by Matt Remley

Created on: August 22, 2010   Last Updated: August 27, 2010

Communities around the world are starting to catch onto a movement years in the making. Whether it be the fact that Microsoft's Windows has become somewhat stale, or the fact that Ubuntu just keeps getting better, many people are making the switch. Ubuntu itself means “Humanity towards others,” quite an interesting name for a operating system built on the idea of user freedom and ease.

Choosing between Windows or Ubuntu is mere preference to most, but to some Linux based Ubuntu is far superior. However, what is it really like to use Ubuntu, and how does it effect the average new user? Also, how does Ubuntu compare to other operating systems and what does it cost to switch to it?

Price

Thanks to some wise choices on the part of Mark Shuttleworth and his company Canonical Ltd., Ubuntu is free for anyone to download. In fact, most of Ubuntu's programs and games are free to download. Compared to most other operating systems, Ubuntu being free could seriously save a potential user money.

Gaming

Sadly the gaming scene on Ubuntu isn't great but is improving, due to more developers willing to support Linux. In the meantime there are a list of programs that simulate Windows so that a user can play games or use Windows applications. Wine, or Wine is not an Emulator, is one of those programs that simulate a Windows environment.

Wine is great for Ubuntu users who want to use Windows programs, this is all thanks to Ubuntu and most of the applications for it being open source. If it weren't for Ubuntu being open source then it would be similar to Windows where almost every major program costs the user a fee and everyone would be flocking to the cheapest ones.

Performance

Ubuntu itself boots up extremely fast compared to other operating systems, and is perfect for giving new life to older computers. For example there is no way you can install Windows XP on a older computer and hope it will run, but with Ubuntu this feat is possible. Perhaps the best of all, Ubuntu takes up small amounts of system resources to run.

On top of that, Ubuntu takes up very little space on the hard drive of the computer, this is ideal for those who have little space or what to make the most of what is given to them.

Ease

Using Ubuntu is actually quite easy itself, all of the system options are displayed and help is available in a few clicks of the mouse. On top of that, if a user needs help from a live person, there is always the community forums. This is the type of operating system where almost anyone will find something to like about it, most programs found on other operating systems have a clone on Ubuntu.

Being free, having great support, and performance makes Ubuntu a great operating system for those looking to switch. For the beginning user be sure to read guides on-line about Ubuntu before using it too much, a new operating system can be a challenge for some, but Ubuntu tries to make it easy.

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