First Impressions: Ubuntu Linux
When I first heard about Ubuntu and was told about its features—safe from viruses, open-source, and easily accessible, community-provided support, among others—my interest in it was quickly piqued. I rushed to the neighborhood computer store and bought myself a CD-RW so I could begin burning the ISO onto the CD and then install Ubuntu’s latest release, 8.04.
Unfortunately, Ubuntu wouldn’t boot from the CD, so I decided to request a free CD from the Ubuntu website. I requested for one about a month ago and the CD arrived yesterday, about two weeks earlier than expected. Needless to say, I put Ubuntu through its paces immediately and here are my first impressions.
Quick installation
The first thing you notice is that Ubuntu installs painlessly and quickly. All I had to do is answer a few questions (i.e. Where was my location, what keyboard layout did I use, as well as username and password, etc.) and that was it—Ubuntu did the rest for me. After the installation completed, I was ready to go. (Except for a WiFi problem which I soon fixed.)
Open-source galore
We all know that Ubuntu is a community-maintained, commercially-funded, open-source OS. When you take a peek inside the Applications menu, you will find out that many of the included programs are open-source and all of them are free to download. You’ve got Mozilla Firefox, the Pidgin IM Client, OpenOffice.org office suite, and GIMP Image Editor. Correct me if I’m wrong, but this is why Ubuntu is free.
Where are all the icons?
This is what the desktop looks like, after I’ve inserted a CD and plugged in my iPod:
As opposed to the quintessential Windows desktop which is often littered with useless icons and crapware even on the first boot.
Two desktops!
You essentially have two desktops on Ubuntu (see the squares on the bottom right of the screenshot above?). I find this very useful. For example, if I’m finishing up some homework on OpenOffice’s Word Processor while chatting with a friend, I can simply put Pidgin (desktop IM client) in one desktop and OpenOffice in another desktop so the screen won’t look so cluttered. I can just switch between workspaces as the need arises.
Peeves
How can I install my drivers?
My laptop’s manufacturer, Acer, only provides drivers for Windows XP and Vista (IDK why). This means that my devices will probably behave erratically in Ubuntu, although at the moment they seem to work fine. I have contacted Acer for help, but I’m still waiting for a reply.
No iTunes for Ubuntu
And that’s bad news for me, since I’m in love with my iPod nano. There are viable alternatives—the Rhythmbox Music Player included with Ubuntu recognizes my iPod and displays my music—but for my podcast subscriptions and iTunes store, I have no other choice but to reboot into Windows and open iTunes from there.
How do I install programs?
Being used to Windows, I’m still getting used to the odd way Ubuntu lets you install programs. I really don’t know (yet) exactly how it works, so I’ll be hitting the forums (and Ubuntu IRC channel) for help when I need it.
What’s up with the different fonts?
Mozilla Firefox in Ubuntu displays text in webpages differently from Firefox in Windows. You’ll be shocked at first, but as time passes by, you’ll get used to it. However, if you want a homy Windows feeling in Firefox Ubuntu, you can check out this article from Paul Stamatiou.
Should I consider Ubuntu?
Definitely! Ubuntu
- is not susceptible to virus attacks
- has free support, offered by the community (as opposed to Windows where you actually have to buy support :-O)
- intuitive
- open-source
- just fun to work with!
However, you have to have the patience for Ubuntu. It’s not as high-tech as Windows, and its UI is less fancy-shmancy and more functionality. Some programs you may consider vital to your computing life probably aren’t available in Linux (which is why I decided not to remove Vista and instead just dual-boot; Sims 2 won’t install in Linux either). But all in all, I didn’t regret installing Ubuntu. Chances are, you wouldn’t either. 
Head down to www.ubuntu.com and get yourself a copy!
Do you use Ubuntu? Are you planning to use Ubuntu? Do you have any questions? Shoot in the comments section!
if you right click the two desktops you can have up to 16.
ubuntu uses open drivers mostly , sometimes it uses restricted drivers but it tells you if it does( you have nothing to worry about driver-wise unless you have problems)
to install programs go to applications > add/remove , click a check next to a program/programs you want and click apply , it will download and install them for you.
then click show , go to all applications and when prompted reload the list
for music i would suggest amarok
also install a package (linux word for program/ program part) called “ubuntu restricted” to use flash and play certian formats of music and video
on an unrelated note , you can also use compiz fusion by going to system > properties > appearance > visual effects
http://cybernetnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/enable-compiz-fusion-in-ubuntu.jpg
click extra , then go to add/remove and install something called ccsm
go to system > properties > advanced desktop effects settings
it should look like this
http://drebel.net/blog/blogphotos/ccsm.png
enable and disable stuff until it is to your liking , you could have something like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk1w
also , you can right click your bars at the top and bottom of the screen and add/remove stuff from them and add applets (like a system monitor)
if you have any questions or need other help/hints just email me (olegnep@gmail.com)
also note that you can use add/remove to install extensions onto firefox
crap , looks like my first comment did not come through , probably because of the links to reference pics
you install stuff with add/remove in the applications menu (go to the pull down menu next to show and select “all available applications” for a wider selection)
just click the check box next to the apps you wnat
install ccsm (advanced tweaker cool 3d stuff)
install ubuntu restricted ( play certian formats and should fix fonts)
install amarok (great music player)
go to system > preferences > appearance > visual effects
click extra to enable compiz fusion (do a video search for it to see it first)
go to system > preferences > advanced desktop effects settings (that is ccsm) , tinker with it until the 3d effects are how you like them
also note if you right click on the two desktops you can go to preferences and make it up to 16 ( though 4 is a widely used number and great to use with the 3d cube setting in ccsm
ubuntu comes with open drivers that just work and only ask you stuff when they don’t. if you have no issues with display then you are good
also download ubuntu tweak (google it , download the .deb file (deb files are installer files) and double click it , then when it is installed go to applications > system tools and look around in it , tweak to your liking.
good luck and feel free to email me at olegnep@gmail.com
Oleg, as you can see your first comment got stuck in Akismet, probably because it had too many hyperlinks. Thank you for the links! I’m installing ccsm as I type. I’m sure I’ll love it.
Once again, thank you for the help. I took note of your email address, ya know, just in case…
There are plenty of alternatives to the default music player in Ubuntu, most notably Banshee and Amarok. iTunes is actually pretty horrible on Windows. It's a good strategy of Apple's to make you use their proprietary software though.
To install programs, you can either use the Synaptic manager (applications/add-remove) or download and install using a bit of command line wizardry.
As for eye-candy, most of it is disabled by default. You can do all sort of cool (and pointless) things by messing around with themes and Compiz. My thinkpad broke and is getting repaired, so right now I'm stuck using a very old Sony Vaio running Ubuntu. Ubuntu saved it – it was unable to do the most basic tasks in Windows. Now it's fully functional, if slow.
Nice blog! Keep it up!
There are plenty of alternatives to the default music player in Ubuntu, most notably Banshee and Amarok. iTunes is actually pretty horrible on Windows. It’s a good strategy of Apple’s to make you use their proprietary software though.
To install programs, you can either use the Synaptic manager (applications/add-remove) or download and install using a bit of command line wizardry.
As for eye-candy, most of it is disabled by default. You can do all sort of cool (and pointless) things by messing around with themes and Compiz. My thinkpad broke and is getting repaired, so right now I’m stuck using a very old Sony Vaio running Ubuntu. Ubuntu saved it – it was unable to do the most basic tasks in Windows. Now it’s fully functional, if slow.
Nice blog! Keep it up!
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