All you people out there running linux, please tell me...?

Question

how long did it take to learn the command line? are you able to use proprietary software with it? What if I don't like firefox, are there other browsers? Is ubuntu a good choice? Are you limited in any way by the open source software? I tried it one time before, and I'm used to the nice cushy g.u.i. from windows, and to me linux seemed kinda difficult to use. Will I get over this learning curve easily if I decide to make the switch and stick with it?

Answer 1

Ubuntu is an excellent program for a novice who likes fiddling with computers or just likes the idea of "open source" free software. Ubuntu is one of the more "user freindly" Linux operating systems (I even have it installed on my daughters computer)

Open Source software is free, there are many programs that do exactly what many other non-free software programs do. If that doesn't work for you, you can use the "wine" program to run windows based programs using Linux.

Many internet browsers exist that are available for use with Linux besides firefox, but does firefox comes with the Ubuntu package, but nothing is preventing you from downloading another.

There is a learning curve to using Linux, although there is a pacakge manger (download assistant) that makes alot of things very easy, there are times when you will have to use the command line (I found this mainly during initially setting up the OS, like for my daughter I installed dansguardian ((internet filter)) & beryl ((for eye candy)) using the terminal) both were fairly easy to do using online walkthroughs.

the biggest learning curve is just realizing this is not windows, every problem I've ever had, I found within a few minutes using Google or the Ubuntu Forums.

The greatest things about Ubuntu is it's ease of use, relatively short learning curve & it's large support community, these things make the transition to Ubuntu fairly easy.

Free free to conact me with any questions you may have about switching to, or installing Ubuntu.

Answer 2

If you use the computer for long time and many hours a day, you should know how to use control panel and change some setting in Windows such as cmd, msconfig.



Google really helps me understanding the command line and yes, you are able to use proprietary software with it. I usually type "Ubuntu Edgy [program name] install" on google and it install the program I likes.



Ubuntu is a good choice, but it you just not into computer, then stick with Windows. Open software meant open software, you can edit the program which agreed with GPU, many Windows doesn't have this so it very difficult to do so.



Learning is time comusning, I learned Linux Ubuntu stuff in just a day, if only you have patience and time. However Ubuntu is still in develop and you should wait for Feisty Dawn, which will be release next month. Use google a lot and you should be fine.



Google Automatix2 and Opera, they both good.

Answer 3

1. I am a computer programmer programming since there was almost no gui interface so command line is second nature to me. Can not answer that question. Ubuntu is as good as the others. Open source software on linux is actually in more ways better than using other software. With linux you just have to read the documentation a little more for the software you want to use.



You should keep a windows machine available if you want to play the big direct x games w/ high end video.



RJ

Answer 4

As a Mac user i can tell you that macs are the best. I love UNIX and it is great. Linux open source distrubutions are also great and they are matured so much by now. They support many external hardware devices and the software support is growing every day. You can install Ubuntu, Mandriva and so many other distributions of linux right now ( you even have live distributions that run from a DVD drive so they dont need to be installed on your HD), but if you really want to learn how to use linux and understand exactly what you are doing ( as you referred it a command line), you need to back to basics. Install your favourite linux distribution on your system, grab some good book and arm with patience. Linux is not hard once you figured out how the system works.



There is so many different distributions to choose from. Each has it's good and bad sides. Which one you going to pick depends on your needs and your sill level.



First read this:



http://www.desktoplinux.com/articles/AT3269115798.html





Linux Distribution chooser is the test to help you choose linux distribution that is the bset for your needs:



http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/index.php?select_lang=true&LDC=0844a5f0f71463b58e4bc217d9f32eba



This book is must-have. You can borrow it but I recommend you to buy it as you gonna use it as the reference manual:



http://www.amazon.com/Unix-Unleashed-4th-Andy-Johnston/dp/067232251X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-9205562-5200728?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174848603&sr=8-1



If you have any additional questions, feel free to e-mail me.