Linux Desktop Readiness Thread

[unarmedninja]

While windows installers might be simpler to use, I prefer to use synaptic package manager or apt-get. These check for dependancies before installing anything on your computer. its also much better to have all your apps in one reposatory than to search the internet for them.

synaptic is very easy to use just give it a chance.

[Get_Ya_Wicked_On]

Follow Windows and Apple's standards? Ha!

And if you must not use apt-get, synaptic as said before.

One of the most logical and useful application databases.

What more could you ask for?

[Nic Martens]

I take the points.

What concerns me is that having being involved in TV most of my life, I learned (very early) the phrase s##t-click.
If a new user can't install an app they will leave the OS and go back to what they know, and I find this a waste.
What I have seen of Ubuntu I think is absolutely brilliant, and would really like to see it become the OS of choice through out the world. But there is this 'However.

I don't know what synaptic means, but I will look it up.

[Medieval_Creations]

I prefer the Linux way, because aside from the great apps like Synaptic & Apt, you can just download the source and change the way the program is configured, turn on/of features before loading them, so it's completely customized for you.

The way I look at it is if you don't want to know how things work use windows, but if you like digging in & learning why & how things work Linux is the way to go.

[Frak]

Windows and Apple have got this right, simply click on the setup.exe or install and the installer does the rest.

Yeah we have that, its called a .deb
And Fedora has that, its called an .rpm
Your probably unaccustomed to this, BUT LINUX IS DIFFERENT THAN WINDOWS OR OSX!, Windows has a double click install, called an executeable, Ubuntu also does, its called a .deb, and OSX has a drag install (NO DOUBLE CLICK INSTALL!), so does Ubuntu, its called KliK, found here, but Ubuntu has something they both don't have, called repositories, just open Synaptics, (or Adept in Kubuntu), and put something you want in the search box, or choose a catagorie for the program you want, it downloads and installs all the dependencies, then installs the program, free of charge, with no EULA! So you keep your rights.

[Hex_Mandos]

I've had no problems with hardware recognition, for the most part. I'm just learning my way around Ubuntu (and Linux in general, I must say), as I've just been using it for about two weeks, but most of my hardware worked perfectly out of the box. My only problems were configuring my nVidia card (it took several tries, including one which killed X) and getting a screen resolution higher than 1024x768 (which I haven't tried yet, mostly because I'm not too bothered by it). Windows, on the other hand, needs far more work. I haven't yet gotten to address all the issues problems in my Windows partition, since I hardly use it anyway.

As a sidenote, I had to call my ISP's tech support a few days ago. Apparently, lightning killed my network card. The tech support people made my router work through USB on Windows, using a driver from a CD. Ubuntu recognized the device perfectly without ANY additional work.

Mechanic: Why do you say "toy programs"? OOo is perfectly useable. So are Mozilla Firefox (the piece of software I use ALL the time on both Windows and Linux), k3b (I like it better than commercial apps), The GIMP (I'm not a graphics designer, so it works perfectly for me), Kopete (FAR, FAR better than, say, Trillian)... I really like and use the software included with Ubuntu, and often prefer it over commercial apps (which I could get for free too, but I'd have to get a working ISO, keygens, cracks, and tons of malware to make them work).

[PriceChild]

Double click a downloaded deb in Ubuntu and "gdebi" will start up and install it for you.

'nuff said.

[SteveJ]

Ubuntu just doesn’t work!

I can’t even imagine how many negative responses I will get to this email (primarily because the truth hurts). I gave Ubuntu its fair shake and it has caused me to turn and run. Why am I posting this? I am posting this because I think it is a healthy thing for you folks to see things from the perspective of an unbiased newcomer who doesn’t wear rose colored Linux glasses.

I am not new to computers. I do some programming, and design equipment controls systems. I switched over from a junior in an electrical engineering program, and am now studying software engineering. I have well over a 3.9gpa in both. I would say that I am at least more capable than the average beginner.

I have tried installing Ubuntu on multiple computers, using multiple configurations, using different types of installs. I have had nothing but headaches with them all. They have messed up my Windows boot record, I can’t get a wireless card to work, I can’t get my network hard drive to work, I can’t get my print server to work, I have to set some IP6 bit in Firebox to get it to work, I can’t get to my hotmail account, and on one computer, load up takes about 5 minutes and I get some GNOME error message.

Each time that I have reinstalled windows to fix what Ubuntu has screwed up, I am up and running again in about 45 minutes – and everything works perfectly! All of my devices work as they should each time and every time.

I recognize that I could probably get things going if I read through the pages and pages of encrypted documentation on how to tweak this and overcome that. For a beginner, though, I have no idea what ‘sudo somestrangename someletter’ to use

I recognize that Ubuntu is free. I have a job, a family, and a life; however, so my time has value. It is well worth the $150 for me to go buy a copy of Windows and be done with it. It runs every application that I can imagine needing, it does it plenty fast, and I, frankly, have never had XP crash.

I will say, the Ubuntu folks seem friendly enough and they try to be helpful. Of the six or so posts I have made to the Ubuntu forum, however, I have had only one issue resolved.

I’ll probably be back for the next release, to see if things have improved. In the mean time, I’m finding myself returning to my nice community of “Windows and Gates”.

SteveJ

[robenroute]

I take the points.

What concerns me is that having being involved in TV most of my life, I learned (very early) the phrase s##t-click.
If a new user can't install an app they will leave the OS and go back to what they know, and I find this a waste.
What I have seen of Ubuntu I think is absolutely brilliant, and would really like to see it become the OS of choice through out the world. But there is this 'However.

I don't know what synaptic means, but I will look it up.

Well, synaptic is the name of the "Synaptic Package Manager" (found in the "System --> Administration" menu (Gnome)). It's easy to use and difficult to trick, in general. It has reasonably advanced features and for people used to it, it works like a charm.

However, I think I do understand your point. Looking at a standard synaptic window can be a little daunting. It is all text-based (I mean, no application icons or graphically oriented/enhanced ways of browsing all the applications) and because of the plethora of options, applications, libraries, etc., it looks (and arbitrarily is) much more complicated than making use of the rather straightforward "Add/Remove" menu option under "Applications".

I think it would be advisable for first-time users to stick to simple interfaces offered by the aforementioned "Add/Remove" from the "Applications" menu or the Automatix offerings (which would be a kind of a Catch-22 thing, I must admit).

Like many things in life, starting something new is often difficult at first: starting a new job, moving to a new town, starting a new relationship, picking up a new sport, etc. Linux is indeed different from other OSes (Windows, OSX, etc.). Moving onto something new does require an initial investment in time and effort. I made the move a few years ago (starting with Mandrake) and although I occasionally still use Windows 98/XP/2000, I have no regrets about having wiped XP off my laptop.

Approach things with an open mind and be willing to put a little effort into understanding it and using it. How knows, it might be the start of something truly worth your while....

[meng]

Yes, you're right. Linux is not for everyone. Windows is not for everyone. Mac is not for everyone. So part of me wants to applaud you for having the courage to state your experiences in a mature and considered way. And yet, to be honest, your post is not novel in any sense of the word. Linux/Ubuntu is not for you, at least not right now, and there's no shame in that. Best of luck to you.