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Ubuntu Keeps Building Momentum

workswithu.com — With Windows XP going the way of the dodo, Ubuntu looks to us like a good fit. We wouldn’t recommend Ubuntu as a primary OS for our other builds, since it won’t let you play most games or run Photoshop out of the box, but this is a sub-$300 small-form-factor PC for basic desktop tasks.

Who dugg this? Made popular Aug 30, 2008

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  • hamobu, on 08/29/2008, -13/+132I love linux, but curb your enthusiasm. It will take a long time to overcome windows momentum. PC Market is mature now and it does not turn on a dime.
  • SugaryToaster, on 08/30/2008, -14/+53Sub 300$ is kinda misleading. Hell its free. Just go download a copy from the official site. They will even send you a live cd free of charge and they pay the shipping as well. I made the switch a long time ago and didn't find it hard to get used to at all. I could never go back to windows. If people still have that favorite windows based app they want to use, just install wine. (sudo apt-get install wine).. Done.
  • overshoot, on 08/30/2008, -2/+41It's not misleading, read again. The $300 mentioned is the cost of a computer.
  • sk11, on 08/30/2008, -1/+27Ordinary people are using their Asus EPCs/Dells running Linux without problems. Some people on digg seem to be stuck in a 1990s mentality regarding Linux, I know it doesn't seem that long ago, BUT >10 years IS a long time in computing.
  • hamobu, on 08/29/2008, -6/+30I respectfully disagee with the premise of your comment. Problem is not that Ubuntu is not ready, but that it is different from wondows.
  • inactive, on 08/30/2008, -9/+33XP going the way of the dodo?!?

    buried as inaccurate.

    I love linux, but xp will be around for a long time.
  • inactive, on 08/30/2008, -33/+55"You said it best, you want freedom in your OS, but some people don't. Sad but true..."

    This is what I don´t understand about most Linux users. Why is it sad? Why is it sad that I like using Windows and OS X, but find Linux un-compelling to get on with my daily computing?

    Because it´s free? No thanks.

    Freedom? Freedom from what? Big, bad M$ who just want to profit? Don´t care.

    Because it has no viruses? Never seen those, but I hear dumbasses who visit porn sites get them.

    Because it has support? Who and where, and for what distros?

    Which flavour of linux? Who knows, with so many out there...
    ...

    Windows and OSX have it´s failings, but I like both OS´s and that is it. I am free to choose, and I made my choice.
    I will use Linux the day it has profit written all over it. Until then, it´s just another OS.

    Concluding: It´s sad that you feel sad for the rest of us. We are condemned. We are lost without your guidance to true OS wizardry...
  • Bloodwine, on 08/30/2008, -0/+21I started a new job this week where they use Ubuntu at work. I've dealt with headless Linux servers before, but I'm pretty novice at desktop Linux. I must say, I'm really impressed with Ubuntu. It even has a Terminal Service Client that allows me to RDP to Windows 2003 servers.
    Gnome is a bit too different from what I am used to (Windows XP), so I took Kubuntu for a spin. Unfortunately the KDE desktop seems buggier on Ubuntu. I randomly had dialogs disappear on me and other small annoyances. Such a shame.
  • BigManOnCampus, on 08/29/2008, -5/+26I agree there's no reasons for the average user to switch to Ubuntu from Windows, no reasons other than:
    1) Consistent speed over the life of the computer due to a total lack of parasitic trojans/worms/spyware/adware
    2) Easy install of free applications that meet basic needs for word processing, e-mail, image manipulation, media management and enjoyment, etc..etc..
    3) Crash free and re-install free operation for years.
    4) A large fanboi base that puts paid support to shame as far as resolving issues.
  • inactive, on 08/30/2008, -27/+48I recently tried installing XP on my PC, which has been Debian/Ubuntu based since the 90's as a running upgrade. For starters, XP came up in a text based installer! Then it couldn't even see my hard drive to install on.

