[PCWorld]

Post your comments for 10 reasons to choose Ubuntu 12.10 over Windows 8 here

[extremeskillz]

Love Ubuntu. I use it for everything from personal, to business, and on my servers. Currently running the 12.04 LTS version on my business systems so I don't have to upgrade every 6 month's. And these systems are join to a AD domain to access resources. It works flawlessly. I am running 12.10 on my home systems and it's very enjoyable.

I have no complaints about Windows 8 as I am a network admin of a Windows network and love it. The fact they can be joined to the domain makes them suitable on all platforms from laptops, tablets, and so on. I can't say the same for Android and IOS. At least for now.

[DecadreSolydius]

Why mention just Ubuntu? Distros (meaning versions of Linux) like Mageia and Mint, which are currently more popular than Ubuntu also resemble Windows 7 (and earlier) in appearance with a Start-esque menu and other similar Windows features.

Ubuntu according to websites that track downloads is losing more and more market share as they keep "refining" their Unity GUI which is a move away from the "traditional" desktop so many users are used to. This has been happening for awhile now, and should have been a wake up call to Microsoft in regard to their Windows 8 GUI revamp.

[TommyONeilln4z]

I spent a good 6 hours with Windows 8 and it took me longer than it should've to figure out the basic functions of the operating system. Not to mention I'm a triple-certified IT professional and have used computers of many different operating systems for nearly 20 years. My cousin who's also an IT professional told me the same thing when I asked him about Windows 8. If that doesn't say something about its usability, I don't know what will.

Ubuntu on the other hand is way easier for people to figure out. I've actually converted my father and 3 of my friends to Ubuntu, and all of them say it runs fine. I definitely think Ubuntu (and linux in general) can eventually overthrow Windows 8 as a mainstream operating system within the next 5-10 years.

If anyone reading this is looking to buy a new computer, but doesn't want to have to deal with the major learning curve that Windows 8 comes with, I'd check Ubuntu 12.04 out. (12.10 is still very new, so I recommend 12.04 because it's had all the kinks worked out by now, and it will be supported longer.) It's free, so what do you have to lose?

[extremeskillz]

Regarding Unity to DecadreSolydius. In me using it since it was introduced in 11.04 I can tell you it has come a long way. I am way more productive with Unity. When i am using it I barely use the mouse since it was designed to be more productive and able to quickly navigate the system and applications in the interface. I have installed it on touched based HP laptops and it works flawlessly. One thing I would tell the old school Linux and windows users who were used to the old way of things is start learning the new stuff or fall behind. People do not like change but change is what keeps OS's and everything in the world in general fresh. to an extent. And Unity is fresh and works well. I used ubuntu before unity and I like it more now then before. But again that is me.

Give it a try! What is nice about Linux is if you don't like it you can change it. As the OP has mentioned. What is nice about Linux too is you have choices. You don't have to use Ubuntu as there are others more suited for the user coming from other systems. Ubuntu is popular and I am not sure where your getting your statistics from but Canonical's change was a big move and upset people as it was still buggy, when it first came out. I understand that. Now it's come a long way and is going to further move ubuntu to TV, Tablets, and phones. I definitely recommend you try it!

[neilparker]

6 hours you have to be kidding? My 60 year old mother in law picked it up in no time, and she is no IT specialist. All this negative hype around W8 is just pathetic. I am using a Surface Tablet right now and I am loving the ease of use and integration with my other Windows devices. Where did you get your IT certification, did it come in a box of corn flakes?

[djnforce9]

I would have switched to Linux by now as well. However, given how I have a gaming PC, the lack of availability for AAA titles and the inferior drivers keep me from doing so. Not to mention that DirectX is Microsoft's intellectual property which prevents it from ever being available on Linux (which is a shame too).

Another thing I don't like is it is sometimes easy to change something in Linux but VERY difficult to reverse it. For example, in Ubuntu at least (and pardon me if this HAS been fixed now), if you accidentally delete one of your panels, you need to manually re-create it from scratch. I remember not being able to find any way to automatically reset all panels to how they were during a fresh installation (or at least no straightforward way). Begs the question as to what happens if you deleted ALL your panels only to find the interface rendered unusable. Also, installing applications that are outside of the repository is a royal pain as well whereas in windows, installers make it very straightforward. Lastly, sometimes "beta" software somehow makes it into the stable release of the OS. I remember how Ubuntu came bundled with a Firefox 3 beta (obviously this was a while ago) which had a completely broken "print" function among other things that I used. Why put this in a stable release?

