Let's talk about LINUX Ubuntu 8.10
About four years ago, I tried to free myself from the oppression and misery of running Windows XP by installing Linux on my PC. Ever installed the Linux operating system? It’s not for the faint of heart. So, when it was recently reported that Linux-based netbooks are being returned at a rate four-times higher than their Windows-based brethren, I can’t say I was surprised.To lop a few hundred dollars off of the final ticket price, it makes sense that these lightweight, stripped-down laptops like the MSI Wind and ASUS Eee PC would offer an option for Linux instead of Microsoft’s pricey operating system. But, does Windows know what he’s getting into with Linux?
This week, I installed Ubuntu 8.10 on my Axioo Notebook to get a taste of what today’s desktop Linux experience is like, and I can see why those return rates might be so high.
The first reason would be the perceived lack of software. The truth is, there’s absolutely no shortage of software for Linux—just a shortage of what some might call “mainstream” software. When the average netbook buyer brings his low-cost, Linux-based laptop home, the first thing he’s going to try and do is boot up Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer and iTunes. Of course, that ain’t happening. But, for every Windows and Mac program out there, a similarly capable Linux alternative exists—you simply need some confidence and time to get up and running with them.
If that doesn’t scare the average computer user back into the arms of XP, then the overall presentation of the OS might. Linux looks and feels like you’d expect an operating system to: It’s got windows, icons, logical keyboard shortcuts and dropdown menus full of programs. But, while OSX and Windows do their best to disguise their technical underpinnings behind a lot of user-friendly gloss, Linux has all of its underlying machinery proudly on display. Kernel? Mount? Root? Bin? Lib? Terminal? Those all sound pretty scary, and aren’t necessarily the kinds of things the non-techie wants to see as he clicks around his computer.
Even if Linux hasn’t lost the average user yet, there are still huge roadblocks standing in the way of full-fledged acceptance. My biggest beef with Linux has always been how difficult it is to install programs. Installing software on Mac and Windows is such a seamless and automated process, you’re barely aware of it. But on Linux, you sometimes feel like you need a Computer Science degree just to run a new program.
There are two main ways to install software on Linux: packages and source code. Packages are basically installation programs like you’d see on Mac and Windows—the exception being that you need a package for your exact type, brand and version of Linux you’re running. It’s not quite as simple as just running a Windows .exe file. For example, if I want to install a package on my MacBook right now, I need to look for a .deb installer since Ubuntu is a Debian-based distribution of Linux. And, because Ubuntu is such a heavily customized version of Debian, I have to make sure that my .deb file has been built specifically for Ubuntu. Ubuntu itself changes a lot from version to version, so this particular .deb file needs to be compatible with the version I’m running, which is 8.10.
That’s the “easy” way. The other method of installing programs involves downloading the source code and then actually compiling it yourself. If Windows wasn’t headed for the return kiosk already, wait until he’s faced with the prospect of punching command-line instructions into the Terminal.
Tech support is also troubling for new Linux users. Message boards are really your only recourse when you need help—but it’s a funny thing about the Linux community: I’ve found that message board users are generally welcoming and patient with new users. The problem is, they assume a base level of knowledge that a new user simply wouldn’t possess. For example, earlier this week it took me about an hour of message board hunting and trial-and-error to figure out how to run a program off of a CD-ROM. Any helpful post I could find assumed that I already knew how to move around the Linux filesystem and change user privileges from the command-line, which I didn’t.
At this point, the average netbook consumer would be asking himself if all of this trouble is worth the $200 he saved by not going with Windows, and I think the higher-than-average return rates are your answer.
The problem isn’t Linux itself, but what the consumer isn’t being told about Linux. I think these netbook manufacturers are leading people to believe that Linux is a lot like Windows, but just a little different. What they’re not being told is that the operating system is DIY by its very nature. It takes a lot of technical moxie to maintain a Linux installation. Linux diehards aren’t rabidly enthusiastic about their operating system just because of security and flexibility. Linux is hard work. You have to go out of your way to run it, and there’s a lot of pride in that.
Overall, I found Linux so much easier to install, use and live with than I did four years ago when I first tried it. Unfortunately, it’s still not right for your average computer user. And, as computing moves increasingly away from the operating system and into the Web browser, I have to wonder if desktop Linux will ever have its day or it if will forever remain a tool of the tech savvy.