    After googling I discovered I needed a floppy disk with a driver on it. After a while sifting through some chinese website, I found the SATA driver I needed and went through the arcane commands to make a floppy. I had to get a floppy drive out my parts bin.

    After it finally installed (took three reboots), I had to follow similar outmoded procedures to get drivers for my video, sound and network cards. Luckily I could boot into Ubuntu and figure out the specific models that were autodetected.

    Then I had no software installed, so I had to jump through hoops and potential virus infection to get codecs and players for popular media, flash player and firefox all had to be downloaded from the source.

    Man what a ***** drag, Ubuntu did all this ***** for me and took a couple of clicks to set up. This XP behaviour reminds me of the old days when I used to run Debian Bo 1.3, before apt.
  • inactive, on 08/30/2008, -3/+23Digg -- where Linux has been "taking over Windows" since 2004.
  • Vadi0, on 08/30/2008, -2/+18I believe install issues are null, after having to install windows from scratch myself. It's definitely not the half-hour installation Ubuntu has, and after both OS's are installed, Ubuntu is even more feature-complete.
  • hamobu, on 08/29/2008, -12/+28 Why would anyone use Ubuntu?

    For regular people there is absolutely no reason to switch from windows to Ubuntu. Most of my family uses windows that came with their computers. They use the same computer for a few years until some piece of hardware breaks, then they buy a new computer and use what ever it came with. My family has no problem with viruses because they don't do anything that dangerous or risky. They do email, go to a few sites, some digital photography, etc.

    Not only do regular people have no reason to use Ubuntu, but almost every piece of software that runs on ubuntu will run on windows as well.

    So why would anyone use Linux? Why so I use Linux? Because of freedom, that's why. The main reason why people use Linux is to preserve their computing freedom. For this reason, I am not only willing to use Open Source software, but I am also willing to be inconvenienced when using open source software. I think most people would be willing to go trough trouble of learning to use Ubuntu if they knew what is at stake.
  • carrtoonist, on 08/30/2008, -5/+21I agree and not sure why you are getting dug down. I install windows(all flavors of Xp and Vista) on client machines about two to three times a day and neither vista or XP are an easier install then ubuntu, even with manufacture supplied restore disks.

    Then ubuntu flies ahead of any windows when it comes to software other then the os. To get office, photoshop, winamp, nero, etc on my own windows machine takes several hours and many restarts(and breaking a few laws). The equivalent programs in ubuntu are already installed or take a simple command to get.
  • Flummoxer, on 08/30/2008, -5/+20Well, XP is getting up there in age...
  • mkriss5681, on 08/30/2008, -4/+18I work in IT and have an extremely strong XP/2003 background but, little to no experience with Linux. I decided to throw it on to a laptop. After several failed builds, Ubuntu worked best.

    I'm sure a lot of you will disagree with me. I really like Linux, don't get me wrong, but I am embarrassed to admit I have a lot to learn. It is an extremely large learning curb. The install is easy enough but when it comes to customizing, it's a little tricky. With installing software from the console and synaptic manager, I feel Linux might be a little too much for an average user. For example my Totem player started mysteriously crashing and it took me 20 minutes in order to install VLC. On a PC I could download an installer in 5 minutes. Why did the Totem player crash to begin with?

    The beauty about Linux is that it can be customized. I feel Linux has a little bit to go to be a viable alternative for an average user. I am expert PC user and I feel like a total noob with Linux. I plan on studying my Linux+ cert soon to learn more, but the community needs to make strives to make it even easier to use. It seems that Linux users know the OS is the best and want to see it take a bigger market share but there needs to steps take to make it even more user friendly.

    Would you give my grandma a Mac with OSX, or would you give her a PC with Linux? Until you answer yes to Linux, it's not quite ready to be mainstream (and that's why some people like to begin with).

  • johndavidjack, on 08/29/2008, -2/+16Ehhh, I don't know yet man...