Anyway, the OS is constantly improving but it always seems like it's a long way off before there is a wide adoption as a primary OS as opposed to something for the tech savvy exclusively. Having so many distros also doesn't help and confuses people whereas Windows 8 is at least consistent across every PC it gets installed on.

[TechConc]

PCWorld, on 26 November 2012 - 03:30 AM, said:

Post your comments for 10 reasons to choose Ubuntu 12.10 over Windows 8 here

Nothing against Ubuntu. I'm generally a fan of all things UNIX/Linux, etc. and Ubuntu is certainly a viable alternative. My problem is that this article from Katherine Noyes is really just a bunch of "noise" that we keep hearing every couple months. The bet on Linux on the desktop is a bet that Microsoft's hold on the desktop will completely collapse. That's just not going to happen anytime soon, no matter how good Ubuntu is. Why? Because of the ecosystem. There is just way to much invested in the enterprise market, by third party developers, etc. to expect any sort of change to happen over night, especially due to any sort of misstep Windows 8 may be perceived as. Could things be different in another 10 years? Sure. But, haven't we heard this before 10 years ago? We've been hearing this noise over and over again and nothing has happened.

To change the ecosystem, Linux needs to attract third party developers in a big way. The problem is, third party developers have little incentive to do so. First is due to a lack of market share. Second is the Linux user culture that pretty much expects things to be free. When the argument falls back on relying on products like crossover and WINE for such products, the argument is already lost. Users want native support, they don't want to roll the dice on some "emulation like" solution and they want solutions that make use of native OS features.

So, my challenge to Katherine is not to build a 10 reasons list of why Ubuntu is a better choice, but to provide 10 reasons why she thinks the movement for Linux on the desktop will be different this time.

[spiro11]

True there is alot invested, but don't forget it is Microsoft is pushing for new development to be done in HTML5 which runs on any eco system including Linux.

Also how do think developers and IT managers feel now after having backed Silverlight and WPF in the enterprise workplace? They have lost a lot of street cred.

[Gr8llama]

You know every time I see a post like this I am surprised. I've been in IT for nearly as long as you, I got my chops as a kid on tape drives and then DOS. So I've seen most of the major changes in computing. This isn't really a major change compared to going from DOS to Windows 95. Even that was only a modest change because cmd line let you do most everything you were used to in DOS. Windows 8 is actually easier to use than Windows 7. No longer do you have to go to start menu and click through folder structures to get to the one program you want. No instead you can pin your most used programs to the start screen and away you go. I have done this for all of my systems tools and every other program I use. Now I click the windows key and then click the program I want. No more folder surfing. How is that harder to understand?

The control panel and admin tools are still there, in fact Windows 8 gives more information that every before for system admins to more easily do their jobs. Improved reporting, improved performance, and so far no downsides that I have found. Yeah, it takes a bit of tweaking in the beginning to seed your start screen, but how can anyone in love with Linux complain about this? You pretty much have to do most of the setup for everything you want in most of the distros I've seen. Not that I am a Linux hater, I don't use it because I don't want to jump through hoops to play games which is what my systems at home are mostly used for.

Still for every "experienced" IT professional that disses Windows for it being hard to use I just have to laugh. If you are a true IT professional then nothing in any OS is hard to figure out. I could pick up Linux tomorrow and pretty much find my way around to everything I need. Computers simply work on some pretty common principles. Sure I'll have to find some of the tools I need, but I wouldn't feel challenged to do so. If you know Windows 7, then you know Windows 8, the only difference being the UI. If the start menu is that important to you then perhaps you need to remember the DOS/Windows switch. Wasn't what you were used to but the windows interface eventually became faster and superior. It's all there, folder attributes, etc, but you can get to it easier. Not to mention if you right click in the left corner it brings up a menu-ish interface that gets you to the important windows tools.

