by Minh Tran

Created on: December 06, 2008

I have migrated to Ubuntu from XP for nearly one year. For the most parts, I am pleased with it, and here are my experiences so far.

The version I am using is 8.04 Heady Heron (or just Heady in the Ubuntu community colloquial). I installed it from a live CD, which can be requested on the homepage and sent to you for free (nothing is charged from the operation system, the CD to the shipping but the wait is quite long, about 6 weeks). The live CD by itself is a feature of Ubuntu that I really like. It is live because you can boot and run the operation system from the CD, which means you can try Ubuntu without having to actually install the OS on the computer. In this running-from-CD mode, basic applications like Firefox for web browsing, and OpenOffice for office tasks can be run, but naturally, no new software can be installed.

The layout of Ubuntu is quite similar to that of Windows, and so are the set of default applications (consists of office, web browsers, multimedia softwares, and puzzle games). Therefore it did not take me much time to get used to the new platform. In fact, I did not even feel the difference. Installing new softwares, however, is more of a problem. The Synaptic Package Manager (which is the rough equivalence of the Install Wizard of Windows) only covers softwares that are supported by the Ubuntu development group and affiliates. If you are the type who likes trying programmes that catch your eyes (like me), some knowledge about compiling (which involves the use of command line) is needed. Luckily, most packages come with a help file that tells one what to do.

I have never really measured the start-up time but my impression is that Ubuntu takes less time to start up than Windows (this is logical as it has little to almost no automatic programmes running in the background, a part that I really dislike about Windows because I never really know what is being run). The programmes are also quicker to invoke. Another plus is that each session can be saved (with all programmes being opened) so that one can return to the work status previous to logging or turning off. Although relying on almost exclusively open source softwares, the ammunition of Ubuntu is diverse and sufficient for all needs (as a matter of fact, in my experience, the majority of open source softwares are indeed devoted to Linux-based OSes). I also like that programming in Python and Perl is strongly supported.

The Heady version of Ubuntu seems to get along well with hardwares. I can work with scanners and printers both at home and college. However, I have yet to figure out how to make it work with projectors. Furthermore, although Heady works well with wired network, it has some problem recognizing the Intel Broadcom hardware for wireless connection on my laptop, which had to be solved by hand (luckily, guidance for this had already been post on the Ubuntu community forum). Along the line of networking, even if Linux is traditionally known to be safer than Windows on Internet (the people whom I know are using Ubuntu and I have yet to have security problem), it is still advisable to employ some security measures such as anti-virus/anti-spyware and firewall programmes. For this matter, Clam AV is my choice.

One thing I really miss after migrating to Ubuntu is the games. Ubuntu does have a lot of games, but they are all cards/chess/puzzles type. To play more sophisticated games with sound effects and eye-candies, I have to return to Windows.

Ubuntu is not perfect. But it is a reliable and cheap platform for PC users, and is quite friendly to non-technical people. It also enjoys good support from the developers and the user community. Therefore I recommend it.

Learn more about this author, Minh Tran.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.