and why not?
Re: Why Ubuntu
ubuntu sucks. There’s so many other great distros.
Re: Why Ubuntu
Q is why bother .. if u r not a unix type person who wants full control of their machine, stick with micro soft.
its like driving a stick shift and fully automatic car .. although linux variants have become pretty micro like these days.
download microsoft virtual machine software and install a variant, say ubuntu. if you like it, convert.
i know of all things linux. been at it since july 90. never adopted it as my desktop. although all of my servers run linux. for that, i understand and fully support.
and the availability of auxiliary software like office, etc. yes yes .. there are open source office alternatives. still. why?
if the idea is to experiment and save money or both, sure go for it.
if you can afford, stick with micro.
Re: Why Ubuntu
I really wanted to switch to ubuntu. But my internet never seemed to work with it. The first time my ISP was using vpn tunneling and I couldn’t configure it on Ubuntu. Then I switched to another isp and their usb modem refused to work with Ubuntu too.
I’ll trying switching to ubuntu again in a couple of years when I get better internet.
I did install ubuntu on several machines at my University :D, without asking anyone. Sneaky.
I would go with Linux mint…
Re: Why Ubuntu
Its light weight OS and pretty easy to play with decent GUI . Like everything else it comes with a learning curve if you are a windows user.
Re: Why Ubuntu
In general, for Linux:
Why:
Want to try something different
Maybe your sick of windows
Want more control (variable levels depending on what you pick)
Lightweight. You can run it on an older computer.
Fixes and updates are pretty fast
In particular, Ubuntu
Most well-known distro. Huge community. Most problems you encounter have probably been experienced and solved.
It’s not too hard to adjust to
Why not:
There is a learning curve. It depends what you run. Ubuntu isn’t that bad though…and the community is pretty large…although that has it’s negatives.
You’re expecting something like Windows
You have little patience (see point one)
In particular Ubuntu:
Unity (but some people do like it)
I haven’t really played around with or used Ubuntu in particular, though i’ve used some derivatives.
The best thing is probably just to put it on a usb and test it out. See if you like or not. In essence, Linux all about being a hippie. Go with what you like, and if you don’t like it, then no one really minds too much.
I like Mint (I mean, who can hate Nadia Baji).
Re: Why Ubuntu
Its another OS, its free. Its got its advantages, open community support, easier version of the age-old *nix environment where you can run classic apps, network environments. Its excellent to be run as servers and people who support them like to use them on their desktops also.
N00bs can learn it too, its a good experience getting nitty gritty with hardware and exposure to a raw OS. Its like going from driving a Lexus SUV to a Jeep Willis. lol
Re: Why Ubuntu
But you can’t learn anything if the internet won’t work and my computer was too slow to run something as fancy as a virtual machine.
I haven’t given up though. I’ve just postponed it for later.
Re: Why Ubuntu
Re: Why Ubuntu
if you do go with ubuntu or some other flavor of linux, it would be a lot easier if your machine isn’t cutting edge brand new etc. often times the messiest part if getting the right drivers (you may have to do this yourself for your wifi card, graphics card etc), and although things are changing, manufacturers usually don’t spend effort developing drivers in linux. its some poor nerd with no life who sits and writes your device driver and gives it out for free.
if you do go with linux, be ready to get your hands dirty with non-gui functions. if you don’t want to know about what is in your /etc/ and want everything gui based, windows or appal is your frand. linux is a commitment and you will learn over time. and become a guru. if you dont want this, it will be a dumbed down version of windows.
Re: Why Ubuntu
I have recently gone to linux from windows and I m loving it. The response time and the control user has on the OS with liunx is awesome.
Re: Why Ubuntu
Nik that’s why.
And other reasons would be never to feel bad about using proprietary software for free.
If you have smart device using ubuntu and big computer using ubuntu… that would double awesome.
Then you can do strange thing things with them, you can feed your cat with linux.
Re: Why Ubuntu
Linux is simply better code and a better architecture than Windows. I like it because it is customizable and the fact it’s free,happy commanding.
Re: Why Ubuntu
what are your favorite linux customizations, lilly je?
Re: Why Ubuntu
It is pretty much like running windows gui unlike Ubuntu which feels like a amateurish OS X gui.
Re: Why Ubuntu
What a stupid name.
Re: Why Ubuntu
err.. if you don’t like the windows manager, you can install a different one. you aren’t locked in to the default wm. 
linux is a serious commitment. it is awesome if you are a serious geek. think raspberry pi to customizing your wireless router to do all kinds of funky stuff.
if you are primarily using your comp for apple or microsoft apps as most average people are (nothing wrong with that), it is clearly a poor choice.
and stupid name? not at all.
Re: Why Ubuntu
looks cool, the new ubuntu for mobile, reminds me the days of webos
Re: Why Ubuntu
ubuntu is only useful if you want to do embedded software development. not of any thing else. good luck configuring your wifi, sound and display properly.