*shrugs*. I can't question your experience, because I don't know you, but really doesn't seem you are as saavy as you claim if Windows 8 gives you fits.

[Xach]

Quote

6 hours you have to be kidding? My 60 year old mother in law picked it up in no time, and she is no IT specialist. All this negative hype around W8 is just pathetic. I am using a Surface Tablet right now and I am loving the ease of use and integration with my other Windows devices. Where did you get your IT certification, did it come in a box of corn flakes?

Amen. I have no problem with my new build with windows 8. I took me one week to become more productive on my windows 8 PC then I was with XP. I use 7 at the office which is nice too, but Windows 8 is where its at.

[Xach]

My Windows 8 Build works great. I spent less then 400 on a new PC build. I never had to install a driver and it ran great. Went with an AMD APU and all my games ran great on steam too. I went with the A6 to save some money and they work great try out an APU if your doing a new build and save money on the dedicated GPU. So anyway I have been installing it on my friends old vista computers that have some problems like, for instance, a friend of mine had his CD drive die on him so he could not install the drivers for his WIFI dongle. So I installed Windows 8 on it and it picked up his dongle no drivers and the WIFI worked. Cant say enough good things about it sorry to hear people are having trouble with the first batch of Widows 8, but Its great now.


And remember kids "If you can identify a corner you can use Windows 8."

Also "Tuesday is Soylent Green day."

[Classshell]

If you have time to finger out Ubuntu, then what your problem with with windows 8? If you hate windows 8's look get "classic shell".


Please research these!!

Windows 8 + SSD = unreal fast!!


Get SSD!!!
Get rid off mechanical Drive or use them as storage drive!! If your computer does not support at least sata 3GB get a new pc!! Get ssd with Trim support! Do not get Sata with less than 64GB!! 128GB is good and try to stay under $120 budget unless you want to spend more!!

SATA wtf is that???????????
Sata 6Gb/sec aka sata 3rd gen! "the best"
Sata 3Gbb/sec aka sata 2nd gen! "2nd best"
Sata 1.5Gb/sec aka sata 1st gen!! "3rd best"

***Sata 6Gb and 3Gb are backward compatible! These small drive fit your desktop computer or laptop!!
***Not all laptop support Sata!! All new laptop should support it so...find out about it before buying it!!


Make sure to install windows 8 in Ahci mode in bios or uefi with SSD!!
If you computer does not support Ahci try Sata mode or IDE!!
IDE is the worst but still work good with ssd, but still give amazing speed!!

Try it today!!
You can unplug all your real hard drive and just plugin you ssd and try windows 8!!

90 day free trail!!
http://msdn.microsof...r/jj554510.aspx

If you hate the windows 8 theme!
You can install "classic shell" to get the windows 7 theme for widows 8!


You can get back to your old setup!!
just remove SSD and plug back you real hard drive and go back your old windows!! if the PC crash for some reason make sure to turn your ahci mode back to IDE or Sata mode!!

done!!


Don't Be Ignorant like i was!!

[marcoceppi]

Quote

Why mention just Ubuntu? Distros (meaning versions of Linux) like Mageia and Mint, which are currently more popular than Ubuntu

Do a little bit of real research and present some real facts before you go off spouting non-truths. Ubuntu is still largely the most popular GNU/Linux desktop operating system. Mint, a fork of Ubuntu, has no where near as much market share as Ubuntu. Ubuntu has launched with brick and mortar stores in China, India, and several other countries offering Dell and HP laptops with Ubuntu pre-installed. Show me any other GNU/Linux distribution that has that kind of momentum and real data that says there are more popular distros (oh, and distrowatch is not a valid source of data).

[MichaelHallp14s]

Quote

Ubuntu according to websites that track downloads is losing more and more market share...

There are no websites that track downloads of Ubuntu, or any other distro, that I am aware of. Distrowatch, which is the most commonly cited source for claims like this, only tracks page views on their site for different distros.

[Arup]

Quote

Love Ubuntu. I use it for everything from personal, to business, and on my servers. Currently running the 12.04 LTS version on my business systems so I don't have to upgrade every 6 month's. And these systems are join to a AD domain to access resources. It works flawlessly. I am running 12.10 on my home systems and it's very enjoyable. I have no complaints about Windows 8 as I am a network admin of a Windows network and love it. The fact they can be joined to the domain makes them suitable on all platforms from laptops, tablets, and so on. I can't say the same for Android and IOS. At least for now.

