Easy Switch To Linux!

July 19, 2008

Are you tierd of windows? Do you want to try something new? Something with no “blue screen of death” and no crashes, a cool system that just works! Try UBUNTU!

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is a linux distribution that is currently rated as the best distro on Distrowatch.

Why Ubuntu/Linux?

Apart from the fact that ubuntu is the best linux distro it is very stable and easy to use. Linux has been improving a lot in the past years and now it is at a point where it could be used as desktop system. Long back linux was only used as servers and still is because of its stability and security. It is very secure and stable. A lot of you have experienced whats called the “blue screen of death” when your computer just goes blue and restarts. You can find out more about it here. If you haven’t already you might sometime in the future. It doesn’t mean you will but you might. It occurs when a hardware or software error occurs and to prevent further damage it gives you a blue screen and restarts your computer. This is very annoying and happens a lot on Microsoft Windows OS such as Vista. Why not use something that is easier to use, more stable, and more secure. What more can you ask for in an operating system.

A lot of people complain that it is not as easy to use as it is said. Look again when these were posted. Years ago! Now, linux systems are very useable and give a very good performace. One of the biggest issues people run into is installing programs. It has now become easier than ever and so easy you that you can’t complain. If you want to find out more on how to easily install applications on linux click here. Applications are also called packages in linux systems.

The reason I suggested ubuntu is because it is designed for new comers to easily get used to. But don’t get fooled by the ease. It is just as powerful as the any other distribution such as Novel SUSE or Redhat.

How Do I Get Started With Ubuntu?

First you need to go download a copy of the OS which is completely free because it is an open source distro and you can customize it as much as you want. To download a copy click on the following link. Download Now!
Ubuntu gives you the option of downloading a Live CD or a text based install. Using the live cd you can just pop it in your drive and try it out without even installing. To install just click on the install icon on the desktop. A text based install is where you don’t get to try out the OS but it is used to only install the OS. Just follow the simple steps and you will have a running Ubuntu Desktop in no time!

Why is it not very visually appealing?

Ubuntu is based on a human theme and so brown is its theme. You will be seeing different themes on the next version. The current version is 8.04 codenamed Hardy Heron. This is where you options get very wide. Ubuntu is so customizable you can make it look exactly like you want. Finally you get to feel a desktop of your own! You can download more themes at art.gnome.org or www.gnome-look.org. I forgot to mention there are two desktop enviornments. KDE and Gnome. You can also have both but only use one at a time. Click here to learn more about desktop environment. There are a lot more desktop managers but gnome and kde are the most widely used ones.

Once you are done installing and setting it up with your favorite themes you can install more applications. Your desktop is then finally ready for everyday use. Believe me you are going to have an amazing experience with it. If you want to add more eye candy with desktop effects you can enable compiz which comes installed by default on ubuntu. You think Mac OSX looks cool, try compiz. There are plugins you can install to get more effects.

Enjoy your Ubuntu installs!

Cheers,

Aslam

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