Why Ubuntu?

I

Izak Eloff

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Hi everyone..
I'm completely a newbie to linux and ubuntu etc.
I'm currently running Windows 7 ultimate x64 on my laptop. So my question is why do you guys use the Ubuntu OS? Is there any advantages over something like windows 7?

Should I try Ubuntu, and what version is the best?
I'm an accountant so I'll need programs like Caseware and Pastel to run, but also the usual multimedia stuff (Movies & Music). I never play games on my laptop.

I have a Dell Studio 1555
CPU: P8600 Core2Duo @ 2.4Ghz
RAM: 4Gb @ 800Mhz
HDD: 500Gb

Sorry for the noob questions. :erm:
Thanks Izak

PS. I have loads of local bandwidth to use...
 
Yes, you should try it.

Keep in mind that you don't need to install it, you can run it from the CD. A bit slower, but you can test if your hardware is supported this way.

Also, the major advantage Linux have over Windows is that there is no viruses or trojans out there.

Another advantage is that it is free, and you can install it on as many computers/laptops/etc as you want without having to worry about licensing and the such.

In your case, you can try wine (windows emulator) to run your windows programs, or, failing that, using virtualbox. Another possibility is to dual-boot between windows and ubuntu.

It is highly recommended by some security analysts not to do your Internet banking on Windows-based PC's (due to intelligent malware), but rather use Linux.
 
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Awesome thanks for the quick reply this time of the night. Lol. Any versions I can start with? Just saw the links for Kubuntu 9.10 and then I saw ultimate 2.5 or something.
 
Pastel will be almost impossible to run on Linux. I've tried, many times, in vain.

Most multimedia stuff will work out of the box. If the system cant find the right codecs or whatever it will usually just prompt you to download and install them. easy enough.

DVD's on the other hand can be a pain. Ubuntu has no built in support for playing most DVD's, I'm not entirely sure why but believe it's some copyright or licensing issue.

Ultimately it comes down to what you want your PC to do. Ubuntu (or most other Linux distro's) is fantastic in what they offer. You get superior performance, great security (no anti-virus needed!) and the ability to install almost any software you may need via the built in package management system.

Most people, like me, who use Linux as their preferred day-to-day desktop environment are more technically inclined. (I'm a software engineer). But anyone with an open mind, patience and the willingness to learn can adopt and use Linux.

If you are really keen to try it out, get a old PC and load Ubuntu and play with it. In your case needing Pastel etc, maybe consider a dual boot option.
 
Also visit this site distrowatch.com to learn more about the plethora of linux distributions on offer. As other here have said, have the patience to try it and learn about software and hardware. I would highly recommend Ubuntu (with Gnome desktop) x64 for your system. Note, also there is a thriving community out there that is eager to help you when you get stuck--just register with ubuntuforums.org and post your question.

Good luck!
 
I doubt if Pastel will work on it. As the guys have said, dual boot or VM would be best for this. DVD is easy to get working on Ubuntu. Just need to enable a few things and download some extra packages. If you dont want to fiddle to much...then Linux Mint is very good. Your multimedia works out of the box (Including full DVD playback) and it is based on Ubuntu so it works the same way and uses the same packages.

Have lots of fun and enjoy learning something new. I have been using Ubuntu for two years now and have never looked back.
 
ponder said:
That is entirely up to you.

Ubuntu or Linux is NOT windows and don't ever expect it to be. You have been warned.
Click to expand...

That warning makes no sense? What do you mean? Can you give some details?

I installed Ubuntu 9.10 about 3 months ago and think it's great. I have a Dell D62O and it installed first time. It takes some getting used to but there is lots of online help and there are lots of online tutorials. Search online for 'Switching to Ubuntu' and Top 10 Ubuntu Apps. You can also search for "Ubuntu and Dell 1555" to see if people have major issues with it. I think I saw a list of supported Dell laptops somewhere on the Ubuntu site too.

I'm totally non-technical. Don't know a thing about PC's apart form where to turn them on and I've been able to run Ubuntu without any hassles.

I'm planning to try the thing where you run Windows inside Ubuntu (Virtual Machine) to run some of my non-Ubuntu apps, like Pastel, in the new year.
 
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It should also be clarified that Ubuntu is not Linux. Ubuntu is merely a variant of many forms of Linux.
 
Wow! Thanks for everyone's input, looks like there's a very active and helpful community out there for Linux. I download a couple of packages with my local cap that I have left and do some research in the new year. I will probably try to dual boot first because I don't think the people from work will have experience with something like Ubuntu.

ocleroux said:
Have lots of fun and enjoy learning something new. I have been using Ubuntu for two years now and have never looked back.
Click to expand...

That is the main reason for my interest, I'm bored with Windows and My Android is already rooted and strong on Custom ROM's :D
I need something new to fiddle with!
Regards
Izak
 
U can also install Ubuntu inside windows via Wubi. This is very cool cause it wont reformat or partition your HDD. If you dont like it, you can just uninstall it again.

Just pop in the LiveCD when you are inside windows. It will come up with a window and then you just follow the instructions. That is how I first learned Ubuntu. Once I was comfortable I formated my drive and did a full clean install of Ubuntu and got rid of Windows. Ahhh, what a great day that was! I am so excited for you! hehe
 
ocleroux said:
U can also install Ubuntu inside windows via Wubi. This is very cool cause it wont reformat or partition your HDD. If you dont like it, you can just uninstall it again.

Just pop in the LiveCD when you are inside windows. It will come up with a window and then you just follow the instructions. That is how I first learned Ubuntu. Once I was comfortable I formated my drive and did a full clean install of Ubuntu and got rid of Windows. Ahhh, what a great day that was! I am so excited for you! hehe
Click to expand...

Lol!! That's funny.. So what if I have 2 partitions already on my HDD? Can I just install it on the one without windows, or will it format that partition (It's pretty big with lots of Data)
 
Ocleroux actually said Mint is good out of the box. Think I'll go for it.
 
Regarding the partitioning...if you do a full on install then yes, it will format that partition with the ext filesystem and windows wont be able to read from that partition no more and the data will obviously be wiped off aswell.
 
Getting Karmic Koala x64 now, will take about 27min then I'm downloading the 9.10 LiveCD this is only 32bit right?
 
I use Ubuntu 9.10 32bit. Works perfect for me. But then again, I have a AMD Sempron based laptop and dont think 64bit would work anyway. Have never really understood what the diff is between the two. Is 32bit not the safer choice when it comes to compatibility etc?
 
The problem is that if I run 32bit my OS can only see 3.5gb RAM. So I think RAM is the most obvious reason for someone to run a 64bit OS rather that 32bit.
 
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