Switch to Ubuntu?

xxhopingtearsxx · April 14th, 2008, 04:55 PM

I used to use Ubuntu.. but stopped after about a week since my webcam didn't work.. and to download some programs, I would need to do a bunch of crap that I didn't have time for.. Or though I think.

I am just a person who chats on the computer. I use Windows Vista.. I was thinking about switching to Ubuntu (or Windows XP.. or Windows ME.. Windows Vista is horrible..).. since there were some good things about my experience.

1. Everything looks neat.. I mean like.. the design. Windows XP has that blue taskbar thing.. Windows Vista has some ugly black thing.. But Ubuntu just looks nice and beautiful.

2. Speed. Fast!

3. I have all my messengers when I install. No need to download another thing.

But, I do dislike it because my Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 doesn't work... probably. Last time I checked if webcams worked was when I had my Microsoft Lifecam VX-3000.. Good webcam but a little grainy. Another thing I dislike it was it's not the most user-friendly thing in a world. Not everything is compatible with it.. And if there were some ways to get some programs to work that aren't compatible with it.. wouldn't it take me some time to figure out how? The Ubuntu forum isn't that helpful anyways.. Unless Animenation is willing to help. ;D What do you say, Anime/Manga fans?! <3

Anyways, I'm asking you.. do you think a person like me should use Ubuntu? And why do people say "switch to Ubuntu" to us Windows and Apple users? What's the greatest thing about it?

If you think there's another Linux.. Unix.. (I don't know these crap) os I should use, give me the name and I'll give it a try.. I got the free Ubuntu CD since I didn't want to do all that iso crap..

Leader Desslock · April 14th, 2008, 05:02 PM

To me, an operating system is an operating system, so long as it works. Command line, GUI - they're all the same, so long as they let you get stuff done.

I'm running Win2k Pro and OSX (Panther). I've got an Ubuntu partition as well. They all work for me. I've never had a reason to use XP, so I don't expect I'll have a reason to upgrade to Vista.

My advice: run what works for you. I personally prefer stability to speed or anything else.

Samurai Drifter · April 14th, 2008, 05:03 PM

My friend had Vista on his laptop, and tried to get rid of it and dual-boot XP and Ubuntu. He screwed up and now only has Ubuntu.

It actually seems to work fairly well. He's unable to play any games or mainstream software, but all the software you can get for it is available for free. So if games aren't particularly important for you, go for it.

xxhopingtearsxx · April 14th, 2008, 05:03 PM

I've wanted to do the partion thing.. but I have no clue how to do that. I had attempts and ended up screwing things up.

The Million Dollar Prons · April 14th, 2008, 06:02 PM

You could but you have to come to grips with several things:

-Most "obscure" programs won't work.
-IT's hard as hell to install the programs you do wnat (That's why they make so many linux distrobutions preloaded with programmes)
-Your distros tech support forum assumes you have a PHD in Linuxnese.
- Linux has more of an emphasis on typing commands. Which can make you feel cool but also make you feel really closeless.

But yeah it works if you only want to do simple things, like look at the internet and type documents. But god help you if you ever want to play games.

xxhopingtearsxx · April 14th, 2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prons

You could but you have to come to grips with several things:

-Most "obscure" programs won't work.
-IT's hard as hell to install the programs you do wnat (That's why they make so many linux distrobutions preloaded with programmes)
-Your distros tech support forum assumes you have a PHD in Linuxnese.
- Linux has more of an emphasis on typing commands. Which can make you feel cool but also make you feel really closeless.

But yeah it works if you only want to do simple things, like look at the internet and type documents. But god help you if you ever want to play games.

Finally! Someone who understands!

The Million Dollar Prons · April 14th, 2008, 06:10 PM

oh and also linux has no support for the Esperanto language. I'm not keen on supporting things that don't support the earth language.

Nakey · April 14th, 2008, 06:46 PM

also, don't expect your webcam to work with unbuntu.

not until someone gets off their arse and makes linux drivers for it... Also, installing it ain't as easy as double clicking the binary...