Let's give it try UBUNTU 8.10
17 comments:
I can't comment much for this post... I'm a Mac user since four years ago and still being a fan of that bit Apple.
It seems we have same reason though... to avoid the windows! :P
You need to look the link that is at the bottom of the Application Menu called Add/Remove programs. 99% of the programs can be installed with that program. Search for what you want to install, like instant messenger, it will list the programs that will do that task.
"There are two main ways to install software on Linux: packages and source code. Packages are basically installation programs like you’d see on Mac and Windows—the exception being that you need a package for your exact type, brand and version of Linux you’re running. It’s not quite as simple as just running a Windows .exe file. "
My beef about your beef is this. Though what you mention above is correct, you make it sound like this is the only way to get and install programs. I can only assume you are either intentionally misleading the reader or are unaware of repositories and the associated programs apt-get, aptitude, synaptic and adept. Nothing could be easier. If the program you want is in a repository then its dead simple.
For example. Say I wanted to load abiword wordprocessr on a netbook with Ubuntu on it. It is an easy two step process:
1) Is abiword in the repositories?
$> aptitude search abiword
ans:
p abiword - WYSIWYG word processor based on GTK2
yes it is.
2) Install it:
$> aptitude install abiword
done.
It took more time to describe this than it would for me to do it. All version control issues and dependencies are taken care of for you. The takeaway? -- Always check the repositories FIRST. The package may already be there for you to use.
-------------------------------------
My second observation specifically about NetBooks like the MSI Wind or eePC is that they should not be treated like a laptop whether they are loaded with Windows or Linux. The given SSD storage is limited. You don't want to eat up that valuable space with a lot of programs.
These machines are really Internet Terminals with some local storage. So rather than having Open Office local to the box. (possible by the way) The user should be using Google Docs or Zoho Suite on the net for this.
Anyone who buys a NetBook as a replacement for the laptop metaphor will be disappointed regardless of the OS that is on them.
The only point which is correct is the lack of mainstream software. Which isn't a problem, because alternatives (like Firefox instead of IE) are really good.
Incorrect points:
1. Hard to install software. That's not true. ".deb" files rarely used for installation of software. In Ubuntu software is installed/removed by checking/unchecking a checkbox in "Add/remove" software.
So this is 100 times easier that Windows installation. Even ".deb" is easier to install that "setup.exe" in Windows, and Ubuntu "debs" are widespread. If you don't find Ubuntu "debs" on developer's website, use getdeb.net to find it.
I don't know a program which is necessary for a user (non-developer) that needs to be compiled. All software is availablle in repositories (Add/remove) and Ubuntu ".deb" packages. I have never compiled any program in Ubuntu.
2. "kernel" "root", "mount", "bin", "lib", "terminal" on display?? That is not true again. Where did you find "kernel" on display, for example :) ?
3. Tech support is not a problem, just use the right forum, for example, ubuntuforums.org
4. "It takes a lot of technical moxie to maintain a Linux installation. " That's not true again. I do not maintain it at all. I don't need an antivirus (quite a techical habit of Windows user ), defragger, and my system and software are updated automatically.
In general - congrats on a good article. But your attempts to create a balanced view were harmed by your vision of Ubuntu as "another Windows" (that's why you didn't find the right way to install software) and your old vision of Linux as a "too techichal OS" (but modern Linux isn't that "technical", even less "technical" than Windows - see above).
Some people like the commmenter JohnMc use terminal. And sometimes give advices using it. So it may seem like you don't have any choice instead of using the terminal.
But actually terminal can be easily avoided in Ubuntu. For example, instead of those commands JohnMc suggested you just open "Add/Remove", search for the program, check a checkbox and click "Apply".
Terminal is probably a good thing, but people migrating from Windows may be scared with such advices. But terminal is now optional! Use whatever suits you - the user interface or the terminal.
I agree the big down fall is the installation. If the program like truecrypt is not in the repository, non-geeks like me are lost. But overall I live in both worlds. I have two laptops with ubuntu. And I ain't no geek. I have not had problems. I have my own tax business, so I need Windows to run the tax software. Otherwise I find myself more and more using my Ubuntu laptop. My desktop is Windows, thus I have my laptop and desktops setup on my desk.
Either you:
A.) Have never used Linux (or Ubuntu)
or
B.) Simply want to mis-lead people with your article.
