From Windows to Ubuntu Linux
I use Linux a lot – for programming mostly.
It’s capable of everything else too though.
I’ve been using Mandriva Linux (previously known as Mandrake) for a few years now. A pity, the thing just has not been getting better.
I always wonder, “Why are there so many different types/brands of linux?” (called distro’s, short for distributions).
Most people use Windows (XP). It’s a fact. Developers, office workers, you name it, they all use Microsoft Windows.
It’s not easy for them to exactly try something else.
Well, try this: Ubuntu Linux
How?
Go to the Ubuntu site and you can get a free copy to install (or test) on your computer for free.
They will send it to you free of charge too.
shipit.ubuntu.com
* If you are someone who likes to explore or play around with your computer, then this is a great way to start learning linux, etc.
* Scared of the black screen command line? Don’t worry, with the new Linux desktops out, you won’t even have to see one.
Comon, let’s stop using a hundred different (distrowatch.org) linux distributions, and start focusing on making one great and popular, Ubuntu!
Microsoft has a Windows fits all. Why can’t there be a free Operating System (OS) like that?
Ubuntu is free. Windows is not. Just by the way.
UPDATE: Even easier to try Ubuntu:
- Use a virtual machine – A program that runs a whole computer in a window. So you are in Windows, but you can switch to a window where Ubuntu is running and it thinks it’s its own computer. (Make it full screen, and you won’t even know it’s just a program in Windows.) Try VMWare or Virtual PC, both Free VM‘s
- Wubi, Install Ubuntu the easy way – No need to change your hard drive partitions either, install Ubuntu in windows as a program (into a folder). Then when you reboot, it’s an option to boot into Ubuntu. Here: wubi-installer.org
There’s plenty of help for Ubuntu users on the internet. And it’s really easy to get help should you want to find out how to do something!
Dominique Said,
September 30, 2007 @ 5:40 pm
OK!
The brick wall for me has always been that we’re HIGHLY dependant on Windows, no matter what. Ubuntu has been the only *nix OS that’s actually impressed me, mostly because the developers don’t take a screw-microsoft stance when creating and enhancing Ubuntu, rather, they have tended to embrace some of the features ad things that Windows users are familiar with, the simplicity of it all.
So ye I played with Ubuntu quite alot, but always needed to get back to windows to do my everyday things.
Dunno where the hell I’ve been, coz I never heard of Wubi until I read your post, and I like what I’m seeing. I’m a VMware addict, but virtualisation tends to kill the host if you’re not running around with a notebook slash ‘mini-beast’. I’ve never been much of a dual-boot fan, nor partitioning…(not in themanual sense anyways, we tend to break things quite easily in those areas)
I’ll take a look at Wubi, and who knows, maybe I’ll have Ubuntu running again soon 🙂
Thanks mate, very informative indeed.
rabi Said,
November 2, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
id lyk 2 no hw 2 create a second partition n make a dual boot. im running windows xp media centre edition and i hav sum programs instaled. i dnt wana loose da windows OS or any of da programs bt i wana run ubuntu 2 on da same P.C. i wana hav da same programs i instaled in xp 2 without havin 2 re instal dem again 4 ubuntu. iz dat possible ?
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Hay, try this:
# Wubi, Install Ubuntu the easy way – No need to change your hard drive partitions either, install Ubuntu in windows as a program (into a folder). Then when you reboot, it’s an option to boot into Ubuntu. No need for changing partition, but you’ll still have dual-boot system!
Here: wubi-installer.org
Try it!
You can run most of your windows programs from linux if you have something called “wine” installed in Linux Ubuntu!
Re@PeR Said,
March 9, 2008 @ 9:54 pm
I’m a Gentoo fan, Ubuntu doesn’t do it for me, but then again, Linux is all about choice, if you’re not happy with a distro, you have dozens of other to choose from or build your own if you have the time and money. (where time = money)
Gert Said,
August 1, 2008 @ 10:36 am
Has anyone done a recent objective comparison between the various flavours of Linux – and perhaps come up with a recommendation of which is the “best” or (say) best 5?
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Check out distroWatch.com they pretty much do this.
Me Said,
July 6, 2009 @ 11:06 am
Wow… totally found this by mistake, and it’s old, but I’ll post anyway.
Why not have a “one size fits all” linux? Because the great thing about linux is that there isn’t, and you seem to be missing the point. Standards across different distros have evolved and distros are quite compatible with each other, so I don’t know what the big problem is with the variety. The last thing I want to see is for the linux communities to decide they want to take from me the immense power of choice I have by deciding to enter the world of linux-users. The word “free” describes way more important freedoms than the freedom to obtain without paying money. I have choice to use what’s mine however I want with linux because of the number of distros, and the kind of shift you’re advocating is a terrible idea, but will never happen anyway.
mailula MA Said,
February 16, 2010 @ 11:17 am
pls send me the quide of using ubuntu linux
Tony Said,
October 27, 2010 @ 6:41 am
I recommend the new Linux Mint Debian Edition. In my experience it’s much faster than Ubuntu. Easier to understand and prettier too!
Irfaan Said,
May 14, 2011 @ 6:54 pm
Ubuntu really is good. I’ve used it myself and I’ve written a summary about it here: http://www.mydigitallife.co.za/index.php?option=com_myblog&task=show&id=1058746&Itemid=206
Chomps Said,
October 21, 2011 @ 2:04 pm
Hi, I have been using BSD, mandriva, fedora core, etc for a long time and now only use Ubuntu. I have been using Ubuntu since version 8.04…I will never switch to anything else as I find it more stable friendly and all round it gets to the point. All my servers are Ubuntu Servers as well and I would recommend Ubuntu to anyone, especially the common main stream Window$, etc users. Its free, open source, more stable, almost never crashes, has more functionality and awesome. Big up to all you Ubuntu / *nix users.