Suiko Eiji · April 14th, 2008, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxhopingtearsxx

I used to use Ubuntu.. but stopped after about a week since my webcam didn't work.. and to download some programs, I would need to do a bunch of crap that I didn't have time for.. Or though I think.

Out of curiosity, what version? Ubuntu is the one distribution I've found that is very good about maintaining its release schedule of a new version every six months. The next version, 8.04, is due out in a couple of weeks. A lot of times, it seems like "nothing works" but if you take a look at the hardware you buy, look for Tux on the package and that means there are Linux drivers available. It doesn't help much with hardware you already have; I know after I started using Linux more heavily, I've struggled with drivers for my wireless card in my laptop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxhopingtearsxx

I am just a person who chats on the computer. I use Windows Vista.. I was thinking about switching to Ubuntu (or Windows XP.. or Windows ME.. Windows Vista is horrible..).. since there were some good things about my experience.

1. Everything looks neat.. I mean like.. the design. Windows XP has that blue taskbar thing.. Windows Vista has some ugly black thing.. But Ubuntu just looks nice and beautiful.

2. Speed. Fast!

3. I have all my messengers when I install. No need to download another thing.

Vista took customers demands for a more Mac OS X like interface; even the F/OSS KDE 4 looks a lot like OS X, more so than earlier versions or GNOME, which mimic Windows' start menu since '95. So much so, that a friend of mine couldn't tell I was working with Linux. Vista also scales up RAM usage based on what your system has. If it has a fair bit of RAM, it'll move quite nicely. One bit of contention I have though is the messengers; they could come installed with Vista, but none of my Pre-XP systems had a messenger pre-installed on it. I had to get out to the Internet, install Trillian, and go from there. Likewise, with Kubuntu all I did was pop a command line and enter

Code:

sudo apt-get install pidgin

And I have another program for the four major messenger software.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxhopingtearsxx

But, I do dislike it because my Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 doesn't work... probably. Last time I checked if webcams worked was when I had my Microsoft Lifecam VX-3000.. Good webcam but a little grainy.

Download the newest Ubuntu again (when it goes into stable release) and burn the image to CD (make sure its a bootable CD). Then, reboot your computer and boot from the CD. Ubuntu has a bootable CD which won't change any file configurations you have on your main system but will allow you to test your system with it. Test the camera with it and see if it works; if it doesn't, then I guess its a deal breaker.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxhopingtearsxx

Another thing I dislike it was it's not the most user-friendly thing in a world. Not everything is compatible with it.. And if there were some ways to get some programs to work that aren't compatible with it.. wouldn't it take me some time to figure out how? The Ubuntu forum isn't that helpful anyways.. Unless Animenation is willing to help. ;D What do you say, Anime/Manga fans?! <3

Complaining that not everything is compatible with Linux is like trying to use iWork on a Windows platform and complaining. Software has to be developed for platforms, they're not universal. What you have to do is think of the task you want to accomplish, then find the software.

Case in point, I use (and, astonishingly like) Microsoft Project for work/school stuff that requires extra planning. But, Project doesn't work on Linux, even in WINE, so I had to hunt down project management software available for Linux. I found two, OpenWorkBench (cross platform F/OSS) which I didn't like and KPlato, which is almost better than nothing.

There are essentially three ways to install software in Ubuntu: repository, synaptec, and tarball. Repository is the code example I gave above. Synaptec is a package manager with a comfortable GUI front end that can find and install different software. Finally, tarballing involves having to "make install" the files individually creating the directories. Synaptec and the command-line repository commands take seconds to figure out; tarballing has a learning curve.

Ubuntu has some of the best documentation via their forums I've seen. Rephrase the questions if you're not finding an answer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxhopingtearsxx

Anyways, I'm asking you.. do you think a person like me should use Ubuntu? And why do people say "switch to Ubuntu" to us Windows and Apple users? What's the greatest thing about it?

If you think there's another Linux.. Unix.. (I don't know these crap) os I should use, give me the name and I'll give it a try.. I got the free Ubuntu CD since I didn't want to do all that iso crap..