There is nothing easier than installing software in Ubuntu. If you want to install software on Windows or Mac, you have to go dig around the web, find the package, download it, and install it.
If I want to install something in Ubuntu, it's a matter of either:
A.) (Easy way), clicking Applications: Add/Remove Programs, finding the program I want and then putting a little "check mark" in the "check box" next to it's name and clicking "Apply".
B.) (More "geeky" way, but just as easy), Open a terminal and typing "sudo apt-get install application". I can even install a whole bunch of things at one time, by doing "sudo apt-get install application1 application2 application3 application4"...and so on.
Not to mention, just installing the OS - you install windows, expect to spend time finding drivers for your hardware too - most linux distro's have all of this taken care of out of the box.
I'm not kidding one bit, but I can (or heck any 12 yr old w/ half a brain can) go from clean HDD to fully working ubuntu system in less than 30 minutes - and that includes all the applications you need/want installed. Can you do that with Windows? Heck no - you wouldn't even get it installed that quickly.
The terminal is completely optional in a modern Linux distro. There exist graphical tools to do pretty much anything you can do by terminal.
The reason that people still often give instructions in terms of terminal commands is that it is the most universal form of help. The terminal command should work no matter what distro or desktop environment is running and no matter how the desktop environment is customized. Over the internet, it is much easier to give someone a line to copy and paste than it is to talk them through the GUI inputs. Just make a tech support call to Dell, Microsoft, Linksys, etc. sometime if you don't believe me. And if someone isn't capable of copying and pasting, they probably have no business using a computer to begin with.
The only other reason that people might use the terminal is that there are some power user tricks that can make tasks much faster and easier... but that's not something the hypothetical computer newbie or Windows user needs to worry about -- they are already used to doing things the hard way all the time.
@Anonymous:
You say: "I agree the big down fall is the installation. If the program like truecrypt is not in the repository, non-geeks like me are lost."
But let's take your example, TrueCrypt. What a Windows user does to install it? Goes to TrueCrypt.org and gets it. Though you are an Ubuntu user, I don't get what "geeky" you see with Ubuntu if Ubuntu user does EXACTLY the same in this case: Goes to TrueCrypt.org and gets it. TrueCrypt.org contains both "exe" for Windows, and "deb" for Ubuntu, so what's wrong? Should this mean that Windows is also "too geeky"?
Wowow, slow down, Thank you for all good comment.
I learn so much to day, but please Mr Anonymous, name it yours.
This is a superficial and false review of Ubuntu from someone who can't even read or follow instructions.
Click on the menu button under Applications. Click on Add/ Remove. Then type in your password. Then choose the program from list or search for it. Then Click Install and Apply and wait for it to install. when it is done, it will install an icon in the menu which will remain in alphabetical order.
In Windows, search for the program, download it or but the disk and insert it in the drive. You may have to unzip the file and navigate to that location or it may be a good installer and take you there straight away. Problem number one: there are many installers and many are garbage. Each one operates differently. Then the program will offer to install it in a location on your drive. Most people click through without reading the EULA or file locations, both of which can come back to bite them. If you are lucky, you get only the program, installed in the right place. If you are unlucky you get more than you wanted because you did not read the EULA which said it was installing adware or some other junk. This problem # 2. Then it will add an icon to your desktop whether you wanted it or not and add a group to your menu, separate ones for each program, whether you want it or not. The menu will now be longer and not in alphabetical order. Worse still, many programs think that they are so important that you can't live without having it start when you boot up that it installs itself to stay resident running from your system tray. This is problem #3 because your computer will now run slower than before. Then you will have to either clean up your desktop, you menu or delete installation files manually or all the above. This is problem #4.
I don't see how it is easier to hunt or to go to the store to purchase software in the first place. I don't see how it is easier to know how to unzip and navigate to where it has been unzipped. I don't see why you should have to have so many different installers or have to read licenses. I don't see why it is easier to have surprises like unwanted software, unwanted icons, a program automatically starts when you don't want it to and were never asked, a menu that gets messed up each time you install anything and have to manually clean up after yourself.
With Linux you can use the terminal, but you never have to touch it if you don't want. It is only a tool and it is optional. You can compile, but you never have to. I can't remember the last time that I compiled anything and I have installed Linux hundreds of times, dozens of different distros and installed countless programs.