    It's "ready" for people that are a little more intuitive with computers, and more willing to take the time to learn to contrast the differences.

    The problem is the people that don't care, and they just want things to "work". Yes, Ubuntu "works", and works fine for most people's computer usage. But since a lot of computer users don't know what's going on under the hood, just working could be turning on, and going to the internet, clicking on their spyware-induced desktop weather shortcut, checking their aim through their favorite chat client, etc. Most of that can be done on ubuntu, but that means changing from something they know, that works.

    Most people don't know the difference between better security, faster startup time, an easy-package management system, and regular upgrades. So why would they switch?

    Want to get people into Ubuntu? Provide out of the box support for almost every type of regular media, have user interface tutorials (video), possibly a search bar that goes right to Ubuntu forums (not everyone knows the beauty of Google), and have a nice welcome video explaining the benefits of switching, but also, what not to expect, and the differences between Windows and Linux. You'd have to put that on a LiveCD too.

    That way you explain the differences and use, but also familiarize new users with the OS.
  • hartley, on 08/30/2008, -2/+15Wrong.
    Ive never had windows tell me how/where to get a divx codec. You get the same generic error message with WMP everytime.
    Now totem on the other hand actually pops up a repository window allowing you to download the appropriate codecs. Totem does this as soon as it realizes it can't open the file without the right codec.

    For the average user *ie idiot* linux couldn't be simpler. No need for all of those msi and exe files. Just go to the repository and download whatever program you need. A slightly more advance user who wants newer files or maybe not listed in the repos yet, theres always deb packages which are just as simple as exe's.
  • diablozx9, on 08/30/2008, -11/+24I know from your reply that you have never tried linux.
    Ubuntu is:
    - Easier to install/build than Win XP
    - No adding drivers for each component
    - No Anti-Virus software needed
    - Boots as fast after three years of use as day one (not true for XP).
    - Comes with Office software loaded
    - All other software free

    So what is your definition of "Work" ?
    - Ubuntu is more stable
    - Ubuntu is more secure
    - Ubuntu loads up with drivers, office sw, etc pre loaded.

    What is "works" ?
  • theOster, on 08/30/2008, -0/+13because 6 is the new 10

    (or 7 if you rtfa)
  • Myztry, on 08/30/2008, -4/+16Who's says Ubuntu, or Linux for that matter has to overcome Windows.
    Computing was brilliant back in the 80's when there was a whole lot of Operating Systems in competition.
    Not much has changed in the way of 32 bit computing in the last 20+ years. A sad fact of life.
    Microsoft is a reactive company, and waits for pioneers to devleop markets before stirring to life.
    Even people who'll eventually die sitting at a Windows machine have to recognise a good thing.
  • SugaryToaster, on 08/30/2008, -2/+14How does it take you 20mins to install VLC? Sudo apt-get install vlc.. It takes all of 1min at the most.
  • Phocion55, on 08/30/2008, -6/+18To be honest, I stopped reading at "VB".
  • greevar, on 08/30/2008, -2/+13@norman619

    You are the one that is out of touch.

    1. The security design of Linux prevents the average user from loading crap into their system by not letting the user run as root.

    2. Open source applications are not generally inferior to their commercial counterparts. That is a myth. Also, most of the commercial applications DO have an open source counterpart.

    3. Wrong again. The average user does not just wipe their machine like that, they ask their local geek to fix their screw up so they don't lose their illegal music collection or other precious data because they don't know enough to do a proper backup.

    4. Actually, the forums at Ubuntu have a lot of knowledgeable and helpful members that are passionate about making the experience as exciting for others as it is for them. Bigman is right, their help makes commercial tech support look like a monkey flinging their poo in your face.
  • opnickc, on 08/30/2008, -0/+11When you try to play a proprietary file, like an mp3 or flash video, ubuntu will ask then and there if you'd like to install the codecs.

