friends for computer fixes. But probably the biggest reason is support. If I run into a problem with Windows, or a Windows-based program, I know where to turn for help — there are literally thousands of websites out there that offer support. The number of sites offering Linux help is growing, but it’s still very small.

Still, if you’ve got some free time one afternoon, download the Ubuntu software and give it a spin off CD and see what happens.