What do you want to do? Just chat? Then Ubuntu can work for you. The install for Pidgin I listed above gives you AIM, ICQ, MSN, and Yahoo! and a plethora of other protocols. If you want cam chat, then you'll have to find a camera that works.

For people who just want something to get on the Internet and e-mail, chat, or maybe do some simple office stuff, Ubuntu can work for them. It's legitimately free, which is better than forking over the extra couple hundred dollars for an Apple or Microsoft operating system.

I use Linux because I like the freedom it gives me (mostly beer freedom, but also the choice freedom). Over the past few months I've used several Linux operating systems on different computers all without charge or resorting to piracy. I like the ability to get root access without having to log out or give myself administrator privileges. I like the ability to jump into command line and get stuff done, which is a little harder to do in Windows. It just simply doesn't work out for everyone.

Haro! · April 14th, 2008, 08:08 PM

Well hopingtears, you at least have an okay reason to use ubuntu. I just use it to impress a girl. And basically I just do what I would be doing on windows anyway (internet, IM basic stuff of the sort)

EDIT: What I meant to say is OSX is all I need.

VSh · April 15th, 2008, 10:31 AM

UNIX, as OS, is better than Windows in any case. Windows is good only as gamebox, though there are many games that work under Linux natively or in wine: http://appdb.winehq.org/

If you need something user-friendly, choose MEPIS or PCLinuxOS. If you need corporation behind distribution and solid support, then Ubuntu, openSUSE, Fedora are good choices. If you want to know, what's UNIX, install FreeBSD, Debian, Slackware, Gentoo or Arch. Every distribution has its good sides, good point to start learning is http://distrowatch.com/.

Regarding your Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000: I don't have this thing, but heard that PCLinuxOS and openSUSE support it out of the box and Ubuntu can support it easily: http://blog.gnist.org/article.php?st...uickCamPro9000

CrossboneGundam · April 15th, 2008, 10:15 PM

Uhbooboowho? Is that some sort of African tribe of hunter-gatherers?

Haro! · April 15th, 2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrossboneGundam

Uhbooboowho? Is that some sort of African tribe of hunter-gatherers?

Actually its an African term that means.. wait okay why is my sarcasm meter not working today?

April 14th, 2008, 04:55 PM	#1
xxhopingtearsxx Banned Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ohio.. Posts: 246	Switch to Ubuntu? I used to use Ubuntu.. but stopped after about a week since my webcam didn't work.. and to download some programs, I would need to do a bunch of crap that I didn't have time for.. Or though I think. I am just a person who chats on the computer. I use Windows Vista.. I was thinking about switching to Ubuntu (or Windows XP.. or Windows ME.. Windows Vista is horrible..).. since there were some good things about my experience. 1. Everything looks neat.. I mean like.. the design. Windows XP has that blue taskbar thing.. Windows Vista has some ugly black thing.. But Ubuntu just looks nice and beautiful. 2. Speed. Fast! 3. I have all my messengers when I install. No need to download another thing. But, I do dislike it because my Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 doesn't work... probably. Last time I checked if webcams worked was when I had my Microsoft Lifecam VX-3000.. Good webcam but a little grainy. Another thing I dislike it was it's not the most user-friendly thing in a world. Not everything is compatible with it.. And if there were some ways to get some programs to work that aren't compatible with it.. wouldn't it take me some time to figure out how? The Ubuntu forum isn't that helpful anyways.. Unless Animenation is willing to help. ;D What do you say, Anime/Manga fans?! <3 Anyways, I'm asking you.. do you think a person like me should use Ubuntu? And why do people say "switch to Ubuntu" to us Windows and Apple users? What's the greatest thing about it? If you think there's another Linux.. Unix.. (I don't know these crap) os I should use, give me the name and I'll give it a try.. I got the free Ubuntu CD since I didn't want to do all that iso crap..