Same here, I have been using Ubuntu since version 6 and today I have deployed it in various institutions from schools, churches to offices, my own office exclusively use Ubuntu and same story at my house including my 84 year old aunt who swears by it.

[TimLund3azg]

As a 6+ year Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, Puppy) user I have no vested interest in Windows 8 success or failure. On the other hand our work systems are a mix of Windows 7 and XP. Curiosity got the better of me and I tried the Consumer Preview of Windows 8 on our home laptop.

Yes, my initial reaction was confusion, not knowing where to go to perform basic tasks. But I figured it out in an hour or so of trial and error and Google searches. No one should need to go through this to operate a computer.

The reaction of my wife was the same. She couldn't navigate around this interface without more information. Frustrated, she wanted me to remove it. To her it was not usable.

Then I sat down with her for about 15 minutes and showed her how to move to the corners to access most functions, how to move between the modern interface and the traditional desktop. 15 minutes and a few questions over the next hour or so and now she says she wouldn't want to go back to XP.

If Microsoft had included a slick tutorial "App" with Windows 8 that new users could view and refer to most of the initial confusion would be gone.

I'll still use Linux for my own computing needs, but for those who need to use Windows, don't be afraid to try Windows 8. It's a fast, secure, powerful OS. Too bad it didn't come with an introductory tutorial.

[mrfred]

One thing you can count on, the Linux crowd celebrating the demise of MS at each new MS O/S release.

Windows 8 or otherwize, like Linux or OS X has its good points and bad. It doesn't excite me or offend me. I can live without it...which is precisely Microsoft's problem.

As a consultant I tried to move my personal machine to Linux a few years ago. It was more stable but I spent large amount of time attempting to find work around for device drivers, codecs and VPN connectivity solutions ( for connecting to customer networks ) than actually using it. In the end i had to maintain two machines, one MS for client work and Linux one for my personal stuff. Too hard.

Cutting edge is great, I'd rather get off the job at a reasonable time myself.

[TheInternal]

The only reasons I've not switched to linux long ago;

-entertainment software (Netflix, the majority of big-budget PC games)
-high end professional graphics programs (3ds Max, Adobe CS) (and yes; I know about or have used inkscape, GIMP, and blender.)

For business though? Sure, I'd say go with ubuntu or another modern linux distro.

However, business users will be reluctant to use something different than what they and/or their kids already use at home. Until Linux has as many triple A PC video game titles that can run natively and products and services like Netflix being readily available and easy to work... I'm skeptical the jump will happen.

If a big time distributor like Valve continues to increase it's support for linux and encourage publishers to make games for linux... that could be the tipping point. I think Netflix could also be another major tipping point for end-users that have wanted to make the jump.

[TheInternal]

As for comments on Windows 8 being "hard" to use? I find that statement inaccurate. It's "different" to use... and many of us old-skool techies probably like having things our way.
With Win8, I can no longer make folder hierarchies around my own notion of logical organization and eliminate what I perceive as "clutter" in the start menu. Now, I'm limited to a more "cluttered" posting of icons to the start page, desktop, or quick launch. Most the programs I used frequently resided on the quick launch bar in WinXP and Win7. I've yet to figure out how to add some "apps" like computer management to the quick launch, but I'm guessing there's a way.
I too agree that MS's failing to do a good tutorial is probably a good source of the complaining by end-users. I'm using a now "old fashion" non-touchscreen (thus, mouse and keyboard for navigation).
As for the latest flavor of Ubuntu; I haven't tried it yet. Every time a new release for it comes out, I check to see if my Steam games, preferred graphics programs, music development software, and Netflix will be natively supported yet. They aren't, so I move on.
I think I played a little with version 11. Nice OS. A bit of a hassle on drivers compared to MS, but nice. The lack of native support for programs and services I want to run is always what kills it for me.
If I was to start a business that didn't require specialized graphics/audio suites, sure, I'd probably go with Ubuntu on cost and it's strength in basic computing tasks.