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WOW, I had no idea. Steve Ballmer is either totally insane or as high as a kite. And this man is CEO of one of the largest corporations in the world... the mind boggles!!
It actually helps you comprehend how members of the lunatic fringe can end up being in charge of an entire country... scary!!!!!
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In Topic: Ubuntu Review and Download
24 May 2012 - 01:33 AM
Ubuntu 12.04, otherwise known as Precise Pangolin, is a remarkably professional and polished operating system… and guess what… it’s also user friendly. Ubuntu 12.04 is very much GUI driven, if you are at all familiar with Windows you should have absolutely no trouble assimilating. There are a few minor quirks; such as the folder and application Close, Minimize and Maximize buttons being at top left of the window rather that on the right as in Windows. The back and forward navigation buttons on the right rather then on the left, and the taskbar situated across the top by default rather than at the bottom. Very minor differences but, after years of Windows and with automatic reflexes kicking in, it initially takes a little getting used to
The ISO is a little over 701MB in size so not too demanding to download. Installation proceeds smoothly but definitely requires babysitting, there are quite a few questions along the way requiring responses… although, to be fair, nothing which isn’t pretty standard for most operating systems. One of the first options put forward is whether you wish to install Ubuntu alongside Windows or as the sole operating system… make your selection and Ubuntu automatically takes care of the rest. I didn’t actually time the installation process but I guess it took around 40 minutes all up. This is on an older machine which has previously been running XP; 1GB RAM, Pentium 4 CPU and 160GB hard drive. Nothing too flash but it handles Precise Pangolin very well.
This is the desktop you are greeted with at completion of the installation – well not quite, I did change the wallpaper and install the Shutter screen capture software:
Ubuntu Interface_002.jpg 105.58K
2 downloads
Note the Launcher bar on the left which operates in much the same manner as ‘pinning’ applications to the Taskbar in Windows 7, except Ubuntu calls it ‘locking’ and ‘unlocking’. Lock your most often used applications on the Launcher bar for quick and easy access. Options for items on the top bar and side Launcher bar are available via a right click menu (sound familiar?) and with a little clicking around, the new user quickly develops a rudimentary familiarization.
Ubuntu’s Software Center has always been a major drawcard and Precise Pangolin does not disappoint… the variety and sheer numbers of available freeware is quite staggering. And it’s a piece of cake to install too; simply make your selection and click on an ‘Install’ button:
Ubuntu Software Centre.jpg 85.45K
2 downloads
'Ubuntu One' offers 5GB cloud storage for free and syncs with mobile devices (mobile apps are available for Android & iOS):
Ubuntu One_001.png 55.4K
1 downloads
It’s still very early days for yours truly and Ubuntu 12.04 but to say I am impressed would definitely be an understatement. Do I believe it is ready for prime time? You bet I do, and especially considering the plethora of adverse comments surrounding the upcoming Windows 8. I can’t imagine anyone with any sort of Windows experience not being able to quickly feel at home with Ubuntu. There will always be the specialist software products specifically designed for Windows of course but the ‘Wine’ emulator can help out in that regard, and there are so many titles available for Linux now, in most cases you should be able to find something which is near enough.
For me anyway, the fact that some of my favorite titles may not be available is well and truly overshadowed by all the pluses. One small annoyance… although I guess it is all about security… Ubuntu demands a password during installation and then requires that password each and every time to perform quite a few of its operations, software installations for example. Certainly no deal breaker but a minor irritation nonetheless. Ubuntu 12.04 is, in my humble opinion, well and truly worth the bandwidth to download and the time to take it for a test drive. Even at this early stage I’ve already decided that, for me, Ubuntu 12.04 is a definite keeper.
NOTE: I am by no means an expert on Linux. This review is presented largely for the benefit of Windows users who may be contemplating trying out or migrating wholly to Linux, and Ubuntu in particular.
The ISO is a little over 701MB in size so not too demanding to download. Installation proceeds smoothly but definitely requires babysitting, there are quite a few questions along the way requiring responses… although, to be fair, nothing which isn’t pretty standard for most operating systems. One of the first options put forward is whether you wish to install Ubuntu alongside Windows or as the sole operating system… make your selection and Ubuntu automatically takes care of the rest. I didn’t actually time the installation process but I guess it took around 40 minutes all up. This is on an older machine which has previously been running XP; 1GB RAM, Pentium 4 CPU and 160GB hard drive. Nothing too flash but it handles Precise Pangolin very well.
This is the desktop you are greeted with at completion of the installation – well not quite, I did change the wallpaper and install the Shutter screen capture software:
Ubuntu Interface_002.jpg 105.58K
2 downloadsNote the Launcher bar on the left which operates in much the same manner as ‘pinning’ applications to the Taskbar in Windows 7, except Ubuntu calls it ‘locking’ and ‘unlocking’. Lock your most often used applications on the Launcher bar for quick and easy access. Options for items on the top bar and side Launcher bar are available via a right click menu (sound familiar?) and with a little clicking around, the new user quickly develops a rudimentary familiarization.
Ubuntu’s Software Center has always been a major drawcard and Precise Pangolin does not disappoint… the variety and sheer numbers of available freeware is quite staggering. And it’s a piece of cake to install too; simply make your selection and click on an ‘Install’ button:
Ubuntu Software Centre.jpg 85.45K
2 downloads'Ubuntu One' offers 5GB cloud storage for free and syncs with mobile devices (mobile apps are available for Android & iOS):
Ubuntu One_001.png 55.4K
1 downloadsIt’s still very early days for yours truly and Ubuntu 12.04 but to say I am impressed would definitely be an understatement. Do I believe it is ready for prime time? You bet I do, and especially considering the plethora of adverse comments surrounding the upcoming Windows 8. I can’t imagine anyone with any sort of Windows experience not being able to quickly feel at home with Ubuntu. There will always be the specialist software products specifically designed for Windows of course but the ‘Wine’ emulator can help out in that regard, and there are so many titles available for Linux now, in most cases you should be able to find something which is near enough.
For me anyway, the fact that some of my favorite titles may not be available is well and truly overshadowed by all the pluses. One small annoyance… although I guess it is all about security… Ubuntu demands a password during installation and then requires that password each and every time to perform quite a few of its operations, software installations for example. Certainly no deal breaker but a minor irritation nonetheless. Ubuntu 12.04 is, in my humble opinion, well and truly worth the bandwidth to download and the time to take it for a test drive. Even at this early stage I’ve already decided that, for me, Ubuntu 12.04 is a definite keeper.
NOTE: I am by no means an expert on Linux. This review is presented largely for the benefit of Windows users who may be contemplating trying out or migrating wholly to Linux, and Ubuntu in particular.