You never have to hunt with Linux. Programs are stored in repositories. Ubuntu has 25-35000 packages in its repositories. If you want you can install a package manually, but all you have to do it click on it and the package manager kicks in and offers to install it for you. All it asks for is your password and everything is graphical. The worst that can happen is that it won't be able to install because it is missing a file due to the fact that it wasn't made for your version in which case you have to find the right one. However, there are sites devoted to Ubuntu to make it dead simple. An example is GetDeb.net. It detects your version of Ubuntu and when you download it is the right version.
Your "review" is fear mongering. It is inaccurate and distorts Linux, especially Ubuntu. If any OS is harder to use, it is Windows. Add to this that most Windows users are totally not up to the job. With Linux, you don't need to run antivirus, antitrojan and anti-adware programs at all. You don't need to defragment your hard drive. You are never nagged to update or re-boot afterwards. You can run your computer for years without ever needing to shut down. The file system is journalled, so that if the power goes out you don't have corrupted files to worry about.
With Linux you have choice, stability, security, flexibility, speed and it is all free! Linux can run on almost any equipment and architecture. It supports most hardware. It breaths life into old computers and yet it is among the best looking OSes with 3D special effects and all of the eye candy that you could want.
It is time to get real and stop writing antiquated, out dated trash that does a disservice to users who want more and deserve the best than Microsoft is unable or unwilling to deliver. They need to know the truth and this isn't it.
Oh ya, software is way easier to install in windows.
Lets say I want a video player
The windows way:
Google for video player - Oh here's one - how much? Oh here a free one - crap! the site is full of porn pop ups & spyware (several hours of cleaning). OK lets try again - How much? - keep looking. Here a freeware one - legitimate site - crap its crippled, and it has spyware -AAAAA ..... etc.
Linux way
open up package manager - search for video player (Oh good it listed as supported) click install. Done
Ya windows is soooooo much easier.
Twit.
Dim,
Both Adept(KDE) and Synaptic(Gnome) are GUI based package managers used by their respective windows systems. No command line involved at all.
That I choose to use CLI is a preference. I am an old Unix guy. I can type the command to load the gui application faster than I can mouse thru the menu system to get to it.
But that's one of the nice things about Linux -- you have the choice! :)
Have a great day.
Look, I love ubuntu. But really if a program is not in the repository, is it as easy to install as Windows? No. Someone mentioned a DEBS package. I went to numerous ubunto / linux forums; the steps to install programs, that are not in the repository, are confusing for non-geeks. That being said, yes linux has many advantages over Windows. But please call a spade a spade. From taxwork
If you don't find DEB or a repository for your program, then it means that you should look better, and you'll find. Many DEBS are on http://getdeb.net
When people hear the word Linux, what is the perception? for most people I know, yes linux will need some "geeky" side to keep up with it and maintain its health. The fact is, people sometimes just don't care about the facts or new facts when it's come to "this is what I did to get things done", people wants easy and familiar look of their desktop, working environment, etc. Change is what most people don't want, because it takes time to learn, visiting forums to get help. And I agree linux is not for every one although Ubuntu intended to, it is just a matter of perception, willingness to change os, willingness to learn something new. I had my first Ubuntu 7.04 through ship it, I have only to pay 7000 IDR to the post man, usable for every day use, writing with word processor, spreadsheets, drawing. Since then I spread it to my friends, and guess what, none of them interested with it, but Ubuntu 8.10 and Mandriva 2009.0 just got better, so I still spread it to my friends over the village, that they don't have to buy 1.8 M IDR os, much of their pcs is a low end with ram under 512, we manage to boot from live cd or with my usb flash drive and they were impressed with the simplicity of a linux nowadays, but still, not for every one. For me, xp is when it is time to get my job done and Xubuntu mainly for browsing (and show off, look I have 4s desktops here, and hey it's rotating and zooming :) )
Cheers.
OK, I completely agree with this article. First, you cannot equate Linux with a specific release of Windows (or Mac OS), you have to specify the 'distro' that you are using. I have tried Ubuntu on my computer, loading it so the machine was dual boot. Yes, easy intall, very easy. But it has at least as many updates as my Vista. And after all was loaded and running I timed it. It was only about 3 seconds faster to boot. And the software had some missing features that I had come to rely on. Then I wanted to change to a wireless 'N' adapter. Can you spell death knell? No hope unless I started fooling around with command line stuff and doing hours of research to get the right one.