Ubuntu - Will this replace Windows?
Ubuntu 8.04 was released this week, and it stands as the best possible contender to replace Microsoft Windows. (Fulfilling the dreams of all good men of conscience.)
This latest version of this Linux will automatically create a dual boot on your system, so you can keep Windows for all of those programs written specifically for it. The hope is that eventually programs like iTunes or Photoshop will create versions for new operation systems like this.
It also calls up your network settings automatically, so you don’t have to do a lot of searching for drivers. It’s copy of Firefox doesn’t freeze up the way the Windows version does, and it is free.
Best of all, unlike anything Windows makes, you can uninstall and reinstall it as many times as you like. Windows limits the number of times you can install the software that you paid your own money for. Up until recently, you’ve had to put up with this, because what other options did you have?
Give it a try, if you don’t like it take it off your machine. I truely hope this - or something equally utilitarian and inexpensive - dethrones Windows. It has been the only game in town for so long, they no longer have the impetus to make a quality product.
In fact, I dare say Windws has sold more Apple Computers than any advertisement Apple ever paid for.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
The big questions about Ubuntu right now in my book are:
1. Can they sort out the last remaining hardware driver annoyances during setup?
2. Will anyone release games for linux?
Without the games, it will be harder to get people to switch. As more game content becomes browser based, this will become less of an issue
April 21st, 2008 at 12:00 pm
My opinion on this topic is somewhat jaded, as I don’t necessarily think that anybody needs to run Linux as a desktop OS. It’s been something of a pipe dream for a long time - there’s a running joke in the Linux community that “The Year of the Linux Desktop” is always next year. That being said, there’s lots to like about Ubuntu.
For one, Canonical - the company behind Ubuntu - invests heavily in its development, which has resulted in a ton of open-source code being created that is then available for other developers to make use of. As the fastest-growing distribution of Linux, Ubuntu has a lot of overall polish that is often lacking in other distributions. As a desktop Linux distribution it is quite good, especially in light of the price.
I just don’t know why anyone would want to run Linux as a desktop OS when the other real Windows alternative - Mac OS X - is so good. From a technology perspective OS X’s Unix underpinnings provide many of the Linux benefits. There’s a reason that many web app developers (like myself) prefer to develop on Macs. There’s so much in common with our target deployment platform (Linux) that it works really, really well.
Linux makes much more sense as a server, and as a server Ubuntu is great. Its Debian underpinnings endow it with a superior package manager, as well as guaranteeing it is among the first distributions to support the latest and greatest software.
In short, yes, a lot of good can (and has) come of Ubuntu.
April 21st, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I think Ubuntu is nice, but it would not be my preference, and it will not replace Windows anytime soon. I think it is too dumbed down. I also think It will be a while before it ever has a shot at replacing Windows. These are the reasons why:
1) It is not an enterprise class Distribution of Linux and will not gain any traction in the business market until they create more secure and easily customized at install time versions. Business will also not touch it until they can easily manage and lock it down.
2) Mac OS. Why would you want to run Linux on the Desktop when you can run Mac OS. Linux GUIs are notoriously buggy and in secure. If you want an alternative to windows for the desktop get a Mac. If you are just looking for a Linux desktop, get a Mac, as they are based on a Unix variant and therefore provide the functionality of Linux.
3) You cannot get it at Best Buy, and Geek Squad does not support it. Until there is mainstream outlets selling systems with it preloaded and there is main stream outlets offering tech support for it overtaking Windows is not an option. The other caveat is selling systems is not enough, they need to sell millions of systems. By the way, you can now buy a Mac in Best Buy.
4) Ubuntu did not make the iPod. Ubuntu is an unknown to the general public, and even if they were known, they have not made any products that anyone just had to have. This is how Apple clawed their way back into the Market, they made products like the iPod, the iPhone, and iTunes that are all gateway products to Mac OS and Mac Computers. Apple works like a crack dealer, they give you something that just works and makes you happy to use, and then they offer you another and another, until you have no free will to say no, and are singing their praises.