    Not sure how that's any more difficult than desktop shortcuts, but it is certainly less ugly and obtrusive. . .
  • mkriss5681, on 08/30/2008, -4/+15Sure, it's easy enough, but how does someone who has never installed anything on Linux figure it out. I had to research it online to even learn the command line. Not to mention I had to setup the Synaptic Manager to download 3rd party stuff.

    Sure that's what Linux is about. Solving your own problems and learning on your own, but like I said. How is grandma going to know "Sudo apt-get install vlc" and configure Synaptic? As a windows user it's a bit foreign for me to install on the command line. I haven't used command line to install a program since DOS. Most new users won't be able to understand that concept.

    Now that I know, I like how easy programs are to install. The fact is, it's a high learning curve. Not to mention the community sometimes gets a bit elitist when someone new asks a stupid new question, such as "How does it take you 20mins to install VLC? Sudo apt-get install vlc.. It takes all of 1min at the most." gawt!
  • SugaryToaster, on 08/30/2008, -4/+15You can install Steam..
    First result from google, step, by step video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r93sT7UOGOE
  • SugaryToaster, on 08/30/2008, -1/+12heh.. Yeah I read a bit to quickly I'm afraid.. Oh well..
  • Paranormalized, on 08/30/2008, -0/+11"Once you outgrow that "newbie" stage, then you advance to a more advanced distro, such as Slackware. Then you may move to something even further up the ladder, such as Gentoo"

    As someone who cut their teeth on Slackware, I just have to say, get over yourself. There is no clear progression that says Gentoo is "further up the ladder" than Ubuntu or Slackware, they're different systems with different strengths and weaknesses.

    I never understood the Gentoo elitism. Watching gcc output scroll on the screen doesn't make you more virtuous than someone who uses binary packages.
  • Atsumori, on 08/30/2008, -1/+12I love how each time there is a major article on Ubuntu, or anything of the like, there is a huge trailing argument.
  • opnickc, on 08/30/2008, -2/+13Because you add applications by *gasp* clicking on "Add/Remove" in the "Applications" menu?

    You're right, how could anybody possibly want their OS to be so simple and intuitive. Clearly, searching the web for apps, finding the download page, downloading, double clicking on something as arbitrary as "SETUP.EXE" and going through a long and annoying wizard is a superior installation method.
  • thePTS, on 08/30/2008, -0/+10I am not an expert, and I've gotten wine working easily, just played a game of WC3 under wine.

    1. Like with anything linux, every issue has been encountered and discussed on the net before. Google your error and you will usually find a good description on the first hit.
    2. Follow the descriptions for each application on appdb.winehq.org.
    3. ensure your wine has been upgraded.
    4. since it's upgraded almost fortnightly, and there are so many "linuxes" to run wine on, there have been issues for me in about 1 out of 10 wine releases. in this case, downgrade to last version.

    oh, and how long ago since you tried? wine 1.00+ is out, and it is pretty good.
  • seventhc, on 08/30/2008, -2/+12I personally love Ubuntu and when I see comments about how ugly it is I think thats a stupid thing to say since you can make it look exactly how you want. Windows does not have the same capabilities AFAIK. I have not used windows in years but recently I started playing quake3 on linux and now that the gaming bug bit me, I am considering a dual boot.
    So I guess to me, windows is good for games only and Ubuntu or FreeBSD for everything else.
  • manacit2, on 08/30/2008, -0/+10"You know how you could have sorted out your SATA problem? Turn off the RAID on your motherboard so you have only one h/d, the main one :) That way the motherboard and Windows both treat it like IDE."

    er.. I have *one* sata drive with *no* raid, and guess what, windows XP AND Vista install didn't recognize it!
  • inactive, on 08/30/2008, -7/+17Yes Ubuntu carries immense momentum:

    It's gone from a snails pace to a turtle's!
  • phrstbrn, on 08/30/2008, -8/+17I work in IT and have an extremely strong Linux/BSD background but, little to no experience with Windows. I decided to throw it on to a laptop. After several failed versions, Windows XP worked best.

