Ubuntu (w. Linux) vs. Windows XP

Review: Ubuntu

Ubuntu, open source desktop with Linux OS, offering 3D animated windows and interaction.

My verdict: Sadly, I aborted Ubuntu after managing to set it up with Windows XP integrated. Steals too much valuable time to learn commands and fix bugs.

(I intend to publish a complete install guide I wrote for my Danish blog, when the articles have been through Google Translate and a manual edit.)

Disclaimer: Stupid User commenting

Before the detailed review follows, I have to stress that it is a professional decision made by a person, who may be a real gunslinger on the keyboard, but also knows zero about programming and prefers never to open a command line tool bar.

I love open source as a concept, and I can honestly say that if it was not for Joomla (formerly known as Mambo) I would not be seeing the kind of business I do.

To run Ubuntu professionally, go expert

The main reasons I aborted Ubuntu w. Windows:

1. Loss of functionality.
For instance, I quickly grew addicted to G11, and Linux/Ubuntu disabled the M1-M3 keys you use to switch between macro settings, as well as the MR (Macro Recorder). I found a solution on the web, or at least a forum thread posing as such, but at that point I was weary from correcting all the other errors.

2. Difficult interface.
I realized that even with all the neat applications for Ubuntu, I would have to spend hours maxing the system out to function on the level of functionality I require. And there would still be functions I would miss and software incompatibilities. For instance, I had trouble setting up Firestarter, and after a couple of crashes I seemed to remember installing Bullguard quite effortlessly on the otherwise much criticized Windows XP.

3. Design limitations
I never managed to get the right screen resolution on Ubuntu, which came with very limited options. It did improve after installing a graphic driver that worked, but edges were still blurry here and there. I'm sure I can find a fix for it somewhere out on the www, but the red through my argumentation is time expenditure - Ubuntu may be all right as OS on a personal machine, but for professional use you need to apply a wide range of software tools, often simultanously.

You basically need a lot of time on your hands to run this OS, and you would have to be somewhat fluent in programming languages. I am a complete illiterate in that regard, so... I just don't need the extra pressure.

Fast install, neat 3D, lots of extras

It is not that Ubuntu is unstable - even if I did have more trouble installing and launching basic features than I would expect from the relatively simple control panel and rapid download of applications and extentions.

I really dig the 3D interactive animated windows and the scrolling between dual desktops. It is what I will miss on Windows - perhaps along with the OpenPGP capability. But there are tons of free apps for Ubuntu, and if you compare to the charges for Windows and compatible software producers, I can see why most people would feel they get a lot extra from Ubuntu.

To run Windows inside Ubuntu as well as on a parallel install - which is tempting due to the cool scroll-to-change-between-desktops function - I have to buy another edition of Windows.

Windows is pretty worthless without updates - particularly the Office 2007 Small Business version I am running. When Windows detects that you are double-installing, even if it is on the same physical drive, you have to pay for one more license.

All hail Open Source

My recommendation would be to check out Ubuntu for your private computer, just to see what a really well integrated desktop interface feels like. Some of it may the same or less than Mac, and it certainly does not look "Applish", but there are still some Ubuntu functions that go above and beyond what you can get out of other OS.

I still use Firefox 99% of the time, except for jobs that for some annoying reason requires Explorer. And I am currently researching Mahara. So, don't call me a traitor to the (open source) movement The review merely reflects the opinion of a lay person with zero interest in writing code and maximum interest in functionality to the point of choosing for instance a cable gaming keyboard over cordless or laser keyboard.