[orionds]

KLanD, on 26 April 2012 - 03:56 AM, said:

I have no issues with Linux as an OS. I do have an issue with the fact that I can't get any of the software I need daily to run on Linux.

I don't want to use some other software, I need to use Photoshop, etc..

Until that happens, it really doesn't matter how good Linux gets.

True.

It depends on what we want - it does take a lot of time to find and learn alternatives in Linux.

The "pain" for me was quite hard when I started trying Ubuntu 9.04. Since then, I have migrated almost all my software needs to Ubuntu and the one thing left is analog video capture because I started out with basically Linux-incompatible TV cards. Using the command-line gives the flexibility and power to make this work. But, again, this takes time and I am slowly exploring, when time permits.

What is heartening is that I find, in recent times, more and more developers are coming out with Linux versions along with Windows and Mac versions. This bodes well for the future. One good example is the recent announcement by Vantage to support Linux on their gaming platform, which will open the Linux door to gamers if they so choose.

Was it worth the time spent learning to use new software in Linux? For myself, yes. I don't speak for others, though. All in all, I am enjoying using Ubuntu and Linux software with new discoveries and new learning week by week.

[StygianAgenda]

McBeese, on 25 April 2012 - 06:43 PM, said:

Isn't this question equivalent to which turd is the best in the steaming pile?

Yes, yes, that's a little rude but I think it's fair. I get Linux as a cost-reduced server alternative but I sure don't get the appeal of Linux on the desktop unless trouble-shooting and CLI is what turns you on.

Somebody explain it to me.

Have you checked out a Linux distro lately that was designed for desktop use? If not, maybe you should, since that will lead to an understanding that no amount of conversation can supplant.

To put it all into perspective, I've used computers since 1985. In that time, I've used every release of Windows, and several different breeds of Linux. At first, I preferred Red Hat, then Debian, now, I prefer Ubuntu.

When I started Using Linux (Debian 1.2) in 1997, it was raw and really, wasn't ready for anyone desktop beyond a developer or computer science major. But, like all things, this has changed over the past 15 years... tremendously in fact. When the KDE 3.5.10 & Gnome 2.2x desktop environments became available, both were matured desktops that were ready for day to day use. Some would argue against that, but I say it all depended on how much experience one had with computers in general. Now, several years later, Linux *is* ready for the desktop, and I personally began replacing Windows on my (many) systems around 3 years ago. So much so that now, I have very few Windows based systems left. During the last 3 years, starting with the release of Ubuntu 10.04, I came to like the graphical capability and immunity to Windows malware so much that it no longer made sense to me to keep using Windows where it's otherwise unnecessary. Sure, I use Windows at work, but I also engineer Linux systems (servers and workstations) for use there as well. My personal laptop is loaded with Ubuntu 11.10, and will be upgraded this coming weekend to the 12.04 release. For my work laptop, since I'm required to keep Windows 7 Enterprise on it for things that ultimately require it due to proprietary Microsoft libraries and servers in use at my work, I use a 16GB high-speed flash drive loaded with Ubuntu. I had been using v11.10 with it, until last week when I picked up a newer, faster flash drive and loaded it out with Ubuntu 12.04-Beta2. I'll be upgrading that one to 12.04-final tonight. I've put a lot of work into learning to use Linux to a degree that convinces most people that see my desktops and systems to switch from Windows and in several cases, to even drop Apple (OSX) in favor of Ubuntu.

So, I hope I've put this out there in a way that doesn't come off as much of a poorly thought out comment as your own, and hopefully this has opened your mind a bit. but if not, at least open your eyes and investigate Ubuntu for yourself, rather than relying on FUD to guide you.

Good day sir.

[masinickxn4y]

I have no problems with any of the distributions that have been mentioned in this article. I have many of them currently installed (with approximately fifteen of them installed in their own disk partitions across two laptop systems).

I am quite experienced with software, so I don't need a "super easy" or "simple" system with few alternatives, though I do appreciate an easy to use interface. I just like to be able to add my own tools and truly "make it my own" system.

For that reason I appreciate Debian-based systems, and my favorite of all is Debian Sid. Arch Linux usually works well, too, but at least for me, I've found Debian Sid, despite its name and reputation, to be both more stable, and because of my experience with it, more capable than most other systems.

At the end of the day, though, I can - and DO, use many varieties of Linux-based distributions. Ubuntu isn't at the top of my list, but I do frequently use and test Kubuntu, Lubuntu, and Xubuntu.

Debian Sid, antiX, and SimplyMEPIS are my usual favorites.

[JustinBeaird]

TommyONeilln4z, on 25 April 2012 - 05:59 PM, said:

Very interesting. It seems like only yesterday that I hear people bashing Ubuntu because of the Unity interface.

But I do agree, Ubuntu is really nice. I've stuck with 11.10 ever since it came out, and I've never had to reinstall it.

I still hate it. I hate typing unity takes to long to navigate with just a mouse, linux mint, lubuntu are nice, I prefer kde desktop style but its a shame it doesn't get much love

[ChrisWortman]

Been using Linux since 2003, and Ubuntu specifically since 2005... problem free... goes to show that money cant buy everything.

[ChrisWortman]

Been using Linux since 2003 and Ubuntu specifically since 2005, issue and worry free. Just goes to show that money can't buy everything.