    I'm sure a lot of you will disagree with me. I really like Windows, don't get me wrong, but I am embarrassed to admit I have a lot to learn. It is an extremely large learning curb. The install is easy enough but when it comes to customizing, it's a little tricky. With installing software from the .exe and .msi I have to spend 20 minutes to find in google, I feel Windows might be a little too much for an average user. For example my Windows Media Player started mysteriously crashing and it took me 20 minutes before I was able to find the link to download VLC. On Linux I could type sudo apt-get install vlc and have it installed in 2 minutes. Why did the Windows Media Player crash to begin with?

    The beauty about Linux is that it can be customized. I feel Windows has a little bit to go to be a viable alternative for an average user. I am expert Linux user and I feel like a total noob with Windows. I plan on studying my MCSE cert soon to learn more, but Microsoft needs to make strives to make it even easier to use. It seems that Windows users thinks their OS is the best and want to see it take a bigger market share but there needs to steps take to make it even more user friendly.

    Would you give my grandma a Mac with OSX, or would you give her a PC with Windows? Until you answer yes to Windows, it's not quite ready to be mainstream (and that's why some people like to begin with).
  • KezG, on 08/30/2008, -12/+21Building momentum but it still doesn't support my sound card....
  • dougle, on 08/30/2008, -3/+12Yes but use a proper language
    Yes, there might even be some native ports
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes

    My OS is mission critical to me, it baffles me how some people put up with MS ***** and windows randomness.

    e.g.
    http://support.microsoft.com//default.aspx?scid=kb ...
  • Keithamus, on 08/30/2008, -0/+9Thats such a non list! Besides being 6 not 10 (missing number 4) they can basically be boiled down to "ubuntu + extra software"

    1. "various goodies pre-installed"
    2. "comes with codecs pre-installed"
    3. "comes with a beautiful blue theme"
    5. "inclusion of essential softwares"

    Linux Mint is basically install ubuntu, then "sudo apt-get install flashplayer-nonfree gsteamer* blubuntu* java* envy*" May aswell have made it a PPA, as opposed to a whole new distro.
  • DangerCollie, on 08/30/2008, -0/+8Linux is already making inroads into mainstream use. Our office is now about half Ubuntu, we're also experimenting with PuppyLinux on some of our old IBM laptops. I got the CIO job at the company I'm with precisely because of my open source experience and preference. The other candidates were equally qualified, but I was the only really willing to move OSS into widespread use. And it's going really well.

    Moving people off Outlook was surprisingly easy. I expected more resistance. We switched over to corporate Gmail and most users voluntarily dumped Outlook even though we offered to support it. Many were already using Gmail anyway.

    Replacing the "Windows only" staff and vendors has not been difficult...even fun in a perverse kind of way. But the bottom line is I can prove more reliable service and better ROI with Ubuntu on Linux on the desktop. We spend less time and money supporting our Linux machines than what's left of the Windows environment.
  • RaulMuadDib, on 08/30/2008, -0/+8Where is 4?
  • dankoleary, on 08/30/2008, -2/+10Wrong. Photoshop is heads and tails above GIMP.
  • opnickc, on 08/30/2008, -1/+9Meh, I'll take ubuntu default over windows classic. Looks nicer to me.

    Although I'll admit that you need to customize it to look as good as Vista or OSX default.
  • thePTS, on 08/30/2008, -4/+12"People want computers that WORK. Work right out of the box"

    And windows does that? Haha. Are you serious? Pull yourself together..
  • ScottyDelicious, on 08/30/2008, -0/+8http://www.getdeb.net/app/Transmission

    Click the download link and choose "Open with GDebi Installer" or, save to disk and double click the file to install. It's so easy, even a tool like you could do it.

    The fine folks at getdeb.net keep the packages very up to date, if you like the bleeding edge thing.
  • theaceoffire, on 08/30/2008, -0/+8O.o your doing it wrong.