April 14th, 2008, 05:02 PM	#2
Leader Desslock Watching Reign: The Conqueror Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 13,546	To me, an operating system is an operating system, so long as it works. Command line, GUI - they're all the same, so long as they let you get stuff done. I'm running Win2k Pro and OSX (Panther). I've got an Ubuntu partition as well. They all work for me. I've never had a reason to use XP, so I don't expect I'll have a reason to upgrade to Vista. My advice: run what works for you. I personally prefer stability to speed or anything else. __________________ Desslock's opinion doesn't even factor in because he's played Devil's advocate for both sides of the argument... ~Chuchuchrain

April 14th, 2008, 05:03 PM	#3
Samurai Drifter Deadbeat translator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The Botanic Garden Posts: 2,757 Blog Entries: 2	My friend had Vista on his laptop, and tried to get rid of it and dual-boot XP and Ubuntu. He screwed up and now only has Ubuntu. It actually seems to work fairly well. He's unable to play any games or mainstream software, but all the software you can get for it is available for free. So if games aren't particularly important for you, go for it. __________________ "Form is emptiness... emptiness is form." -The Buddha

April 14th, 2008, 06:46 PM	#8
Nakey No Pants Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,658	also, don't expect your webcam to work with unbuntu. not until someone gets off their arse and makes linux drivers for it... Also, installing it ain't as easy as double clicking the binary... __________________ Nakey: Otaku Syndicate Senior Member, Moderator and Weapons Specialist Back with a Vengence. Back with no pants PelvicThrust Photography - Feeling It!

April 14th, 2008, 08:08 PM	#10
Haro! is for the ladies Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NY Posts: 4,006 Blog Entries: 7	Well hopingtears, you at least have an okay reason to use ubuntu. I just use it to impress a girl. And basically I just do what I would be doing on windows anyway (internet, IM basic stuff of the sort) EDIT: What I meant to say is OSX is all I need. __________________ I invented the friggin' iPhone. Have you heard of it? - Steve Jobs When it's us it's 'abortion', when its a chicken it's an omelet. - George Carlin Last edited by Haro!; April 15th, 2008 at 08:27 PM.

April 14th, 2008, 06:02 PM	#5
The Million Dollar Prons Wild Like a Snorlax Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The Mellon Colony of Haruhi Suzumiya. Posts: 13,051 Blog Entries: 17	You could but you have to come to grips with several things: -Most "obscure" programs won't work. -IT's hard as hell to install the programs you do wnat (That's why they make so many linux distrobutions preloaded with programmes) -Your distros tech support forum assumes you have a PHD in Linuxnese. - Linux has more of an emphasis on typing commands. Which can make you feel cool but also make you feel really closeless. But yeah it works if you only want to do simple things, like look at the internet and type documents. But god help you if you ever want to play games.

April 14th, 2008, 06:10 PM	#7
The Million Dollar Prons Wild Like a Snorlax Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The Mellon Colony of Haruhi Suzumiya. Posts: 13,051 Blog Entries: 17	oh and also linux has no support for the Esperanto language. I'm not keen on supporting things that don't support the earth language.

April 15th, 2008, 10:31 AM	#11
VSh Poly-math Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Observatory Posts: 689	UNIX, as OS, is better than Windows in any case. Windows is good only as gamebox, though there are many games that work under Linux natively or in wine: http://appdb.winehq.org/ If you need something user-friendly, choose MEPIS or PCLinuxOS. If you need corporation behind distribution and solid support, then Ubuntu, openSUSE, Fedora are good choices. If you want to know, what's UNIX, install FreeBSD, Debian, Slackware, Gentoo or Arch. Every distribution has its good sides, good point to start learning is http://distrowatch.com/. Regarding your Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000: I don't have this thing, but heard that PCLinuxOS and openSUSE support it out of the box and Ubuntu can support it easily: http://blog.gnist.org/article.php?st...uickCamPro9000 __________________ THINK CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS...

April 15th, 2008, 10:15 PM	#12
CrossboneGundam Immortal Mastermind Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: それも私だ Posts: 4,547 Blog Entries: 1	Uhbooboowho? Is that some sort of African tribe of hunter-gatherers?