I’ve been experimenting with a flavour of the Open Source operating system based on Linux for the last year or so. It’s been a learning curve, I am after all a bit challenged when it comes to computer software. Thankfully Ubuntu has been gradually making things progressively easier.
Why would you want to run an alternative to Windows? Well, security, or lack of it for one thing. Cost might be another. Hardware support might be a third. Ubuntu for example can run on very old desktops/laptops comfortably as it uses less RAM, system memory, than say Windows XP. Even better when compared to the memory muncher that is Windows Vista. There are even lower resource versions on Ubuntu as well like Xubuntu and educational versions for kids like Edubuntu. As well as that it’s in constant development with a new version coming out every 6 months.
All these can be dual booted alongside Windows on your computer. There are instructions on how to do this on the Ubuntu website and forums depending on what type of set up you have, how many hard drives etc.
Why not just go Mac? I’ve never been drawn by the Mac story. You see I can build and upgrade my own PC, I know how, so I’ve built the last 2 I’ve owned. I can get exactly the spec I want and upgrade the bits I want, recycling or re-selling bits as I go. That’s saved me quite a bit of money vs the Mac route. Also, the software route is even more closed on Mac than it is with Windows. Yes, the system’s probably more secure (as it’s derived from Unix just as Linux is) but I have to buy Mac specific versions of software if that functionality isn’t in the Mac operating system.
What I’m saying is Ubuntu is worth a try. The latest version (7.10) even automatically configures for your printer (which had to be done manually before). The only biggish downside is the poor wireless support. Wireless chip manufacturers are not providing Linux developers with Linux drivers for their devices and wireless support is sketchy. It’s do-able but you have to get your hands dirty under the bonnet. For a wired network or a network using Powerline adapters to distribute the signal throughout the house it’s hard to whack.
Think penguin.
The only problem really is the need to write your own drivers for accessories.
Laoch, it’s practically painless now. There’s such a huge Linux community, sharing information, that nearly everything works.
My Palm, can sync with Evolution (think Outlook). My Creative Zen MP3 syncs with Amarok (think Windows Media Player/iTunes). My 3 in one printer (HP) gets set up automatically at install. With Windows I have to load 700MB of printer software which takes 30 minutes to install.
Most of the wireless devices work, some need some tinkering. A few don’t work at all, but they’re mostly less popular or older USB dongles rather than the common built-in laptop wireless chips. That’s the only catch. But Linux is sooo different than it was even 4/5 yrs ago.
Writing drivers, or anything else, is completely beyond me and if I had to do that it really wouldn’t even be a starter for me.
I know you run a new laptop on Vista. If you have an old PC still lying about, even a VERY old one, why not make it a project for your time convalescing. You’ll be surprised at it’s speed, it’s low use of resources and the lack of malicious nasties out there looking for it. And you won’t have to write any drivers. Promise.
Leopard eats penguins….
I have an old IBM “all in one” desktop. I take it this xunbuntu will run on it as it has 128MB RAM and the requisite HD space?
If so, magic, the thing is sitting gathering dust and I’ve been wanting to tinker with Linux.
I’l download the iso tonight.
manuel, Mac is based on Unix, like Linux so naturally it is quality OS. And it’s had big development budget spent to polish it. The latest Linux offerings will blow it out of the water though for cutting edge desktop effects and compatibility with non-Mac hardware. I got a Vista laptop and it’s much slower to do anything than XP which in turn is much slower than Ubuntu 7.10.
mudflapgypsy, Xubuntu is the lower memory version and will work with 128Mb RAM as long as it successfully detects your hardware, which is quite likely. Damn Small Linux is an even smaller package (only about 60MB) that will be worth a try. As it’s so small it will even load as a live CD into your RAM, and will be about twice as fast as lightning though less pretty looking than Xubuntu.
Cool BBB, I’ shall try the little’un also.
Mrs M has vista on laptop…..no way I’m goin’ near it. Way slow compared even to xp.