    Just install wine, then double click an exe... it works a lot for random programs I needed (And some games, like WoW)
  • djgreedo, on 08/30/2008, -5/+13@smotpoker

    In what way is using Windows (or Mac OS) wasting money? Sure, I can use a free alternative. I could also buy cheap brand groceries or listen only to free music, watch movies only on TV, etc. but I am willing to pay for a quality product I want to use. That is not a waste.

    I'm more than happy with Windows. I have the choice to run countless bits of software and to install whatever hardware I want knowing it was designed to be compatible with my OS. I have the freedom to use my computer in any way I wish, and that is what's important to me. If Microsoft get $100 for that, then they've earned it. That is a small price to pay for the software that underpins all my work and leisure.

    I am not sure what you mean by 'restricted from playing/using certain content' in this context. I can play/use any file I want to on Windows. You can't legally play Blu-Ray on Linux, but you can on Windows Vista. DRM is the domain of the content provider, not the OS. I choose not to buy content with DRM. It has nothing to do with which operating system I use. Windows includes the ability to play Blu-Ray because MS wants to provide a product that can play these discs. Do you hold it against Blu-Ray player manufacturers for incorporating DRM systems in their players?

    As for DRM in audio/video files, you seem to be implying that there is something inherently wrong with this technology, which is blatantly stupid. Without DRM we wouldn't have iTunes. Without iTunes we wouldn't have iTunes Plus, and without either we wouldn't have Amazon MP3. The recording industry is responsible for protecting their content, and MS (and others) simply created software that enabled the future of digital music.

    DRM is a choice, and it has its uses (e.g. Zune pass, digital rentals, games). I have a Zune, but the DRM capability doesn't affect me because I choose to play MP3 files and WMA files without DRM.

    Risking infection? Not really a big issue. It is actually quite difficult to get a virus or malware if you take a little bit of care. I have never had a problem with such things since the days of Windows 98 or thereabouts, and I don't know of anybody who has actually had a serious issue as a result of a malware/virus infection.

    Free alternatives typically better? I'll have to assume you're not joking. Is OpenOffice better than MS Office? No. I write for a living and OpenOffice is simply not good enough (but it's pretty good). MS Word is the industry standard for a reason. The same goes for games and operating systems (in general) as well as pretty much anything in life. There are thousands of free games out there, but none anywhere near as good as Crysis or Age of Mythology, etc. These games cost money because they cost upwards of millions of dollars to create. They use professional writers, artists, musicians, etc. and it shows in the end product. This doesn't mean a free game made by some 14-year-old in 15 minutes can't be truly great, of course.

    Being forced to wait around on others to fix your problems? What are you talking about? For typical users, Microsoft and Apple provide support for their software (which is one of the reasons the software isn't free). Typically the support people are trained to know the answers to most queries. I've never come across an issue that I couldn't fix with a couple of minutes on Google or a downloadable patch (Windows has such a huge user base that any problem you run into has usually been found and remedied by people already).

    And with Vista now gaining popularity I no longer get hassled into helping friends and family as much as I used to because it tends to just work better.

  • RetepNamenots, on 08/30/2008, -2/+10But the beauty is that you can change it to whatever you want, easily.

    If you just don't like how it looks, try Linux Mint; it's Ubuntu but much prettier, and has codecs etc. installed by default.
  • gluon, on 08/30/2008, -4/+12your arguments are biased and mostly factually incorrect. there is a place for religion and operating systems is not one of them. people use the best tool for the job, not the tool that has the loudest proponents.
  • pocknin, on 08/30/2008, -0/+8For installing applications like VLC is the console even needed anymore?

    Applications >> Add/Remove Applications >> "vlc" in search box >> check VLC >> Apply button.....

    I use 704 fulltime for work. My mum uses 804. Also, since showing her 804 family tech support has decreased.
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